Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 305

This Is an Opportunity

Meanwhile, at that very moment.

Serio strolled down the hallway, his face flushed from drink. He had no choice but to attend the event due to the official invitation from the Imperial Palace, but the setting was quite uncomfortable for him.

From the upper floor, Ian, who had tried to trample him, was looking down, and beside him were the nobles who had slandered and attacked him.

It was their custom to laugh and chat behind masks, but as the alcohol took effect, it became increasingly burdensome.

‘Haa.’

Perhaps it would have been better if he hadn’t colluded with Ian. Having experienced the sweetness of the honey pot [a metaphor for a lucrative opportunity], even the usual sweetness no longer felt sweet. At that moment, a woman lightly tapped his back.

‘Brother. What are you doing?’

It was Serio’s younger sister, Alenara.

Like him, she had been drinking and eating since the start of the banquet, but her red lips were as perfect as if they had been sculpted. She adjusted her gloves that reached her elbows and scolded her brother.

‘I told you not to leave your seat. If we don’t speak up, others will have more opportunities to speak. Just watching that is like sticking your neck into a lion’s mouth.’

The family’s status was on the brink. Thanks to Alenara’s unique way of handling things, they could still participate in social activities without any problems, but it was uncertain how long it would last.

Serio grumbled but straightened his sister’s collar.

‘What about you? Why did you come out? To offer your neck to the lion?’

‘Hahaha. That’s for you to do, brother. I’m just here to watch. By the way, a mage is controlling the stairs leading to the upper floor. Is there no other way?’

The upper floor? Serio frowned at Alenara’s question. Come to think of it, he had seen nobles lingering near the entrance to the stairs leading that way.

At first, he thought they were trying to get in Ian’s and Jin’s good graces, but seeing Alenara, it seemed their purpose was elsewhere.

‘Alenara.’

‘Let’s wash away the old-fashioned talk with alcohol. You even proposed a marriage to Lord Ian, so why do you keep saying no to foreign countries? Instead of living in a dilapidated mansion, it’s better to wear a crown in another country.’

The news that all the leaders of other countries visiting Bariel were unmarried was already widespread. Especially for nobles like the Serio family, who were faltering under the Imperial Palace’s scrutiny, this was like a spark of hope.

‘If possible, I’d prefer to become a member of the Imperial Family without going abroad. But you know? Prince Jin is too young, and Lord Ian has already been rejected. Above all, there is no suitable match among the nobles right now.’

It had always been like that. When the Imperial Family and nobles formed a relationship, it was a contract made for a clear purpose. Either they needed a huge amount of capital, or the Imperial Family wanted to appease the power of the nobles.

The current Imperial Palace of Bariel had no reason to reach out to the nobles from any perspective.

‘Since there’s no way here, we have no choice but to go abroad. If we do, the importance of our family within Bariel will also increase as a center of diplomatic negotiations. That’s what the Hyman family did.’

‘Shhh. How can you mention that name so carelessly?’

Everyone acknowledged that the Hyman family had been great from the beginning, but they only gained the honor of being ‘between the Imperial Family and the nobles’ after marrying into the Luswena royal family.

They participated in the diplomatic coordination between Bariel and Luswena, and the enormous profits they gained through it were on a scale that could not be compared to other families.

‘What does it matter? It’s the truth. So, brother, get your act together and fix your collar properly. You never know. Queen Eriphony might like you.’

‘Is that even a thing to say?’

‘If you look at it briefly, you’re not bad. You should have resembled our mother more, like me, tsk.’

Alenara clicked her tongue and straightened Serio’s clothes.

While the officials gathered for diplomatic relations, the nobles gathered to survive. No matter how one looked at it, it was clear that the authority of the Imperial Palace would become more flawless and omnipotent after the inauguration ceremony. If that happened, the nobles’ position would be further reduced.

Before that, this was the last opportunity given by heaven.

‘So, how do we get to the upper floor? You’ve been to the palace often, so you should know.’

‘All the places I know are already controlled. Other nobles can’t go up either.’

‘Oh, really.’

How useless.

Alenara crossed her arms and racked her brain. If they couldn’t go up, the kings would have to come down, but then other nobles would also have easy access, wouldn’t they?

‘Brother, go inside first. I’m not familiar with this place, so I’ll pretend to be lost and look around.’

‘Alenara!’

‘Smile. People tend to look at those who smile rather than those who stand still.’

Alenara pushed her brother towards the banquet hall corridor, and she turned in the opposite direction.

There was a garden surrounding the main palace, so if she walked along it, there would surely be stairs leading to the upper floor. Even if it was a place used by servants, it didn’t matter.

Swoosh.

She watched and examined the brilliantly lit building.

The silhouettes of people appeared and disappeared through the windows, and the sounds of conversations occasionally heard from the garden also came and went. The upper floor was a space for imperial events, so unlike the lower floor, there were significantly fewer windows.

‘If I go around this way, it’s completely opposite the railing where Prince Jin gave his toast earlier. No one will come to this terrace…’

‘Eldert. What do you think?’

‘I believe it makes sense. It’s dangerous to go along with their intentions. Above all, isn’t today the beginning of history? It’s too early to cut it off…’

Alenara noticed voices coming from a nearby upper-floor terrace. Her body shrank involuntarily, and her ears perked up.

Eldert? If Eldert was the envoy from Luswena, the person he was speaking respectfully to could only be one person, right?

