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Chapter 320
Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

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Viviana clapped her hands while wearing white gloves that reached up to her elbows, signaling everyone to focus.

The little guests held their breath in anticipation, their feet swinging with excitement. The warriors’ boisterous laughter and the pianist’s melody ceased. Only the intermittent chirping of birds carried messages of peace.

“We shall now begin the ceremony. It is an honor to be present at the beginning of this beautiful couple’s journey.”

“The honor is ours as well!”

“Philea, congratulations on becoming a member of the tribe!”

“Does that mean you’re all part of Bariel’s family now? Congratulations!”

When the warriors raised their glasses, Beric joined in by lifting his own. Viviana tilted her glass in agreement, while Ian handed a glass to the small guest seated beside him, filling it to the brim with milk that the child liked.

“Special congratulations to the warriors who have joined us, and particularly to Philea’s beautiful son. Philea and Nersarn, please make your vows of destiny before all present.”

At Viviana’s gesture, the pianist rolled up his sleeves and began pressing warm notes. Whistles and exclamations erupted from all around.

Philea and Nersarn faced each other, and the man carefully lifted his beloved’s veil. His hands were trembling so noticeably from nervousness that everyone could see.

“Lord Nersarn, is the veil that heavy?”

“Hahaha! He’s lost it. Kakantur should have been here to see this!”

In normal circumstances, Nersarn would have narrowed his eyes and told them to mind their manners, but he’d completely forgotten even that.

Just for today, before being Nersarn, he was Philea’s beloved. Everyone was witnessing firsthand how love could turn someone into such a fool.

“Lord Nersarn.”

When Philea smiled shyly and extended her hand, he slipped an old ring onto her finger. It was faded and didn’t have a single jewel.

Puzzled, Hale leaned toward Ian and asked.

“Is that ring appropriate?”

It seemed too modest for the mother of the Imperial Ministry of Magic’s Minister. Jin also seemed curious, subtly perking up his ears.

“He said it’s one he’s worn since he was very young. Made by his grandfather, apparently. Kakantur will bestow rings when they go down to Hielo. This was all quite sudden, after all.”

Ah, right. They’d practically fallen from the sky due to the civil unrest.

Though it was nothing special, Philea seemed thoroughly satisfied, repeatedly bringing it to her lips. She seemed to be embodying what happiness truly meant with her whole being.

Viviana unfolded the marriage declaration.

“From this moment forward, Philea and Nersarn shall vow to be each other’s only love. If anyone objects, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“If we speak now, won’t we be forced to hold our peace forever?”

“No objections! Completely in favor!”

“Me too! Me too!”

But there was one person who remained quiet. All eyes turned to Ian. Tap tap tap! Even the pianist struck a single key repeatedly, urging the son’s response.

Ian smiled, raising both hands lightly.

“If Mother is happy, then of course I approve.”

“Indeed. I am so very happy.”

As Philea beamed while showing off her ring, Viviana raised her glass and proclaimed.

“Excellent. All present have witnessed the union of Philea and Nersarn. We are sacred witnesses and friends who will watch over them eternally. Let us all raise a toast.”

“Raise your glasses!”

“Aaah! They’re kissing! They’re kissing!”

“Oh my, cover the children’s eyes.”

“No way! The declaration just said we should watch over them!”

Clink! Cliink!

As glasses clinked together, the barely contained commotion finally erupted. The warriors seemed truly committed to teasing Nersarn, continuously cracking jokes, while Beric climbed onto his chair and waved his bottle.

“I’ll sing a song! Can’t skip it on a day like this!”

“Give it your all! Yeah!”

Thump thump! Thooom!

As he stomped his feet to keep rhythm, the warriors responded by clapping. Beric’s thunderous singing had everyone genuinely bursting into laughter at how ridiculous it was.

“…Someone drag that bastard down.”

“What a mess. Where does he get the confidence?”

“No! Let me go! The later part is good!”

“Pianist, ignore him and keep playing.”

The pianist pounded the keys with all his might, as if trying to drown out Beric’s voice. One by one, warriors naturally began dancing around the tables. Around Philea, the children twirled in circles, shouting cheers.

Though Philea awkwardly swayed her dress, she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Ian and the, um, little guest beside you can dance too if you’d like. It’s a happy day, after all.”

Romandro, who was dancing with Viviana, nudged Ian’s shoulder.

This actually startled Jin. The child had only thought, just a tiny bit, how envious the other children looked as they played freely. It felt like being caught. Could expressions be seen under the mask? Jin nervously touched its surface for no reason.

Rustle

As Ian rose with a smile, Hale froze as if shocked. Was that Ian actually going to dance? That Ian?

“Pianist. I’ll play a piece, so please take a rest.”

Ah, that’s more like it. Of course that Ian wouldn’t do such a thing.

Ian asked the pianist to let him use the piano and sat down instead. Then slowly, recalling memories, he began moving his fingers.

It was like a gentle spring breeze.

The kind of music that naturally made heads sway, rustle rustle.

“Lord Ian can play the piano too?”

“He’s quite skilled. Wow, it’s really wonderful to listen to.”

Since when? Philea tilted her head before remembering his days receiving adoptive education in Brats, and smiled bitterly. He must have learned it then.

“Little one.”

Philea beckoned to Jin sitting alone. As if saying come here and dance together, if you’d like.

