Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 316

Ian entered the main palace conference room with his usual composed demeanor.

In the wide corridor, officials who had been waiting on either side rose to their feet, acknowledging Ian’s presence. They were subordinates of the ministers attending the Grand Council. They greeted Ian with nods.

“Good morning, Ian.”

“You’re late. How’s the meeting going?”

“It’s progressing, except for the matters related to the Magic Department. The Ministry of Culture’s ‘Increased Funding for Artists’ proposal has just been finalized and passed on. The previous records will be delivered to Romandro by the scribe.”

The Prime Minister’s aide opened the door to the conference room.

It was Jin’s first Grand Council as the Crown Prince. He had been worried about whether Jin was doing well, and if he might be struggling with something he didn’t know.

“Amazing. Is the effect really that good?”

“Yes, it’s far exceeding expectations.”

“Isn’t that the same cost as the initial construction?”

“That’s correct. Therefore, with the remaining surplus funds…”

Jin, sitting at the head of the table, was listening to the minister’s report with a dignified expression. The atmosphere was completely smooth.

Ian suddenly recalled the day he first attended the Grand Council holding the child’s hand. Compared to then, how much had Jin grown? Did he even know? He hoped he did.

“Oh, Sir Ian.”

Jin, who had been flipping through documents, noticed Ian. At the same time, the ministers turned their heads. They were curious about how the relationship had changed since the Crown Prince had removed the Magic Department’s burden. Ian slowly entered and greeted them.

“I apologize, Your Highness. I am late.”

“It’s alright. I heard. The magic circle in charge of the palace entrance suddenly overheated. Is there any problem?”

“Yes. It was a calculation error due to a difference in formulas. It has been resolved, so there is no need to worry.”

“Good work. Please, take a seat.”

The meeting proceeded smoothly. Ian listened attentively, anticipating the previous discussions, while Romandro brought the meeting minutes and handed them over.

Ian quickly scanned the text. He couldn’t help but smile.

“…Luswena has not yet designated any duty-free items. If they request silver, we should discuss adjusting silver transactions with Palepiphontz…”

Then, a word caught Ian’s ear: Palepiphontz. Did Jin know about this? Ian reflexively picked up his pen and looked towards the head of the table. It was a habit from when he used to jot down things he didn’t know.

However, what Ian saw was the Crown Prince confidently raising his hand to stop the official’s statement.

“Wait a moment. Let’s clarify. What is Palepiphontz?”

“Ah, I apologize. It is the largest merchant guild in Bariel that trades in gold and silver.”

“I asked because it wasn’t in the report. If it had been, I would have been aware of it. Do you want the meeting to drag on?”

The child half-jokingly reprimanded the minister. He knew there were many shortcomings. Therefore, he had ordered that even the smallest details be written down before entering the meeting.

Other ministers seized the opportunity to add to the jest.

“Your Highness, the author’s son has just started walking, and he’s been lamenting that he can’t rest when he gets home these days.”

“Ah, no. Your Highness. I am very happy.”

“Isn’t your wife also an official in the same department?”

“That’s right. So, I guess she wanted the meeting to be long.”

Ian tapped his pen, observing the amicable atmosphere. It was a moment where interests aligned perfectly.

The officials were treating Jin more favorably than usual to keep the Magic Department in check, and Jin was using that favor to expose his own shortcomings.

In many ways, things were going well. Ian paused for a moment, then signaled to the Prime Minister.

‘Continue the meeting.’

It was a look that said, ‘It’s good to laugh and joke, but let’s get the work done properly.’ The Prime Minister cleared his throat and lightly tapped his staff.

Tap! Tap!

“Alright, let’s continue the discussion. At this rate, we’ll really be late. Vergos is about to leave the palace, so it would be a problem if the schedule is delayed, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah, yes. So, from the Luswena side…”

As the minister hurriedly continued his statement, Jin glanced at Ian as if pretending to look at the documents. Did he see? Did he realize that he could now participate in the meeting without Ian’s help?

