Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 289
Chapter 289
“Try to focus. You keep making the same mistakes.”
“Easier said than done. Haven’t slept in days.”
“If you have complaints, take them directly to Lord Ian.”
“Who’s complaining? By the way, haven’t the ones who went to the Administrative Department returned yet? Send word – we’re dying here!”
“Move aside, geez! Has anyone seen this report?”
“Why are you asking us? Where’s the seal?”
“This is ridiculous, seriously!”
Boom! Bang!
The atmosphere inside the palace was just as chaotic as outside. The Administrative and Ministry of Magics in particular were filled with such commotion that they resembled a marketplace.
Order within disorder. The mages ran about in tangled paths.
“Word from the outskirts!”
“Report to Lord Ian!”
Patter patter!
One mage instinctively dashed forward. As he made his presence known while catching his breath, Romandro poked his head out, as if suggesting the messenger couldn’t enter.
“Is this work-related?”
“Ruswena’s procession has reached the central district. They should enter the city streets in about two hours.”
“Understood. I’ll relay it immediately.”
“Please do.”
Creeak.
When the office door closed, the clamor was cut off and faded away.
The inside was truly quiet. Probably because Beric and Barsabe had been called to the Imperial Guard.
“Ian, did you hear?”
“Yes. About two hours. That’s tighter than expected.”
Ian closed the documents he’d been reading and stood.
His neatly styled hair, crisp uniform, and fine leather shoes – his already perfect appearance had become even more impressive.
He walked slowly to stand behind Jin, who was being dressed.
Their eyes met through the mirror.
“Your Highness. Let me remind you once more as you’re being dressed.”
“Go ahead. Sigh.”
“…The Queen of Ruswena is coming to pay respects to Your Highness. Keep your mind straight. Don’t let even the mirror reflect any wavering. Your Highness will know, and soon the world will know. You are Bariel, are you not?”
Don’t be nervous about merely facing another country’s king.
How could Your Dignity sigh like that?
Ian’s sharp reproach came with his hands firmly gripping the child’s shoulders. A touch both gentle and strong. Warmer than any words saying not to worry.
Though Jin seemed too tense to notice, Xiaoshi and Romandro clearly took in the sight.
“I understand. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Good.”
Ian lightly caressed the child’s shoulders as if playing piano keys. Jin smiled softly at his playfulness, and Ian smiled too, as if that was the expression he’d wanted.
“Do you remember the political situation in Ruswena?”
“The royal faction in Eripony has firmly secured power. Two years ago, when drought hit the eastern granary region, the opposition gathered strength, but things were resolved smoothly and they couldn’t gain much influence. The central noble of that opposition was Madam Hayman’s aunt’s husband – specifically, her second aunt’s husband.”
The child recited what he had studied in a monotone voice, without a single stutter or pause.
Didn’t this mean the information was perfectly embedded in Jin’s mind? Romandro’s eyes sparkled as he clasped his hands together in delight. He couldn’t be more proud!
“Then what about the relationships between Ruswena, Clifford, and Burgos?”
But Ian continued with the next question instead of praise.
Their eyes met again through the mirror. Though they looked at the same place, their points of focus were misaligned. Jin smiled brightly as he answered.
“Since nothing is certain, make conjectures but avoid hasty judgments. The only certainty is that the alliance of three nations that they ‘couldn’t’ form until now has been achieved.”
“Do you understand the reason?”
“Of course. Because I am lacking.”
From an outside perspective, it seemed achievable. The palace sealed off by civil unrest, an Emperor who kept his position, and a ten-year-old child who survived alone.
Literally, Jin was alone.
Though Ian was beside him…
How Ian’s existence is being interpreted is another unknown.
He was both an asset and a liability.
The presence of a strong and capable mage strengthened Bariel, but it equally diminished Jin’s standing.
Wouldn’t the leaders of the three nations prefer to speak with Ian standing behind rather than bow their heads to a ten-year-old child?
This was both an undeniable reality and the first hurdle Jin had to overcome.
“…Your Highness is not lacking.”
After a moment’s silence, Ian corrected him.
Rustle. The hair by the child’s ear swayed lightly at Ian’s fingertips. At his gesture to continue the grooming, the attendants moved busily.
Hair was combed, clothes were straightened, and small ornate jewels were pinned to his chest.
The scar on his face seemed especially prominent today. When Jin unconsciously touched the mark with his fingertips, Ian added:
“None of the leaders of the three nations has such a strong testament as Your Highness. Take pride. You look magnificent today.”
“Thank you, Lord Ian. You look handsome too.”
“Ian would look handsome even wearing clothes backwards! Your Highness, we should depart soon. Time is running out. Xiao, please make a final check that the carriage is ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
Romandro chimed in while checking his pocket watch.
Jin made a final check in the mirror before stepping down from the chair. Ian was about to ask if he should offer his hand, but there was no time. The child pushed open the office door and went ahead first.
“We depart. Everyone follow.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Patter patter!
The attendants, Ian, and Romandro followed the small footsteps. Xiaoshi stood by the prepared carriage. He bowed and opened the door upon seeing Jin.
Ian looked down at his own hand before casually taking out leather gloves.
“Ian, what’s wrong? Are your hands cold?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s go, Sir Romandro.”
