Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 316

“So, what happened next?”

“What else could happen? They fled to the provinces in embarrassment. Haven’t heard anything since.”

Eripony lounged half-sprawled on the plush sofa, tapping ash from her long pipe. Smoke scattered with her low laughter. She was thoroughly entertained by what Alenara, sitting opposite her, had just shared.

Life was the same everywhere – the noble social circles of both Bariel and Ruswena were complete messes. As Eripony swept back her hair, the sharp-witted Alenara immediately rekindled her pipe’s embers.

“Alenara, you’re quite diligent for a noble lady.”

“Thank you.”

Eripony blew smoke toward her demonstratively.

It wasn’t empty praise but genuine appreciation. She’d already taken a liking to Alenara’s desperate attempts to climb up that night at the banquet, and she was proving useful in various ways. Though she seemed to be merely chattering away, her gossip contained information that foreigners couldn’t possibly know.

“So, Haiman’s fortune was split and transformed into ten banks. Which one’s the biggest operation?”

“House Laksher, the one I mentioned earlier.”

“Ah. The one whose second son split his crotch horse riding?”

“Yes. He took out his anger about his short legs on the horse. A merchant who couldn’t bear watching bought it as a breeding stallion, and I hear its offspring have been winning major national races one after another.”

“Hahaha! Well then, not just his crotch but his pride must be split too!”

Alenara felt relieved every time Eripony burst out laughing. It felt like proof of her own value.

Since the queen seemed uninterested in her brother, she thought it would be better to make herself meaningful to the queen instead.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

Just then, Eldert, who had been waiting outside, appeared. A visitor had come. There weren’t many who would seek her out in the palace…

“King Damon has come to see you.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

She’d heard he’d made a separate visit to the Magic Department yesterday, so she was curious. About what exactly he’d discussed with Ian. Eripony hummed thoughtfully while glancing at Alenara. ṛàŊổＢΕŞ

“I shall withdraw then, Your Majesty.”

“No, stay. Show King Damon in.”

As Eripony raised herself, Alenara tidied her hair. Finally, she would meet the King of Burgos. This too was an opportunity she couldn’t miss!

Alenara watched the door intently, gathering her composure. Soon after, Damon entered with Eldert’s guidance.

“Welcome, King Damon.”

“Am I interrupting a pleasant moment?”

“What a disappointing thing to say. This is our last day together.”

“I don’t intend to stay long.”

Burgos would be the first to leave the palace by the Crown Prince’s order. He’d likely made this brief stop before heading to the main palace after completing all preparations.

“You must be Lady Alenara?”

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Alenara Sereau.”

“Are you alright? The tobacco seems quite strong.”

Though his tone was considerate, his underlying meaning was clear – please leave. Just as Alenara understood and began to rise, Eripony blocked her path with her pipe stem. A command to stay put.

“She’s fine. We’ve been together all this time, why suddenly worry now? Isn’t that right, my lady?”

“…Yes. I’m fine.”

“By the way, King Damon, what brings you here? It’s an honor to have you seek me out when time is so tight even to meet the Crown Prince.”

Get to the point quickly – as Eripony urged this, Damon frowned. Though Alenara was a fallen noble trying to attach herself to another country, was it really appropriate to have her present for such a meeting?

Damon considered requesting her removal again but abandoned the thought, recognizing time was short.

“I wish to reconfirm the matter Burgos requested. Queen Eripony.”

“Of course. This is an interstate transaction, isn’t it? I’ll inform you of progress as the agreement proceeds after returning home.”

What could they be discussing? Alenara kept her eyes downcast while perking up her ears awkwardly.

It seemed something was being exchanged between Burgos and Ruswena, but she couldn’t understand due to their vagueness. Must be something official? Since they mentioned interstate transactions.

“And regarding Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department-“

Even while mentioning this, Damon kept watching Alenara. Would she really stay quiet hearing discussions about carving up her homeland? She seemed like a risk factor no matter how he looked at it.

For whatever reason, Eripony just kept smiling.

“-it would be better to focus on that side first.”

“Hmm. Since he holds real power in the palace, that’s certainly right. But do you have a specific reason for mentioning this? I hear you visited the Magic Department yesterday.”

“Meeting him made me understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That side is easier.”

Easier? Eripony paused briefly before catching Damon’s meaning. In other words, rather than forcefully pounding on Bariel’s gates to open them, it would be better to start a fire from inside.

“I hear the Crown Prince has moved his quarters from the Magic Department.”

“I heard. They’ve repaired the palace that was destroyed in the civil war, right?”

Damon raised an eyebrow. Could that really be all? This concerned the Imperial Crown Prince’s residence. Anyone would understand how many competing interests must have been entangled in reaching such a decision.

The palace will begin checking the Magic Minister’s power, centering on the Crown Prince.

It was obvious. The flow of politics they’d observed while staying at the palace during the appointment ceremony festival clearly showed this. The Magic Department that had dominated even the smallest matters. And other departments that had no choice but to follow without objection.

Alenara, who had been staring at the table, carefully interjected.

“Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve heard the Imperial Guard has had friction with the Magic Department before. It was during new talent recruitment – the Magic Department tried to exert influence over the Guard and Defense Department. I hear the Guard’s status has been gradually rising since then.”

As Alenara rattled off this information, Eripony smiled. Look at this. Isn’t she quite useful? The pride of a noble crawling on the ground to survive. What could be more entertaining than this?