He hoped that Ian would feel that he was standing on his own, even if he was still lacking. So that Ian would trust and rely on him, and step back just a little bit…

“Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

At the Prime Minister’s call, Jin turned his head, pretending not to be surprised. The statements had all been made. The Prime Minister looked at the documents and suggested concluding the meeting.

“All matters except those of the Magic Department have been discussed. However, King Vergos’s departure from the palace is soon…”

“What about the Magic Department? Sir Ian?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s not a matter for discussion, just progress reports. If you are pressed for time, you can receive them in writing.”

Ian nodded to indicate that there were no problems. Then everyone fell silent, hiding their tension. The time had come. Jin carefully looked around and spoke.

“Then, regarding the decisions made at today’s meeting, does anyone have any objections to proceeding as planned?”

The ministers’ gazes quickly turned to Ian. Since it was a proposal made while the Magic Department was absent, it was essentially an agreement from everyone except them.

Ian tapped the edge of the document with his pen.

“…Sir Ian?”

“Yes. I have no objections.”

The Prime Minister, unable to watch any longer, moved to urge him, but Ian put down his pen as if he had made up his mind. Then everyone was relieved but also puzzled. Why did he agree so easily? Especially with this…

“It’s about raising the budget for everyone except the Magic Department in the palace.”

“They were getting too much anyway. It would be shameless to ask for an increase to match other departments. And the payment for Luron stone is still tied up. Sir Ian has no choice if he doesn’t want to be caught out in the Magic Department’s annex.”

“Didn’t you see the back page?”

“I did. I saw you flipping through it earlier.”

-To delegate three magic seal stones to the commander of the Imperial Guard and one each to the members. Due to the nature of their duties in monster battles and special missions, magic seal stones can be used effectively in various ways. To enhance the honor of the Imperial Guard…

Magic seal stones were the only means to physically control a magician. Ian had already distributed them once, but now there was a proposal to grant a small amount to the Imperial Guard within the palace.

This was the same as giving power to the Imperial Guard, who protected the Emperor, to counter the Magic Department.

It was the first time, so the focus was more on the meaning than the effectiveness, but it also meant that the Crown Prince was beginning to reduce his support for the Magic Department.

“But, can we even object here? It’s not about reducing the authority of the Magic Department, but about granting something from the Imperial family.”

“That’s right. If we did, it would be overstepping our authority and a challenge to the Imperial family. It’s a dangerous choice for them too.”

“We’ll have to watch their stance for a while, yes, yes.”

Whispers went back and forth, talking about Ian. They were very quiet, so only they could hear, but there were so many of them that the atmosphere quickly became chaotic. The Prime Minister quickly tapped his staff to quell the noise.

Bang! Bang!

“Then, let’s conclude today’s Grand Council here. Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Let’s move right away. We have to see Vergos off.”

“Let’s do that. It’s next door, so let’s walk.”

The ministers rose and disappeared as if they had been waiting for this moment. They were trying to avoid being caught out by the Magic Department.

Ian calmly tapped the edges of the documents to organize them. Jin tilted his head, observing Ian’s expression.

“Sir Ian. Are you alright?”

“Yes, Your Highness. My fatigue is gone. I heard that you were not feeling well either. You must have been very tired on the day of the inauguration ceremony.”

Not that.

He was asking if he was alright with him taking a step back like this. He was wondering if he had misunderstood and made a mistake, and if this was what Ian wanted.

As the child’s gaze lingered, Ian tilted his head in confusion.

“Why do you ask, Your Highness?”

“It’s because you were late for the meeting.”

Then who told him to be late? If he didn’t show up at a place like this, it was natural that he would be at a disadvantage. As Jin narrowed his eyes, Ian smiled brightly.

“Yes. That’s true. If I could have, I would have come earlier. It’s Your Highness’s first meeting.”

Ah, he smiled. That’s a relief. It must be right. Jin composed himself and stood up with dignity.

