Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Restriction of Parental Rights
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“Oh my goodness, did I just hear that right?”
“Lady Dillaina handed Prince Jin over to Prince Marib? In exchange for begging for his life?”
“This is shameful. This can’t be allowed.”
“What about the wounds? Did Prince Marib inflict them personally?”
“This is maddening. This isn’t something we can just let slide.”
The subdued atmosphere from the prolonged meeting instantly heated up again. No matter how low his rank or young he was, Jin was a child who bore the Emperor’s blood. Moreover, weren’t Marib and Gail the masterminds behind the chaos? The twin princes were the ones next in line to take responsibility for Bariel after them.
“Calm down, everyone. Let’s hear Lady Dillaina’s side before we judge. It seems she was concerned about the oracle.”
“You all know, don’t you? There’s an oracle tied to Prince Arsen concerning the survival of the imperial family.”
Those favorable to Dillaina chimed in subtly. They couldn’t weigh a life, but they could weigh an oracle. If they had to save just one, of course they’d choose Arsen—some officials quietly defended Dillaina in their hearts. They couldn’t voice it aloud because of Ian standing steadfast by Jin’s side.
“Is that something to say right now? If so, she should have offered herself instead of handing over Prince Jin. Isn’t that a guardian’s duty?”
Quintana snapped harshly, as if telling them to cut the nonsense. As the meeting hall grew increasingly noisy, Jin unconsciously gripped his knees tightly. He thought he could handle it, but it was arrogance after all. The whispers flying around him hammered at his heart like a mallet.
“Lady Dillaina abandoned Prince Jin?”
“So she only took Prince Arsen with her...”
“Now I get it. Lord Ian with Prince Jin...”
The officials nodded as their doubts cleared. They now understood why Dillaina had supported Arsen as successor without hesitation, and why Ian had taken a stand against her. With Dillaina and Jin divided, Ian had slipped into the rift.
Swoosh.
Jin unconsciously tugged at Ian’s sleeve. He had promised to always help from the side, so now too, please help him.
Ian saw Jin’s eyes shaking violently and gave a pitying smile. Ian gripped Jin’s hand firmly. Not painfully, but unyieldingly solid.
“I know. But endure it.”
As he whispered to Jin, Ian recalled Naum’s memory. The night he transitioned from mage to emperor. The last night as friends. Naum had whispered to Ian.
‘Child, a child who will become emperor. This is a measles you must suffer through once, so you have no choice but to endure. But remember. It hurts now, but once it passes, it won’t come again. Even if it does, you won’t lose.’
Naum’s comfort reached across time. Through Ian to Jin, and someday Jin would say the same to his own child.
“Endure and overcome it, and it won’t come again. Even if it does, Your Highness will win.”
Crack. Jin’s grip on Ian tightened.
He actually knew. From the moment he chose a path different from his mother, he had no choice but to know. The more fiercely the officials clamored, the more precarious Dillaina’s position would become, and that would ultimately benefit him.
“Silence!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Prime Minister, unable to bear it, slammed his staff to quell the uproar.
“Lord Ian Hielo. Those words you just spoke carry significant weight.”
He couldn’t even ask if he could take responsibility. Because the prince, Jin, was the evidence and witness himself.
He wondered if it might be mental domination magic at play, but with the imperial family’s blessing, that seemed unlikely.
“Lighter than Prince Jin’s pain, I’d say.”
The Prime Minister swallowed a sigh at Ian’s retort. Right. No one would be suffering more than the person involved right now. The Prime Minister judged it best to wrap up the meeting quickly.
“Your Highness, I ask you. Is staying with Lord Ian Hielo solely your own will? As a prince, you are the master here second only to His Majesty the Emperor, so if you wish, you could reside elsewhere besides the Magic Department.”
“No. It’s my will.”
It was resolute conviction. The Prime Minister swallowed dryly, and the officials let out small gasps while gauging reactions.
By now, the outlines of the situation were becoming clear. Once they left the meeting hall, they’d have to choose sides for their future prospects. Between Dillaina and Arsen, and Ian and Jin.
“Prime Minister. In place of His Majesty the Emperor, I request that you restrict some of Lady Dillaina’s parental rights. This is for Prince Jin’s safety.”
Ian made the demand to the Prime Minister in front of everyone. Rights to protection and status, property management, proxy command, and so on were prime examples. The Prime Minister, knowing the Emperor had frozen them, couldn’t help but hesitate.
‘It’s harder to take away than to give, after all.’
If he restricted them and a problem arose? Could the Prime Minister truly wrest back authority from the Magic Department Minister, the real power in the palace?
If the Emperor stepped in directly, it wouldn’t matter. His commands were heaven and earth in any situation. But the Prime Minister was merely a proxy.
“Prime Minister?”
As the Prime Minister’s dilemma deepened, the murmurs grew louder again. From those unaware of the Emperor’s suspension.
“Why hesitate? She handed a prince to a traitor. We should temporarily restrict her parental rights and, once His Majesty rises, formally bring it to trial to sort truth from falsehood.”
“Agreed. Restrict them for safety first.”
“Until His Majesty decides on Prince Jin’s welfare, that’s appropriate. Prince Jin seems to follow Lord Ian closely too.”
“Ahem! Anyone hearing this would think Lady Dillaina tried to kill Prince Jin. It’s embarrassing to even listen.”
“But isn’t it essentially the same?”
“You—what did you just say? Reckless fool!”
“Defend her if you will! His Majesty would be appalled if he knew!”
