Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 290

Chapter 290

Jin unconsciously clenched his molars.

No matter how detailed a portrait might be, it could never fully capture the real person. Moreover, all Jin had previously seen was the portrait drawn by Romandro.

Though he’d expected some differences, the overwhelming presence of the real person was extraordinary. The queen’s massive height likely contributed significantly to this effect.

“…Please be seated.”

Eripony merely nodded slightly as she sat opposite Jin. Her attendants busily arranged her long hair and collar as they followed her movements.

She looked down at Jin while elegantly raising her chin. The angle came naturally from their physical difference. Jin reflexively realized anew just how young he was.

“A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness the Fifth Prince . I am Eripony Lasriel, the twelfth ruler of Ruswena. Though meeting His Majesty the Emperor should take priority, circumstances make that regrettably impossible.”

Her tri-colored eyes lightly swept Jin from head to toe. It was such a brief moment that anyone less perceptive might have mistaken it for simply lowering her gaze.

‘Your Highness the Fifth Prince.’

Romandro, listening quietly from behind, internally swallowed a cough.

All those above Jin in succession were already dead. And hadn’t they disappeared in various inappropriate ways? Particularly First Prince Mariv, who had even been stripped of his position.

Yet despite this, what was the meaning of specifically referring to him as ‘Fifth Prince’? Was Romandro the only one who found it strange? He turned his gaze sideways and met the eyes of several officials.

‘Deliberately?’

‘Indeed. Hmm.’

Fortunately or unfortunately, it seemed he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. Everyone focused on the back of Jin’s head. How would His Highness the Prince receive this greeting?

“His Majesty the Emperor will deeply appreciate your loyal heart, so please do not worry too much. You know how much my Father places his expectations on Ruswena, do you not?”

Though one might be like heaven in their kingdom, the Emperor was the heaven above that heaven. Jin reminded Eripony of her place while simultaneously emphasizing his own position as the Emperor’s son.

Eripony slowly raised an eyebrow. As a dry smile threatened to appear, she raised her fan to hide it.

How cute, yet quite sharp.

For a shadow prince whose presence in the palace was uncertain, his manner of speaking was quite convincing. Eripony composed her expression before adding:

“Your words put my heart at ease. We have prepared tribute gifts to show Ruswena’s sincerity…”

At Eripony’s gesture, Eldert nodded.

He placed an elegant jeweled box on the table. This was a preview of the tribute gifts they had brought in dozens of carriages.

Inside the jewelbox were neatly rolled papers, black jewels, and spices.

“First, forty fine horses raised on Ruswena’s plains. Five of them are pregnant, and their bloodlines are also recognized by the kingdom.”

“I have heard much of Ruswena’s famous horses.”

Horses raised running across vast, fertile lands. Jin knew of their excellence as well.

Eripony slightly twisted her lips and fell silent for a moment. This felt less like presenting tribute and more like giving gifts to a child. It was laughable, so laughable it was absurd.

“Your Highness, do you know of black jewels?”

“…Of course. I saw those that Delegate Eldert brought last time. They’re found only in Ruswena.”

“Yes. We have five boxes of the highest grade black jewels. Also, these are new spices being cultivated in Ruswena, which take five seasons to harvest – quite demanding. They provide an excellent combination of spicy and sour flavors. We’ve prepared twenty boxes of the highest grade.”

Eripony slightly pushed forward the box, saying he should take a closer look. With the already enormous height difference and her perfectly straight posture, it was impossible to tell who was giving tribute to whom.

She tilted her head and asked:

“Are they to your liking?”

“…Of course. I can well feel Ruswena’s sincerity.”

“I’m truly relieved. Since these are items that would satisfy His Majesty the Emperor, I was worried whether they would meet Your Highness’s expectations.”

As Jin personally closed the box lid, Eripony took a sip of the prepared tea and muttered:

“As expected of His Majesty’s son, you have inherited his excellent eye. I can understand why His Majesty kept Your Highness hidden away like a jewel.”

Romandro unconsciously raised his head to look at Eripony.

On the surface, it was nothing but praise without a single negative word, but peel away just one layer and the meaning changed completely.

From daring to evaluate His Majesty the Emperor’s eye as excellent, to the comment about being hidden like a jewel – all were jabs at his lack of presence as Fifth Prince. Saying they couldn’t know his preferences. Even if they wanted to match his taste, there was nothing known about him, so it wasn’t their fault.

“Queen Eripony.”

“Ah, I nearly forgot. Being fond of hunting, I have great interest in bows and arrows. So I brought something nice as a gift for Your Highness…”

Though the Prime Minister tried to intervene, Eripony stared at him directly and cut off his words.

Her tri-colored eyes moved sharply. Though this was the Imperial Palace, she was still a sovereign. It was a warning not to dare interrupt their conversation.

