Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 191

“Good heavens, did I hear that correctly?”

“Lady Dilaina handed over His Highness Jin to His Highness Mariv? In exchange for begging for her life?”

“It’s a disgrace. This cannot be done.”

“What about the injuries? Did His Highness Mariv inflict them himself?”

“This is maddening. This matter cannot be overlooked.”

The atmosphere that had subsided due to the prolonged meeting instantly heated up. No matter how low in rank or young he was, Jin was a child who inherited the emperor’s blood. Moreover, weren’t Mariv and Gale the main instigators of the incident? The twin princes were supposed to take responsibility for Bariel after them.

“Everyone, calm down. Let’s hear Lady Dilaina’s side of the story and make a judgment. It seems she was concerned about the prophecy.”

“You all know, don’t you? That a prophecy related to the fate of the imperial family is tied to His Highness Arsen.”

Those sympathetic to Dilaina subtly chimed in. Although lives could not be weighed, the weight of the prophecy could be. If only one could be saved, it was natural to choose Arsen, some officials inwardly defended Dilaina. However, they couldn’t voice it out loud because of Ian standing beside Jin.

“Are you even saying that now? Then she should have offered herself instead of handing over His Highness Jin. Isn’t that the duty of a guardian?”

Quintana roughly rebuked them, as if telling them to put aside such nonsense. As the meeting room grew increasingly chaotic, Jin unconsciously gripped his knees tightly. He thought he could handle it, but it seemed he was arrogant. The whispers flying around about him struck his heart like a hammer.

“Lady Dilaina abandoned His Highness Jin?”

“So she only took His Highness Arsen…”

“I’m starting to understand now. Lord Ian and His Highness Jin…”

The officials nodded their heads, resolving their doubts. It explained why Dilaina supported Arsen as the successor without a moment’s hesitation and why Ian took a confrontational stance. With the divide between Dilaina and Jin, Ian had seized that opportunity.

Swish.

Without realizing it, Jin tugged on Ian’s sleeve. He had said he would help at any time, so he wanted Ian to help him now as well.

Seeing Jin’s eyes trembling severely, Ian smiled compassionately. Ian firmly grasped Jin’s hand. Not painfully, but completely, so that it wouldn’t shake.

“I know. But endure it.”

The moment he whispered to Jin, Ian recalled Naum’s memory. The night he transitioned from a mage to an emperor. It was the last night as friends. Naum had whispered to Ian like this:

‘Child, the child who will become the emperor. This is a measles you will have to suffer through once, and all you can do is endure. But remember. It hurts now, but once it passes, it won’t come again. Even if it does, you will not lose.’

Naum’s consolation continued to be conveyed across time. Through Ian to Jin, and one day, Jin would say the same words to his own child.

“If you endure and overcome it, it won’t happen again. Even if it does, Your Highness will prevail.”

Squeak, Jin’s grip on Ian tightened.

In fact, he knew. From the moment he decided to take a different path from his mother, he had no choice but to know. The more the officials clamored, the more difficult Dilaina’s position would become, and that would soon benefit him.

“Silence!”

Bang bang bang!

Unable to bear it any longer, the prime minister banged the gavel, quelling the commotion.

“Lord Ian Hielo. The weight of your earlier statement is considerable.”

He couldn’t bring himself to ask if Ian could take responsibility. After all, Jin, the prince himself, had chimed in, saying that he was the evidence and witness.

There was a suspicion that it might be a trick using mind control magic, but with the imperial family’s blessing, it seemed that worry could be put to rest.

“It would be lighter than His Highness Jin’s pain.”

At Ian’s retort, the prime minister swallowed a sigh. Yes. The one suffering the most right now would be the person directly involved. The prime minister judged that it would be best to wrap up the meeting quickly.

“Your Highness, I ask you. Is your decision to be with Lord Ian Hielo solely your own will? As a prince, you are the master of this place next to His Majesty the Emperor. If you wish, you may reside elsewhere, not necessarily in the Ministry of Magic.”

