Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 317

Ian stepped into the main palace’s conference room with familiar poise.

Officials waiting along both sides of the wide corridor noticed Ian’s presence and rose. These were the subordinates of ministers attending the grand council. They greeted Ian with subtle nods.

“Good day, Lord Ian.”

“I’m late. The meeting?”

“Proceeding except for matters concerning the Magic Department. We just finished discussing the Culture Department’s ‘Expansion of Artist Support Funds.’ The scribe will relay previous records to Lord Romandro.”

The Prime Minister’s aide opened the conference room door.

This was Jin’s first grand council as Crown Prince. Though there had been concerns about how he would manage, whether he might struggle with unfamiliar matters…

“Impressive. Are the effects that good?”

“Yes. The figures far exceed expectations.”

“Wouldn’t those costs be similar to the initial construction phase?”

“Correct. Therefore, with the remaining surplus…”

Jin sat at the head seat, listening to the minister’s report with a dignified expression. The atmosphere was not tense at all.

Ian suddenly recalled the day he first attended the grand council holding the child’s hand. Did Jin himself realize how much he had grown compared to then? He hoped he did.

“Oh, Lord Ian.”

Jin discovered Ian while turning document pages. Ministers’ heads turned simultaneously. With the Crown Prince moving his belongings from the Magic Department, they were watching to see how relationships might change. Ian entered slowly and greeted.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I’m late.”

“Not at all. I heard. The magic formation controlling palace entry suddenly overheated – is there any problem?”

“No. It was a calculation error from formula differences. It’s been well resolved, so there’s no need for concern.”

“Well done. Please be seated.”

The meeting flowed naturally. As Ian listened while inferring previous content, Romandro brought over the meeting minutes.

Ian quickly scanned the text and found himself unconsciously smiling.

“…Ruswena hasn’t yet designated tax-exempt items. If they request silver, we should discuss with Palephonts to adjust silver trade…”

Then one word caught Ian’s ear – Palephonts. Would Jin know this? Ian reflexively picked up his pen and looked at the head seat. A habitual action of writing unfamiliar terms in the margins for him. ŕäƝôВΕ𐌔

But what Ian faced was a Crown Prince confidently raising his hand to stop the official’s speech.

“Wait. Let’s clarify this. What is Palephonts?”

“Ah, my apologies. It’s the largest merchant association dealing in gold and silver trade in Bariel.”

“I asked because it wasn’t in the report. Had it been there, I would have familiarized myself with it. Do you want the meeting to run long?”

The child half-jokingly rebuked the minister. He knew he had many shortcomings. That’s why he had ordered everything to be documented in detail before meetings.

Other ministers seized the moment to add their teasing.

“Your Highness. His son just started walking, and he’s been lamenting that he can’t rest when he gets home these past few days.”

“N-no, Your Highness. I’m, I’m very happy.”

“Isn’t your wife also an official in the same department?”

“Yes. That must be why he wanted the meeting to run long.”

Ian observed the warm atmosphere while twirling his pen. It was a moment where interests aligned exquisitely.

The officials treated Jin more favorably than usual to check the Magic Department’s power, and Jin could use that favor to reveal his shortcomings.

Things rolling along properly in various ways. Ian remained silent briefly before signaling the Prime Minister.

Please continue the meeting.

His look suggested that while laughing and joking was fine, they should do their work properly. The Prime Minister cleared his throat and lightly tapped his staff.

Thump thump!

“Now then. Let’s continue with the statements. We’ll truly run late at this rate. With Burgos’s departure approaching, wouldn’t it be troublesome if schedules get delayed?”

“Ah, yes. So, regarding Ruswena’s side…”

As the minister hurriedly continued his statement, Jin pretended to look at documents while stealing glances at Ian. Had he seen? Had he realized that he could now participate in meetings competently without Ian?

