Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

“I heard the Ministry of Magic and the Judiciary had a big fight?”

“A fight? What fight?”

In Gale’s quarters as the sunset was falling. The soldier who had been staring straight ahead like a ramrod muttered without realizing it. Realizing that his shift change was approaching, he had become unbearably bored. He responded, sensing movement in the distance.

“They say it was chaos. Everyone says they’ve never seen mages brawling before, no one even thought to stop them. It seems it was over some seal or something.”

“Was it a legitimate transaction?”

“Well, the judiciary staff left work as soon as the office hours were over, right? Really, when you think about it, the imperial palace is quite funny. They fight like cats and dogs, but as soon as it’s time, they just leave.”

The soldiers were giggling when they spotted a carriage approaching from afar and composed themselves. The flag was that of the Ministry of Magic. And usually, the mages who came to Gale’s quarters were either healing mages or Ian.

Creak!

Neigh!

“Good work. Any problems?”

“No. Everything is normal.”

Ian nodded slightly and climbed the stairs alone. He usually came with Romandro, but for some reason, today he was with other mages.

Ian tucked his leather gloves into his chest and crossed the palace with familiarity.

Clop clop.

The sun was gradually setting. The deep sunset had moved past orange and was now taking on a red hue. Warm breeze. Distant shadows. The beginning of darkness pouring through the large windows. The footsteps of Ian and the mages following him echoed through the empty corridor.

“Ah, Lord Ian.”

“It’s Lord Ian. What brings you here?”

The Cheonrye warriors lying on the lawn in the garden greeted Ian. They were all chewing on blades of grass, enjoying the leisurely greenery. Ian just returned their greetings with a small smile.

Rustle.

“Is something going on? Where’s Lord Romandro?”

“Yeah. But you know, the more I look at him, the more he resembles Lady Philea. This is why bloodline is important. If Lord Nersarn has a child, I should pray that it looks exactly like Lady Philea.”

The warriors dismissed it as nothing and flopped back down on the grass. They didn’t know when they would return to the desert, but this kind of luxury wasn’t bad at all.

Creak.

“Lord Ian. Hello.”

“Is His Highness Gale inside?”

“Yes. He’s having his meal now.”

“Open the door.”

At Ian’s command, the middle door leading to the bedroom slowly opened.

Gale, who was having his meal at the table beside the bed, frowned. Surprisingly, Philea and Nersarn were with him.

“Oh my, Ian!”

“Mother, you’re here too.”

“Ah, this is, well…”

Philea showed signs of distress, not knowing what to do. She was flustered, worried that she might be accused of overstepping her bounds.

Gale glanced at Philea like that, then put down his fork with a clatter.

Clack.

“I requested their company as dining alone was boring. But the soldier guarding the front is quite clumsy and rude. Letting in a guest without announcing that I’m in the middle of a meal.”

However, contrary to his words, Gale’s knife was pointing at Ian. It was a protest that your behavior of entering knowing I was eating is truly rude.

But Ian simply ignored it with a slight glance, then asked Philea:

“Please allow me to be alone with His Highness Gale for a moment.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Of course.”

Philea hurriedly cleared her place and disappeared into the adjacent room with Nersarn. Gale looked Ian up and down, then casually cut into his steak.

“Since you’ve chased away my dining companions, you might as well sit in their place. For your reference, I like to be spoon-fed.”

Seeing him joking in such a glib manner, it seems he’s feeling a bit better.

The mages placed a small glass vial in front of Ian and likewise left. Gale looked down at it while continuing his meal. Even without Ian saying anything, he could sense what it was.

“…I don’t eat dessert.”

It’s a potion that brings death. By the power of magic, he would completely surrender his breath to that man. He could now truly feel that the final chapter of his life was unfolding.

“Rumors will start circulating soon.”

“Rumors. Rumors, you say.”

Clink clink. The sound of dishes colliding rang out quietly. Gale silently pondered, then came up with an answer close to the truth.

“Rumors that I’m seeking asylum somewhere?”

“…That’s right.”

“How ridiculous. By whose permission are they using a prince’s name? I didn’t think you were so rash.”

Ian was inwardly surprised but didn’t respond. He didn’t seem to want an answer anyway.

“Your Highness just needs to remain as you are now.”

“Ah. I see. Just stay still as I am now, then stand trial to prove Hayman’s wrongdoing, and follow Mariv. If things go wrong in between, I just need to breathe my last without any problems.”

Bang!

Gale slammed the table hard, then pointed his knife at Ian’s nape. He wanted to slice that white neck just like he was cutting the steak.

“I’m already waiting for death anyway. Taking this potion is nothing. But what’s this? Asylum? That I’m abandoning Bariel and going to a foreign country? To save my life?”

Where else is there such an insult? He was not a coward begging for his life even at the cost of abandoning his homeland. Gale gritted his teeth, but Ian ignored it and pushed the potion forward.

“It’s just a rumor. A rumor that will disappear without a trace someday.”

“My honor will disappear along with it.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Your honor has already disappeared since the rebellion started.”

Crash! Clang!

Gale knocked over all the dishes on the table.

He didn’t want to believe it, but it was reality. He was in a state where he couldn’t take a single step outside the palace, and even if he did, he would meet a horrible end due to Hayman’s assassination.

The two stared at each other with cold gazes.

“Stay still and don’t cause a disturbance. If you do so, at least you won’t go like Mariv.”

