Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Marib's Interrogation
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The massive doors dividing the inside and outside of the imperial palace.
“Hey! Say something, will you!”
“I have to pay taxes by today, so if you don’t let me in, what am I supposed to do? Will you take responsibility? I don’t know about later, but let me in first! Ah, I heard some people went in earlier!”
“Please! My father can’t come out if he goes in!”
“Is it true that His Majesty has passed away?”
“Didn’t they say Second Prince Gail was attacked just before the lockdown? It must be related to that. Hmm.”
“If even the central nobles who went in aren’t coming out, this isn’t good. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”
“Don’t worry too much. Yesterday, the officials, palace suppliers, and some nobles went in. They haven’t come out, but something must be progressing, right?”
The guards steadfastly ignored the crowd swarming at their feet and stared straight ahead. They were absolutely forbidden from speaking of what happened inside—if they leaked anything, the mana light in the air would blow their heads apart.
“Unlock the left latch.”
At that moment, an order came from behind. The left latch meant someone was exiting the palace. The guards startled but quickly unlatched it and dropped the bar.
Creeeak.
Closed for just a few days, the gate groaned as if it had been sealed for ages. The crowd hushed at the presence of people, and as the gap widened, their mouths gaped open too.
“S-someone’s coming out!”
“Someone’s coming out! From the imperial palace!”
It was an unprecedented lockdown of the palace in history. Who could be the one breaking out? Tension and anticipation surged—then a horse poked its head through. A red-haired boy rode on its back.
“Huh? What’s this? Why’s everyone hanging around here?”
“D-does anyone know who that is?”
“He looks young. W-wait, a knight?”
“Out of the way, out of the way! I’m busy. Don’t care if the horse tramples you!”
“Hey! What’s going on inside? Tell us!”
“Is everyone safe? What’s going to happen to Bariel?”
“H-hey? I said move! Wanna get left behind?”
Neigh!
The horse reared in fright, but the crowd didn’t budge. The exasperated guards blocked them with spears to clear a path, and Berik and his escort kicked the horse’s flanks hard to escape the chaos.
Clop clop!
‘Why’s everyone acting like that? What’s up with this place?’
The crowd chased after Berik with near-screams.
Just three days had passed. The area near the palace had changed drastically. Anxiety over the nation’s fate had shut down many shops, and the streets were littered with trash and filth.
Scattered bodies lay bleeding for no apparent reason—victims of guard units that had lost command and failed in their duties.
“Lord Berik, this way!”
“Huh? Not here?”
“That’s the way back!”
Berik, who had been charging ahead, yanked the reins the other way at the guide’s shout. Surprisingly, Romandro’s residence soon came into view. At this point, Berik had to admit his sense of direction was hopeless.
“Vivianna! Mini!”
As soon as he sensed movement in the courtyard, the two women rushed out. They must have been waiting for word. Vivianna clutched her swollen belly and sniffled.
“Lord Berik! What happened? What about my husband?”
“Don’t worry. Ian’s busy working with him. Anyway, here—Ian sent this.”
Hearing Romandro was safe, Vivianna collapsed unwittingly. Ignoring Mini’s support, she urgently opened the note. Her eyes widened in confusion as she scanned the words.
“Is this... true?”
“Dunno. Can’t read.”
“Mini, get my ID and coat. We’re going to the press.”
“Y-yes! Just, wait a moment!”
“And!”
Vivianna crowed like a bird. Her voice trembled, but her eyes burned with resolve.
“...Self-defense items too.”
“Y-yes, ma’am.”
The unexpected request made Mini flinch, but she didn’t question it. She instinctively knew the situation was dire.
Vivianna reread the crumpled note.
-Vivianna, Romandro is safe, so don’t worry. In the palace, Princes Marib and Gail clashed for supremacy, but the Magic Department quelled it without issue. The gates will open at five p.m., so please inform the truth through the press before then. Opportunists are spreading fabrications amid the chaos—make it clear.
Five p.m. Extra editions had to flood Bariel beforehand. Vivianna checked the clock and pictured the press route. The path was convoluted; time was tight.
-Moreover, given the situation, clashes with those opposing the Magic Department seem likely again. Romandro is my close aide, and you are his precious lover, thus precious to me too. Be ever mindful of the danger and stay cautious. I’ll assign guards the moment things settle. Below is the statement to attach to the report.
In the clash between Marib and Gail, Ian had stood aside. But now, he too would confront the opposing forces head-on. Vivianna clasped her hands and prayed fervently.
-‘Princes Marib and Gail threw the palace into chaos, but under the Magic Department’s mediation, we secured them safely. We will protect them from opposing forces to the best of our ability until their formal trial.’
It signaled the existence of opposing forces targeting Princes Marib and Gail. They could be remnants of their factions not yet subdued, or perhaps a third party.
Either way, it laid groundwork for the future. The Magic Department protected the imperial family—if anything happened to them, it would be pinned on the opposition.
