Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 526

“Would you like a match?”

Kayla looked up at Hale’s question. She carefully examined him, trying to discern his intentions, but soon realized he had no ulterior motives and straightened her posture.

“No, thank you.”

“Minister Ian will be here soon. Please wait a moment.”

She had visited once before with her father, the Duke of Holin, but she never knew there was a place like this in the Magic Department.

It was a bustling office. Desks were lined up, reports were piled high, a cot stood in the corner, and half-eaten food lay scattered everywhere, abandoned by their owners.

Inside that office, in a small space separated by a glass window, Kayla sat with her back straight, trying to ignore the gazes of the passing mages.

Knock knock.

“Captain Hale, are you busy?”

“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”

“It’s about the doll that Romandro mentioned last time.”

“The one the doll maker used?”

“Yes. It’s made of human skin. The hair is also human. However, it seems to be a mix of several people’s hair. The Language Research Department has asked to experiment on it to see if it’s related to any curses. There may be some loss during the experiment, should we proceed?”

“It would be best to report to Ian and get his permission.”

“Yes, I understand. Or, it might be a good idea to ask for help from the northern minority tribes who specialize in curses. I heard that Astana is attending the coronation this time, right? Please keep that in mind when you report.”

“Okay. Put it on my desk.”

“By the way, who is that?”

“It’s Lady Kayla Holin from the Holin family.”

“Lady Kayla? Ah, the one who—?”

The mage glanced at Kayla, then lightly slapped his own cheek with a small gesture. Due to the simultaneous outings of the Davion family, the rumors had already spread throughout the Imperial Palace.

When Kayla glared at the mage, he very naturally turned and walked away. Hale lit a cigarette and apologized instead.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s natural in the Imperial Palace. The Davion’s presence is quite something, isn’t it?”

“But, Lady, why are you here?”

“I don’t know either. Sir Ian asked me to come for a conversation.”

Hale exhaled smoke and scratched his forehead. This place was mostly used as an interrogation room.

Ian wouldn’t get involved in a small disturbance outside. It seemed like something important was going on, but he hadn’t heard anything about it, so, oh well.

Click.

At that moment, Ian, dressed in the Magic Department uniform, entered. Behind him was Romandro, carrying a pile of documents. Kayla remained seated, only looking up at the two of them.

“Lady Kayla. Please stand and show respect.”

At Ian’s instruction, someone else entered.

Kayla didn’t immediately recognize him. Silver hair, a deep scar across his face, and piercingly cold blue eyes. Kayla was startled and stood up involuntarily.

“…Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“It’s a shame our first meeting isn’t more pleasant.”

Thwack! Romandro covered the glass window with a curtain and began preparing for the meeting. Kayla’s mind, which had been filled with thoughts of what to say, what to give, and how to return home, felt like a thick curtain had been drawn over it with the Crown Prince’s appearance.

“I apologize. I had to take some time to handle urgent matters and change into my work attire.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Kayla, watching Jin’s expression, spoke calmly as Ian asked for understanding. She had only seen him from afar, and this was the first time she had met him so closely.

Ironically, the person who came to mind was Lady Chloe Davion. Even though the situation was strange, she was the one who ended up meeting Jin first.

“Yes. I heard there was a commotion outside.”

“I am truly ashamed.”

“There are rumors that you are of the Vergos royal bloodline.”

Ah. So that was the commotion? He didn’t even consider that Chloe and she had had a fight. Kayla bit her lower lip and remained silent.

“There are also speculations that there are two duchesses.”

“Your Highness.”

“You are a businesswoman, aren’t you? Why try to take the difficult path when there is an easy one? Before we test your blood and your siblings’ with the homogeneity potion [a potion used to determine if people are related], it would be better for you to admit it willingly as a step towards a better negotiation.”

Ian silently lowered his gaze and organized the documents. It was already a decided matter between them, but this was a formality to confirm it one last time.

Kayla shrugged as if she had given up.

“Yes, that’s right. My mother is a descendant of the Vergos royal family. Therefore, with the help of the Royalists, she established a weapons distribution network. But that’s all. The gem in question was indeed sent by my mother, but I didn’t know it was an imperial treasure. I heard it was previously used as a necklace ornament, but I used it as a hair ornament. It has already passed through many hands and has long lost its original form.”

Kayla added hastily, but Jin was not interested in that.

“There are official weapons supplied by the Imperial Palace to the Royalists. Was there any other trade going on besides that?”

“The Royalists only provided a small amount of help at the beginning. There are so many people in need of weapons in Vergos, which is in the midst of a civil war, that my mother is currently running the business independently.”

“So, you can continue to supply weapons to the Royalists if you want?”

“…Yes. As long as no one touches our rice bowl [a metaphor for their livelihood].”

Kayla glanced at Ian as she answered. The one who was trying to take away their rice bowl regarding the general weapons business was right in front of her. Ian smiled as if he didn’t know anything and made a proposal.

“Lady Kayla. Whether intentional or not, possessing a gem that was lost from the Imperial Palace is a serious crime. And above all, since the one who sent it is said to be the Duchess, we have no choice but to examine the process in more detail.”