“No. It is my will.”

It was a firm conviction. The prime minister swallowed his dry saliva, and the officials let out small gasps while keeping an eye on the situation.

At this point, the outline of the unfolding situation was gradually becoming apparent. Upon leaving the meeting room, they would have to make a choice to plan for the future. Between Dilaina and Arsen, and between Ian and Jin.

“Prime Minister. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I request that you restrict some of Lady Dilaina’s parental rights. This is for the well-being of His Highness Jin.”

Ian made the demand to the prime minister in front of everyone. The rights to protection and identity, property management, and the right to issue orders on behalf of the child were among the main ones. Knowing that the emperor was frozen, the prime minister couldn’t help but falter.

‘It’s harder to take away than to give.’

What if there was a problem after the restriction? Could the prime minister really overpower the head of the Ministry of Magic and the current power broker in the palace to regain authority?

It would be fine if the emperor directly intervened. His command was the sky and the earth in any situation. However, the prime minister, as a proxy, was merely a proxy.

“Prime Minister?”

The deeper the prime minister’s contemplation became, the greater the murmuring grew again. It was the sound of those who were unaware of the emperor’s frozen state.

“Why are you hesitating? She handed the prince over to a traitor. It’s right to temporarily restrict parental rights and formally refer the matter to trial to determine right and wrong when His Majesty the Emperor awakens.”

“That’s right. Please restrict them for safety reasons first.”

“Until His Majesty decides on His Highness’s well-being, that seems to be the right course of action. His Highness Jin also appears to deeply follow Lord Ian.”

“Ahem! If someone heard this, they might think Lady Dilaina is trying to kill His Highness Jin. It’s embarrassing and painful to listen to.”

“If you think about it, it’s not much different, is it?”

“You, what did you just say? How reckless!”

“Defend what needs to be defended! If His Majesty finds out, he will be furious!”

Those unaware of the frozen state unwittingly pressured the prime minister. They said there were no health issues, so he would wake up soon. Then what was the problem?

“Quiet, quiet!”

Bang bang! Kwang!

The prime minister irritably banged the gavel. Ian silently observed their outcries, and the prime minister furrowed his brows while stroking his grizzled beard.

‘Goodness, how did you create such a situation?’

It was a dilemma. It was difficult to refuse because the justification was clear, and those watching wouldn’t understand.

On the other hand, it was concerning to accept because power had already shifted to the Ministry of Magic, and Ian’s true intentions were unclear.

“This doesn’t seem like a matter to decide here.”

“Once we leave the meeting room, someone will rush to inform Lady Dilaina. And they will tell her about the attempt to restrict parental rights.”

Ian muttered while scanning the officials who had defended Dilaina one by one. Those who met his green eyes involuntarily averted their gaze and cleared their throats.

“I, too, will be unable to protect His Highness Jin.”

The prime minister wanted to shut Ian’s mouth. He kept saying plausible things, making it feel as if the prime minister had no decision-making power despite having it.

Jin once again spoke to the prime minister with sincerity.

“Prime Minister. I swear to His Majesty the Emperor, my father, that everything is a decision I made myself. If you respect me, if I am also a cherished existence in the palace, please follow Lord Ian and protect me.”

“Your Highness.”

“Please.”

The last words were so soft that only the prime minister could hear them. The plea that barely escaped through his teeth reached the prime minister. He closed his eyes, holding the gavel. However, it was a decision that wouldn’t easily fall. Unable to bear it, Quintana interjected.

“Prime Minister. You must maintain neutrality more than anyone else. It has only been two days since the incident occurred, so we must not aggravate the confusion.”

“Quintana, there is a flaw in your words!”

“There are reasons to restrict parental rights now, but there are no reasons not to! If there are, let anyone speak up!”

If the justification was clear and it was rejected, it would be equivalent to the prime minister siding with Dilaina. Those who supported Ian and sympathized with the situation cried out in unison.

Ta-dang! Dang-dang!

Finally, the gavel rang.

Lightly but decisively, and with a hint of resignation.