Then, a thunderbolt-like message came from behind.

“Your Highness, my mother’s engagement ceremony is soon…”

“I know. Of course, I know.”

He had said that he would wear the earrings he had given her to the ceremony, so he must have been planning to attend. Then Ian gave a regretful smile.

“Will you be able to make it?”

“…Why, why?”

“I thought you would be busy with work.”

Jin’s eyes widened. Yes. Now that it was right to keep a distance, he had to stop interacting with Philia as well. The people in the palace were not fools, and superficial checks would not work. For Jin to attend a private event like his mother’s engagement ceremony would only indicate that their relationship was the same as before.

However, Jin was completely stunned, as if he had received a great shock.

“Your Highness?”

“…That’s right. I’m very, very busy.”

“Yes. I will explain it to your mother. Please do not worry and focus on state affairs.”

As Jin stopped, Siao Shi and Romandro, who had been waiting at the door, simultaneously poked their heads in.

Ian gestured to Romandro to leave quickly, and Siao Shi passed him and approached Jin. When he met his eye level, the child’s face looked quite uncomfortable.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Just a moment, um…”

“Yes. I understand.”

Siao Shi gestured to those waiting outside to go ahead. Among them were Ian and Romandro. With Romandro following Ian with a puzzled expression, only Jin and Siao Shi remained in the conference room.

“…”

Thump.

The child leaned his forehead against the wall and squatted down. He began to sob, trying to hold back his groans. Siao Shi patted the child’s shoulder and asked.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

“It’s just that, Philia is getting engaged next week.”

“That’s right. It’s rumored that Sir Ian has taken his first vacation since his appointment.”

Siao Shi paused for a moment, realizing something.

He had a vague idea of the strange dynamic between the two. Jin had never spoken about it openly, but it was clear that there was a distance between them since the inauguration ceremony.

It was a relief, if you could call it that, that there didn’t seem to be any negative feelings recently.

Jin kept muttering while squatting.

“I’m too busy with work, so I don’t think I can, can go…”

“Do you want to go?”

“…No. I have too much work.”

He wanted to go.

Siao Shi knelt on one knee next to the child and looked at his face. Tears were welling up as if they were about to fall.

“If you want to go that much, go, Your Highness. It’s alright.”

“No, I can’t. I have too much work… And if others find out, it will lose its meaning…”

If Jin attended, the effort to distance himself from Ian would be diluted. Siao Shi pondered for a moment, then whispered softly.

“You can go secretly. I’ll arrange something.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So, please get up. How can the Crown Prince be squatting like this?”

Jin took Siao Shi’s hand and stood up. A tear was about to fall, but he quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, erasing the trace.

The child then made a sulky face. Ian was so heartless, couldn’t he have let the engagement ceremony slide? It was only a few days apart!

“Sir Ian is too much. Really.”

“Shall I scold him?”

“Who would scold him?”

In the palace, even the Prime Minister couldn’t do as he pleased. When he thought about it, he realized why everyone was so eager to get rid of Ian.

“Who dares…”

Siao Shi smiled playfully and straightened the child’s clothes, while Romandro, who had been walking ahead, scratched his ear.

“Is someone talking about me?”

“Why do you ask, Romandro?”

“No, my ear was itching. By the way, what were you talking about with His Highness Jin earlier? He didn’t look too good.”

Ian glanced at Romandro and mumbled.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, is it?”

“…I told him not to worry if he couldn’t attend his mother’s engagement ceremony because he was too busy with work.”

Stop.

Romandro, who had been walking well, stopped and made a shocked expression. How, oh my god, oh my goodness! Something that His Highness Jin had been so looking forward to…!

“Ian!”

Romandro shouted in shock, forgetting his dignity, and Ian hurried away, pretending not to hear. That, that! He’s like a cold-blooded person who only knows how to work!

Romandro rolled up his sleeves and fiercely chased after Ian.