Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 298

Chapter 298

Let’s put Ruswena at the forefront.

In the carriage heading to Clifford’s palace.

Romandro recalled their conversation from the reception room. He’d never forget the silence that fell when Ian spoke those words, nor how he and Jin had exclaimed simultaneously:

You mean conduct the dragon abnormal reaction examination?

Yes. Didn’t Your Highness already give Ruswena notice about this? It worked out perfectly. I’ll send people there immediately to order examinations. Then Clifford will have no grounds for refusal.

Sending palace physicians had been a suggestion. Since Clifford held the right to refuse, there was nothing to be done if they declined to let anyone in.

But the examination?

He’s ill enough to postpone meeting His Highness. He won’t come out of the palace, so we should go in. This way we maintain some semblance of propriety.

If they kept refusing the examination, forceful implementation would be possible due to suspicion of the abnormal reaction – they’d have to accept. Being dragged out would be unprecedented humiliation, but they couldn’t even raise diplomatic objections over this matter.

In the Bariel Empire’s palace, being uncooperative while potentially harboring an epidemic was tantamount to threatening the Emperor.

Moreover, if Prince Noah is truly a beast-folk, it would be an extremely awkward situation. How touching if they think it’s because of Ruswena. Especially at this point when the alliance of three nations is just beginning.

Romandro kept muttering exclamations with his arms crossed. He couldn’t get Ian’s gentle smile out of his head as he’d said those words.

Once again, he hoped his and Viviana’s child would take after Ian. Since the baby had seen him often in the womb, it wasn’t completely impossible.

As Romandro nodded seriously, Ian turned from the window. His smile asked what thoughts occupied him so deeply.

“Still worried? That problems might arise?”

“Hm? No, no. What’s there to worry about with you here? When Viviana comes to the appointment ceremony, please give her lots of warm wishes. Add a word for the baby too. I’m counting on you.”

Ian tilted his head. Such an unexpected request. Beric, sitting beside them, shot his hand up.

“I can do that too!”

“…Beric. You’re fine.”

“Huh? Why?”

“No. Just… you’re fine.”

Just as Beric was about to protest, the carriage stopped. They could see mages who’d arrived earlier laughing and chatting with the Clifford people.

Ian slightly pulled back the curtain to observe. If Prince Noah was a beast-folk, this was a critical moment. Yet the atmosphere was so relaxed?

Either he’s not a beast-folk, or only his closest confidants know.

Ian took out his pocket watch and clicked it. The examinations at Ruswena’s detached palace should be wrapping up by now. Even if Clifford tried to verify, the timing was fine. Romandro too muttered while surveying the surroundings.

“Did we come too late? Maybe we shouldn’t have stopped at Ruswena first. Should’ve just sent the mages.”

“No. The order is important for legitimacy. It’s right to examine Ruswena first and thoroughly.”

Though unlikely, if Queen Eripony noticed this overall plan, there was no telling what tricks she might play.

So Ian had personally gone to Ruswena’s detached palace to complete the examination of Queen Eripony and her close associates. Though he’d left the remaining cleanup to the mages.

“That may be, but looking at this, they haven’t gotten inside yet. It’d be troublesome if they stall and try something.”

“No need to worry about that either. If they could have tried something, they wouldn’t have postponed meeting Prince Jin. It means they have an unavoidable issue worth sacrificing their first diplomatic button for. Well, shall we go?”

Creeak

Ian, Romandro, and Beric descended from the carriage and entered the detached palace. The mages and Clifford people greeted them with deep bows.

As they walked a bit further, the commotion grew louder. It was the sound of Delegate May confronting the mages with her guards.

“…Perhaps you object because of who we are?”

“I-I apologize.”

“No need for apologies.”

Ian approached while listening to their exchange. They were clearly cornered without any excuse to escape. To speak of status before mages who served divine power.

The possibility of beast-folk grew stronger. Even if not that, there was something they were desperately trying to hide.

If we discover that, Bariel will have room to intervene in the politics of the three nations.

Ian immediately cut in, pulling out his gloves.

“I’ll conduct the examination personally. That would be acceptable, wouldn’t it?”

He smiled broadly to show he meant no harm.

At the same time, May’s expression darkened.

“L-Lord Ian.”

“I apologize. We seem to have made a mistake. Since mages serve the imperial family in Bariel, we had no idea the Clifford royal family would be uncomfortable. Please understand this stems from cultural differences.”

Though lacking titles, they were Bariel’s most precious talents. He meant it was surprising that a prince would dare refuse the mages who supported the imperial family.

When Akorella first broke out, most investigations were handled by lower-level administrative department staff. For mages to move personally during such busy times was itself a form of respect.

“No! That absolutely wasn’t our meaning! Please don’t misunderstand. We well understand the mages’ nobility.”

May strongly denied it, waving her hands. It was just a gap she’d reflexively tried to exploit. To protect Prince Noah’s secret, what words wouldn’t she grasp at?

The problem was she hadn’t known Ian would be waiting in that gap.

“Mage. I merely meant that the prince is uncomfortable with strangers. It seems there was a miscommunication due to cultural differences. I apologize if we’ve offended you.”

Cultural differences – truly useful words. Especially in how they could draw out tolerance even in sensitive matters like this.

