Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 317

The Small Engagement Ceremony

Borgos’ carriages lined up, awaiting the signal to depart.

The luggage compartments, once full of tribute, were now empty, and the horses pawed the ground contentedly. They had realized they could run much lighter. The coachmen, oiling their whips, clicked their tongues.

“Goodness, we came all this way and are leaving empty-handed.”

“I know. I wonder if other countries are like this.”

It was only natural that if something went, something would come in return. They had offered a mountain of jewels as tribute for the inauguration ceremony, but all they were taking back was the food they had consumed during the journey.

The porters also grumbled, shaking their empty hands.

“I heard they received tax exemptions as a gift in return.”

“Really? What kind of exemption? Do we get any benefits too?”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but anyway, the higher-ups are the only ones who benefited. We’re the ones who did all the hard work. Ahem.”

“Oh, here they come. Shhh!”

They saw the attendants running out of the main palace to clear the way. Soon, the King of Borgos appeared, walking shoulder to shoulder with a child who was said to be the Crown Prince of Bariel. Dozens of people followed behind them. Their figures, approaching with their uniforms fluttering, were majestic.

The coachmen gripped their whips tightly and prostrated themselves on the ground.

“Alright. We can depart right away.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Once again, congratulations on your succession, and thank you for inviting us to this honorable occasion.”

The coachman curiously tilted his head to look up at the Crown Prince. No matter how he looked at him, he was just a child of about fifteen, but his voice was so firm.

No one noticed that Jin had been sniffling just moments ago. At least, none of the people from Borgos did.

“Before that, just a moment.”

At Jin’s gesture, Siao Shi brought a high-quality cloth pouch. The sound of clinking came from inside. The coachmen’s nerves were on edge. They were people who had been paid with coins their whole lives, so they were more keenly aware than anyone of what this meant.

“I’ve heard that it’s customary to share gifts with the lower-ranking people, no matter the situation. However, this time, the luggage compartment is particularly light, so I’d like to give you a small token of appreciation.”

The coachmen and porters cheered while still prostrated. They had been dissatisfied that not even a crumb had fallen their way, but as expected of the Crown Prince of a great nation. They all bit their lips to hide their excitement.

“No, Your Highness. Please don’t worry about it. You’ve already given us a great gift of tax exemption, how could we shamelessly accept more? Please keep it.”

That was until Damon refused. In fact, they hadn’t really offered anything properly, so they couldn’t enjoy the tax exemption benefits, but no one mentioned that.

“It seems the lower-ranking people would be disappointed.”

Yes, yes. We are disappointed. We are so disappointed that we could jump up and down. The porters glanced at each other, looking crestfallen. As if they wished the King would please allow it.

“You there.”

“Yes? Are you, are you talking to me?”

“Yes. Come here and receive it. It’s the Empire’s festival, so everyone should return with happy hearts.”

Jin had no choice but to point to the closest person and order him to come forward. The coachman stood before the Crown Prince, fidgeting under the cool gaze of his lord.

Clink.

“You’ve worked hard. Everyone, please be careful on your way.”

“I, I am deeply grateful, Your Highness.”

“Divide the rest fairly among yourselves.”

The coachman returned to his place, trotting with the heavy pouch. The inside was golden. Everyone would be able to hold a gold coin in their hands.

“…Thank you. Then, we’ll be on our way.”

Damon gestured to Timothy and boarded the carriage. He didn’t know what Jin’s intention was, but frankly, he couldn’t accept it kindly. He couldn’t tell if it was to mock them for returning empty-handed and even at a loss, or to promote the Empire’s prestige to his own people.

“Alright, everyone, return to your places.”

“Prepare to depart!”

Hee-heeing!

As Timothy organized the surroundings and checked the carriages, the nobles also bid farewell to the officials.

It was the moment when the first official diplomatic mission Jin had received was leaving. Ian approached Timothy and nodded.

“Envoy Timothy.”

“Sir Ian. We are leaving well. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“I can always extend kindness to you. Please go safely and take care of yourself.”

When Ian offered his hand first, Timothy clasped it with both hands, showing his respect. Although it had been a short time, he had keenly felt Ian’s influence in the Imperial Palace.

“Yes. I hope to see you again.”

“…Yes. Let’s meet again. Just as you are today.”

Above all, he knew that the relationship between Bariel and Borgos was not very smooth. That was why the favor Ian was showing him was both questionable and precious, wasn’t it?

For the kingdom, for his lord. Timothy wanted to be a channel for communication with Bariel, befitting his title as an envoy.

Swoosh.

Damon watched the scene from inside the carriage, pulling back the curtain. Then, he knocked on the window of the driver’s seat as if to hurry them. When the coachman raised the flag, Timothy turned and boarded the carriage.

“We’ll depart!”

Clatter, clatter!

Hee-heeing!

The carriages moved one by one and sped towards the entrance of the Imperial Palace. Damon’s gaze brushed past. Ian responded by placing his hand on his chest. A warm smile opposing a cold gaze.

“They’ve left. Goodness, everyone has worked hard.”

“Clifford and Luswena are still left.”

“Your Highness, we will now return to our duties. You have worked hard overseeing the meeting today.”

“Alright. Go on. You’ve done well.”

Soon after the Borgos procession disappeared from view, the officials also dispersed. Ian and Jin made eye contact. Ian bowed and praised the child.

“Your Highness. It was truly well done to bestow gold coins.”

Ian hadn’t known it, but this seemed to be surprisingly effective. It was suitable for showing the Empire’s generosity, and above all, it was an embarrassing matter for the Borgos leaders. It was like mocking them for not taking the benefits that even the servants were taking.

Although Ian praised him, Jin only narrowed his eyes and did not react. Romandro, who was watching from behind, looked surprised, saying, ‘Oh my goodness.’

