Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 9

‘What is this request you speak of?’

‘It has been a week since I arrived, and I haven’t had a chance to go out except within the estate.’

‘So?’ Derga’s expression involuntarily asked. However, everyone could guess what would follow. Ian bit his lower lip slightly, suppressing a triumphant smile.

‘Therefore, if you would permit it, I would like to ask young master Ian to show us around the territory. I know that the Count and Countess are very busy, so I dare not ask them. Haha.’

Mac and Degore, who had been listening quietly, chimed in. It was a very natural and perfectly timed intervention.

‘That’s a great idea! Let’s have lunch together as well. The pleasure of sharing a meal with such erudition will be great. Wouldn’t you agree, Degore?’

‘Well…’

The Countess hesitated to interject but ultimately kept her mouth shut. It was too much of a burden to guide three unfamiliar men she had just met. Degore responded as if he hadn’t heard the Countess.

‘Of course. Besides, didn’t Ian live outside until recently? He must know some interesting things that we don’t.’

Degore’s ‘we’ included the strangers and the Derga family. ‘Do you know the alleys of the commoners?’ The implication was clear: only Ian could do this, so don’t even think about interfering.

‘Ahem.’

Derga seemed quite flustered. He couldn’t even swallow the wine in his mouth, his eyes darting around. He was trying to figure out what excuse he could use to refuse.

But he couldn’t possibly keep a grown boy from going outside, could he? Especially when they had added the purpose of a scholarly discussion, a very wholesome activity.

‘It’s not proper for guests to visit the estate so often. If you would allow it, we would like to invite him to our residence. The coachman we hired is very kind.’

Molin put the final nail in the coffin. Ian, who had been quietly observing the situation, opened his mouth. Since they were pulling from the front, he had no choice but to push from behind.

‘Sir Molin, where is your residence?’

‘It’s near the park in the 3rd district of Portoga.’

‘Ah, Portoga?’

‘You seem to know it well.’

‘Well, I was born and raised here, after all.’

It was an ambiguous answer, open to interpretation. Even if the real Ian, the illegitimate child, had done so, Emperor Ian had no idea what kind of district Portoga was. However, since Molin had specifically mentioned the park, he could vaguely bluff his way through.

‘Then that’s even better. It would be nice to take a walk in the park and contemplate. The sun is so warm these days, isn’t it? I saw that there were toy boats floating on a small lake, but as an old man, I couldn’t bring myself to ride them. If Ian would help me, I might be able to muster the courage.’

Molin smiled, raising his eyebrows.

‘These guys have something up their sleeves.’

Ian observed the Count’s expression. Derga also forced an awkward smile, but his expression was stiff. He had no reason to refuse, and now plausible reasons kept popping up.

‘Count?’

‘Ian, your opinion is important.’

In the end, the Count played his last card. He passed the decision-making power to Ian. His mouth was smiling benevolently, but his eyes were cold. It was a silent pressure, telling him to handle things well.

‘Interesting.’

A scene where Derga, a border count, and Molin, a central government official, were vying for control over a child. It was a common sight in the Imperial Palace, but seeing it from below was different.

‘Well…’

Ian added his words to the tightly drawn line. Of course, going outside was advantageous, but it wouldn’t be bad to shake things up before a winner was decided.

‘If my guidance is clumsy, wouldn’t it be more of a hindrance? I’m still young, so I don’t know if I can satisfy you.’

At the unexpected answer, the faces of Molin’s group slightly hardened. Derga hid his smile behind his wine glass and nodded.

‘However, it’s not often that one gets to hear the insights of those who have come from the capital. If it’s not a tour but a luncheon with scholarly discussion…’

Ian glanced at Derga. His jaw, chewing as if savoring the wine, was stiff. Then Degore naturally interjected.

‘Count, if it’s because we are lacking, then we have spoken out of turn.’

His skill in taking the lead in the conversation was excellent. It was a surprisingly skillful way of speaking. Praising each other’s actions and leading to a positive answer.

Derga’s answer to that question was predetermined.

‘…Of course not. That’s absurd.’

‘Then that’s a relief. When would be a good time?’

‘You should ask Ian. Ian?’

As attention focused on Ian again, Molin stepped forward with dignity this time.

‘Since the Count is ‘permitting’ it, it would be best if the Count sets the date. After all, the Count is in charge of everything in Bratz.’

Even Emperor Ian was impressed by his excellent rhetoric. As expected of someone working in the central government, he was very quick-witted. Derga, the arrogant noble from the border, would never be able to win against them with words.

‘What’s their real intention?’

At first, he thought it was just a minor check by Sir Molin. The more they saw and talked, the easier it would be to find the flaws of the illegitimate child.

But seeing the three of them working together, it was clear that they had another purpose. It was too much effort for a secondary opportunity. Had Derga noticed?

‘He has noticed.’

The way he stroked his beard was cautious. And what about his eyes, darting around? Since he had no reason to refuse, he would cooperate to find out their intentions.

‘Then how about lunch tomorrow?’

