Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor Chapter 162

Lady Hanna. A ssenger pigeon has arrived.

From where? rellof?

No. It seems to be from the central region. The letters seal is similar to the one the lord had sent previously.

Hanna received the letter with gloved hands. Her hair was tightly tied without a strand out of place, and her clothes were clean and neat. The appearance of the child who lived near the brothel and starved had long since vanished.

Hanna smiled joyfully and commanded the servant.

Give the ssenger pigeon cool water and feed, and prepare a comfortable place for it to rest.

Yes. Lady Hanna.

As the servant bowed and disappeared, she hurriedly went up to the study. She thought she had beco quite dignified, but it seed she still had a long way to go. Seeing how she couldnt control her steps out of joy from her masters correspondence.

Is Lord Nersarn inside?

He is. However, Madam Philea is with him as well.

Please inform them imdiately. I have brought a letter from Lord Ian.

The Cheonrye warrior guarding the door nodded.

Who would have known things would turn out this way between Nersarn and Philea? Moreover, not long after Ian left for the central region, Philea had returned to the forest again.

Knock knock.

Lord Nersarn. Its Hanna. A letter from Lord Ian has arrived.

However, just a few days later, Nersarn, who had only tread on desert sand, personally went up to the forest and brought her back. He let her use the newly furnished master bedroom and gave her pastis like tending the garden to add weight to her life. A weight for a stable life, so she couldnt fly away anywhere.

At first, Philea seed burdened by it, but at so point, she perfectly blended into the mansion and beca an indispensable presence. Both for them and for Nersarn.

Co in.

Excuse .

Nersarn was sitting at the desk flipping through docunts. Indifferently, without a hint of dishevelnt. It was a clear contrast to Phileas flushed face as she sat on the sofa.

You said its a letter from Sir Ian?

Yes. There are quite a few enclosed in one envelope. Theres one for Madam rellof as well, but since the ssenger pigeon seems tired, Ill deliver it personally.

I hope nothing is wrong.

Nersarn muttered worriedly. This was only the second contact they received since Ian left for the central region.

The first was informing them that since he was bestowed the surna Hielo, the na of the territory had also changed. Since there wasnt a single line of personal ssage, Philea and Hanna couldnt hide their disappointnt at the ti.

If sothings wrong, what

As the color drained from Phileas face, Hanna calmly called her na and cald her down.

Madam Philea. Theres no need to worry. Theres also sothing sent by sir Beric. Its not a letter but a drawing, yet its colored quite diligently. If it were urgent, that wouldnt be the case.

Yes, Philea. Dont worry. Theres one for you too.

For ?

Nersarn naturally called her na and pulled her arm. The sight of him having her sit on his lap and reading each letter for her was truly affectionate. Hanna stared at the distant mountains as if her eyes were open but she couldnt see anything.

Hes asking if youve ever seen magical talent in himself when he was young. Other than his eyes turning gold.

No. I I had no idea Ian had such talent. I just

Phileas words gradually trailed off as she rummaged through her past. Sothing was coming to mind with the word talent. Nersarn gestured to Hanna to prepare pen and paper.

When Ian was very young, I once went on an errand to a rchant group. At that ti, he received a red flowerpot-

Silasque.

Ah. Yes. Thats right. As he brought it back, he said this. The person who gave him the flowerpot greatly praised him, saying he had talent. I naturally thought it was about doing chores well, but thinking about it now, the nuance seems to have been different.

The woman furrowed her brows as if trying to squeeze out even a drop of withered mory.

Thats all.

It will likely be helpful to Sir Ian.

Are there no other words, by any chance? Like greetings or such.

There are. Philea, he says to please live comfortably at the mansion. Though contact may be sparse due to affairs at the Imperial Palace, he asks you to consider his heart close by.

At Nersarns words, Phileas face blood brightly.

Whenever he saw her smile, Nersarn was reminded of the rainy season in the desert. The spectacular sight of white flowers covering the sand dunes from the downpour that cos once every few decades. His eyes were drawn to her because she was like a wildflower, but now she was soone who devoured him like that flower.

Would you like to write the reply yourself? Ill help you.

Yes. Id love to. I really want to do that.

And I want to inform him of our relationship as well.

Id like that too.

Hanna raised her hand as if dazzled by her beaming smile. Philea was beautiful even when in the slums, but now that she had found love, she was radiance itself.

But what if Ian opposes it?

Philea asked cautiously while fiddling with the pen. Nersarn was wonderful, but if her son objected, she didnt have the confidence to go against him. At her words, Nersarn smiled and imdiately shook his head.

Theres absolutely no way that would happen. Sir Ian is a wise man.

Nersarn was also relieved to see Philea reassured.

However, he couldnt fully shake off the worry deeply embedded in his heart. Though he had deliberately said there was no way, strictly speaking, this was a matter unrelated to wisdom.

How will Ian think

At the strange emotion he felt for the first ti in his life, Nersarn tightly grasped Phileas small hand.

***

Madam Philea is getting married? To Lord Nersarn?

Romandros mouth was hanging open and didnt seem like it would close anyti soon. Well, thats understandable. What on earth was this

Why? They look good together. Philea is pretty and Nersarn is cool. Of course, compared to Kakan, hes a bit small, but hes still a warrior among warriors!

At Berics words, Romandros expression beca even more peculiar. Small? No matter how much Nersarn held the position of a scholar, how could the word small be appropriate for him?

Just take care of your own tiny body.

Whats wrong with ?! These are all practical muscles!

Ian, by the way, how will you write the reply?