Stripped of his imperial surname, erased from history, and meeting his end dangling while receiving applause from the nobles. Ian whispered quietly as if soothing him.

“I’ll also protect your mother’s tree in my name. Don’t forget that all of this is my consideration for you.”

It was a reminder of what he had promised Gale. After all, if Ian had wanted to, he could have made him drink the potion without anyone knowing.

Gale frowned and snatched the potion.

“Ha. Consideration?”

And without hesitation, he downed the potion in one gulp. A mellow and pungent taste enveloped the tip of his tongue. This is death, Gale thought as he roughly wiped his mouth and threw the glass vial against the wall.

Crash!

“Right. This must be the consideration you want from me.”

“When mutual understanding reaches its peak, there’s no better governance than this.”

“You’re not going to heaven either.”

“If I can make Bariel a heaven, then anywhere.”

As Ian responded elegantly, Gale burst into a hollow laugh. A hot sensation seeped through every part of his body. Now his breath was entirely dependent on that man. As his chest felt tight, soldiers outside reported:

“Lord Ian. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Everyone withdraw.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Understood.”

They must have wondered if there was a problem due to the loud commotion. Of course, but in this situation, there’s no one who worries about me. As Gale blankly stared at the ceiling, Ian stood up from his seat. This should be enough to conclude the business.

“Apart from a slight fever, there won’t be any problems with daily life. You can even forget the fact that you drank it.”

“When will I die?”

“…There will be a time that’s most perfect in God’s eyes.”

“I’ve been thinking for a few days.”

An abrupt introduction. Ian was about to ignore it but stopped and turned to look at Gale. If there’s no listener, uttered words exist only as sound and scatter. It didn’t seem bad to just listen to the final lament of a man facing death.

“When I first received Wesley’s curse.”

“Wesley’s curse?”

“Actually, I didn’t think much of it. Not being loved, what of it, I thought there wouldn’t be much change from before.”

Because that’s how it had always been. Whispering sweetness, but always within strict relationships of mutual benefit, and it was the same for the other party too. Wesley had gained countless things from meeting Gale.

Is that really true love? It didn’t seem different from before, so what was the curse and what was the problem? Gale clearly thought so at first.

“But as I ruminate on my current situation, I understand. The words that I won’t be loved. That included Bariel too.”

Gale himself had made passionate overtures to Bariel, but in the end, he wasn’t chosen, wasn’t loved. Ian looked down at him with his arms crossed. Like brother like brother, he’s saying something quite similar to Mariv.

“Shall I record it for you? That His Highness Gale was rejected by Bariel.”

“I wish you’d go and die, Ian.”

“I can’t die, but I can leave. Enjoy. You don’t have much time left.”

Gale giggled and muttered a light curse. As Ian left the room, Philea and the soldiers who had been closely pressed against the door stepped back in surprise. They must have been worried about the commotion.

“I-Ian! Are you alright? We heard the sound of dishes breaking.”

“I’m fine. But the floor will need cleaning. Send in a servant.”

“Yes. Understood!”

“…The swelling on your cheek has gone down a lot. That’s good.”

Ian nodded slightly while glancing at his mother’s cheek. There were still traces of scratches from being struck by Arsen, but they had healed to the point where they weren’t noticeable unless looked at closely.

“Um, Ian. If you have time, would you like to take a short walk in the garden? I have something to discuss with Lord Nersarn.”

“Hmm, yes. Let’s do that. That much is fine.”

Romandro and Hale hadn’t come in from outside yet. He believed they would have stamped the seal on time, but he couldn’t do anything until he saw it with his own eyes. There was an awkwardly small amount of time left.

“How is life in the palace?”

“It’s too, too much for me. I’m grateful just to have had such an opportunity in my lifetime. But, you know. I think it’s about time we start looking at dates for us to return.”

Ian estimated the date. Come to think of it, quite a few days had passed since they came here. It must have been quite tough for a minority group with an established base to stay in a place with an unsuitable climate. Ian placed his hand on his chest and conveyed his gratitude to Nersarn.

“If you wish, I’ll prepare for your journey with carriages. The imperial palace has escaped crisis thanks to Cheonrye’s help, and this will be deeply engraved in my heart.”

“What are you saying? We are allies. We have a duty to share both joys and difficulties.”

“I’m truly grateful for your words.”

“And so…”

And so? As Ian raised his head as if to say ‘go on’, Nersarn pressed his lips tightly, looking tense. It was unlike him. Nersarn requested very slowly, but with sincerity.

“Before we leave, I’d like to hold a small engagement ceremony with Lord Ian. We’ll have a separate wedding when we return to Hiello.”

“Ah.”

Philea’s face turned as red as a radish. The sight of asking her child for permission was unbearably cute. Ian let out a short exclamation and immediately gave his permission.

“Of course. However, there’s too much work right now, so how about we do it after His Highness Arsen’s magic confirmation ceremony and urgent matters are over? I’ll make the preparations.”

“You, Ian? Prepare?”

“I’ll do it with all my heart and soul.”

Philea was so happy she was about to jump up and down. Nersarn also seemed relieved, his expression becoming much lighter.

As they were discussing the engagement ceremony in the garden, a mage came running urgently and whispered to Ian.

“Lord Ian. We’ve just received a message regarding the Carbo Temple. It seems you need to go out and check.”

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