Ian smiled as he put on the gloves and sat beside Jin. Soon after, the carriage began moving vigorously.
The path opened to meet Eripony, Queen of Ruswena.
***
“Look! The carriages are coming! Oh my, double-decker carriages?”
“As expected, a royal procession is different indeed.”
“Come up here! The view is better!”
“Mama! Mama! The carriages from Ruswena have arrived!”
“Come to our tavern. Perfect view of the royal procession! Beer for just one copper! First come, first served – only taking ten customers!”
“Kyaaah! Run! Let’s follow them all the way to the palace!”
Past lunchtime.
Ruswena’s royal procession had reached the city streets. Beside the central road that only royalty could walk on, the path was cleared for noble guests.
Soldiers held back the crowds with spears, while dispatched mages walked alongside to maintain safety, just in case.
The spectacular sight of dozens of double-decker carriages moving slowly. Citizens continuously exclaimed in awe, welcoming Eripony’s visit.
“Queen of Ruswena! Welcome!”
“Welcome! This is Bariel!”
“How dare you! Step back!”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s a good day, with good guests!”
“Yeah, don’t be so uptight!”
Clatter clatter!
Whoosh!
The sight of five or six man-high wheels moving simultaneously caught children’s curiosity, while the strange clothing caught young people’s attention.
The gold, silver, and tribute goods piled high behind the carriages drew adults’ interest, while the band’s music brought joy to blind elderly folk.
The procession was already massive and slow, but the carriages moved at barely walking pace.
“…Surprisingly lively.”
Eripony, Queen of Ruswena, muttered while slightly lifting the curtain with her fan. Though they had traveled for days over quite a distance, she looked no different than when she’d departed her palace.
Neatly combed blue-green hair, straight posture, and sharp eyes. Eripony glanced dismissively at the excited crowd before lowering the curtain again.
“The Emperor nearly died, and a ten-year-old child will succeed him. They seem less worried than I expected.”
“Though the palace did falter, it’s maintaining its center well now. There was even a talent recruitment examination for the Imperial Guard and Imperial Defense Department recently. Those effects likely continue.”
The response came from Eldert sitting opposite her. Her cousin brother and delegation member, he was identical to her from his long blue-green hair to his demeanor and features.
Eripony twisted her lips in a cynical smile.
“Seems they did suffer losses in the civil unrest. Even holding large-scale talent recruitment. I hear they even sold viewing tickets for the trials of Hayman and the central families?”
Quite understandable, no? Though temporary, it was clearly aimed at securing revenue. The more one interpreted the rumors, the more one could guess that Bariel had problems.
Eripony frowned while rolling her shoulders as if stiff. Truth be told, if not for the King of Burgos’s proposal, this wouldn’t have been worth the journey.
Just for a young prince’s inauguration ceremony.
“When are Burgos and Clifford supposed to arrive?”
“They said they’d match the schedule, so there shouldn’t be much difference. If there are no problems.”
Just then, the carriage began moving much more smoothly. They had passed the bumpy road and were nearing the palace.
Eripony was momentarily stunned by Bariel’s grandeur which she was seeing for the first time. Though her own kingdom was famous for its beauty, this was far beyond mere aesthetic comparison.
“Impressive.”
“Though not as much as Ruswena.”
“Nonsense.”
She firmly rebuked him while maintaining her dignity. By this point, she understood why the King of Burgos had suggested meeting at Bariel’s palace.
Though her father had seen the palace when attending the current Emperor’s inauguration ceremony, she hadn’t. After ascending as queen, she had only imagined Bariel through Eldert’s accounts. When only hearing descriptions, she had thought it must be quite magnificent, but…
Seeing it in person, it was truly remarkable.
“I see why the King of Burgos called me here.”
“Surprising, isn’t it? King Damon’s proposal must seem appealing.”
“Yes. Certainly.”
Eripony and Eldert exchanged glances while whispering quietly. Though no one else was in the carriage, who knew? Mages might be eavesdropping on them.
Creeak.
Neeeigh!
“Your Majesty Eripony. We’ve arrived.”
The carriage stopped in front of the main palace. A crowd waiting for them filled the surroundings. All the palace ministers and officials had come out to greet them. The carriage door opened and steps extended down.
Rustle.
Eripony gathered her long hair and slowly descended from the carriage. Officials seeing her for the first time started in surprise.
When they had only seen portraits, they had vaguely imagined an ordinary woman, but in reality…
“She’s incredibly tall.”
“Is there giant blood mixed in?”
“Shush! How could you say such things!”
Her overwhelming height was imposing. The Prime Minister stepped forward and bowed to Eripony.
“Queen of Ruswena. Though we know your heart must be weary from the long journey, our Prince awaits.”
“Of course. I must pay my respects.”
Though her tri-colored eyes showed no such desire, what could she do? She followed the Prime Minister with Eldert in tow.
Rustle.
“This way. Your Highness. Queen Eripony of Ruswena has arrived.”
“Let her enter.”
Eripony couldn’t help but smile slightly. The voice was unmistakably that of a young child. Soon the door opened, and she could face Jin sitting on the sofa.
“Welcome. You must be tired from your long journey.”
“…Not at all, Your Highness.”
Eripony had only one impression upon first seeing Jin.
How cute. A young lion indeed.