Episode 115. portrait of the emperor
“Shall we prepare a carriage?”
It was a question asking if I would like to return after finishing the social gathering. Marib didn’t change her expression one bit, just smiled and covered her mouth with her wine glass. Gale was still watching this way, so he could hide the answer.
“It is done. “They say they are waiting, so tell them to do so.”
“yes. All right.”
“And keep an eye on it.”
“… “I will obey your orders.”
It was an instruction without an object, but the aide understood its meaning. He immediately bowed his head and went outside, and Gale’s gaze also fell away. Other officials I was chatting with quietly asked what was going on.
“Is it urgent? Lowering?”
“no. I am sharing such a meaningful event with the monks, what could be more urgent than that? Please continue explaining your work.”
Of course, it was natural that I would be more interested in the fledgling bastard who had taken control of the great desert with his help than the old-fashioned noblemen in front of me. Gale must have also heard about the two people entering the palace.
“Yes, sir. The next piece was drawn with paint mixed with magic stone powder. “It’s a work of art that actually lights up at night.”
“Ohh. “Magic stone powder?”
“Isn’t it popular these days to mix various things with pigments?”
Mariv nodded and glanced at Gale, pretending to listen to the official’s explanation. Gail was enjoying socializing with Wesley wrapped around his waist.
One way or another, if you take action first, you will show your back. Marib’s aide must have been paying close attention to the movements of Gale and Wesley’s men.
‘What are you going to do? game.’
When Gail suggested a donation of 10,000 gold coins, Marib did not object. Instead, he said that would be okay, and showed the attitude of hurrying to move on to the next item.
It was true that it didn’t really matter, and it was also true that I wanted to test Ian’s abilities. But furthermore, the reason for this was that the Ministry of Magic was the place where Ian would be used in the future. Because it wasn’t a bad idea to leave some room for subtlety.
‘It may be difficult for Gale, but he might be able to fool some foolish people in the Ministry of Magic.’
It’s still the same now. There was no need for him to welcome Ian to the point of breaking up a social gathering. They kept each other’s positions until the end, as if they didn’t know Ian existed.
* ♟ *
“… Wow.”
Romandro, who was a little sore, stretched quietly. It was a time when the bright, bright sunlight gradually became darker and turned into a sunset. It’s natural to get tired of waiting. However, Ian, who is sitting next to me, is not disturbed at all.
“Ian. “Are you okay?”
“What?”
“I’m talking about your waist. waist. Maybe it’s because I’m young. “I’m dying to lie down.”
Ian smiled faintly at Romandro’s grumbling. It wasn’t my intention, but because it was the imperial palace, I seemed to maintain a more upright posture. Ian guessed as he looked down at the cold tea.
‘Seeing as it’s much later than expected, it looks like he’s really with Gale.’
It was then.
smart.
“Your Majesty Mariv, please eat.”
“omg!”
Romandro was startled by the sudden presence and stood up. He casually straightened Ian’s wrinkled jacket and looked toward the door.
This is the first royal family he has seen in over 100 years. If you ask me, isn’t he an ancestor and a blood relative who continued the glory of the imperial palace? In terms of number of relatives, we may be so far apart that we are almost strangers.
Sigh.
The door opened. A man inside the wall with long golden hair tied up entered the room. The gently curved eyes are definitely impressive. Because it looked like I was smiling even when I wasn’t smiling.
“Romandro, it’s been a while.”
“I would like to meet Your Majesty Mariv.”
Romandro immediately bent down and placed his hand on his chest following imperial etiquette. Ian, who was one step behind, also gestured gracefully. Actually, I’m more used to receiving greetings than giving them, but this wasn’t awkward at all.
“Thank you for your hard work. “It was hard for me to leave my family behind.”
“No, sir. “I am thrilled to add light to the glory of Bariel and His Majesty.”
Ian suppressed his laughter. Isn’t this an amazing conversationalist for a Romande? Without even putting a lick of saliva in his mouth, he continued to say, ‘I loved my life in Bratz.’
After a few formal conversations.
“… “You are Ian.”
Mariv’s gaze passed Romandro and landed on Ian.
Ian slowly raises his head. A deep orange glow poured down on my face. As if the magic power had been opened, the child’s left eye turned golden.
“Please meet Your Majesty Marib. “My name is Ian.”
His eyes were confident but not arrogant, and his voice was powerful but not harsh. The raised jawline, straight shoulders, and neat standing posture were the nobility itself that I had seen many times before.
No, to be honest… … .
‘That’s unexpected.’
I could feel even more elegance. Mariv motioned for him to sit down and praised Romandro.
“It seems like Romandro taught us imperial etiquette very well.”
“No, sir. Sir Ian was so distinguished that I had very little to tell him.”
I have to say it exceeded my expectations. It would be difficult to create this level of favor with just a first impression. Once the three men were seated, the servants replaced the cold teacups with warm ones.
“okay. Sir Ian.”
Although he had not received a title yet, he was destined to become a nobleman. Mariv asked a question, using her own honorific title.
“How about coming up to the center?”
“It’s just as I heard. “There was a reason why it was praised as the center of Bariel, which supports the world.”
I meant it. Even though he was not a child who had seen the center for the first time, Emperor Ian thought of the capital in the same way.
