The reception room was quiet. Most palace officials had left along with Ruswena’s delegation.
Between inauguration preparations and tasks for receiving and hosting guests from each nation, there was a mountain of work. Ian nodded to the attendants while looking at the cold teacups. As if telling them to hurry and clean up.
“Your Highness, you did well.”
The child was just staring outside through the half-open bay window. Though flower petals continued falling, why did one corner of his heart feel so heavy? Jin smiled faintly and merely shrugged.
“What did I do well?”
If Ian hadn’t appeared at that moment to catch the queen’s attention? The meeting would have fallen apart long ago.
He wouldn’t have been able to tell them to take back their insulting gift, nor return their provocations in kind. It was all possible because of Ian. This was fortunate, yet disappointing.
‘Everyone was watching.’
Not just the Prime Minister, but ministers from each department, officials, even delegations from other countries. Jin furrowed his brow firmly and rested his chin in his hand.
Seeing His Highness’s clear discomfort, Romandro quickly noticed and approached to comfort him.
“Your Highness. No. Queen Eripony was beyond expected parameters. Who could have known she would dare speak such words before Your Highness? Please don’t regret too much. Just remember the queen’s expression as she left the reception room.”
“……”
Jin just stared at Romandro, blinking silently with pressed lips. Then he slightly turned his gaze to Ian. He wore a faint smile, his thoughts unknown.
“Why do you smile, Lord Ian?”
“Seeing Your Highness’s regret makes me think you will develop infinitely from here.”
Queen Eripony had been ruling a nation for some time. Beyond political experience, she was a leader with more life wisdom. When such a person shows unexpected attitude in a one-on-one meeting, it’s not easy to handle.
Ian muttered while looking at the child’s fingertips. Faint marks showed where he had gripped the bowstring with bare hands.
“Don’t be too disheartened. Your Highness hesitated ultimately because you love the empire too much.”
It was a meeting with a leader. Jin’s choices could determine peace or war, life or death for the empire’s people. Knowing this weight well, he couldn’t respond easily.
“This is far better than acting on impulse. You did well. Remember this is Your Highness’s first diplomatic encounter.”
Jin looked down at his right hand, following Ian’s gaze. Then he casually rubbed his fingertips, saying it was nothing. His expression had softened somewhat from before.
“Without Lord Ian, I would have been in serious trouble.”
“Why make suppositions about what’s passed?”
“…How far have Burgos and Clifford come?”
His words carried the determination not to make mistakes when facing the other two nations.
Ian naturally deflected the question by looking at the mage behind him, who bowed awkwardly.
“My apologies. We haven’t received any updates yet.”
“We’re maintaining contact with the outskirts and watching, so we’ll inform you as soon as news arrives. Why don’t you rest a bit before then?”
Though Romandro gestured and suggested returning to his quarters, Jin sat in place for a long while, contemplating something.
His round head, fidgeting fingertips, and constantly moving lips. Ian and Romandro just looked at each other in confusion.
‘Why, why is he acting like this?’
Romandro mouthed the question, but how could anyone know?
Just as Ian was about to speak-
“…Wasn’t it difficult?”
“What was?”
“Creating the magic.”
“Ah.”
Unable to directly say thank you – constrained by princely dignity, others’ gazes, and pride, it could only be expressed as concern.
But Ian immediately understood Jin’s intention and naturally knelt to meet his eyes.
“How could it be, Your Highness?”
Well done. A prince shouldn’t carelessly thank his subjects in such situations. Though the words kept dancing on his tongue, Ian too filtered his response.
“It wasn’t difficult at all.”
“Good. That’s fine then. I’ll go ahead. Xiao.”
When Jin called for Xiaoshi, the attendants bustled into motion. They rushed ahead to prepare for the prince’s movement, and the few remaining officials also disappeared as if they had no further business.
In the space left with only the Ministry of Magic, Romandro sat on the sofa and heaved a deep sigh of relief.
“Ah, all the tension just drains away. Though it’s a problem that we have two more such meetings ahead. Haha! No, it’s an imperial celebration, so I shouldn’t call it a problem. Ahem.”
He cleared his throat needlessly while crunching on candy.
