Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 310

“Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Congratulations. Your Highness, please look here!”

“Glory to Bariel! Glory to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

The golden carriage slowly traversed the central road. Amidst swirling flower petals, Jin smiled radiantly. As if the crown’s weight meant nothing at all.

Like a noble gazing down upon the world, he never lowered his head. Jin continuously waved his right hand, and occasionally raised the Crown Prince’s scepter to draw responses from the empire’s people.

“Waaah! Your Highness! Your Highness!”

“We place our trust in you, Your Highness Crown Prince!”

Hadn’t all the days of laughing and celebrating led up to this very moment? The crowd threw flowers while offering constant congratulations, which were swept back into the air by the magical barrier disguised as wind.

Truly, everywhere was a wonderland, a sea of flowers.

Boooo- booo-

The sound of buffalo horns rang from the end of the procession.

A signal that they would turn around and return to the imperial palace.

Though reluctant, the empire’s people followed the carriage to capture Jin’s image until the very end. Dancers increased amid the strange harmony between the military band and street musicians.

“Lord Ian.”

“Prepare.”

At Ian’s command, the mages all took flight at once. Great darkness formed around Jin, instantly stretching along the path the carriage had come and would go.

A pitch black that seemed it would erase everything.

The watching crowd murmured and stepped back.

“Whoa, look, look at the ground!”

“The whole central road turned black!”

“Daddy, hold me! I’m scared!”

“It’s alright. The mages must be preparing to show us something wonderful.”

Whirr! Whirr!

Flash!

The mages created darkness, and Ian created stars. The moment several kilometers of road instantly transformed into the Milky Way.

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People were struck speechless at this sight they’d never seen before. The universe’s flow spreading in broad daylight, the golden carriage traveling along it, and their Crown Prince.

Everything was wondrous, beautiful, and perfect.

“Wow…”

“My goodness, it’s so magnificent.”

The surroundings seething with festival atmosphere settled into calm.

Though the birth of a new leader deserved celebration, what must underlie it was, undoubtedly, reverence. The military band played even larger, more intense, and more majestic music.

Creeak.

This continued until the procession reached the imperial palace. Before entering, Jin stood and waved both hands, and the empire’s people responded with hymns.

Ba-ri-el!

The golden carriage disappeared inside the palace.

One by one, the following cavalry vanished from sight as well.

But the songs sung in unison grew stronger, blazing like flames. When the imperial palace fully closed, the Milky Way crossing Bariel’s capital vanished like a mirage.

“Your Highness. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

The carriage stopped before the main palace. The Prime Minister greeted Jin with concern.

Receiving such intense energy from many-to-one would be overwhelming even for adults, wouldn’t it? Moreover, the audience numbered thousands, and the one alone was a child.

Though the Prime Minister kept checking Jin’s condition, the child merely waved it off and ordered a report.

“The three nations’ distinguished guests and nobles?”

“They’ve moved to the banquet hall for socializing.”

Jin removed his cape and entered the main palace’s chambers with the Prime Minister. It was to see his father the Emperor after truly so long. Attendants were left behind, and officials proceeded with cleanup, organizing the carriage and soldiers.

“…Urp.”

“Felix, stomach upset?”

“Sorry. Used too much magical power.”

“That’s why I told you to step back. Lord Ian, Felix first-“

The Ministry of Magic’s cleanup was particularly noisy. How could covering kilometers of distance with magic be easy? They’d exhausted everything to the point they couldn’t float even a simple magical device for days.

“Lord Ian!”

“Enough. The commotion.”

Ian lowered his head, covering his nose with his sleeve. Though hard to see on the dark clothes, the bloodstains were clear on his pale skin.

“Heavens. Where’s your handkerchief? Lord Romandro! Look at Lord Ian. Oh my, what should we do?”

“Hm? What’s wrong- gasp! Ian!”

“Lord Romandro, please quiet everyone and handle the cleanup. The mages and I will head to the Ministry of Magic first.”

“D-don’t worry and hurry inside. Bring the Ministry of Magic’s carriage first! Oh dear, still bleeding?”

“What!? Ian’s bleeding!?”

“Be quiet, you fool Beric!”

“I came because I heard Lord Romandro’s voice! Who’re you telling to be quiet? Ian, let me see. Both nostrils?”

Saying he was asking unnecessary things, Ian smiled. At that, not only the panicking mages, but also Romandro and Beric smiled in relief.

“Your Highness?”

In the corridor entering the bedroom.

Jin briefly stopped and turned at the commotion from outside, but that was all. At the Prime Minister’s urging, he turned back and continued walking.

Rustle.

“…Has there been any improvement in His Majesty’s condition?”

Jin felt puzzled by the chill at his fingertips. Though this should be the coziest and most peaceful place in the imperial palace, it was beyond cold, desolate.

They had faithfully followed the medical team’s recommendation to absolutely forbid outsiders for complete rest, but if he’d known it would be like this, he would have checked earlier and pointed out deficiencies.

“…Regrettably.”

“I see. He was quite aged after all.”

Creeak.

The Prime Minister personally opened the bedroom door. More precisely, he unlocked the lock.

By then, Jin realized something was wrong and stepped back. His wary expression was fierce.

“Prime Minister?”

