Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 311

“His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be running late.”

The officials sipped their wine, noting Jin’s absence. Several hours had passed since they’d heard of his return from the parade, yet he still hadn’t made an appearance. Some swirled their glasses, dismissing the concerns as needless chatter.

“He must be exhausted from this morning’s events. Since this isn’t an official function, it’s perfectly fine for him to rest.”

“True enough, but with his seat empty, I worry about potential criticism regarding our treatment of distinguished guests…”

Their gazes drifted upward. Through the curtains, they caught glimpses of attendants moving about. The leaders of three nations were gathered without imperial interference.

Despite careful scheduling throughout the festival to avoid overlapping appointments, a gap had emerged at the very end.

“And there are hardly any mages present.”

“I heard two collapsed upon entering the palace. One was even bleeding, apparently. Ahem. In any case, don’t worry. They’ll handle things appropriately. We should focus on enjoying this momentous celebration.”

“Exactly. This is the Imperial Palace. There can be no secret conversations here.”

“Oh my, then I take back what I said earlier. Haha!”

“I’ll retract mine as well. Hahaha! Oh, good day!”

“It’s been a while! Did you get home safely after the banquet?”

The commotion wasn’t much different from outside the palace. Understandably so – all the imperial troubles thus far had stemmed from the lack of an official heir. Though Jin was still young, his legitimacy was firmly established. His future success was clearly assured with the passage of time. How could they not smile?

The nobles would have a different perspective, of course.

How festive, Eripony thought, peering down through the curtains. To think they would laugh and chatter so freely in the heart of the imperial palace, forgetting all propriety. The festival truly lived up to its name.

Tak.

Unlike the tense atmosphere up here.

Damon moved a jewel-encrusted chess piece forward with a slight nod, as if challenging his opponent to respond. Noah’s already sharp eyes narrowed further, and his next move carried a distinct edge.

Eripony frowned, whispering to Eldert.

“Why are they acting like this? They’ve been this way since they arrived, maintaining this state the entire time.”

“Well, given the historically poor relations between their nations…”

His response suggested there were numerous factors at play. Eripony alternated her gaze between the two men, massaging her temple with her fingertips.

The problem was that she hadn’t witnessed their final moments that day, busy with her rendezvous with House Sereau’s daughter. Since then, thanks to the palace’s deliberate scheduling, they hadn’t even caught a glimpse of each other.

Finally meeting after so long, finally gathering together, only to face this atmosphere. Had this been Eripony’s palace, she would have immediately split that chess board in two. 𝖗áɴＯВËʂ

“Gentlemen.”

Tak.

Just as Eripony, unable to contain herself any longer, spoke up, Noah forcefully placed down a chess piece. His expression was all smiles, contradicting his aggressive move. Irritation flickered in her heterochromatic eyes.

“Yes, Queen Eripony.”

“The official appointment ceremony is over, and soon we’ll all return to our respective countries. Such meetings are rare. Why focus solely on chess? Really now.”

“Would you care to join us?”

“…I beg your pardon?”

“Please, come closer. Your Majesty.”

Eripony’s face contorted in disbelief. The audacity to command her to come and go, honestly.

However, both Damon across from him and their advisors were looking at the Ruswena contingent with unsettling gazes. Eripony roughly folded her fan and approached the two men.

If necessary, she would really smash that cursed chess board…

Tak.

“…!”

As Eripony sat down, Noah moved another piece. Suddenly, faint letters appeared in the grid lines, glowing dimly in the empty spaces.

“What is this?”

They had been engaged in silent conversation among themselves. It appeared to be a secret technique prepared by Burgos, likely as a precaution against magical eavesdropping.

When Eripony frowned, making no effort to hide her displeasure, Damon spoke in a placating tone.

“You joined in the middle of our game.”

Right. She’d been delayed by a brief conversation with Lady Alena.

“Chess can only be properly enjoyed by two players. Had you mentioned it, we would have offered you a seat.”