Something seemed different in the relationship between Ian and Jin from before. The child who used to follow calling “Brother, brother” had drawn a boundary line, and Ian didn’t seem to even think of crossing it.
“Hey, Ian.”
Ian turned his head at Romandro’s call. Though his expression was the same as usual, somehow it was slightly different.
What was it? What was different?
“…Did you perhaps quarrel with His Highness Jin?”
After blurting this out unconsciously, Romandro covered his own mouth.
Ian was equally dumbfounded. How could such a description possibly apply to his relationship with Jin?
When Ian frowned, Romandro waved both hands and corrected himself:
“Sorry, I made a mistake!”
“Be careful. Even the portraits in the palace have ears, don’t they?”
“Right. I misspoke. Mm-hmm. It’s just that I wondered if there was something I didn’t know about.”
Ian indicated there was nothing to answer as he instructed the mages:
“…Send another message to the outskirts. After waiting one more hour, if there’s no sign, we’ll need to send people along the expected route.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Hey, Ian. I may not know much else, but I have excellent intuition. This is how I survived as Viviana’s husband!”
“Clifford’s delegation is larger than Ruswena’s. It will take three hours from when they’re spotted at the outskirts to reach the palace. Keep this in mind when proceeding with schedules.”
“Communication, it’s really important!”
While Ian gave various instructions as he left the reception room, Romandro buzzed around him chattering. Though Ian blatantly ignored him, so no answers were forthcoming.
“Why is Lord Romandro acting like that?”
“Don’t you know? Did you do something wrong?”
“Never mind that, just hurry and come! We need to switch shifts!”
Patter patter!
The mages’ curiosity sparkled briefly before they scattered, cutting off their attention after seeing Ian’s response.
Even as they walked along the outer corridor connecting to the garden, Romandro kept going on about the importance of communication and building trust in early marriage.
Ian, who had been half-listening and letting it slide, suddenly stopped walking.
Rustle.
“Queen Eripony was quite something earlier.”
“So arrogant, acting like this was her royal palace. Did you hear how she asked His Highness if he knew about black jewels?”
“Of course. She treated him like a commoner child.”
“This is all because the imperial family has no adults. The Emperor is frail, and the void left by the two princes is too large.”
“No. That’s not it – princes’ positions naturally become vacant, but the problem is His Highness Jin is too young to fill them.”
“Nothing can be done about it. The two princes, it wasn’t just anything – they ended up that way because of the civil unrest, didn’t they?”
Romandro opened his eyes wide and stuck his head out past the railing. Officials who had gone ahead were gathered in threes and fives, smoking cigarettes. Just as he was about to call out a warning, Ian grabbed his arm.
“Sir Romandro.”
“But still-“
It meant to leave them be. Ian lightly restrained him before continuing on his way.
Romandro looked back and forth between the people beyond the railing and Ian’s back before following his superior and starting to chatter again.
“Ian, why are you letting those people be?”
“When the master’s away, even the king gets criticized. Even if we cut off their conversation, we can’t cut off the facts. Though His Highness did well for his first time, we can’t help outside evaluations. These are things His Highness must endure.”
When you’re bitten, cut, and scratched, tough skin grows. Those people too were adding their words out of concern for the current situation.
“Endurance is a very good method for growth.”
Those were probably among the milder behind-the-scenes comments. The child’s inexperience, his momentarily flustered expression, and Eripony’s rude attitude would be talked about everywhere.
And his own name would be added to that as well.
‘Jin barely managed the situation because of me…’
If rumors spread like that, it would be fortunate. Hadn’t he even shot up that flashy magic arrow? It might get distorted to say he had put Eripony in her place.
That would put even more pressure on Jin and the opposition faction. The more stimulation given, the more intense the reaction, and the wider the range of possible advancement.
‘Perhaps from now on, I won’t be able to hear words of concern from Jin.’
The child had carefully whittled down even words of thanks before barely conveying them. It showed how much attention he paid to others’ eyes. This was what Ian wanted.
Not standing on the single leg of himself, but making his body take on another leg for balance. The more people there were to share the weight of the crown, the better.
“Ian.”
Romandro suddenly blocked Ian’s path.
“I’ve thought this before, but you’re too light.”
“…Me?”