“Alright.”

“…Your Highness?”

“Go in now. I have a lot of work too. Hmm.”

Jin pouted and turned away sulkily. He hadn’t gotten over the disappointment of being told not to come to Philia’s engagement ceremony. The child stomped his feet as if to show off and entered the main palace.

Siao Shi nodded as if to greet them, but even that was not finished. It was because the child grabbed his arm and pulled him to hurry.

“He’s sulking.”

“…Check if the Borgos carriage went straight through the center. If they take a different route, do not stop them, just report it.”

“He’s sulking, Ian.”

“…Has the alliance agreement with Clifford been prepared? They also seem to be leaving the palace this morning.”

Ian pretended not to hear and continued to check on his work.

Romandro, with a displeased expression, still diligently took notes. It was an expression that he was letting it slide because there were many people watching.

“Ian.”

“Sir Romandro.”

And the carriage returning to the Magic Department. When only the two of them were left, they called out to each other at the same time. Romandro put his pen in his chest pocket as if to say, ‘You go first.’

“You asked me last time. If I had fought with His Highness.”

“I did. But looking at it today, it’s your one-sided fault. I understand that you’re doing that to make him a strong character since he’s the Crown Prince. Ah, but he’s still young.”

“…I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you in advance.”

Ian looked out the window with his chin propped up. And after a moment of thought, he revealed his concerns and plans to Romandro.

From now on, Jin and he would be going completely different ways, so wouldn’t it be right for Romandro, who was the closest, to know that?

“Sir Romandro. Have you ever thought about the pillars of the Imperial Palace?”

The pillars supporting the Imperial Palace are most ideal when they are spaced at an appropriate distance, and the current distance between Jin and himself is too close, so if the wind blows, it will surely collapse. Ian voiced his thoughts and concerns for the first time.

The carriage shook greatly, but Romandro didn’t feel it at all. It was because the child sitting across from him was fixing all his attention.

* * *

One afternoon, when the sunlight was particularly warm.

Philia, who was sitting in front of the mirror, turned her head in surprise. When her golden hair shook, Vivianna frowned and fixed it right away.

“His Highness can’t come?”

“Madam, you mustn’t move. I have to comb it again.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was too surprised.”

“He says he has too much work and can’t help it. I heard it a little while ago.”

Having been promoted from a prince to the Crown Prince, he was clearly in charge of an amount of work that could not be compared to before.

Even if they had a personal friendship, Philia was a commoner with no title. Moreover, wasn’t her fiancé a member of a minority tribe from the borderlands? Perhaps it was strange that he was even attending this event.

“I guess I was expecting too much, not knowing my place. It’s not a place for the Crown Prince of the Empire to come.”

“What are you talking about? His Highness promised he would come, so it’s only natural to expect him. Don’t say that, and close your eyes. Your makeup is looking great today. Oh my, you’re beautiful.”

Philia burst into laughter at Vivianna’s silly praise.

A small engagement ceremony held in the garden of the mansion. It was partly because there were no guests to invite, but more than anything, it was because there were concerns that it would be difficult if it became official that the new father-in-law of the minister was a Cheonryeo [a minority tribe].

Ian didn’t seem to care much, but since the wedding would be held again in Hielo Territory anyway…

Thud! Thump!

Clatter, clatter!

Vivianna, who was carefully drawing her eyebrows, stopped. Why was it so noisy outside? Vivianna opened the door and warned them.

“Everyone, be quiet! What’s going on?”

“Vivianna! No, these guys keep trying to go upstairs. I told them they can’t see her!”

“Berick, you little brat. Move aside. It’s a Cheonryeo tradition to congratulate the bride before the wedding.”

“It’s not like that in Bariel, you idiots! I told you that you can’t see the bride before the ceremony!”

“Have you ever been married? You haven’t even done it.”

“What about you?!”

“I’ve done it twice!”

Thump!

It was a commotion between the Cheonryeo people trying to go up to see Philia and Berick blocking them. Vivianna warned them, hitting the wall with a smiling face.

“Everyone, please go downstairs quietly. Hoho.”

“Huk, Vi, Vivianna is only smiling with her mouth?”

“I can’t do my makeup because it’s too noisy. Hohoho.”

It was a mystery how the brush in her hand looked like a weapon. Berick dragged the warriors down the stairs and soon found a carriage arriving in front of the garden.

“It’s Ian!”

Ian, Romandro, and a small number of wizards, including Hale, had come to celebrate the engagement.

Ian, dressed in a suit, looked around the garden and smiled. It was more like a meat party than an engagement ceremony. If it weren’t for the flowers decorated everywhere, it would have been no different from usual.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Sir Ian, I’m going to forget your face.”

“Where is Nersarn?”

“He’s over there. He didn’t even blink an eye during battles, but I don’t know why he’s so nervous.”

While Ian was greeting the Cheonryeo people, the children of the village were sticking to the wall, wearing festival masks. Since there was a commotion in the house where the wizards lived, they were curious about what was going on.

“Can you see?”

“No, I can’t see.”

“There are so many people. What are they looking at?”

At that time, a child subtly joined them and stuck to the wall. He was also wearing a mask, and the silver hair that peeked out beside him was particularly shiny.

“Huh?”

And a gray-haired man firmly guarding the child’s side. The children looked back at them with eyes that said, ‘Who are you?’, but the two of them kept peeking inside without saying a word.

“Oh, it looks like a wedding! The bride is coming out!”

“Look, where?”

A white dress appeared in the garden. The children whispered and brought their eyes even closer to the hole. And at the same time, they exclaimed.

“Wow. An angel. An angel.”

“She’s so pretty.”

Jin also wriggled and peeked through the gap. The absinthe-colored jewel on Philia’s ear was particularly sparkling.