Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 291

Chapter 291

It was strange. In just the ten or so minutes Ian had been absent, the reception room’s atmosphere had become so tense it seemed ready to collapse.

Of course, as newly arrived guests, the Ruswena party wasn’t meant to exchange lengthy greetings. It should have been enough to exchange formal courtesies, present tribute gifts, and discuss upcoming official schedules.

But this was too early.

Romandro whispered quietly enough that only Ian could hear.

“The, uh, Queen is more aggressive than expected.”

Though a very brief expression, it contained everything.

Particularly noteworthy was the phrase “than expected.”

Indeed, she was taller than expected, more imposing than expected, and sending more blatant looks than expected.

Ian brushed Romandro aside and approached Jin.

“Lord Ian.”

Color briefly rose to Jin’s face before fading. The meeting that had seemed about to fall apart continued with new energy after Ian’s appearance.

First was how Eripony leaned back against her chair. She simply smiled with her hands on her knees, as if waiting for Ian’s introduction.

“Was there no problem?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I apologize for causing you concern.”

“Not at all. Please greet Queen Eripony. This is Lord Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic of the Great Empire of Bariel.”

When Ian placed his hand on his chest and bowed, Eripony responded with a slight nod. Though she had heard about him from Eldert, well… To think the empire’s future rested with these youngsters. She praised Ian while covering her mouth with her fan.

“Praise of Lord Hielo reaches even to Ruswena. They say you’re a genius mage who serves the empire through hardship at such a young age.”

“You flatter me. I too have heard much of Ruswena’s reputation. They say it’s a land of opportunity for mages.”

The Prime Minister between them unconsciously lowered his gaze to hide his dismayed expression. This was like watching two people stabbing each other while shaking hands.

Eripony’s mention of “hardship” included the implication of his origins as a border region’s bastard, while Ian’s “land of opportunity” meant they were underdeveloped due to their lack of mages.

The various factions encircling the reception room exchanged glances with slight murmurs.

‘Even young, a mage is still a mage it seems.’

‘Isn’t he the real power in the current palace?’

‘I heard he’s of common birth.’

His unflinching and fearless responses demonstrated Ian’s presence and confidence.

Eldert subtly looked at Eripony and closed his eyes. Unlike the ten-year-old prince, Ian shouldn’t be taken lightly. The provocations should stop here.

“I briefly left my post due to an issue in the Ministry of Magic, and ended up interrupting your conversation. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Ian bowed to Jin with a subtle smile. This was like laying groundwork to let the child directly explain the current situation – what had happened and what difficulties he had faced.

For example, like this:

“No. Queen Eripony was just presenting a gift separate from the tribute.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Though regrettably, it seems it will take a long time to show proper sincerity.”

When Jin gestured, an attendant opened the case containing the bow. Wasn’t it a massive bow matching its recipient’s height? Ian quickly grasped the meaning and raised an eyebrow.

‘Hmm, would you look at this?’

But Eripony too was noticing the subtle emotions between Ian and Jin. The color of their relationship was too complex and subtle to pin down as just one thing.

Looking one way it seemed pink, another way purple, and for a moment even appeared blue. Truly meaningful.

“…I made a mistake using a standard bow. Your Highness, please don’t be angry and do let me know when the vine grass stretches.”

Eripony threw another stone to gauge Ian’s reaction.

Despite receiving the same insult twice, Jin still hesitated in contemplation. Though he held numerous options, he was being cautious lest one wrong decision lead to irreversible consequences.

Ian stroked his fingertips while looking down at the child’s round head.

‘Not a domestic noble but a foreign queen. Since the people suffer most when diplomatic relations sour, it must be burdensome for Jin. Though he met Eldert, it was just once. It’s true the opponent is overwhelming compared to his experience.’

Moreover, the Queen of Ruswena was so uninhibited it even surprised Romandro. It was natural for Jin to be flustered when no one told him how far she could push and where the line not to cross was.

The queen’s attitude was too sharp a variable to prepare for with just the filtered information within the palace.

“Your Highness.”

Ian called to Jin gently. The pale eyes seemed to look to Ian seeking answers.

But at the same time, his fine brow was slightly hardened. After the inauguration ceremony, the child would become the empire’s true heir – what could be more painful than facing one’s own inadequacies? Ian smiled brightly and suggested:

“Since the Queen prepared it personally, perhaps you might respond to the gift?”

“What do you…”

Jin trailed off, not understanding. If he was to respond to the gift, that meant shooting the bow…

“Is there anything to shoot at?”

Eripony added with a sardonic smile. In this setting, how and for what purpose could one possibly shoot? To her question, Ian politely replied:

“Oh my. Queen Eripony. Though I’m not sure about Ruswena, there are no unruly beasts in Bariel’s Imperial Palace.”

“…!”

“…!”

Everyone in the reception room held their breath. Though cold attacks had been exchanged precariously, this was the first such blatant statement.

