Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 318

Burgos’s carriages lined up in a row, waiting for the departure signal.

With the cargo compartments now empty of tribute gifts, the horses pawed the ground contentedly. They’d noticed they could run much lighter now. The coachmen oiled their whips while clicking their tongues.

“Ah, came all this way with hard work just to end up empty-handed.”

“Right. Wonder if it’s the same for other countries.”

What comes must go – it’s natural law. They’d brought numerous jewels as tribute gifts for the appointment ceremony, but all they got in return was food for the journey.

The porters also grumbled while shaking out their empty hands.

“I hear they received duty-free items in return.”

“Really? What duty-free? Do we get any benefits?”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but anyway, only the higher-ups enjoyed themselves. While we did all the hard work. Ahem.”

“Oh my, they’re coming. Shh!”

They saw attendants rushing out from the main palace to clear the way. Soon after appeared the King of Burgos walking shoulder to shoulder with Bariel’s Crown Prince. Dozens followed behind them. Their approach in fluttering formal attire was an impressive sight.

The coachmen gripped their whips tightly and prostrated themselves.

“Right. You can depart immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Once again, congratulations on the heir’s appointment, and thank you for inviting us to this precious occasion.”

The coachman secretly tilted his head to look up at the Crown Prince. Though he appeared no more than fourteen years old, how could his voice be so firm?

No one noticed that Jin had been sniffling until just now. At least, none among the Burgos people.

“Before that, a moment.”

At Jin’s gesture, Xiaoshi brought forward a pouch of fine cloth. The clinking sound from inside set the coachmen’s nerves on edge. Having received wages in copper coins their whole lives, they keenly recognized what that sound meant.

“I’ve heard that in any situation, it’s customary to share return gifts with subordinates. However, the cargo compartments are particularly light this time, so I wish to offer at least a modest recognition.”

The coachmen and porters cheered while still prostrated. They’d been dissatisfied with not getting even scraps, but as expected of an imperial Crown Prince. They all bit their lips to contain their excitement.

“No, Your Highness. Please don’t concern yourself. You’ve given us the great gift of tax exemption – how could we shamelessly accept more? Please keep it.” Ꞧ𝖆ꞐốᛒÊS̈

Until Damon refused. Though they couldn’t actually enjoy the tax benefits since nothing had been properly presented as tribute, no one mentioned this.

“The subordinates seem like they would be disappointed.”

Yes yes. We’re disappointed. So disappointed we could jump for joy. The porters glanced at each other with dejected expressions, as if hoping the king would grant permission.

“You there.”

“Yes? Are you speaking to me?”

“Yes. Come here and receive this. This is an imperial festival – it’s right that everyone returns with happy hearts.”

Jin reluctantly pointed to the nearest person to come forward. The coachman stood before the Crown Prince, bearing his lord’s cold gaze.

Clink.

“Well done. Everyone travel safely.”

“We-we’re honored, Your Highness.”

“Share the rest fairly among yourselves.”

The coachman scurried back to his place holding the heavy pouch. The inside glinted gold. Enough for everyone to hold one gold coin each.

“…Thank you. Then, farewell.”

Damon nodded to Timothy and boarded his carriage. Though he couldn’t understand Jin’s intention, honestly he couldn’t accept it gracefully. He couldn’t tell whether this was mockery of them returning empty-handed and at a loss, or propaganda about imperial prestige aimed at his own people.

“Everyone return to your positions.”

“Prepare for departure!”

Neigh!

As Timothy organized the surroundings and checked the carriages, the nobles also bid farewell to the officials.

The moment the first official diplomatic delegation Jin received was departing. Ian approached Timothy and nodded.

“Delegate Timothy.”

“Lord Ian. I take my leave after a good stay. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“I can show you kindness anytime. Please return safely and take care of yourself.”

When Ian offered his hand first, Timothy grasped it with both hands in respect. Though brief, he’d keenly felt Ian’s influence in the palace.

“Yes. Until we meet again.”

“…Yes. Let’s meet again. Just like today.”

Above all, he knew relations between Bariel and Burgos weren’t so smooth. That’s why Ian’s goodwill toward him was both puzzling and precious.

For his kingdom, for his lord. Timothy wanted to serve as a communication channel with Bariel, befitting his title as delegate.

Swoosh.

Damon watched this scene from inside the carriage while drawing back the curtain. Then he tapped the coachman’s window as if hurrying them. As the coachman raised the flag, Timothy turned and boarded the carriage.

“We depart!”

Clop clop!

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

Neigh!

The carriages began moving one by one toward the palace entrance. Damon’s gaze swept past. Ian responded by placing his hand on his chest. A gentle smile meeting cold eyes.

“They’re gone. Whew, everyone worked hard.”

“Clifford and Ruswena still remain.”

“Your Highness, we’ll return to our duties now. Thank you for your hard work overseeing today’s meeting.”

“Yes. Go ahead. Well done.”

Soon after Burgos’s procession disappeared from view, the officials dispersed. Ian and Jin’s eyes met directly. Ian bowed and praised the child.

“Your Highness. Bestowing gold coins was truly well done.”

Even Ian hadn’t known, but this seemed unexpectedly effective. It was suitable for showing imperial generosity, and above all, embarrassing for Burgos’s leaders. It was essentially mockery that even their servants couldn’t profit.

Though Ian praised him, Jin merely narrowed his eyes without responding. Romandro watching from behind showed a surprised “what now” expression.