“Ma’am! Here, all packed!”
“Let’s go, Lord Berik!”
“Can you ride?”
“Of course. Hurry!”
Berik hoisted Vivianna onto the horse and took the reins. He kicked hard and shouted. Vivianna pointed behind in alarm.
“Hyah! Let’s go!”
“Lord Berik, the other way!”
“Other way, other way—let’s go this way!”
Neigh!
The horse carrying Vivianna sped out of the residential area.
And.
“......”
A knight watching from afar.
His chest emblem bore the House Haiman seal. He was the duke’s subordinate, waiting at the gates for his master who had entered the palace.
Clop clop!
His horse swiftly followed the direction Berik and Vivianna had vanished.
* * *
Noon, as the morning sun ripened.
Jin finally opened his eyes and rubbed his forehead against the pillow. Siaoshi approached at the stir and straightened the blankets.
“Did you cough, Your Highness?”
“...Where is Lord Ian?”
“In his office.”
Jin nodded unwittingly. He still hadn’t shaken off last night’s dreamlike events. His first Grand Council attendance, meeting worried officials, and voicing his will on parental rights...
“And Mother?”
“Pardon?”
She must have received word of the parental rights restriction. Had she been hurt? Or furious and resentful toward him? The uncertainty chased away his sleep.
“What did Mother do?”
“...I’m not sure.”
“She didn’t come to see me or Lord Ian?”
“...My apologies.”
Siaoshi murmured, eyes downcast. They say the opposite of love is indifference. Had the mother-child bond severed so completely that she simply accepted it?
Jin buried his face in the pillow again.
“Your Highness.”
“It’s fine. I’m not crying. Just waking up.”
Wake up. Shatter the lingering dream and accept reality. Dreams don’t bend to will, but reality does. Bend it to my will!
Whoosh!
Jin threw off the covers energetically and rose. Washing and dressing were inconvenient without enough servants compared to the main palace, but he managed without complaint.
Outside, busy mages greeted him with smiles.
“Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”
“Good morning. I heard you attended the Grand Council yesterday? Impressive. Everyone’s grateful—our agenda passed smoothly thanks to you.”
Of course, it was polite flattery. But Jin accepted it gladly, and the mages showered more praise, enveloping the child.
“No need. Everyone, work hard today.”
“Thank you. Ah, Your Highness! Lord Ian isn’t in his office right now.”
A mage noticed Jin and Siaoshi heading to Ian’s office and spun to block them.
“Then?”
“P-Prince Marib regained consciousness, so he went for the interrogation, I believe. The Star Tower isn’t far. He’ll be back soon.”
Star Tower. Jin glanced at the small western tower the mage indicated. A ten-minute walk. The child tugged Siaoshi’s hem and nodded toward it.
“To the Star Tower.”
“Your Highness.”
“Not for Lord Ian—for Brother Marib.”
He was curious. Though different mothers, weren’t Marib and he the emperor’s blood kin? Marib had tried to kill him, inflicting an indelible wound—he wanted to see even a glimpse of his attitude toward it. And...
“If not now, I’ll only see him at the trial.”
For the imperial family’s honor and dignity, Marib would appear pristine and composed in court.
“In my memories, he’ll remain the perfect brother, and I hate that.”
The first prince who shouldered Bariel in place of their ailing father. The eldest of elders none dared defy. With lustrous golden hair and graceful bearing, the model of the imperial family—that brother had caused this catastrophe. Jin wanted to erase the intact image in his memories.
Tap!
Jin dashed down the stairs without hesitation, Siaoshi following.
The gates would open soon. Everyone bustled to resume normalcy. Even a young prince slipping among them went unnoticed amid the frenzy.
Creeeak.
“It’s Prince Jin.”
At Siaoshi’s announcement, the Star Tower guard bowed and stepped aside. Familiar mages were visible. Jin approached Ian and Marib slowly, feeling strangely out of place.
“...A merchant group?”
“...Where did the orange gem come from...”
Marib and Ian’s voices drifted sporadically. The interrogation must concern the mysterious gem that threatened the mages. As Jin neared, Marib’s voice sharpened.
“But it’s strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ian, I just don’t get why you attached yourself to Jin instead of Arsen. I understand everything else, but not that.”
Jin held his breath unwittingly. Mages stirred at the sound, but the prince’s urgent grip on their hem halted them.
“No need to know.”
“Not ‘no need,’ but ‘no reason’?”
“...Next question. Are the funds circulating through the presented merchant group connected to you, Prince Marib?”
“If supporting Jin is just for show, sure. There might be no reason. Since you toyed with me and Gail, charming one kid is no issue. You think I can’t read you?”
Thwack.
“Prince Marib.”
Marib chuckled lowly, and Ian slammed the file shut. The child’s hand clutching the mage’s hem trembled faintly. His breath quickened, awaiting Ian’s reply.
“Please shut up.”