Though still lacking, he hoped Ian would notice that he could stand alone now. So that Ian would trust and rely on him, if only he would distance himself a little…

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

Jin turned his head, pretending not to be startled by the Prime Minister’s call. All statements had already finished. The Prime Minister checked documents while suggesting the meeting’s conclusion.

“All matters except those concerning the Magic Department have been discussed. However, King Damon’s departure is soon…”

“What about the Magic Department? Lord Ian?”

“Yes, Your Highness. There’s nothing to discuss together, just progress reports. Given the tight schedule, receiving them in writing should suffice.”

Ian bowed his head to indicate there was no problem. Everyone else concealed their tension in silence. The time had come. Jin carefully looked around and spoke.

“Then, regarding proceeding with the decisions made in today’s meeting, does everyone have no objections?”

The ministers’ gazes quickly turned to Ian. Since proposals were made while the Magic Department was absent, effectively everyone except them had approved.

Ian tapped the edge of the documents with his pen.

“…Um, Lord Ian?”

“Yes. No objections.”

The Prime Minister moved to hurry things along, unable to wait any longer, but Ian set down his pen as if having made a decision. Everyone showed relief while not hiding their puzzlement. Why agree so easily? Especially since…

“They’re raising everyone’s budget except the Magic Department’s.”

“We were receiving too much to begin with. It would be unconscionable to ask for an increase to match other departments. And with the Luron stone payment still tied up, Lord Ian has no choice if he doesn’t want the Magic Department annex scrutinized.”

“Haven’t you seen the back pages?”

“I saw them. I saw you turning them earlier.”

<Partial Transfer of Imperial Magic Sealing Stones to Imperial Guard>

-Allocate three magic sealing stones per use to Imperial Guard commanders, one each to subordinate members. Given their nature of fighting magical beasts and carrying out special missions, magic sealing stones can be effectively used in various ways. Enhance Imperial Guard’s honor…

Magic sealing stones were the only means to physically control mages. Though Ian had already distributed some once, now the imperial family would grant a small quantity to the Guard internally.

This was essentially empowering the Emperor’s Guard to counter the Magic Department.

Being the first time, they were testing the waters focusing on symbolism rather than effectiveness, but it also significantly indicated that the Crown Prince was beginning to loosen his grip on the Magic Department’s side.

“But can he even oppose this? It’s not reducing the Magic Department’s authority, just granting something that belongs to the imperial family.”

“Correct. That would be overstepping and challenging the imperial family. It’s a dangerous choice even for them.”

“We’ll have to watch their stance for a while, but yes.”

Whispers about Ian circulated here and there. Though the voices were very quiet for only them to hear, there were so many that the atmosphere quickly became unsettled. The Prime Minister hurriedly tapped his staff to quiet the commotion.

Bang! Bang bang!

“Then let’s conclude today’s grand council here. Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Yes. Thank you for your work.”

“Let’s move right away. We must see Burgos off.”

“Indeed. Let’s walk since it’s the adjacent palace.”

The ministers rose and disappeared as if they’d been waiting. They were avoiding their seats lest they be caught by the Magic Department.

Ian neatly arranged the documents with calm gestures, tapping their edges. Jin tilted his head sideways to examine Ian’s expression.

“Lord Ian. Are you alright?”

“Yes, Your Highness. My fatigue has passed. I heard you were unwell too. The appointment ceremony day must have been difficult.”

Not that.

He meant was it alright that he had stepped back like this. His look asked whether he had made a mistake through misunderstanding, whether this was what Ian wanted.

When the child’s gaze clung persistently, Ian tilted his head puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

“It’s because you were late to the meeting.”

So who told you to be late? Not showing up in such settings naturally leads to disadvantages. When Jin narrowed his eyes, Ian smiled palely.

“Yes, indeed. If possible, I should have come earlier. It was Your Highness’s first meeting after all.”

Ah, he smiled. That’s a relief. This must be right. Jin composed his expression and rose from his seat with dignity.