‘It’s Queen Eriphony.’

Oh my god, damn it. If she had known this, she would have sent her brother instead of herself! Alenara closed her eyes tightly as if in regret and held her breath.

But strangely, the rest of the conversation was not heard.

‘I’ve heard rumors that the portraits in the Imperial Palace have eyes and ears, but I didn’t know the trees did too.’

‘……?’

‘I’m talking about you, young lady, hiding behind the tree.’

‘……!’

Alenara was flustered and revealed herself.

Queen Eriphony was leaning against the railing. With her long, turquoise hair flowing down, she was looking down at Alenara with an interested expression.

As her glossy hair caught the moonlight, Alenara was reminded of a riverbank in summer. Perhaps because of her great height, it felt strangely close to be facing her like this.

‘Are you on your way to meet your lover?’

‘No, I just came out for some fresh air and got lost. I’m not familiar with the palace grounds. I, I apologize. Your Majesty, Queen Eriphony.’

‘There’s no need to apologize. This is the Imperial Palace of Bariel, isn’t it? I am a guest, and you are from this country…’

‘I am Alenara Serio, the daughter of the Serio family.’

When the queen trailed off, Alenara immediately bowed politely. Originally, it was proper to mention her title, but after failing to inherit the dukedom, she stopped mentioning it.

Eriphony rested her chin on her hand and only raised her eyebrows.

‘Well, whatever. Anyway, enjoy yourself. It seems there won’t be another eve as perfect as tonight.’

Eriphony raised her glass and was about to leave the terrace. The moment the ends of her long hair fluttered, Alenara realized that the opportunity was also passing her by like the wind.

She had to somehow draw the queen’s attention.

‘Oh, Your Majesty!’

Her voice was off-key because she suddenly shouted, but it made Eriphony tilt her head in curiosity. She was smiling with a relaxed and subtle smile.

‘It’s a more brilliant night because Your Majesty is with us, isn’t it? You are indeed someone who has received the attention of the Imperial Family.’

‘…The attention of the Imperial Family?’

Eriphony leaned her upper body against the railing and lowered her head. Her hair flowed down with her. Alenara felt like it was a rope to climb to the upper floor.

Grab it, grab that.

At the same time as the thought, her tongue moved on its own.

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Weren’t you engaged to Prince Gail? Everyone was disappointed that it didn’t work out. Luswena and Bariel could have formed a new relationship and history.’

She brought up the rumor that Gail had tried to arrange a marriage with the King of Luswena to avoid execution during the rebellion.

Did she know? Or not?

It didn’t matter whether she knew or not. Just be interested in me.

So, call me to where you are. Please.

‘Oh ho.’

Eriphony raised her eyebrows and looked back at Eldert. He also shook his head as if he had never heard of it.

This was one of the strategies to create a turncoat, and since it was not directly related to Hyman, the information did not move to Luswena. Above all, the Arsen incident broke out afterward, and it was a hazy, faded happening.

‘What did you say your name was?’

‘I am Alenara Serio.’

‘Alright. Lady Alenara.’

Eriphony gracefully dropped her fan over the railing. Alenara quickly picked it up, which had fallen right at her feet, and looked up at the queen again. Eriphony’s three-white eyes [eyes where the sclera is visible on three sides of the iris] were filled with a bright smile.

‘Would you pick up the fan for me?’

Come up here. I will tell Eldert to clear the way. Eriphony was saying that. Alenara nodded, holding the fan tightly in both hands.

The fan had a very thick, sweet smell. It was a deep scent that was comparable to the honey pot that the Serio family had smelled before.

* * *

‘Your Highness. It would be best if you went inside soon.’

At the end of the corridor leading to the banquet hall.

Damon was standing still, staring blankly into the air, as if he was thinking about something. Time continued to pass, and even the guards were looking at him strangely. Finally, as if he had finished organizing his thoughts, he began to walk.

Creak.

As the door opened to the left and right, Prince Noah turned to look at Damon. The atmosphere was no different from when he had left earlier. The prince’s face was dark, and Jin was talking to a man with gray hair. Where was Ian?

‘There he is.’

He had his back to them, talking to a mage, probably about some report.

Noah sniffled and greeted Damon.

‘I apologize for my absence.’

‘Where is Queen Eriphony? What did you talk about?’

‘Hmm. I didn’t get to see her. Did she follow me out? The night air is cool, so perhaps Queen Eriphony is also enjoying some contemplation.’

‘Oh, is that so?’

His tone was so natural, as if nothing had happened. Damon picked up an empty wine glass, and a servant approached and filled it.

‘Prince Noah.’

‘…What is it?’

Damon spoke to Noah. What was he trying to say? Noah was already frightened and replied quietly.

‘It seems that the tribute from Vergos is insufficient, so I think I will send a separate tribute when I return.’

‘And?’

‘I’m thinking of sending high-grade fertilizer for tax exemption. If I do that, it seems that nothing will go to Clifford until next year. I’m telling you in advance.’

Noah’s mouth slowly opened.

‘What, what do you mean-‘

‘It’s not certain yet. It’s just a candidate for now. Or, should we have a separate conversation later? I’d like to ask for your advice on what kind of tribute Clifford sent. I also have something to say about the management of jewels.’

Pouur.

Damon poured wine into the glass in Noah’s hand.

It was so full that the end of it was shimmering and about to overflow.