Jin nervously fidgeted with fingertips. Though familiar with the dances of social circles, the child had never learned how to blend into such a natural atmosphere.

Unable to watch any longer, one of the neighborhood children ran over and grabbed Jin’s arm.

“Huh? Huuh?”

“What are you doing? When someone invites you to join, you should play together.”

Among children of similar size, Jin naturally blended in. Jin burst into loud laughter seeing the children’s comical movements, and soon enjoyed the music while holding hands with Philea and spinning around.

When Beric tried to barge in, the warriors grabbed his collar, saying they should just drink, while Ian watched it all from nearby.

The child wouldn’t know.

“Ahahahaha!”

That this was the first time laughing out loud like this.

And Ian wouldn’t know either.

“Ian, look!”

“Wow, laughing so much.”

That he himself was wearing a rarely seen smile.

***

Clatter clatter!

Neeeigh!

A single carriage raced through the evening streets.

Behind the driver’s seat flew a flag indicating it belonged to the Imperial Palace’s Ministry of Magic. Though it was a residential area at sunset, a faint light stood out in the distance.

“Is it that way?”

“I believe so. Please stop close by.”

The driver gripped the reins tightly at the mage’s request. A couple of carriages were already parked in front of Romandro’s mansion.

A mage in a black robe surveyed the surroundings. He carefully rang the bell at the entrance.

Ding-

Thump! Thump thump!

“Is anyone there?”

Judging by the boisterous sounds from the garden, clearly no one had gone to sleep yet.

Soon the door opened.

Beric, slightly drunk, sniffed the air.

“What? Where’re you from?”

“Are Lord Ian and Lord Romandro here? I’m from the Ministry of Magic. Please call them quickly.”

“Ah, wait. Iaaan! Romaaan!”

At Beric’s shout, Ian turned his head from where he was drinking at the table. Romandro beside him did the same. Unlike Ian who was slightly tipsy, Romandro looked half out of his mind.

“Someone from the Ministry of Magic is here.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Lord Ian, Lord Romandro. I apologize for disturbing your holiday.”

They looked different from usual, wearing just light shirts with rolled-up sleeves, seemingly enjoying themselves completely. Ian received the letter the mage handed over.

“What is this?”

“A message from the Prime Minister. I was ordered to deliver it personally, so I came. I don’t know the details.”

“Do we need to go to the palace now?”

“No. However, there’s an early morning meeting tomorrow. His Highness the Crown Prince canceled all schedules today due to poor health.”

At the mage’s words, Romandro glanced behind him. The words ‘That Crown Prince is currently playing board games with neighborhood kids’ almost burst from his throat.

Ian murmured while gauging the letter’s thickness with his fingertips.

“Tomorrow morning means surrendering our holiday.”

“I’m sorry. And it’s your first since taking office.”

“It’s fine. You have nothing to be sorry about. Return safely.”

“Yes, Lord Ian. I’ll prepare for the meeting in advance. See you at the palace then. Farewell.”

Creeak

Thump!

They’d taken two days off, and couldn’t even use it all! Romandro grumbled that he should have drunk less if he’d known this would happen.

Rip, Ian tore the envelope and examined its contents.

“What’s wrong, Ian?”

“It’s certainly a matter worthy of the Prime Minister’s contact.”

Ian leaned against the wall and murmured. He’d noticed it was somewhat troublesome.

“It seems there’s been a disruption to the Clifford delegation’s return schedule.”

“What? In Clifford? Did they contact us?”

“No. A nearby guard unit sent an urgent report. When they investigated a disturbance outside the territory at night, there were clear traces of bandits. The location and timing apparently match Clifford’s return schedule.”

“Then! D-did Prince Noah encounter bandits?”

Romandro clutched his cheeks in shock. Isn’t this an enormous issue? Distinguished guests encountering bandits within Bariel territory while returning home!

But Ian shook his head. If that were the case, it would actually be fortunate. They’d just need to handle the aftermath without question.

“While Clifford clearly seems to have been attacked, the problem is that the involved parties deny it. According to the carrier pigeon message, Clifford claims they’re proceeding toward the border without issue.”

“W-what’s that about?”

“Indeed.”

Romandro tilted his head in confusion. Though circumstances clearly indicated it, they were actually claiming otherwise.

From Clifford’s position, it would actually be advantageous to raise even minor issues with Bariel. With an alliance approaching soon, what better strategy could there be to secure the upper hand?

“I don’t understand.”

“It seems the Prime Minister shares that thought, hence calling the meeting.”

Ian smiled slightly as he neatly folded the letter.

Though he said nothing, Romandro could tell. Wasn’t this the superior he’d served all this time? He narrowed his eyes as he studied Ian’s expression.

“What is it? Ian?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do my eyes tell me you know everything? Hmm?”

“You must be quite drunk.”

“No? I’m not drunk? Quick, tell me what you’re thinking in that head of yours.”

Ian patted his shoulder while putting the paper in his pocket. Then he nodded while looking at the small guest in the distance, laughing and chatting with children of the same age. It was an instruction mixed with a sigh.

“We should send the children home now. Ask Hale to escort our little guests.”

Though Xiaoshi was there, wasn’t the sun setting?

As Philea, caught up in the atmosphere, waved her hand, Ian waved back. He could feel the masked child’s gaze directed at him.

“…Night is falling. It’s time to return now. At last.”

Story Arcs