“Light like you might fly away at any moment. When there are people around, try holding onto them. Don’t just think about enduring, share things, won’t you?”
A faint smile appeared on Ian’s previously expressionless lips. Then he brushed past Romandro, telling him to move aside quickly.
“I’m grateful just for you saying that, Lord Romandro.”
A carriage waiting for Ian and Romandro appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Ian gestured to the driver to prepare for departure.
But at that moment.
Patter patter!
“Iaaaan!”
A very familiar voice.
They could see Beric riding towards them on horseback from far away. Though he had rolled around, he was still Imperial Guard – his messily thrown-on uniform particularly fluttered about.
“Why is Beric coming here?”
“I thought the Imperial Guard had a separate schedule?”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too. Gasp! Could he have been fired?”
Always breaking, tearing, and destroying things – could he have finally been kicked out! Romandro rushed down the stairs, pale-faced.
Neeeigh!
“Hey you, why are you here?”
“It’s an errand? Did the Ruswena Queen arrive safely?”
“Yes. We just finished arranging the tribute and guided her to the palace where she’ll stay. But why? What do you mean errand?”
Running errands when you’re Imperial Guard? Romandro grabbed Beric’s arm, feeling needlessly sympathetic. But regardless, Beric sniffled and nodded towards Ian.
“Ian. The old man wants to see you.”
“Captain Jeirutt?”
“Super urgent. So he told me to bring you quickly. What was it again? Popo! Something about the grape country!”
Ian lightly furrowed his brow.
Good heavens, grape country?
Surely not.
“…Clifford?”
“Yeah, that’s it. He said he’d feed me if I brought you within twenty minutes. Let’s hurry!”
It seems Jeirutt had figured out how to handle Beric.
Ian gestured to the driver to change their destination.
“We’ll go to the Imperial Guard building.”
Navigate to Other Chapters
MBSE Chapter 01 - Emperor's End
MBSE Chapter 02 - The Bastard of House Bratz
MBSE Chapter 03 - The Marquis Estate
MBSE Chapter 04 - Shackles
MBSE Chapter 05 - Plans
MBSE Chapter 06 - A Stroll
MBSE Chapter 07 - Illiterate
MBSE Chapter 08 - Intentions
MBSE Chapter 09 - The Second Luncheon
MBSE Chapter 10 - The Brooch
MBSE Chapter 11 - Alcohol and Water
MBSE Chapter 12 - The Proposal
MBSE Chapter 13 - The Flower Pot
MBSE Chapter 14 - The Training Ground
MBSE Chapter 15 - Beric
MBSE Chapter 16 - The Mage Knight
MBSE Chapter 17 - Enemy
MBSE Chapter 18 - Preparation
MBSE Chapter 19 - Informant
MBSE Chapter 20 - The Door
MBSE Chapter 21 - Diamond
MBSE Chapter 22 - The Tutor
MBSE Chapter 23 - The Warrior
MBSE Chapter 24 - Nersarn
MBSE Chapter 25 - Proof
MBSE Chapter 26
MBSE Chapter 27
MBSE Chapter 28
MBSE Chapter 29
MBSE Chapter 30
MBSE Chapter 31
MBSE Chapter 32
MBSE Chapter 33
MBSE Chapter 34
MBSE Chapter 35
MBSE Chapter 36
MBSE Chapter 37
MBSE Chapter 38
MBSE Chapter 39
MBSE Chapter 40
MBSE Chapter 41
MBSE Chapter 42
MBSE Chapter 43
MBSE Chapter 44
MBSE Chapter 45
MBSE Chapter 46
MBSE Chapter 47
MBSE Chapter 48
MBSE Chapter 49
MBSE Chapter 50
MBSE Chapter 51
MBSE Chapter 52
MBSE Chapter 53
MBSE Chapter 54
MBSE Chapter 55
MBSE Chapter 56
MBSE Chapter 57
MBSE Chapter 58
MBSE Chapter 59
MBSE Chapter 60
MBSE Chapter 61
MBSE Chapter 62
MBSE Chapter 63
MBSE Chapter 64
MBSE Chapter 65
MBSE Chapter 66
MBSE Chapter 67
MBSE Chapter 68
MBSE Chapter 69