Eripony had arrived late and had simply been gazing down at the lower floor without saying a word. So they had continued their conversation. Though his words weren’t wrong, they did nothing to improve her mood.

“Ha, so who’s winning now?”

“Hard to say. The moves aren’t coming easily.”

Tak.

It was Damon’s turn.

-If Clifford intends to join the Triple Alliance, please issue a certificate acknowledging that you have no rights to the collateral jewels. This matter will be kept from Bariel.

Though they physically possessed the jewels, they were requesting written documentation waiving any rights to them. This would help overcome initial resistance from the Burgos nobility, suggesting they could retrieve them simply by opening the doors to the Bariel Imperial Palace.

But Noah stroked his chin, appearing troubled.

-We do intend to join the Triple Alliance. However, I believe you’ll understand. Before the owner reclaims collateral, the keeper has a duty to manage and supervise it with utmost sincerity. There are no duties without rights. If we issue a rights waiver certificate as you wish, this would indicate Clifford’s rejection of Bariel’s proposal-

Tak.

-It would be like handing the knife handle to Burgos, and given our clear historical precedent, isn’t that too much to ask?

Alliance, fine. But issuing the certificate would, by its very existence, show hostility toward Bariel. What guarantee was there that Burgos wouldn’t use this as leverage to backstab them?

History isn’t just words written on paper. It’s a guide for measuring others, the voice of ancestors warning not to forget the past.

-You’re indirectly saying you have no intention of joining the alliance.

-I’m not being indirect – I’m asking for security measures regarding the certificate issuance. Allow us to import premium fertilizer at half the current price, remove tariffs on our wine exports, and double the export volume.

As if that would be simple. Unlike Bariel with its full warehouses, and considering that anti-Clifford factions within Burgos wouldn’t stay quiet.

Damon fingered a chess piece while looking at Noah. Judging by his attitude, Clifford’s participation in the alliance was clearly off the table.

-It seems you haven’t yet recovered from your travel fatigue.

That day, I thought conversation was difficult because you looked unwell, Noah, but seeing how we still can’t communicate, you must still be in poor condition.

Creases formed between Noah’s brows, despite his persistent smile.

-That can’t be. They say the eyes are windows to the soul. Perhaps I appear uncomfortable because King Damon is uncomfortable.

-Prince Noah. The Triple Alliance is far more profound than today’s Crown Prince appointment ceremony – it will be recorded in history books. It’s truly regrettable that you maintain such an unreasonable position on this nation-changing matter.

Tak.

Eripony shook her head at the puzzled Eldert. She now understood why they had been playing chess so viciously. They had been continuing this endless conversation in such a manner.

Knock knock.

“Pardon the interruption.”

At that moment, an unfamiliar announcement came from outside. Damon’s hand froze as he was about to move a chess piece.

“His Highness Crown Prince Jin sends word that he will not attend due to health reasons. He requests that the distinguished guests proceed with their schedules freely to assuage their disappointment. Should you require anything, please don’t hesitate to command.”

“Oh my.”

If Jin wouldn’t be joining them, and the Triple Alliance had fallen through, there was no reason to stay. Damon sighed, knocking over his chess piece.

“Prince Noah, I’ll concede defeat. The game was enjoyable. Clifford truly knows how to have fun. Though it’s a shame you only know how to enjoy yourself. Even while having fun, it would be better to play to win.”

While Prince Noah’s expression remained unchanged, May’s lips, standing behind him, set into a hard line. That statement was tantamount to dismissing Clifford’s national character.

“Queen Eripony. Will you be staying?”

“No, I see no reason to. Distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate occasions is also a monarch’s virtue.”

Eripony also rose at Damon’s question.

This wasn’t a festival including the three nations – merely Bariel’s festival. What reason was there to stay? Better to go out and attend to unfinished business.

“Let’s go together. It seems Burgos will be the first to leave the palace anyway. We can’t afford to sit idle. Better to finalize the magic stone trade with the Magic Department.”