Then, like a bolt from the blue, came the message from behind.

“Your Highness. My mother’s engagement ceremony is coming up soon…”

“I heard. Of course I know.”

He’d certainly planned to attend, since she would be wearing the earrings he gave her. Then Ian smiled regretfully.

“Will you be able to?”

“…W-why, why?”

“I thought you would be quite busy.”

Jin’s eyes grew round. Right. Since keeping distance was proper now, naturally he should stop interacting with Philea too. The palace people weren’t fools – superficial checks and balances wouldn’t work. Jin attending private occasions like his mother’s engagement ceremony would only indicate their relationship remained the same as before.

But Jin actually froze as if terribly shocked.

“Your Highness?”

“…Right. Bu-busy, very busy.”

“Yes. I will explain well to my mother. Please focus on state affairs without worry.”

When Jin stopped, Xiaoshi and Romandro simultaneously poked their heads in from the doorway.

Ian gestured to Romandro suggesting they hurry out, while Xiaoshi passed by him to approach Jin. Meeting his eye level, the child’s expression looked quite uncomfortable.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Just a moment, um…”

“Yes. I understand.”

Xiaoshi signaled those waiting outside to go ahead first. This included Ian and Romandro. After Romandro, who followed Ian with a puzzled expression, left last, only Jin and Xiaoshi remained in the conference room.

“…”

Thud.

The child crouched down, pressing his forehead against the wall. Then he began to sniffle while trying to suppress his groaning. Xiaoshi patted his shoulder and asked.

“What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

“It’s just, Philea’s engagement is next week.”

“Yes. There were big rumors about Lord Ian taking his first vacation since taking office.”

Xiaoshi suddenly paused with an “ah.”

He vaguely knew about the strange flow between the two. Though Jin had never spoken directly about it, the distance that formed after the appointment ceremony was clear.

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

Whether it was fortunate or not, it was some comfort that there didn’t seem to be any negative emotions underlying it.

Jin kept muttering while crouching.

“Too busy, ca-can’t go…”

“Do you want to go?”

“…No. Just too much work.”

You want to go.

Xiaoshi knelt on one knee beside the child and examined his face. Tears welled up as if about to spill over.

“If you want to go so much, then go, Your Highness. It’s alright.”

“I can’t. I have lots of work… And if others find out, it loses meaning…”

He meant Jin’s attendance would dilute the effort to distance himself from Ian. After considering, Xiaoshi whispered softly.

“You can go secretly. I’ll try to arrange something.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Now please stand up. How can the Crown Prince be crouching like this?”

Jin took Xiaoshi’s hand and stood. A tear nearly fell, but he quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, erasing all traces.

Soon after, the child made a pouty expression. Ian was so heartless – couldn’t he have worked something out for the engagement ceremony? It was just a matter of days!

“Lord Ian is too much. Really.”

“Shall I scold him?”

“Who could scold the Minister?”

In the palace, even the Prime Minister couldn’t act freely. Thinking about it now, he suddenly realized why those around couldn’t wait to take Ian down.

“Who would dare…”

As Xiaoshi fixed the child’s clothes with a playful smile, Romandro, who had gone ahead, picked at his ear.

“Is someone talking about me?”

“What’s wrong, Lord Romandro?”

“No, my ear was itchy. By the way, what did you talk about with His Highness earlier? His expression looked unwell.”

Ian glanced at Romandro before evading the question.

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, is it?”

“…I told him not to mind missing my mother’s engagement ceremony since work is excessive.”

Stop.

Romandro, who had been walking well, stopped and made an incredible expression. How, good heavens, horse heavens! Something His Highness had been looking forward to so much…!

“Ian!”

Romandro shouted in shock, forgetting his dignity, while Ian hurriedly fled the scene, pretending not to hear. That, that! Cold-blooded person who only cares about work!

Romandro rolled up his sleeves and fiercely pursued Ian.

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