MBSE Chapter 70
MBSE Chapter 71
MBSE Chapter 72
MBSE Chapter 73
MBSE Chapter 74
MBSE Chapter 75
MBSE Chapter 76
MBSE Chapter 77
MBSE Chapter 78
MBSE Chapter 79
MBSE Chapter 80
MBSE Chapter 81
MBSE Chapter 82
MBSE Chapter 82
MBSE Chapter 83
MBSE Chapter 83
MBSE Chapter 84
MBSE Chapter 85
MBSE Chapter 86
MBSE Chapter 87
MBSE Chapter 88
MBSE Chapter 89
MBSE Chapter 90
MBSE Chapter 91
MBSE Chapter 92
MBSE Chapter 93
MBSE Chapter 94
MBSE Chapter 95
MBSE Chapter 96
MBSE Chapter 97
MBSE Chapter 98
MBSE Chapter 99
MBSE Chapter 100
MBSE Chapter 101
MBSE Chapter 102
MBSE Chapter 103
MBSE Chapter 104
MBSE Chapter 105
MBSE Chapter 106
MBSE Chapter 107
MBSE Chapter 108
MBSE Chapter 109
MBSE Chapter 110
MBSE Chapter 111
MBSE Chapter 112
MBSE Chapter 113
MBSE Chapter 114
MBSE Chapter 115
MBSE Chapter 116
MBSE Chapter 117
MBSE Chapter 118
MBSE Chapter 119
MBSE Chapter 120
MBSE Chapter 121
MBSE Chapter 122
MBSE Chapter 123
MBSE Chapter 124
MBSE Chapter 125 - The First Noble Mage
MBSE Chapter 126 - Arsen and Jin
MBSE Chapter 127 - The Hidden Oracle
MBSE Chapter 128 - The Morning Guest
MBSE Chapter 129 - Behind the Scenes
MBSE Chapter 130 - New Magician, New Swordsman
MBSE Chapter 131 - Imperial Palace Training Grounds
MBSE Chapter 132 - Meeting a Worthy Opponent
MBSE Chapter 133 - Joining Ceremony
MBSE Chapter 134 - The Mayor's Letter
MBSE Chapter 135 - Love is Crazy
MBSE Chapter 136 - Proving in the Midst of Chaos
MBSE Chapter 137 - To Gale First
MBSE Chapter 138 - I Swear
MBSE Chapter 139 - I Swear Again
MBSE Chapter 140 - Dogs are Best at Finding People
MBSE Chapter 141 - Love and War
MBSE Chapter 142 - Black Smoke
MBSE Chapter 143 - Fall from Grace
MBSE Chapter 144 - Forbidden Magic
MBSE Chapter 145 - Ashes
MBSE Chapter 146 - It Really is a Curse
MBSE Chapter 147 - Truth Serum
MBSE Chapter 148 - A Secret Deal
MBSE Chapter 149 - Candidate Registration for the Next Minister
MBSE Chapter 150 - A Sloppy Letter
MBSE Chapter 151 - Fakens Slave Caravan
MBSE Chapter 152 - Illegal Slaves
MBSE Chapter 153 - Whole Pig Party
MBSE Chapter 154 - Between Threat and Negotiation
MBSE Chapter 155 - Balance Through Checks
MBSE Chapter 156
MBSE Chapter 157
MBSE Chapter 158
MBSE Chapter 159
MBSE Chapter 160
MBSE Chapter 161 - Mother
MBSE Chapter 162 - Because You are like a Wildflower
MBSE Chapter 163 - Proving the Truth
MBSE Chapter 164 - Signal Flare
MBSE Chapter 165 - Xiaoshi
MBSE Chapter 166 - Assassination Attempt
MBSE Chapter 167 - The Emperor's Seal
MBSE Chapter 168 - That Night
MBSE Chapter 169 - A Mess
MBSE Chapter 170 - Neutral Forces
MBSE Chapter 171 - Spreading Spark
MBSE Chapter 172 - The Fate of the Twins
MBSE Chapter 173 - Jin, A Precious Child
MBSE Chapter 174 - Moving Forward, Bit by Bit
MBSE Chapter 175 - Variable
MBSE Chapter 176 - Mana-Sealing Stone
MBSE Chapter 177 - The Black Moon
MBSE Chapter 178 - Dark Side of the Moon
MBSE Chapter 179 - The Third Imperial Palace, Now
MBSE Chapter 180 - Surrender
MBSE Chapter 181 - Angel's Eyes
MBSE Chapter 182 - The Day Ends
MBSE Chapter 183 - Emergency Meeting
MBSE Chapter 184 - The Next Emperor
MBSE Chapter 185 - The Chronicle of Roberside
MBSE Chapter 186
MBSE Chapter 187
MBSE Chapter 188
MBSE Chapter 189
MBSE Chapter 190 - The Grand Council Meeting
MBSE Chapter 191 - Restricting Parental Rights
MBSE Chapter 192 - Blood That Taints the Truth
MBSE Chapter 193
MBSE Chapter 194 - Trust
MBSE Chapter 195 - Merry Daily
MBSE Chapter 196 - Extra! Extra!