“Indeed.”

“…Your Highness?”

“You may go now. I too have much work. Hmph.”

Jin turned away primly while pouting. He was still upset about being told not to come to Philea’s engagement ceremony. The child stomped into the main palace demonstratively.

Though Xiaoshi nodded in farewell, even that couldn’t be completed. The child pulled at his arm, hurrying him along.

“He’s sulking.”

“…Please confirm Burgos’s carriages leave directly through the central district. If they take another route, don’t stop them – just report it.”

“I said he’s sulking, Ian.”

“…Is the alliance treaty with Clifford prepared? They’ll likely depart during the morning too.”

Ian kept checking work matters, pretending not to hear.

Though making a disgruntled expression, Romandro diligently took notes anyway. His look suggested he was letting it slide since there were many people watching.

“Ian.”

“Lord Romandro.”

And in the carriage returning to the Magic Department. Once alone, they called each other simultaneously. Romandro tucked his pen in his breast pocket as if saying speak first.

“You asked before. Whether I had quarreled with His Highness.”

“I did. But seeing today, it’s entirely your fault. I understand you’re doing it to build a firm disposition since he’s Crown Prince. But ah, he’s still so young.”

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t give advance notice.”

Ian watched outside while propping his chin. After brief consideration, he shared his concerns and plans with Romandro.

From now on, his and Jin’s paths would be completely different, so shouldn’t Romandro, being closest, know this?

“Lord Romandro. Have you ever thought about the pillars of the palace?”

The pillars supporting the palace are most ideal when properly spaced – currently his and Jin’s distance was too close, and if wind blew, they would surely collapse unable to withstand it. For the first time, Ian voiced his thoughts and concerns.

Though the carriage shook greatly, Romandro didn’t notice at all. The child sitting opposite had captured all his attention.

***

One particularly warm sunny afternoon.

Philea, sitting before the mirror, turned her head in surprise. As her golden hair swayed, Viviana frowned and fixed it.

“His Highness can’t come?”

“My lady, don’t move. I need to brush it again.”

“Ah, sorry. I was just so surprised.”

“He says he has too much work and can’t help it. I just heard earlier too.”

Having been elevated from Prince to Crown Prince, he surely had incomparable duties compared to before.

Though they had personal connections, Philea was a commoner without any title. Moreover, wasn’t her fiancé from a minority tribe on the frontier? Perhaps it would have been strange for him to attend this occasion in the first place.

“I guess I was hoping for too much, beyond my station. It’s not really a place for the imperial Crown Prince to come.”

“What are you saying? Of course you expected it since His Highness promised he would come. Don’t be like that – close your eyes. The makeup is turning out especially well today. Oh, so pretty.”

Philea burst out laughing at Viviana’s doting praise.

A small engagement ceremony in the mansion’s garden. Partly because there weren’t guests to invite, but mainly due to concerns about potential awkwardness if it became official that the Minister’s stepfather was from the Cheonrye tribe.

Though Ian didn’t seem to mind much, since they would hold another wedding ceremony in Hielo territory anyway…

Bang! Crash!

Clatter clatter!

Viviana paused while carefully drawing eyebrows. Why was it so noisy outside? Viviana opened the door and warned.

“Everyone quiet! What’s going on?”

“Viviana! No, these guys keep trying to go upstairs. I told them they can’t see!”

“Beric, you little brat. Move aside. In Cheonrye tradition, we meet and congratulate the bride before the wedding.”

“Not in Bariel, you idiots! You can’t see the bride before the ceremony!”

“Have you ever been married? This brat, talking without experience.”

“What about you?!”

“I’ve been married twice!”

Crash!

It was commotion between the Cheonrye trying to come up to see Philea and Beric blocking them. Viviana warned them while striking the wall with a smiling face.

“Everyone, please go back down quietly. Hoho.”

“Eek, Vi-Viviana’s only smiling with her mouth?”

“The noise is making it impossible to do makeup. Hohoho.”

For some reason, the brush in her hand looked like a weapon. Beric dragged the warriors down the stairs, soon discovering a carriage arriving at the garden.

“It’s Ian!”

Ian, Romandro, Hale, and a small number of mages had come to congratulate the engagement.

Ian smiled while looking around the garden. It looked more like a meat party than an engagement ceremony. If not for flowers decorating here and there, it would look no different from usual.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Lord Ian, we’re forgetting your face.”

“Where’s Lord Nersarn?”

“Over there. I don’t understand why he’s so nervous when he didn’t even blink during battle.”

While Ian was exchanging greetings with the Cheonrye, village children wearing festival masks pressed against the wall. They were curious about the commotion from the house where mages lived.

“Can you see?”

“No, can’t see.”

“There are so many people. Wonder what’s happening.”

Then, a child quietly joined them at the wall. He also wore a mask, but the silver hair sticking out beside it sparkled distinctively.

“Huh?”

And a gray-haired man firmly guarding the child’s side. The children looked at them with expressions asking “who are you?” but the two just kept secretly watching inside without speaking.

“Oh, it must be a wedding! The bride’s coming out!”

“Look, where?”

A white dress appeared in the garden. The children whispered and pressed their eyes even closer to the holes. Then they all exclaimed in wonder.

“Wow. An angel. An angel.”

“She’s really beautiful.”

Jin also wriggled to peek through a gap. The absinthe-colored jewel on Philea’s ear sparkled distinctively.

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