She looked at Alenara with satisfaction, like watching a dog she had trained.

“With the Crown Prince separating his quarters, opposing factions that were laying low will likely show reactions. Whether it will succeed, I’m not sure. Lord Ian isn’t someone to be taken lightly.”

The Crown Prince was too young, and the Magic Department had no match. Though success seemed unlikely, there would be those who desired it and rushed in. Like the Imperial Guard that Alenara just mentioned.

“Honestly, from Burgos and Ruswena’s perspective, wouldn’t dealing with Minister Ian be easier than dealing with Crown Prince Jin?”

“Indeed. I find Crown Prince Jin more adorable too.”

When the whirlwind of checks and balances hits, let’s support Jin’s side.

Though not as much as officials might push, they could sufficiently help or cut off the flow at crucial moments. If they could help Bariel cut off its own arms and legs, when it couldn’t move…

“It seems easier than expected.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

Eripony tapped her nails while considering. For example, they could disperse the Magic Department’s forces by officially inviting them at a national level, or they could raise magic stone prices.

Then, the palace could adjust Magic Department resources with justification through discussions about appropriate levels. And so on – there were endless possibilities.

“But hasn’t Burgos concluded a magic stone trade agreement with the Magic Department? Will that fall through?”

“No. We plan to proceed with that. Looking at it, that seems to be the trigger.”

She’d heard the conflict between the palace and Magic Department continued to center around the annex construction or whatever. So naturally, they had to add fuel to the fire.

“For now, I understand your intention.”

Palace opposition would point swords at the Crown Prince’s center, while from the opposite side, foreign countries would aim arrows at Ian’s back.

What to do, poor thing? Eripony recalled Ian’s proud back and sneered.

Right. If Ian loses his place in the palace, we could bring him to Ruswena. Though he’s rather unlucky, they say his abilities are historic. Far surpassing the previous Minister Wesley.

Day by day, those hoping for Ian’s downfall increased. Both inside and outside the palace.

Click.

Damon checked his pocket watch and rose. Only the briefest moment had been allowed.

“Then, I’ll send a letter with details after returning home.”

“Leaving already?”

“I hear the Crown Prince is attending the grand council. This brief gap appeared thanks to that, so I must leave without delay.”

For farewells before departure. Though Eripony let out a regretful exclamation, she saw him off with eyes showing no regret at all.

Hurry up and get lost, she had gossip to share with Alenara.

“Then, farewell.”

“Yes. Have a safe journey, and until we meet again.”

Timothy, guarding the door, bowed deeply to Eripony. After exchanging greetings with glances, the Burgos delegation disappeared.

Alenara sat back on the sofa and rekindled Eripony’s pipe. The king had left without giving her a single glance – things had gone wrong.

“But Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

“What happens if the Crown Prince fails to check Lord Ian’s power?”

Fails to check his power? Is there even anything to think about?

Tak! Eripony struck the marble table with her pipe and laughed.

“A truly new era will dawn. Along with chaos.”

The fog that chaos brings would create paths for foreign powers, and either way, that would be good for other countries.

“Your Majesty. Isn’t Ruswena departing soon too?”

“Yes. We leave last.”

Alenara pondered how best to bring up her point.

Hadn’t she gained enough trust to not be dismissed even during the meeting with King Damon? She’d clearly earned considerable faith in this short time, yet no promises had been made to her.

Promises like taking her along when returning home, or summoning House Sereau after returning.

“I’ve never been to Ruswena. I hear it’s truly beautiful…”

Take me with you. Or at least give me some token. When Alenara said this, Eripony exhaled smoke.

“Ah. Yes. I was actually going to mention that.”

“Please command me, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll invite you after returning home, so until then, stay in the central district and send me letters every day.”

She needed ears planted in the central district.

When Eripony commanded with a bright smile, Alenara hesitated. Until when?

“Can you do that?”

“O-Of course, Your Majesty. It’s an honor.”

“Before you come, I must carefully consider if there’s a position in Ruswena befitting you.”

A drop of anxiety spread through her hope-filled heart. But Alenara deliberately ignored it and composed her expression. She knew well there was nowhere lower to fall.

Hmm. How cute.

Why let go when she’d found such useful eyes and ears? No matter what, she had to keep her here.

Eripony thought this while examining Alenara with her heterochromatic eyes. She seemed unaware that she resembled a snake playing with its prey.

***

Meanwhile, in a carriage racing toward the main palace. The coachman’s whip cracked repeatedly to make the tight schedule.

Even in the heavily swaying interior, Ian remained composed, continuing to sign documents. After the festival’s end, it was finally the first day guests would leave. Since concluding things was as important as starting them, Ian’s work continued to pile up.

“Lord Romandro. Please hand me the next document.”

“Yes. Here it is. And Ian, the Sereau daughter has gone to Queen Eripony’s separate palace again.”

“Is that so?”

“I wonder if we can leave this be. No matter how I think about it, isn’t it somewhat disrespectful?”

Unlike the worried Romandro, Ian merely raised an eyebrow.

“We leave it because it’s disrespectful.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Queen Eripony is no ordinary person – she won’t truly keep close those who cling to her.”

If they consider her eyes and ears to place in the central district, we should consider her the same way. As eyes and ears to observe Eripony.

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