“Following the wishes of Lord Ian Hielo and His Highness Jin, I partially restrict Lady Dilaina’s parental rights. However, keep in mind that this can be reversed at any time, Lord Hielo.”

It was a warning that it wouldn’t be easy now that he had handed over the initiative, but if he ever acted recklessly, he would face opposition.

Ian smiled lightly and placed his hand on his chest. It was a gesture of gratitude conveyed from the depths of his heart.

“Of course. I will serve His Highness Jin with utmost sincerity. I swear it in front of everyone.”

“Lord Ian Hielo. To ensure His Highness Jin’s well-being, I request that you regularly accompany him at official functions.”

At someone’s suggestion, Ian turned his body in that direction as if it were natural. It was what he had hoped for anyway. He would take Jin to all the places where he could exert his influence, including the grand council meetings.

“I accept.”

“Your Highness, please feel free to convey any messages at any time. I am Quintana from the Administrative Department.”

“Thank you, Quintana.”

“I am Griffis from the Administrative Department.”

“Mattingly, Cyril Polson, and Harvey Bodkin from the Judicial Department.”

Each of them shouted their names towards Jin. Some were genuinely concerned about Jin, while others were sending a message of political support for all to see. To be precise, they were informing Ian behind Jin. At this point, there was practically no distinction between Ian and Jin.

“Ah, and the disposal of the bodies in the palace has been completed. The city gates will be opened by tomorrow. Areas that are severely damaged will be off-limits, but for the rest, show the people a sense of normalcy. That is all.”

“…Let’s adjourn.”

“Thank you for your hard work. See you at the next meeting.”

“Yes. Everyone has worked hard. The sun is already about to rise.”

With Ian’s final announcement, the meeting was completely concluded. The prime minister shot Ian another look, and Ian responded with a bright smile.

“Lord Hielo, this is troubling.”

The emperor’s frozen state was a top-secret matter known only to Beors, Dilaina, the prime minister, and Ian. To use that to sway public opinion like this…

“I apologize. But I had no choice.”

“Take good care of His Highness Jin. I will be watching.”

The prime minister muttered while looking at Jin surrounded by officials. The wounds were particularly prominent. They were the reason why he, who had been unable to make a decision until the end, was compelled to bang the gavel.

“Please go in.”

Ian bowed in farewell to the prime minister and then approached Jin. Quintana was constantly holding Jin’s hands, saying something.

“If Lord Ian ever says anything improper or even slightly goes against Your Highness’s wishes, come straight to the Administrative Department. My office is on the 5th floor, down the right corridor.”

“Lady Quintana.”

“……”

At Ian’s call, Quintana turned her head without a response. An awkward silence ensued, but her gaze did not falter. Quintana took a step back, leaving a formal farewell.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

“Take care, Quintana!”

“Yes, Your Highness. Lord Ian, please get some rest as well.”

Creak.

As the meeting room became deserted, Romandro quickly ran over and draped an outer coat on Jin. Ian personally fastened the buttons and smiled.

“Congratulations, Your Highness. Your first display of will has reached everyone. And you did very well in the grand council meeting.”

“Thank you.”

Jin’s bright smile deepened. To the point where his teeth were clearly visible.

“It seems everyone thinks of me more than I expected. I never anticipated this at all.”

The only people Jin had met in the palace until now were members of the imperial family, tutors, and attendants. The officials had always felt like people from a different country.

Ian answered while tidying up Jin’s attire until the end.

“Didn’t I tell you? Your Highness is a precious person.”

In the distance, Beric and Xiaoshi were standing next to the carriage. Jin waved his hand vigorously, calling out to them. His steps down the stairs were particularly lively. Watching him, Ian asked Romandro.

“What about Dilaina’s side?”

“She is still meeting with the Hayman family.”

“Do they have more to say than the officials’ meeting? Impressive.”

Soon, the news of the restriction on parental rights would reach Dilaina. Ian smiled brightly at Jin, who was waving from inside the carriage.