Chapter 155

The moment the word “secret” was mentioned, Arsen’s demeanor shifted subtly. Though he smiled, he didn’t bother hiding his displeasure. It was clear he thought, How dare some petty count answer the prince like that?

Ian looked down at the boy without losing his smile.

There’s an astonishingly sharp edge to him.

It wasn’t just cleverness—it was outright malice. They exchanged a brief, silent glance. Then Arsen grinned mischievously, swaying his body from side to side.

“Ha ha ha. Sir Ian, you seem like quite an interesting person.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

Though Arsen and Jin looked like mirror images of each other, telling them apart was never difficult. Their personalities were worlds apart. Arsen was always in full bloom, radiant and open, while Jin was like ice that never melted in the shade—calm, cold, and indifferent.

“I made a mistake. I was caught smiling. If I hadn’t, I would have succeeded.”

Arsen muttered regretfully, rubbing his cheeks. He seemed to think he’d been exposed not by dimples, but because Jin never smiled.

Squeak.

“Sir Ian, please come inside.”

“Will Your Highness Arsen be joining us?”

“Your Highness? Why are you out in the cold? Come here.”

At Ian’s nod, the steward hurried over and draped his cloak over Arsen’s shoulders. The boy coughed lightly, as if he’d been waiting for this.

“You’ve been standing in the cold wind.”

“I couldn’t very well wait inside when Sir Ian was coming out.”

Arsen smiled brightly and reached out his hand, inviting Ian to take it and enter. Ian politely declined.

“My hands are cold. I’d only make Your Highness’s hands cold as well.”

“Do you dislike me, Sir Ian?”

“Of course not.”

“Then take my hand. With your right hand.”

It was an order. The steward bowed his head and urged Ian on. Arsen’s stubbornness was well known—once ruffled, he wouldn’t budge. Ian looked down at Arsen and gently took his hand. The boy immediately beamed and pulled him inside.

“Let’s go.”

Squeak. Thud!

As they stepped inside, warmth enveloped them. Though it was early morning, Delaina sat perfectly composed on the sofa, sipping tea. She smiled curiously as Ian and Arsen entered.

“Arsen, I was wondering where you’d gone.”

“I went out to meet Sir Ian.”

Opposite Delaina sat Jin, upright and dignified. When their eyes met, Jin lowered his gaze slightly in greeting. The morning sunlight cast long shadows from his eyelashes.

“Sir Ian, please sit. I know things are hectic, so this won’t be a long conversation.”

With a gesture from Delaina, Ian adjusted his coat and took a seat. Meanwhile, Arsen scampered over to Jin and clung to him, whispering quietly so no one else could hear.

“I held the hand of a wizard?”

“…”

Jin only turned his eyes to look at Arsen. It wasn’t surprising—Arsen always liked to be one step ahead of everyone else.

Unlike the other royal children, who were content just to see magic, Arsen had to touch the hand of the wizard who had defeated Wesley himself.

“Next time, I want to touch a magic orb. How about that? Pretty amazing, right?”

Hearing his brother’s boast, Jin recalled his own memories with Ian—the warm, soft magic flowing between their fingers. What expression would Arsen make if he knew Jin had touched it first?

“Why no answer? Isn’t it amazing?”

“…It is. Arsen.”

True to form, Arsen insisted on a response. He smiled broadly and held out his palm to Jin, as if to say, You haven’t touched it, but at least you can watch. Just then, Delaina cleared her throat, admonishing the two princes.

“Princes, please behave.”

“Yes, Mother!”

“…Sorry.”

Though both were scolded, only Jin visibly shrank back. Ian saw a reflection of his own past in that posture—a precious existence unaware of their worth, wasting a brilliant childhood. If only someone had been there to guide him properly, those painful years might not have been so wasted.

“Wizards are rare, but most come from commoner origins. If discovered, they will be expelled from the mansion. Keep it hidden.”

Chronie—the traitor, the nephew, the only adult Ian could rely on outside the palace. His words were the world to young Ian, and they were true.

“As a family member watching over you, not as a nephew—I ask, do you truly believe you have what it takes to be emperor? You are merely a wizard born into a noble family. If you seize the throne by chance, you will surely be hurt. So, refuse the offer.”

In the end, those words proved right. Ian ascended the throne but was brought down by rebellion, losing precious people like Naum—and even Chronie himself, though he hated to admit it.

“Sir Ian?”

“Yes, Lady Delaina.”

Ian smiled and lifted his head, clearly attentive to her words. She elegantly traced the rim of her teacup and shifted the conversation.

“You don’t look well.”

“I’ve had too much work and little sleep.”

“I heard you’re also running for Minister of Magic.”

“That’s true. At times like this, someone must hold the center on the ground.”