“I have matters to attend to as well. Prince Noah. It was good to see you.”

“Then, farewell.”

The two monarchs looked down at the seated Noah before turning away without hesitation, showing not even a moment’s lingering. Timothy collected the chess set, and Eldert also disappeared following the two.

Watching this scene quietly, Noah let out a meaningful groan while propping his chin.

“Hmm.”

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“My Prince. Are you unwell?”

“No, not unwell, just concerned.”

“Please don’t worry too much. It’s nothing new for Burgos to have poison on their tongue.”

“No, not about them. Ruswena.”

“Pardon? Why Ruswena?”

May asked while bringing Noah a cool drink.

During their chess conversation, Eripony hadn’t added a single word. She hadn’t done anything to offend them either. If anything, she should be the one displeased after belatedly discovering the chess board’s secret.

“She showed no reaction.”

“…That’s precisely why I’m concerned.”

Bariel versus the three nations.

Though Clifford’s economic and national power weren’t enough to overwhelm the other two countries, that made them an even more necessary ally.

The point was for similarly matched countries to band together against Bariel – it didn’t take deep thought to guess how large a hole one country’s absence would create.

Damon’s position as the alliance’s initiator was understandable, but wasn’t Ruswena concerned?

“From what I observed, Ruswena seems unwilling to break ties with Burgos. They must have guessed that Clifford is growing closer to Bariel’s side, meaning the alliance’s existence will be revealed soon.”

It was evidence they believed they could offset the risks with just a two-way alliance between Burgos and themselves, without Clifford.

It seemed that on that night when he was cursed, the two countries had gone outside and made some sort of deal…

“Burgos and Ruswena are keeping a secret. It bothers me. We should look into it.”

“I’ll start moving right away. Though time is short with our imminent departure. It’s certainly suspicious. If I were the ruler of Ruswena or Burgos, I would have immediately terminated the Triple Alliance. Continuing it is suspicious.”

May nodded in understanding. Then, calculating the timing with the departed monarchs, she too rose from her seat. Though they had turned their bow toward Bariel, they weren’t close enough to enjoy an absent host’s space.

***

Clop clop.

The carriage swayed quietly.

Timothy watched Ruswena’s carriage growing distant through the window, until Damon, lost in thought, called for him.

“The head of the Magic Stone Management Department is someone called Akorella?”

“Yes, the one who left the palace due to the dragon epidemic. Do you truly intend to see her?”

“Hasn’t she almost recovered? Since she can’t come in, we have no choice but to go out.”

“I’m concerned it might inconvenience you.”

There were unresolved matters regarding the export of magic stones needed for the separate palace construction, as the authority figure was currently absent from the palace.

They were going to meet Akorella to handle this, naturally accompanied by a mage.

“Nonsense.”

“But it’s truly problematic. Clifford’s position was decided much earlier than expected.”

“…They must be confused. Though they probably thought things wouldn’t work without them, if the alliance continues, they’ll have much to think about.”

Screech!

The carriage stopped in front of the Magic Department. As Timothy moved to get out, a guard approached and spoke through the window.

“My apologies, but the mage accompanying your departure left first. It seems there was a misunderstanding due to staff rotation.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“I’ll give the address to the coachman, so you can head there directly. Then.”

They’d said some mages collapsed during the parade – it must have been true.

The coachman received a note from the guard and immediately cracked his whip. Following this, Burgos’ escort soldiers also turned their horses and began to follow.

The carriage rode on and on, heading outside the imperial palace. The streets were somewhat quieter than when they first entered. No doubt the citizens had exhausted themselves after days of festivities.

Clop clop!

As the carriage traveled down the central side street, the bustling crowd passed by in an instant. Among them, an old woman caught Damon’s attention.

…?!

Deeply sunken cheeks, a body like a sack of barley.

The gypsy who devoured secrets was smiling, watching their carriage.

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