His heart began pounding. Was he facing danger as soon as he became Crown Prince? He was alone here. No Xiaoshi, no Lord Ian…

“Oh my, I’ve frightened you, I apologize. But there’s no need to worry. This is to maintain security, and I swear it was all His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”

‘Was his will.’

A nuance that would make anyone think of last words. When the Prime Minister gestured guidance, Jin slowly followed while maintaining his guard.

The vast bedroom. Exactly as Jin remembered the Emperor’s chambers. Through the wall-length windows, a single peach tree was planted. If his memory was correct, it was related to Gale’s birth mother.

“…Father?”

Jin approached the lying Emperor. His appearance was no different from Jin’s last memory. Deeply carved wrinkles, white hair, and withered hands.

“…?”

Something was strange. Small wounds covered his hands. Though movement was difficult, there shouldn’t have been much cause for motion. When Jin turned to the Prime Minister, the truth was conveyed.

“His Majesty the Emperor is currently in a frozen state. During the civil war, he received fatal wounds from Mariv’s sword, and fearing chaos from his death, made this decision. Neither the wounds across his body nor the abdominal stab wound have healed.”

“What in the world…”

“His Majesty desired an official heir for the imperial family’s stability. That position fell to Your Highness. Finally, I dare present the weight of secrecy I’ve been bearing until now.”

The child blinked emptily while grasping his father’s hand. Though effectively no different from being at death’s door, the shock was great as he’d had no inkling of this.

“Who else knows besides you?”

“Former Three Generals Commander Beols, Lady Dilaina-“

All silenced by death.

“And Lord Ian.”

“…Lord Ian too?”

“Please don’t feel hurt that he didn’t tell you. It was a crucial matter, and His Majesty the Emperor’s final message.”

The child gave no answer. He merely watched his father, neither dead nor alive, hidden in the bedroom’s dim shadows.

What might he be thinking? Though the Prime Minister tried to guess the Crown Prince’s thoughts, he realized the futility upon hearing the child’s opening words.

“…I think Lord Ian will walk a different path from me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. It means Lord Ian and I will go different ways.”

Though he heard, he couldn’t understand. Originally Jin and Ian were different from birth, so naturally their paths would differ.

Perhaps…

“Has Lord Ian overstepped his authority?”

Though he had intentionally overlooked Jeirat’s checks out of concern, it seems there was actually a strange trust in Ian deep in his heart.

The Prime Minister knelt before Jin with a shocked expression. If that were true, it would be serious. Currently there was no one in the imperial palace who could balance against Ian, the Minister of Magic.

Jin firmly shook his head.

“Absolutely not. I just share the same worry you just had. So even if our paths differ, I think it’s best to prepare to walk alone.”

A statement about adjusting Ian’s oversized presence, power, and dependency. The Prime Minister swallowed dryly while calming his surprised heart.

“A righteous decision. Anything too heavily weighted to one side is bound to fall. I will help with all my heart and sincerity.”

“I look forward to your counsel.”

“Hmm, regarding details, how about we discuss after the three nations’ distinguished guests depart, and for now just handle moving residences?”

There was no precedent of a Crown Prince residing in the Ministry of Magic. With Dilaina’s imperial palace renovations nearly complete, the opinion was that returning to the main residence would be good. First would be regaining physical distance.

Jin nodded shortly.

“I understand. Let’s do that. You may leave first.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll wait far down the corridor.”

Though a distant Emperor, he was still father. Knowing he was frozen, the grief must be enormous. Though nationally a joyous day, there could be no more tragic day for the child. The Prime Minister left the bedroom, showing consideration for him to fully shed his sorrow.

Creeak.

Though left alone, the child didn’t look back at the Emperor. He just sat on the sofa, clutching his head.

Trembling shoulders and tears flowing down his nose bridge. Though he suppressed sound with all his might, he couldn’t stop the leaking sobs. If water can’t be caught by hands, how would tears be different?

‘Lord Ian knew father’s condition.’

It became certain. If Ian had different intentions, that wise one would never have let him live. Before, he’d assumed that since the Emperor lived, Ian would put him forward as the legitimate heir due to last words or other variables.

But his father the Emperor was already half dead. If he had wanted, he could have had everything already. There was no need to raise him as Crown Prince and share the secret of the freezing.

‘Then, the reason Lord Ian acts this way-‘

Pillars. A safety value at proper distance, able to withstand even if one falls.

Jin shed tears steadily while releasing his frustration. He wanted to convey he didn’t want this, but the crown’s weight was too heavy to move.

Rustle.

Jin sniffled while pressing the handkerchief Ian had given against his eyes. He recalled Ian’s expression, giving no answer when asked to keep helping.

Though told not to cry, did Ian himself know what expression he wore then?

“I understand, Lord Ian. I understand.”

Jin muttered while catching his breath. If you step back to create distance, I too will help. Since it’s hard to retreat ten steps alone, I’ll retreat five steps.

Then it should be easier to return too.

For both sides.

‘I just need to become stronger. It was a matter of being able to stand alone.’

A problem both simple and difficult.

Jin prayed with clasped hands like during the appointment ceremony. Please, let ten steps be enough. Let us not grow too far apart. So that even slightly separated, we can still see each other.

As the wind blew, withered leaves on the peach tree trembled.

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