Derga asked Molin, but his gaze was on Ian. He had finished his calculations in his head and wore a relaxed smile. The stiff expression from before had completely disappeared.

‘Oh, thank you, Count.’

‘In return, I have a request as well.’

After saying that, he looked at Chel. Everyone’s attention followed Derga and focused on the child. Chel, who was about to put a steak in his mouth, paused and froze.

‘As Ian said, since you are from the central government, I have no doubt that you will be excellent teachers. Therefore, I would like Chel to join us and share in the scholarly discussion.’

It was annoying, but it wasn’t a difficult request.

Mac, Degore, and Molin quickly exchanged signals. It was a communication done simply by making eye contact, so no one noticed.

‘But Father, I have school-‘

‘That’s great. Young Master Chel is also exceptionally bright. I’m very much looking forward to the luncheon discussion.’

‘Thank you for saying so.’

Before Chel could say anything, the adults had already made a decision. Chel glanced at Ian with a look of disgust. It was already awkward, and now he had to be stuck with them all day? And outside the Count’s estate?

‘Shall we bring out dessert now?’

‘Yes. It was a very excellent meal.’

Ian also nodded in agreement. A satisfied smile did not leave his lips. It was a meal where he had obtained everything he wanted. He would have been full even if he hadn’t eaten.

‘Today’s meal was an honor, Count Derga.’

‘Let’s meet again next week.’

‘Ian, I will send a carriage for you at lunchtime tomorrow.’

The subsequent conversation was truly a pointless exchange of small talk. There were no more of the customary ‘haha’ and ‘hoho’ laughs. Everyone had reached a lull, losing interest in the conversation. Molin and his group left, leaving half of their desserts uneaten.

‘Yes. Please go safely.’

‘Countess, let’s meet again next time.’

The three guests, after leaving a farewell kiss on Mary’s hand, got into their carriage and disappeared. As the meal was being cleared and Ian was about to enter the mansion, Derga called out to his two sons.

‘Chel, Ian.’

‘Yes, Father.’

‘You must tell me everything they say behind my back, without missing a single word. You must be very alert.’

It was a very natural precaution. As Chel and Ian nodded simultaneously, Derga stared at Ian with cold eyes.

‘And you, follow me to my study.’

Mary and Chel looked back with puzzled expressions, but that was all. The two disappeared into the hallway to return to their respective rooms, and Ian followed Derga’s back to the study.

Squeak.

The study looked much the same as it had the other day. It seemed like there were more documents, but he wasn’t sure. Derga, without telling him to sit, rummaged through a drawer, looking for something.

Click.

‘Hmm.’

What he took out was a small brooch. It had the Bratz family crest of a tiger and laurel wreath, with a red jewel embedded in it. It was clearly the Bratz family’s emblem.

‘Wear this when you go tomorrow.’

Unlike when he had thrown his mother’s pouch, Derga personally approached and pinned the brooch on the child’s chest. Ian knew immediately what it was.

‘A magic stone that can record and track location.’

It was frequently used in Ian’s time, but it would have been difficult to obtain in the border region a hundred years ago. It must have been something the family had secretly used for generations when there was a threat to their safety.

Derga lightly brushed his chest and warned him.

‘You must never lose it. You must be careful not to damage it. It is tens of times more precious than your worthless body.’

‘…I will keep that in mind.’

The two children’s reports had limitations. Especially against three seasoned men from the central government. How could they not handle a clueless Chel? They would surely get rid of Chel and approach Ian.

‘I will also assign someone to follow you, so don’t even think about causing trouble. Come straight to my study when you return.’

But was Ian completely on Derga’s side? He was the one who was holding his mother’s life hostage and trying to sell him off beyond the border. He had no choice but to take out the family’s precious magic stone brooch.

‘Yes, Father.’

However, Ian clicked his tongue as he looked at the magic stone pinned to his chest. It was his attitude of assuming that he couldn’t write. It was ridiculous that he was putting on something useless and feeling relieved.

Squeak.

Ian bowed politely and left, returning to his room to examine the brooch closely. When he infused it with magic, it quickly stopped working. It meant that its capacity was small.

Buzz. Buzz.

‘It’s the lowest of the low.’

With this level, Ian could control it if he set his mind to it.

‘Location tracking is done with a magic stone of the same type, so it doesn’t matter.’

Derga was probably looking at a compass in his study. It was made with a magic stone of the same type as the brooch, not a magnetic needle, and he could track the target’s location by the direction and intensity of the light.

‘I just need to figure out how to deal with the recording.’

As Ian focused again and sent his magic, the jewel glowed even more red. His golden eyes curved softly.

‘Ah, right.’

Then suddenly, he almost forgot. One of the reasons he wanted to go outside was to meet his birth mother. Ian shook the bell and called for a servant.

Ding!

‘Did you call, young master?’

‘Bring me some snacks.’

Snacks after just finishing lunch?

The servant bowed his head, hiding his surprised expression. But Ian hummed a cheerful tune as he looked outside. He was waiting for the person who would bring the snacks, not the snacks themselves.