Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 319

Viviana clapped her hands, her white gloves reaching up to her elbows, signaling for everyone’s attention.

The young guests stilled, their feet dangling in anticipation. The boisterous laughter of the warriors and the pianist’s melody faded, leaving only the occasional chirping of birds, bringing a sense of tranquility.

“Now, let’s begin the ceremony. It’s an honor to witness the start of this beautiful couple’s journey.”

“The honor is ours!”

“Philia, congratulations on becoming a member of the tribe!”

“Does that mean you’re part of the Bariel family too? Congratulations!”

The warriors raised their glasses, and Beric echoed them, lifting his own. Viviana nodded, tilting her glass of juice, while Ian handed a glass of milk, the child’s favorite, to the little guest beside him.

“To the warriors present, and especially to Philia’s handsome son, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. Philia and Nersarn, please pledge your vows before us all.”

At Viviana’s gesture, the pianist began to play a warm melody. Whistles and exclamations of admiration erupted from the crowd.

Philia and Nersarn stood facing each other, and he carefully lifted her veil, his hands trembling with nervousness.

“Nersarn, is the veil that heavy?”

“Hahaha! I’m going crazy. Kakanter [a close friend or family member] should have seen this.”

Normally, Nersarn would have narrowed his eyes and told them to be quiet, but he had completely forgotten about that. Today, he was Philia’s lover first and foremost. It was a moment for everyone to witness just how foolish a person in love could become.

“Nersarn,” Philia said, smiling shyly as she extended her hand. He placed an old ring on her finger, a simple band without any jewels.

Hale, puzzled, leaned towards Ian and asked,

“Is that the ring?”

It seemed too simple for the mother of the Grand Empire’s Minister of Magic. Jin, also curious, subtly perked up his ears.

“I heard that Nersarn has been wearing it since he was very young. His grandfather made it for him. Kakanter was supposed to give them a ring when they went down to Hielo [a place name]. But they came here so suddenly.”

Ah, right. They were the ones who had fallen from the sky due to the civil war.

Though it was humble, Philia seemed very pleased, repeatedly bringing it to her lips, showing everyone her happiness.

Viviana unfolded the marriage declaration.

“From this moment on, Philia and Nersarn will pledge to be each other’s only love. If anyone objects, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

“If we speak now, we’ll probably be silenced forever, right?”

“No objections! I fully approve!”

“Me too! Me too!”

However, one person remained silent. All eyes turned to Ian. The pianist quickly struck a key, urging his son to answer.

Ian smiled, raising both hands lightly.

“If my mother is happy, then of course, I approve.”

“Then, I’m very happy.”

Philia showed off her ring and smiled brightly, and Viviana raised her glass, announcing,

“Very well. Everyone here has witnessed the marriage of Philia and Nersarn. We are sacred witnesses and friends who will watch over them forever. Let us all raise a toast.”

“Raise a toast!”

“Eeeek! They’re going to kiss! Kiss!”

“Oh my, cover the children’s eyes.”

“Why should we? The declaration just said to watch!”

Clink! Clang!

The glasses clinked together, and the suppressed commotion finally broke out. The warriors seemed intent on teasing Nersarn, not stopping their jokes, and Beric climbed onto a chair, waving his bottle of alcohol.

“I’ll sing a song! I can’t miss out on a day like this!”

“Go for it! Yeah!”

Thump! Thud!

As they stomped their feet to the beat, the warriors responded with applause. Beric’s loud, grating singing made everyone burst out laughing.

“…Drag that guy out.”

“It’s a mess. Where does he get his confidence?”

“Oh, come on! Let me go! The end part is good!”

“Musician, ignore him and keep playing the piano.”

The musician pounded the keys as if trying to drown out Beric’s voice. One by one, the warriors naturally started dancing around the tables. The children circled around Philia, the main focus, cheering.

Philia awkwardly swayed her dress, unable to stop smiling.

“Ian, and you, little guest, if you want to dance, go ahead. It’s a good day.”

Romandro, who was dancing with Viviana, nudged Ian’s shoulder.

Jin, on the other hand, was flustered. He had only thought, just a little, that he was envious of the children playing so freely. It felt like he had been caught. Could his expression be seen under the mask? He just touched the surface of it.

Swoosh.

As Ian smiled and stood up, Hale stopped in shock. Was Ian going to dance? That Ian?

“Musician, I’ll play a song, so take a break.”

Of course. There was no way that Ian would do that.

Ian asked the musician to give him the piano and sat down instead. Then, slowly, he moved his fingers, recalling the memories.

It was a performance like a soft spring breeze.

A gentle melody that made you tilt your head naturally.

“Ian can play the piano too.”

“He’s very skilled. Wow, it’s really nice to listen to.”

Since when? Philia tilted her head, then smiled bitterly as she recalled the days when she received education in Bratz [a place name]. He must have learned it then.

“Little one.”

Philia gestured to Jin, who was sitting alone, inviting him to dance with them if he was comfortable.

Jin was flustered, fidgeting with his fingertips. He knew how to dance in social circles, but he had never learned how to fit into such a natural atmosphere.

One of the neighborhood kids, unable to watch any longer, ran to Jin and grabbed his arm.