Romandro ignored Beric and surreptitiously observed his expression. He couldnt sense any emotion from the way he flipped through the letters one by one. In the atmosphere where it felt like he had to be mindful, his heart grew restless for no reason.

Ian?

Its Nersarn.

Well, its not my place to interfere, but Phil, Philea has suffered a lot, so wouldnt it be nice if she t a good person and beca happy? Were now close with the Cheonrye tribe, and um. I think its truly a joyous occasion. Of course, there will be contemptuous eyes at the Imperial Palace.

The father of Ian, the Minister of Magic and lord of Hielo territory, was a barbarian. Even when he first set foot in aristocratic society, he was despised for being lowborn.

But if the new father he was bringing in was Nersarn? It was obvious what kind of gossip would spread. Ian and Romandro knew they were true warriors, but the nobles in the central region didnt know and didnt want to know.

It is quite surprising.

But Hielo territory is very far from here. If we keep quiet, I believe no one in the central region will know.

You seem to cherish Philea, no, my mother very dearly, Sir Romandro.

Of course! Hasnt she lived a difficult life?

Romandro added while coughing awkwardly.

And actually, I expected this.

Eh? Liar! You were totally surprised earlier!

No, back then at the mansion entrance when Madam Philea and Lord Nersarn t. I sensed that strange zzing! zzing energy between them.

Ian! Thats a lie. He didnt know but is pretending he did.

Hey you brat! Im serious!

Ian pondered for a mont and then dipped his pen in ink. He had decided on the content to write for the reply. Romandro, who was bickering with Beric, poked his head out to check the content.

If the nobles find out, it will certainly beco a topic of gossip. But is there anything problematic about that?

He was not the Ian who had just entered the palace, but Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic. No matter how much talk circulated behind his back, it would be nothing more than gossip.

Rather, this is good. True alliances are sealed through marriage. Especially the Cheonrye tribe, arent they people who have exceptional affection for family? It will be a great happiness for my mother as well.

Moreover, it wasnt just any warrior, but Nersarn, the Chiefs younger brother and a scholar. It would beco an unbreakable link of trust between Hielo and the Cheonrye tribe. It would be a stepping stone to make up for the previous loss of forces from Bratz and the central army.

We must sincerely congratulate them. Its a joyous occasion.

Yes, its a joyous occasion! A celebration! Ill write a separate congratulatory letter.

too, too! Ill draw another one!

As soon as they heard Ians positive answer, Romandro grabbed Berics hand and cheered hooray. Honestly, when Hanna tearfully saw off the warrior, he had expected a union through marriage to happen soday.

Though I never imagined it would be Philea.

Anyway, it was a good thing. Yes. Setting aside political calculations, this was a humanly congratulatory matter. Ian knew well how much hardship Philea had endured. He smiled softly while looking at the letter written in crooked handwriting.

-Ian, my son. I love you. I miss you. Hanna, Lord Nersarn, everyone at the mansion is living happily. Thanks to that, I am happy too. Ian, what about you? Are you happy? Never forget that your mother is always here. I want to hold you, safe and sound. My child. I love you.

A mothers love was this ardent. Ian honestly found it unfamiliar to the point of being a bit wondrous.

Not only did she pass away when I was very young, but all the remaining mories are nothing special.

Was it because it was a political marriage of the aristocracy? For Ian to recall the faces of his biological parents, he had to recall the faded family portrait hanging in a fra itself. There were no other mories.

Ian, whats wrong? Did the ink harden?

No. Im contemplating how to begin the letter. And whats curious is that mothers letter makes no ntion of marriage. I thought she would first ask for my permission before proposing.

Perhaps Philea was thinking of it as just informing him of their relationship? At Ians playful words, Romandro let out a foolish laugh.

Oh ho ho! Oh ho! My, my, no matter how much of a warrior one is, they beco adorable in front of love.

Ah, Sir Romandro. Did you look into that matter?

Ah. About the Hayman family?

Romandro slapped his cheeks to calm his excited heart. Then he nodded, saying Ians words were correct.

The Hayman family is in the process of an unofficial engagent. It has beco a fait accompli. There was a lot of gossip including the curse, so it seems theyll make it official once the situation stabilizes.

Romandro furrowed his brows while twirling his beard.

But theres a strange rumor circulating these days.

Are you referring to the Hayman family?

They say they placed an unusually large order for mana armor. Didnt you see them back then? Its the armor the bank guards wear, capable of fighting off a hundred n.

! I totally want that!

Beric shouted, raising his fist. He was so astonished to see them easily lifting heavy coffers filled with gold coins with one hand. Ian tilted his head while lightly twirling the pen.

Isnt it for branch expansion?

Usually the trend is to increase by only two or three per year, but theres talk that the order this ti amounts to 100 sets. Thanks to that, I heard the order for the Imperial Guards was delayed. Its still just a rumor for now. I suppose the mana stone supply will be the sa? Has Chief Akorella not said anything?

Shes too busy focusing on Luron stones these days.

I heard her complaining that the dium-grade mana stones used for armor are nearly depleted. Please check on it.

Yes. I will.

Ian smiled brightly and thanked him for verifying it. He could roughly guess what it ant for the Hayman family to prepare mana armor.

Ian finished the letter he was writing to Philea and took out a new sheet of paper.

Swish.

-Lord Nersarn. I received your letter well. Please take good care of my mother. Just as you pledge eternal love, I hope eternal alliance will be imbued in Hielo and Cheonrye.

And in preparation for any unforeseen situation, he added:

-Whenever the weather clears, the thin ice here will break. At that ti, will you be able to assist ? In the na of our alliance, and in the na of my mother.