“Eldert.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Following her renewed command, Eldert brought forth a huge case. Actually, they had been debating whether to officially present this to the Prince. But her order was to bring it, clearly showing how their queen had evaluated Jin internally.

Creeak.

“…What is this?”

“My joy and Ruswena’s pride. I hope Your Highness will like it as well.”

Jin’s brow furrowed slightly.

Was this not an intricately carved silver bow? Though the item itself wasn’t problematic, what caught the eye was its size. Its length matched Jin’s height.

Eripony lightly plucked the bowstring with her long fingers as she explained:

“This was crafted over half a year by Ruswena’s royal artisan. The body is made of silver, and the bowstring is twisted from vine grass found only in the southern forests. Each draw produces a wind-like sound more beautiful than most instruments, adding to the joy of hunting.”

Wheeng. Whirr.

As the queen said, the bowstring’s sound was truly unique and extraordinary. She smiled brightly as she set down the case.

“I heard Your Highness might not enjoy hunting, so I didn’t include it in the official tribute, but seeing you in person, your spirit seems remarkable enough to suit it. Please accept it without too much surprise.”

Jin’s face flushed red. She was pointing out the child’s scar. Though rumors had suggested weakness, seeing him in person he bore a scar on his face like those carried by hunters.

Eldert cleared his throat repeatedly while moving the case to her side. Things were getting a bit excessive. As the queen’s advisor, it was a signal that she should stop.

“Ah yes.”

After plucking the bowstring several more times, she let out a small exclamation as if remembering something. Then, as if embarrassed, she added with a smile:

“The vine grass will stretch with time, so when that happens, please let me know. I’ll have it refitted for you.”

She must know Jin wasn’t old enough for hunting. And to present a bow far too large for its recipient!

This was an outright insult, looking down on Jin for his youth.

‘It will take as long for the vine grass to stretch as it will for you to grow old enough to go hunting.’

Yet they couldn’t openly object, as the item itself was flawless and of the highest quality.

“…Thank you.”

This was all Jin could say. Adding unnecessary words here would only emphasize his own vulnerabilities.

“Not at all. Your Highness’s joy is my joy as well.”

Eripony smiled broadly and bowed her head. Though she bowed, it was barely more than a slight tilt of her forehead. By now it was impossible to tell whether this was intentional disrespect or simply due to her physical size.

The Prime Minister awkwardly glanced at Jin while needlessly stroking his beard.

‘If Your Highness doesn’t speak up, I too cannot easily step forward…’

Jin only clenched his hands resting on his knees. Various words danced on the tip of his tongue. Though he recognized the Queen of Ruswena’s provocations, he was considering how best to respond.

This was unavoidable, knowing that each of his words would have complex ripple effects. Though there was a difference between empire and kingdom, didn’t Ruswena have the alliance of three nations behind it?

This could be intentional provocation. Trying to stimulate the young prince into a reflexive reaction against their country.

‘What should I say? What if I say…’

Would it bring the best results?

It needed to be a choice beneficial to both imperial dignity and the empire. But in that moment, Eripony raised her teacup again, and Jin’s chance to speak was awkwardly buried.

“The tea is truly delicious, Your Highness. It seems to instantly dissolve away the weariness of travel.”

“Ah. Yes. I’m glad then.”

Romandro signaled the officials. A sign suggesting they should wrap up the meeting soon.

His Highness Jin looked uncomfortable, and Ruswena’s attitude was extremely arrogant. When they should be discussing greater matters of state, they were insulting the prince with mere tribute gifts. They needed to confer again.

“…Um, Your Highness.”

But Jin frowned and showed his refusal. Wouldn’t retreating here mean he had truly been defeated? It would diminish Bariel’s dignity.

Jin took a moment to steady his breath and sipped his tea, as if telling them to stay still. Eripony simply continued studying the child’s face.

‘How cute. So cute.’

What could be going through that tiny head? Even if he was an imperial prince, what could a ten-year-old child possibly do?

Just as Eripony unconsciously smiled slightly.

The reception room door opened and the atmosphere instantly changed.

“Ah.”

“Pardon the interruption.”

A low, refined voice. Eripony reflexively turned her head. She saw people naturally stepping back to make way.

Golden hair and green eyes.

And a youthful appearance.

“Oh ho.”

Eripony couldn’t help but make an interested sound. Was this not the famous Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic?

Ian was entering with several mages, perhaps having finished some business. Romandro hurried over and muttered as if ventriloquizing:

“Did you handle the matter well, Lord Ian?”

Why did you come so late!

Ian somehow seemed to hear his inner voice. No wonder, as the reception room’s atmosphere was quite strange. It hadn’t been long since he’d urgently left his post.

Ian whispered to Romandro:

“There was an issue with a magical device, but it was nothing serious.”

Then, meeting Eripony’s gaze as she looked at him, he asked:

“What conversation were you having?”