MBSE Chapter 197 - Opening the City Gates
MBSE Chapter 198 - Amidst the Commotions
MBSE Chapter 199 - The Atan, Tribe of Blood
MBSE Chapter 200 - Wound Me Too
MBSE Chapter 201 - The Emperor Mage
MBSE Chapter 202 - For the Sake of Position
MBSE Chapter 203 - D-7
MBSE Chapter 204 - Rainy Days
MBSE Chapter 205 - D-6
MBSE Chapter 206 - Imperial Guard
MBSE Chapter 207 - Breaking the Black Armor
MBSE Chapter 208 - Chatur Zone 3
MBSE Chapter 209 - Premium Grade A+++
MBSE Chapter 210 - D-5
MBSE Chapter 211 - The Trial Begins
MBSE Chapter 212 - The Defense
MBSE Chapter 213 - The Verdict
MBSE Chapter 214 - The One Who Was the First Prince
MBSE Chapter 215 - In the Greenhouse
MBSE Chapter 216 - I Object
MBSE Chapter 217 - A New Prophecy
MBSE Chapter 218 - D-4
MBSE Chapter 219 - One Step Back
MBSE Chapter 220 - One Body, One Mind
MBSE Chapter 221 - A Trap Script
MBSE Chapter 222 - Push
MBSE Chapter 223 - Stamp Thud
MBSE Chapter 224 - D-3
MBSE Chapter 225 - The Voice of God
MBSE Chapter 226 - Little Devil
MBSE Chapter 227 - A Silent Response
MBSE Chapter 228 - D-2
MBSE Chapter 229 - The Demon's Whisperer
MBSE Chapter 230 - D-1
MBSE Chapter 231 - What are You?
MBSE Chapter 232 - Of Royal Blood
MBSE Chapter 233 - D-Day
MBSE Chapter 234 - The Owner of the Voice
MBSE Chapter 235 - The Last
MBSE Chapter 236 - Consider it an Honor
MBSE Chapter 237 - Leaving Behind
MBSE Chapter 238 - Without Ian
MBSE Chapter 239 - Three Hours Ago
MBSE Chapter 240 - Whispering
MBSE Chapter 241 - Calling Names
MBSE Chapter 242 - Ruswena Delegation
MBSE Chapter 243 - Purge While on Bed
MBSE Chapter 244 - This is the Bloodwind
MBSE Chapter 245 - Central Nobility
MBSE Chapter 246 - A Secret for Ruswena
MBSE Chapter 247 - Melania's Plea
MBSE Chapter 248 - Jin's Request
MBSE Chapter 249 - Pat-pat and Bicker-backer
MBSE Chapter 250 - Opposition Noble's Signatures
MBSE Chapter 251 - Leaving the Palace
MBSE Chapter 252 - Mud Pit
MBSE Chapter 253 - Rumors
MBSE Chapter 254 - Pillars
MBSE Chapter 255 - Caught in a Trap
MBSE Chapter 256 - The Trial of the Seven Families Begin
MBSE Chapter 257 - Jin's Bariel
MBSE Chapter 258 - The Verdict
MBSE Chapter 259 - Side Effects of the Mana Amplification Stone
MBSE Chapter 260 - Before Preparing the Appointment Ceremony
MBSE Chapter 261 - Introduction of Three Countries' Figures
MBSE Chapter 262 - The Reason for Remembering Timothy
MBSE Chapter 263 - Each Person's Thoughts
MBSE Chapter 264 - A Side Branch
MBSE Chapter 265 - Emancipation
MBSE Chapter 266 - The First Secret Inspection
MBSE Chapter 267 - Secret Eater
MBSE Chapter 268 - Pretending to Know
MBSE Chapter 269 - Each Other's Well-being
MBSE Chapter 270 - Underground Brawl
MBSE Chapter 271 - The Best Banquet
MBSE Chapter 272 - The King's Circumstances
MBSE Chapter 273 - What Only Ian Knows
MBSE Chapter 274 - Selection Exam
MBSE Chapter 275 - Who Rigged the Tournament Bracket?