“And how does His Highness Marib respond? Does he offer encouragement?”

Delaina subtly probed, asking if Marib was Ian’s patron—essentially checking if Marib would benefit from Ian becoming Minister of Magic.

“This is an internal matter for the Ministry of Magic. No encouragement has come from the palace yet. If you would be the first, Lady Delaina, it would be an honor.”

With Marib and the other princes aligned with Gale, Ian answered cautiously. Delaina unconsciously placed a hand over her chest and sighed in relief.

“Phew.”

“Are you all right?”

Ian looked at her curiously, but Delaina only shook her head.

“Then, has the head of the Mana Stone Management Department joined your supporters?”

“Lady Delaina, you’ve met Gale.”

“…”

Silence spoke volumes. Delaina closed her eyes and frowned. Judging by her expression, Gale had approached her with a proposal for a temporary alliance.

Come to think of it, I don’t even know where Delaina’s family is from.

With Arsen and Jin so young, and the eldest prince standing firm, the palace factions were insignificant.

But Delaina was a woman trusted by the emperor, fulfilling the role of empress. And since no rumors about her origins circulated, she was likely noble—possibly even foreign royalty.

“Yes. To be exact, Gale came to see me. It was the first time since entering the palace. I thought the situation must be dire, but on reflection, it seems it’s not just his problem.”

“The more adults in the palace, the better. That way, Princes Arsen and Jin will have more to observe and learn.”

If the balance between Marib and Gale tipped, the fallout would fall on the twin princes. Delaina wanted to stay neutral but couldn’t. She realized that siding with the stronger faction was the only way to survive.

“Gale said there’s someone hiding in the Ministry of Magic to replace Wesley. I thought it might be one of the minister candidates, but no one seemed suitable.”

She took a sip of tea before continuing.

“Most are small fry without backing. The only candidate I considered supporting was Captain Zhang.”

Ah. So Delaina was the one behind Captain Zhang. Ian nodded slightly, beginning to understand.

“But if you are Gale’s secret trump card, that changes everything. There’s no need to split the pie. I will support you actively.”

“It’s an honor.”

If that happened, the Minister of Magic would have the backing of the first, second, fourth, and fifth princes simultaneously. No one would dare oppose him. Ian swallowed a smile at Gale’s scheming.

Busy, aren’t you, Gale? But if we’re in the same boat, you could at least give me a heads-up on matters like this.

Without shared information, Ian had no idea how much Delaina knew—or what they had traded in this temporary alliance.

Gale’s alliance was temporary, but what about Delaina? She must have gained something beyond just maintaining balance.

“So, is that why you called me here? To confirm this?”

“That’s the most important thing right now.”

Delaina smiled. The phrase right now carried a lot of meaning. Ian returned a polite smile and bowed his head.

“When I become Minister of Magic, I will make my move.”

“I will be waiting.”

“When that time comes, know that you will have access to all the Ministry’s records. And once you know, you can never go back to not knowing.”

The Ministry’s secret files surely contained detailed prophecies about Arsen and Jin. Did that mean there was more beyond the known prophecies? Well, Ian would find out in time.

With a calm farewell, Ian rose from his seat.

“Whenever you need me, just say the word. I won’t forget the honorable help Lady Delaina has given.”

“That’s music to my ears.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Oh, by the way, have you heard the news?”

Delaina stopped Ian in his tracks.

“This isn’t something I heard from Gale himself, but rather a rumor that slipped out at a gathering of noble daughters. I’m curious if it’s true or not.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“There’s talk that Gale is engaged to a daughter of the Hyman family. Do you know anything about that?”

The Hyman family—a noble house that holds the very heart of Bariel Finance in its grip. Their bloodline even traces back to foreign royalty, making them the real power players. With Wesley gone, they’d be the perfect family to fill that void.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about it.”

“Is that so? That’s disappointing. Very well.”

If it’s true, Gale is a man who’s not so easily killed. He could deliver a serious blow to Marib’s confidence, who’s been half-relieved after nearly finishing him off.

Squeeeak.

As Ian stepped outside, Delaina smoothed her hair and sank into deep thought. In the bloody feud between Marib and Gale, it was always she and her sons who trembled with anxiety. Even if the situation were calmed for now, wouldn’t the day inevitably come when they’d have to face each other head-on?

Before Arsen and Jin come of age, surely either Marib or Gale will draw their blades.

“Marib, Gale, and Ian…”

Ian felt like the cog where all the gears meshed together. It seemed he held the key to keeping both Marib and Gale in check at the same time. If only someone could grasp that key properly… it would be ideal.

“Mother, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Hm? Oh, nothing.”

Delaina affectionately stroked Arsen’s head as he cuddled up to her, then glanced over at Jin. Jin remained seated where he was, watching his mother with an indifferent gaze.