Was the answer satisfactory? The prince burst into laughter with satisfaction. I don’t know about Romande, but it was the moment the prince smiled sincerely for the first time after entering the drawing room.
“I found out what happened on the border through my report from Romandro. Romande, the report you brought will be processed and approved within the week.”
“yes. Lowering.”
“Romandro has returned to his hometown, but Sir Ian has left his hometown. “I think quite a few people saw us off.”
Ian smiled brightly.
Marib knew better than anyone else that he had no family. But since the question was asked like that, it was clear that there was a hidden meaning.
“That’s right. The mansion’s employees and other permanent residents held a send-off ceremony day and night. The same goes for the Cheonryeo people who bordered the area. “If I go up to the center, I won’t be able to see it for a while, so that’s how I made up for my disappointment.”
I was asking how much of a presence Ian had established in the territory, and the answer was quite satisfactory. Alliance with the public sentiment and the Cheonryeo tribe. These two things were the biggest factors that led to the usurpation of the lordship.
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“Right. Ian, you will be a trustworthy lord.”
“That’s too much praise. “Everyone knows that His Majesty Marib helped us.”
Mariv was amazed that Ian had read her intentions. It’s definitely useful. In addition to being able to use magical power, his ability to understand context is unusual.
‘Is it Count Derga’s influence?’
For a bastard who lived in a brothel, his stamina is formidable. I think he probably woke up physically after being humiliated by the Count. Maybe he developed phlegm while going back and forth across the great desert, but he didn’t seem to be nervous at all as he faced the prince.
“You know the New Year’s party schedule, right? “The imperial family’s New Year’s party is always special, but this year it is even more so.”
That’s because there was a ceremony to appoint Ian, a low-class citizen, to a noble title. There were several events scheduled in succession, including confirmation of magical power operators.
Romandro cautiously intervened and answered.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear about it because I just arrived today.”
“okay? The schedule is almost done. “I will tell you to forward this to her aide before she leaves the palace.”
“yes. Lowering. “I will prepare with this in mind.”
“After the New Year’s party, an event hosted by the Ministry of Magic will be held. We will measure your magical power and proceed with assigning you to a department… … .”
Mariv looked into Ian’s left eye. As the sunset fades, we return to green eyes. Mariv thrust the blade made of words in earnest.
“Before that, Ian. “Do you think you are suitable for the position of lord?”
Isn’t the question quite sensitive and embarrassing? This is especially true because there is ambiguity in whether it is asking about origin or ability. Roman Dro, who had been listening quietly, involuntarily took a breath and bit his lip.
‘It’s a question that can be criticized as ‘no’ and ‘yes’ as ‘yes’.’
A lord who considers himself unworthy will be used for anything, and if he goes too far and is conceited, it is not enough.
However, Ian seemed to know that the answer was fixed, and nodded without thinking too much.
“Of course it is.”
A very bold and confident answer.
Romandro felt his breath getting stuck in his throat. He said, causing one of Marib’s eyebrows to raise upward. Romandro knew that this expression appeared when he was either interested or displeased. On the other hand, Ian continued calmly.
“Your Majesty Marib decided to bring it about, so who would dare say otherwise? “I have only the duty to do everything perfectly according to your wishes.”
‘… It’s a lot simpler than I thought. Is it because they think I’m a bastard?’
It was an obvious question. The intention behind the question while mentioning the Ministry of Magic was so transparent and simple that it almost made me laugh.
The reason he placed Ian in the position of lord was to confirm his identity again, to make him swear allegiance, and to join the Ministry of Magic and faithfully serve as a spy.
“You have confidence in your words. “I like people like that.”
“It is an honour. Lowering.”
Mariv smiled contentedly and took a sip of tea. Roman Dro, who had been reading her mood, also sipped her tea at that moment.
But that’s it. Ian felt strange as he continued to look at Marib’s face.
‘Blonde hair and long eyes. Of course, it is a characteristic mainly seen in the imperial family… … .’
Have you ever seen Marib in portraits of past emperors?
In the hallway leading from the villa to the emperor’s bedroom, portraits of past emperors were hung by era. These were things that Ian saw back and forth a couple of times a day, so there was no way he would have missed them.
but.
‘I don’t remember seeing him in a portrait.’
Gale’s rebellion is certain to fail. So, naturally, he thought that his natural rival and rival, Marib, would succeed to the throne. Until I saw you face to face.
‘Is there perhaps another successor?’
But there didn’t seem to be anyone worth noting.
Ian hid his expression and buried his complicated thoughts. For now, it was important to focus on the present and gain the prince’s trust. I don’t know what will happen, but Mariv seems to be the only one who can compare to Gale right now.
“Sir Ian.”
“yes. Lowering.”
“How are the preparations going for the donations that need to be paid to the central government?”
There were gold coins obtained through Gula trading and plenty of high-grade magic stones, so there was no problem. But Ian lightly shook his head. He couldn’t show his cards to someone who might or might not become emperor.
“no. Lowering.”
“Hmm. That’s too bad. “Then I would like to make a good suggestion.”
Mariv put down the teacup, not knowing Ian’s intentions.
Only Roman, who noticed Ian’s lie, lowered his head and sipped his tea restlessly. The expression on my face, thinking that I should never be caught.
fantasy,