MBSE Chapter 276 - Each Other's Purpose
MBSE Chapter 277 - Criticism
MBSE Chapter 278 - Their Own Reasons
MBSE Chapter 279 - A Different World
MBSE Chapter 280 - Head-on
MBSE Chapter 281 - Beric Goes Forth
MBSE Chapter 282 - After Victory
MBSE Chapter 283 - The Award Ceremony
MBSE Chapter 284 - The Half Moon Rises
MBSE Chapter 285 - Time to Trade Secrets
MBSE Chapter 286 - Damon Runkvis
MBSE Chapter 287 - Forgotten Page
MBSE Chapter 288 - The Guests are Coming
MBSE Chapter 289 - Young Lion Cub
MBSE Chapter 290 - A Queen's Provocation
MBSE Chapter 291 - A Peculiar Taste
MBSE Chapter 292 - Things to Endure
MBSE Chapter 293 - A Private Talk with Jeirutt
MBSE Chapter 294 - The Carriages Stop
🔒85MBSE Chapter 295 - Pointy Ears
🔒85MBSE Chapter 296 - And Then, This and That Happened
🔒85MBSE Chapter 297 - Examination
🔒85MBSE Chapter 298 - The Fox Prince
🔒85MBSE Chapter 299 - The Variable
🔒85MBSE Chapter 300 - Inner Thoughts
🔒85MBSE Chapter 301 - Time to Change the Meaning
🔒85MBSE Chapter 302 - The Taste of Magic
🔒85MBSE Chapter 303 - Banquet of Kings
🔒85MBSE Chapter 304 - The Whereabouts of the Jewels
🔒85MBSE Chapter 305 - According to Plan
🔒85MBSE Chapter 306 - This is an Opportunity
🔒85MBSE Chapter 307 - Noah Gets Drunk
🔒85MBSE Chapter 308 - The Appointment Ceremony
🔒85MBSE Chapter 309 - Don't Look Down
🔒85MBSE Chapter 310 - Just Ten Steps Please
🔒85MBSE Chapter 311 - There are No Eternal Secrets
🔒85MBSE Chapter 312 - Who Knows?
🔒85MBSE Chapter 313 - Three Passes
🔒85MBSE Chapter 314 - A Bond Woven by Secrets
🔒85MBSE Chapter 315 - The Dilemma
🔒85MBSE Chapter 316 - Through Alenara
🔒85MBSE Chapter 317 - I Want to Go
🔒85MBSE Chapter 318 - A Small Engagement Ceremony
🔒85MBSE Chapter 319 - The Child with a Mask
🔒85MBSE Chapter 320 - Time to Return
🔒85MBSE Chapter 321 - Break of Dawn
🔒85MBSE Chapter 322 - Formation of the Investigation Team
🔒85MBSE Chapter 323 - Harboring Thorns
🔒85MBSE Chapter 324 - Before Crossing the Border
🔒85MBSE Chapter 325 - Stop
🔒85MBSE Chapter 326 - Before the Border
🔒85MBSE Chapter 327 - Secret Contract
🔒85MBSE Chapter 328 - Discovering Ian
🔒85MBSE Chapter 329 - To Meet the King
🔒85MBSE Chapter 330 - Entering Clifford
🔒85MBSE Chapter 331 - Those Who Hold Idgal
🔒85MBSE Chapter 332 - On the Brink of Explosion
🔒85MBSE Chapter 333 - The Mages' Grand Council
🔒85MBSE Chapter 334 - Magic Amplification Drug