“Sir Ian.”

Kayla shook her head briefly. It was a signal to get to the point without wasting each other’s energy. Kayla was the center of her family, a businesswoman, and a clever person. If they had found a pretext in the Imperial Palace, it meant that there was a price they would have to pay.

“I understand that you want us to supply defective weapons to Vergos.”

“Oh, you have a very good ear.”

An act that would betray her family’s honor and the trust of her clients.

But what could she do? The one pushing from behind was the Imperial Palace of Bariel. Unless she completely defected to Vergos, she had no choice but to accept their conditions first. She was planning to close the weapons business soon anyway, so this was a good way to finish things with a reasonable amount of loss.

Kayla’s scales weighed the options, and she nodded.

“Alright. If you specify the exact details, I will follow your orders. Your Highness.”

“It’s simple. Fill Vergos with weapons that cannot cut us, cannot deflect us. With swords that break, shields that shatter, and armor that cannot even stop the wind.”

At first, they were going to directly confront Rutherford, who was anti-Royalist, but that was just the beginning. Since they couldn’t predict how the Royalists would act in the future, it was appropriate to plant problems in their forces in advance.

“Understood. Then, will you keep silent about the imperial treasure and my mother’s bloodline?”

“We’ll see how things progress.”

“…We didn’t choose our bloodline.”

“But you enjoyed the benefits of it.”

Jin liked Kayla’s cooperative attitude. There was more than enough circumstantial and material evidence, and it would have been very tiring to drag things out foolishly. He stood up first and said,

“Coordinate the remaining matters with Sir Ian. And—”

The gem embedded in Kayla’s hair ornament. It was one of the imperial treasures, but it had already been processed and lost its original form and value. It could be interpreted as an insult to the Imperial Family, but—

“Consider the gem as a down payment, and you can keep it.”

Jin overlooked it.

He gave Ian a look that said, “Take care of it,” and nodded, suggesting they have a meal together later. Ian, Romandro, and Hale stood up and saw him off with proper respect.

On the other hand, Kayla seemed lost in thought and remained seated, but Jin glanced at her for a moment before leaving the meeting room.

Squeak.

“Lady Kayla. The remaining matters mean that you will be going to Vergos first.”

“…What does that mean?”

“Take control of the weapons distribution rights in Vergos on behalf of the Duchess. Of course, you will be going after signing a contract magic with the Magic Department. Do you agree to this?”

Ian handed Kayla the contract. It stated that she would carry out the conversation and proposal they had just had, and that she would swear allegiance to Bariel without any shame.

However, Kayla only stared blankly at the door where Jin had left, without moving. Was there a problem? Hale put out his cigarette and looked at the door, but there was nothing unusual.

“Lady Kayla?”

“His Highness Jin, he’s even more handsome up close.”

Oh, my. What was that about?

Hale raised his eyebrows and looked at Romandro, and Romandro also sniffed and looked at Ian. It felt like all the venom had completely disappeared. Ian also seemed to notice it and tilted his head in confusion.

“Lady?”

“…You have to have seen him to know. Don’t you think?”

“That’s true, but…”

Swoosh. Kayla finally picked up the pen and began to read the contract. Her eyes were shining brightly again. But for some reason, she seemed to be spacing out like before.

When Ian tapped the desk, she turned her head and asked,

“Sir Ian. I know very well that being of the Vergos royal bloodline is a very unpopular factor right now. That’s how the political situation is. But if Bariel succeeds in occupying Vergos and promotes harmony between the two countries, wouldn’t this bloodline become more valuable than ever?”

“It seems you’ve already decided on the answer.”

“I’m just asking. You are such a prominent figure both inside and outside the Imperial Palace.”

“Well, it’s not entirely impossible.”

“That’s right. What is impossible in this world? Even Sir Ian returned after ten years.”

Tap. Kayla finished signing and put down the pen as if she had realized something.

Until now, the position of Empress was just a desire. The highest position of power she could reach, an opportunity to make her family the most prestigious noble family, and so on.

But just now, that desire had turned into a dream.

“When can I go to Vergos?”

“If possible, it would be best if the transition is natural, so that Vergos doesn’t notice. Has any information about the Dera tribe leaked over there?”

“No. It’s a matter that would weaken the Holin family’s competitiveness, absolutely not.”

“Good. Then, we will coordinate the schedule within the Magic Department and contact you again. You will probably sign the magic contract with Captain Hale here.”

“Understood. Oh, and I have one request.”

Kayla looked at the empty seat where Jin had been sitting and said,

“Before I leave for Vergos, please let me see His Highness one more time. There’s something I must tell him.”

“I will ask. If His Highness doesn’t want to, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, may I go now?”

Since Kayla had been taken into the Imperial Palace, the Davion family was probably celebrating. Kayla chuckled and muttered.

“I need to go apologize to Lady Chloe. I’ve marred her precious face.”

Wearing this hair ornament that His Highness has bestowed upon me. It would be nice to add a thank you along with the apology.

At Kayla’s smile, Romandro and Hale simultaneously felt a chill down their spines and took a step back. No matter how they looked at it, she was not ordinary.

Oh