The mage accepted the apology with a bow.

“Not at all. As you say, we understand there are cultural differences.”

Though he had honestly been displeased, with his superior Ian stepping in, nothing else mattered. Ian signaled the mage to withdraw, and he left with a trusting smile.

Ian placed his hand on his chest with a bright smile.

“Since the Clifford delegation has come to assist with His Highness’s appointment ceremony, we wish to treat you accordingly. Let me personally conduct the examination while paying my respects to the prince.”

Ah. May felt darkness descend before her eyes.

This was clearly a warning to mind their behavior. The treatment would differ based on their attitude – if they didn’t move aside now and caused trouble, appropriate measures would be taken. It was a statement implying force.

A prince dragged out by another country’s soldiers?

And in beast-folk form at that?

If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve let that mage in earlier.

Avoiding a deer only to meet a tiger. Standing before Ian made that earlier mage seem so easy now. With him, they could have somehow managed to get through this.

“Pardon me, Delegate May. Please introduce Prince Noah to me.”

Lead the way. Step aside and clear the path yourself.

Under Ian’s pressure, May unconsciously stepped back. The guards also retreated hesitantly, and she reluctantly grabbed the door handle.

Haah.

Though her mind felt distant, she had to try everything she could first. Wasn’t this moment crucial for the Clifford royal family’s fate? It was too early to give up.

She knocked on the door with all her might.

BANG BANG!

Is she trying to break it down? Romandro jumped enough to grab Beric’s arm.

“Prince Noah! Lord Ian Hielo, Head of the Ministry of Magic, has come! Currently, they say a dragon abnormal reaction originating from Ruswena has been discovered and needs testing! They say it won’t take long, and you just need to hold out your hand!”

Shouting at the top of her lungs. Clearly trying to warn those inside to prepare thoroughly. Seeing this, Romandro and Beric exchanged glances.

De-definitely something’s up.

This is serious, for real. Did they get scammed somewhere? Why can’t they trust anyone?

While the two communicated with gestures, May pressed her forehead against the door, trying to gauge sounds from inside. It was anxiously quiet, damnably silent.

She bit her lip and slowly opened the door.

Creeak

“…Your Highness?”

Prince Noah lay on the bed covered in every piece of cloth in the room. Like a thick hill had been erected.

Ian walked past May toward him.

“Greetings, Prince Noah. I am Ian Hielo, Head of the Ministry of Magic. We wish to conduct a simple examination to guard against Ruswena’s epidemic. Though you must be tired, please extend your hand for a moment.”

Wiggle. One finger poked out from the edge of the blanket.

“…More, please.”

Another squirm. The prince showed up to his wrist.

Ian stared at this for a moment before turning to May. The examination would be meaningless without confirming the subject’s identity – how could they tell who was who with just a hand sticking out?

He started to request the blanket be removed but changed his mind. After all, it’s usually easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

“Then excuse me. The sensation may be a bit raw, but it won’t hurt, so don’t worry.”

Whirr. Whirr.

As Ian released his magical power, a breeze stirred in the enclosed space.

May stopped biting her nails and drew a breath. Though this was somewhat suspicious, they might get through without major issues. Just as she prayed internally—

“Ah. Right.”

Beric, standing close behind Ian, muttered as he realized something. Now that he was near, he could definitely tell. It was the smell of animal hide from the market. That pungent wet fur smell, especially on humid days.

“Beast smell.”

Flinch. Ian noticed Prince Noah’s reaction in his grip. Beric just picked his ear while muttering to himself.

“Is the wine country used to this? Everyone else seems clueless. Lord Romandro, can’t you smell it?”

“I-I can’t tell—”

FLUTTER!

“Wine country?! It’s Clifford!”

As the silent Prince Noah suddenly shouted in anger, Ian seized the opportunity to forcefully push his magic under the blanket.

WHIRR! WHIRR!

Like wind pulling them away, the coverings the prince had wrapped himself in were half stripped away. For an instant, they saw vertically slit pupils and pointed ears.

“……!”

“……!”

Romandro and May froze with mouths agape. Beric just waved his hands and laughed.

“Ah. Sorry. Cream wine.”

“AAAAAH!”

Prince Noah roughly shook off Ian’s hand and pulled the disheveled blankets around himself to hide. He curled into a ball with his back turned.

“U-um, just a moment—!”

“Yes! Yes yes! Just a moment!”

“That is, well—!”

Though May floundered in extreme panic, only Romandro responded sympathetically. Beric threw open the windows for ventilation and shouted loudly that he’d been right.

“MUHAHAHA! See! I told you I wasn’t crazy!”

“Th-this person is actually Prince Noah! No, actually, that’s not— I mean, everyone please calm down!”

“We-we should calm down. Yes yes! It-it’s my first time seeing a beast-folk, oh my.”

“He’s not a beast-folk! What are you saying?!”

“MUHAHAHA! I was right, wasn’t I? Wasn’t I!”

CRASH BANG! Everyone was in chaos.

Ian looked down at the trembling Prince Noah and apologized carefully.

“Your Highness. I apologize. My magic control was inadequate and must have startled you.”

“……”

No answer. He seemed to just hope May would hurry and take everyone out.

Ian hesitated a moment and smiled.

“…But Your Highness. Your tail is showing.”