Those unaware of the suspension unwittingly pressured the Prime Minister. He’d been said to have no health issues, so he’d rise soon. What could be the problem?
“Quiet, quiet!”
Bang! Bang! Boom!
The Prime Minister slammed his staff irritably. Ian quietly watched their cries, while the Prime Minister stroked his graying beard and furrowed his brow.
‘Good grief, how did you let things come to this.’
It was awkward. The justification for refusal was solid, and the onlookers wouldn’t understand.
But accepting meant power had already shifted to the Magic Department, and he was wary of Ian’s true intentions.
“This doesn’t seem like a decision for me alone.”
“Once we leave this hall, someone will rush to Lady Dillaina. And tip her off about the parental rights restriction attempt.”
Ian muttered, scanning those who had defended Dillaina one by one. Officials meeting his green eyes averted their gazes and coughed awkwardly.
“I won’t be able to protect Prince Jin either.”
The Prime Minister wanted to silence Ian. Every word rang so plausibly true that even though he held decision-making power, it didn’t feel like it.
Jin earnestly addressed the Prime Minister once more.
“Prime Minister. I swear on His Majesty the Emperor, my father, that all this is my own decision. If you respect me, if I am precious in this palace, then let Lord Ian protect me.”
“Your Highness.”
“Please.”
The last word was so soft only the Prime Minister could hear. The plea barely slipping through clenched teeth reached him. He closed his eyes, gripping his staff. But the decision didn’t come easily. Quintana, unable to wait, interjected.
“Prime Minister. You must remain more neutral than anyone. It’s only been two days since the chaos; we can’t add to the confusion.”
“Quintana, that phrasing is problematic!”
“There’s reason to restrict parental rights now, but none not to! If there is, speak up!”
Refusing clear justification would be tantamount to siding with Dillaina. Those supporting Ian and pitying the situation shouted in unison.
Clang! Clang!
Finally, the staff rang out.
Lightly but firmly, with a touch of resignation.
“Following the will of Lord Ian Hielo and Prince Jin, some of Lady Dillaina’s parental rights are restricted. But bear in mind this can be revoked at any time, Lord Hielo.”
It was a warning: handing over power once wouldn’t be easy, but any misstep would invite checks.
Ian lightly smiled and placed a hand on his chest. A heartfelt gesture of thanks.
“Of course. I will serve Prince Jin with utmost sincerity. I swear it before everyone.”
“Lord Ian Hielo. For Prince Jin’s welfare confirmation, I request your periodic attendance at official events.”
At someone’s suggestion, Ian turned toward them as if it were natural. Precisely what he wanted. He’d take Jin to all places where he could wield influence, starting with the Grand Council.
“I accept.”
“Your Highness, feel free to send word anytime. I am Quintana of the Executive Branch.”
“Thank you, Quintana.”
“I am Griffiths of the Executive Branch.”
“Judiciary’s Matingly, Cyril Polson, Harvey Bodkin.”
They called out their names to Jin one by one. Some genuinely worried for him, others signaled political support ostentatiously. Precisely, notifying Ian behind Jin. At this point, Ian and Jin were practically indistinguishable.
“Ah, and the palace corpse cleanup is complete. The gates will open by tomorrow. Severely damaged areas will be off-limits, but show the rest to the imperial citizens for normalcy. That is all.”
“...Let’s rise.”
“Thank you for your efforts. See you at the next meeting.”
“Yes. Everyone, good work. Dawn is already breaking.”
With Ian’s final transmission, the meeting fully concluded. The Prime Minister shot Ian another glare, and Ian responded with a bright smile.
“Lord Hielo, this is troubling.”
The Emperor’s suspension was a top secret known only to Beros, Dillaina, the Prime Minister, and Ian. Using it to sway opinion like this.
“My apologies. But there was no other way.”
“Serve Prince Jin well. I’ll be watching.”
The Prime Minister muttered, looking at Jin surrounded by officials. The wounds stood out starkly. That was the cause that had forced his final decision.
“Enter.”
Ian bowed politely to see off the Prime Minister, then approached Jin. Quintana was repeatedly grasping Jin’s hand and saying something.
“If Lord Ian says anything untoward or offends Your Highness even slightly, come straight to the Executive Branch. My office is on the fifth floor, right corridor.”
“Lady Quintana.”
“......”
At Ian’s call, Quintana turned her head without reply. An awkward silence flowed, but their gazes didn’t waver. Quintana stepped back with a formal bow.
“Then, farewell.”
“Safe travels, Quintana!”
“Yes. Your Highness. Rest well, Lord Ian.”
Creak.
As the meeting room emptied, Romandro hurried over and draped a coat over Jin. Ian personally buttoned it up with a smile.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. Your first will reached everyone. And you did splendidly at the Grand Council too.”
“Thank you.”
Jin’s beaming smile deepened, teeth fully visible.
“They care for me more than I expected. I never imagined this.”
The only people Jin had met in the palace were imperial family members, tutors, and servants. Officials had always felt like foreigners.
Ian finished adjusting Jin’s attire and replied.
“Didn’t I tell you? You’re an esteemed person.”
Far off, Berik and Xiaoshi by the carriage. Jin waved broadly, calling them. Jin’s steps descending the stairs first brimmed with vigor. Watching, Ian asked Romandro.
“What about Dillaina’s side?”
“Still meeting with House Haiman.”
“They have more to discuss than the officials’ meeting? Impressive.”
Soon, word of the parental rights restriction would reach Dillaina. Ian smiled brightly as Jin, aboard the carriage, beckoned him.