The queen immediately straightened from her backrest and pressed her lips tightly together. Her gaze dripping with killing intent was that of a viper. Ian pretended not to notice as he took out the bow from its case and examined it.

“Though there are many ways to brace a bow, the arrow length is especially problematic. Your Highness. Right now, flower petals are dancing in Bariel to bless your inauguration ceremony. Shall we add to their force?”

Whirrr. Whirr.

When Ian released his magical power, all of Ruswena’s delegation members flinched and stepped back.

Magic. The famous Minister’s magic they had only heard about!

Though Ruswena did have mages, they were very few, and it would be stretching things to say they belonged to the royal palace. The difference in ability wasn’t even worth mentioning.

“Lord Ian.”

A long, thin light formed between Ian’s hands. Beautifully rippling with pink light, it gradually took the shape of an arrow.

‘Jin, there’s nothing to fear. If Ruswena’s queen provokes you, accept it without worry. You are allowed to do so. You are Bariel who is allowed to do so.’

Ian lightly moved his fingertips to refine the stream of light. Then he slowly handed it to the child and asked.

A rippling warmth. It felt just like when he had touched Ian’s magic sphere before. Jin looked down at the particles crackling within the light.

“…Open the bay window.”

Swoosh.

At Jin’s command, attendants busily moved to push open the huge window in the wall. As one side opened wide, the palace’s vast garden came into full view.

Wind rushed in refreshingly. Eripony crossed her legs while holding back her windblown hair with one hand. Daring to do so before the prince.

“I’ll hold the bow for you. Just pull back the string.”

Ian held the bow with one hand while the child took his stance and pulled the bowstring with all his might. The vine grass stretched smoothly into a flexible curve.

Then Ian’s magic arrow caught at the small fingertips. The vine grass wailed near their ears, creating a faint rhythm.

Wheeng. Whirr.

Jin aimed at the blue sky and released the bowstring. Though it was a tiny force, the arrow shot straight up into the sky as if possessed before bursting. The sparkling fragments dissolved into the flower petals floating all day.

Whoosh!

Bang! Bang!

Strong winds swirled following Jin’s release of the bowstring. At the same time, the bowstring snapped.

Ping!

No matter how many times the artisan had twisted it, it naturally couldn’t withstand magical power.

Jin looked at the bowstring stretched in the sunlight before turning to Eripony.

“Eripony, it seems vine grass doesn’t stretch only with time.”

Instead of answering, the queen stared at the flower petals continually falling behind the child.

Were falling stars in broad daylight like this? She thought she understood why poets praised and sang of magic’s beauty. She shrugged and held back a smile.

“My deepest apologies, Your Highness.”

“No need for apologies. However, I hope you’ll keep your promise to replace the vine grass. Take it back and return it after repairs.”

He would accept the gift, but it should be taken back and adjusted to the proper size. Now that they knew his body size, they couldn’t simply attach new vine grass.

Eripony gracefully nodded and answered that she would comply. Though she hadn’t expected to take back the gift exactly as brought, what could she do? They had shown sincerity, and now it was her turn to show sincerity.

“Then regarding the tribute gifts…”

Jin started to give an order but stopped. The child smiled broadly and asked the Queen’s understanding.

“First, it seems we need to conduct an inspection.”

“An inspection? What do you mean?”

“Recently, someone showing abnormal hypersensitivity to dragon antigens was reported and is being investigated by the palace, with findings suggesting Ruswena goods as the source. It’s a simple quarantine procedure, so it won’t take long. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

Eripony turned to Eldert, as if not understanding what this meant.

But how could Eldert know? The outbreak of Akorella was being kept quiet within the palace.

“For now, please rest well, and we’ll arrange a separate meeting regarding this matter. Thank you for your journey here.”

Jin gestured that they could withdraw, and attendants began carrying out the tribute gifts one by one.

Eripony arranged her hair, paid her respects to Jin, and left the reception room. The delegation members followed their queen in formation, exchanging puzzled whispers.

“Dragon antigen reaction?”

“Is he talking about that epidemic? That disappeared quite a while ago, why suddenly…?”

“Though Ruswena has dragon breeding grounds, does Bariel not have any?”

Patter patter!

Eripony boarded her carriage and just stared out the window. A palace official rode ahead on horseback to lead the way. They would guide them to the guest palace where they would stay during the inauguration period.

Eldert, sitting opposite her, carefully called to the queen.

“Your Highness.”

“A dragon epidemic? Have you heard anything about this?”

“No. Nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like they made it up…”

“I’ll look into it separately when we reach the guest palace. But, Your Highness.”

Asking why he kept calling, Eripony whipped her head around.

“You seemed a bit excessive with Prince Jin.”

“Did I?”

“No matter how young, he is the future Emperor.”

Eripony just raised one corner of her mouth and muttered.

“…He was cute.”

“You have peculiar tastes.”

She gestured for Eldert to be quiet and continued watching the falling flower petals. She wasn’t sure if they were from Jin’s shot or if they had sparkled like this originally.

In any case, one thing was certain – this was quite a coveted palace indeed.