“Huh? Uh oh?”

“What are you doing? You should play when they invite you.”

Surrounded by kids of similar height, he naturally blended in. Jin laughed loudly at the children’s funny gestures, and soon he was holding hands with Philia, spinning around and enjoying the music.

When Beric barged in, the warriors dragged him away, saying they should just drink, and Ian watched the scene from nearby.

The child wouldn’t know.

“Hahahaha!”

That this was the first time he was laughing out loud.

And Ian wouldn’t know either.

“Look at Ian.”

“Wow, he’s smiling like that.”

That he was showing a rare smile.

* * *

Clatter, clatter!

Neigh!

A carriage sped through the evening streets. A flag indicating it belonged to the Imperial Magic Department was planted behind the driver’s seat. It was a residential area where the sun had set, but a faint light stood out in the distance.

“Is it that way?”

“It seems so. Pull closer and let me off.”

The coachman gripped the reins tightly at the mage’s request. Two or three carriages were already parked in front of Romandro’s mansion.

The mage, wearing a black robe, looked around cautiously. He carefully rang the bell in front of the entrance.

Ding-dong-

Thump! Thump!

“Is anyone there?”

Judging by the boisterous sounds coming from the garden, it was clear that no one had gone to sleep yet.

The door soon opened.

Beric, drunk and flushed, sniffed the air.

“What is it? Where did you come from?”

“Are Ian and Romandro here? I’m from the Magic Department. Please call them quickly.”

“Uh, wait a sec. Iaaaaan! Romaaaan!”

At Beric’s shout, Ian, who was drinking at the table, turned his head. Romandro, who was next to him, did the same. Unlike Ian, who was lightly drunk, Romandro seemed half out of it.

“Someone from the Magic Department is here.”

“What’s going on?”

“Ian, Romandro, I apologize for interrupting your vacation.”

They were dressed casually, unlike usual, wearing only shirts. Their sleeves were rolled up, indicating that they were fully enjoying their time. Ian received the letter that the mage handed him.

“What is this?”

“It’s a message from the Minister. I was ordered to deliver it directly. I don’t know the details.”

“Do I have to go to the palace now?”

“No. Instead, they’re holding a meeting early tomorrow morning. His Highness the Crown Prince is not feeling well and has canceled all of today’s schedule.”

At the mage’s words, Romandro glanced behind him. That Crown Prince, he’s playing board games with the neighborhood kids right now, he thought, but the words caught in his throat.

Ian murmured, gauging the thickness of the letter with his fingertips.

“If it’s tomorrow morning, then my vacation is over.”

“I’m sorry. It’s your first time since taking office.”

“It’s fine. Why should you be sorry? Go carefully.”

“Yes, Ian. I’ll prepare for the meeting in advance. I’ll see you at the palace. Then.”

Squeak.

Thump!

He had taken two days off, but he couldn’t even use them all! Romandro grumbled that he should have drunk less if he had known this would happen.

Rip. Ian tore open the envelope and examined the contents.

“Why is that, Ian?”

“It’s definitely something that the Minister would contact me about.”

Ian leaned against the wall and murmured. He realized it was a bit of a nuisance.

“It seems there’s been a disruption to the Clifford delegation’s return schedule.”

“What? In Clifford? Did they contact us?”

“No. The nearby guards reported it as an emergency. They said that there was a disturbance outside the territory at night, and upon investigation, there were clear signs of bandits. The location and timing coincide with Clifford’s return schedule.”

“Then! Crap, did Prince Noah encounter bandits?”

Romandro was shocked and grabbed his cheeks. Wasn’t this a huge issue? For honored guests to encounter bandits within the Bariel territory on their way home!

But Ian shook his head. If that were the case, it would be a relief. He could just clean up the mess without any questions.

“It’s clear that Clifford was attacked, but the problem is that they deny it. Clifford sent a message saying that they are proceeding to the border without any issues.”

“What, what is that?”

“Exactly.”

Romandro tilted his head as if he didn’t understand. The circumstances were clear, but they were claiming otherwise.

From Clifford’s perspective, it would have been more advantageous to raise any issues with Bariel, even if they were trivial. They were about to form an alliance, so what better strategy to gain an advantage?

“I don’t understand.”

“The Minister seems to think so too, which is why he’s calling a meeting.”

Ian smiled slightly and neatly folded the letter.

He didn’t say anything, but Romandro could tell. Wasn’t he his superior whom he had served for so long? He narrowed his eyes and examined Ian’s face.

“What is it? Ian?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why does it seem to me that you know everything? Hmm?”

“You must be very drunk.”

“No? I’m not drunk? Tell me what you’re thinking in your head.”

Ian put the paper in his pocket and patted his shoulder. Then, he nodded his head, looking at the little guest laughing and chatting with the children his age in the distance. It was a sigh-filled instruction.

“It would be good to send the children home now. Ask Hale to escort the little guests.”

Although Siao Shi was there, the sun was setting.

As Philia waved her hand, caught up in the atmosphere, Ian also waved his hand. He could feel the masked child’s gaze directed at him.

“…Night is coming. It’s time to return. Now.”