Chapter 175

The silence was suffocating. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath. Jin and Arsen locked eyes, each sizing the other up—Jin trying to break free, Arsen aiming to tighten his grip.

‘This feels like a first.’

Arsen gave a sharp, bitter smile and reached again to grab Jin’s shoulder. The shock of being abandoned by their mother was no small thing. Just as Arsen was about to dismiss Jin’s resistance as mere defiance and say something, a voice stopped him.

“Your Highness Jin.”

Ian’s call halted him. Jin pushed Arsen away and stepped toward Ian, who smiled kindly and patted Jin’s shoulder.

“How are your wounds?”

“The doctor’s been very thorough. I’m fine.”

Blood still seeped through the bandages. Though not life-threatening, it would be uncomfortable for a while. Ian spoke softly, offering encouragement.

“It will be difficult, but please endure a little longer. If you hold on, it will pass.”

Wounds on the face, wounds on the heart—they’re the same. Time doesn’t heal everything, but nothing remains whole in the face of time either.

If you endure, if you get through it, it will pass.

Just like the tears that vanished from the child’s eyes in that brief moment.

“Your Highness Arsen.”

Ian called to Arsen, who was perched on the edge of a bed. The boy seemed to have forgotten his princely dignity, slouching with his chin resting on his hand, clearly displeased with the situation.

“Come, have a word with me.”

“…I’m tired.”

“It will be quick. It’s for everyone’s safety.”

Though Ian’s tone was polite, the command was clear. If the Magic Department was ensuring safety here, cooperation was mandatory. Arsen rose calmly and straightened his clothes.

“Jin, keep up with your treatment. When Mother wakes, watch over her.”

Arsen smiled gently as if fulfilling his duty as an older brother, then left the infirmary. Xiaoshi followed closely behind, and Ian turned back to Jin.

“Why did you call your brother?”

Could it be that Ian actually needed Arsen, not Jin? Was this some ploy, pretending to care for Jin? Or was it all genuine?

But had there ever been such a person in the palace? Even in peaceful times, Jin was often sidelined; in wartime, all the more so…

“Your Highness Jin.”

Ian lowered himself to meet Jin’s gaze. His eyes were steady, his inner conviction lending strength.

“Pull yourself together.”

“…”

“Don’t let cruel words shake you. If Your Highness wavers, Bariel wavers. If you fall, the people’s lives fall. Always remember this, and believe your fate is a blessing.”

Listening from behind the door, Jin felt a mix of disbelief and irritation. Arsen—how could such a young boy be so ruthless?

The palace bred cunning children, but even so, Arsen’s sharpness was rare. Ian clicked his tongue silently.

Jin looked up at Ian’s furrowed brow.

“Your words suit His Majesty the Emperor better.”

“…For now, keep your distance from Your Highness Arsen. I will assign someone to watch over him. Do not be alone together; always have someone with you. If you hear nonsense often enough, it starts to sound plausible.”

At that moment, a mage knocked softly on the door, signaling for them to pause their conversation.

“Then, please continue your treatment.”

“Thank you!”

Jin called out loudly behind Ian, eager not to miss the chance. The mage smiled, amused by the child’s energy, and Jin bowed deeply once more.

“…Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ian bowed slightly and closed the door.

The corridor was quiet. In the distance, the clamor of refugees echoed faintly. Ian entered a nearby reception room, not far from the infirmary.

Creak.

Arsen sat on a sofa, staring out the window. His expression was unreadable. Jin wondered what thoughts churned in that small head.

“What is the reason you wished to speak with me?”

“Your Highness Arsen, did you visit Your Highness Gale’s quarters last night?”

A blunt question. Arsen smiled slyly and denied it immediately.

“No.”

Xiaoshi shook his head subtly, glancing at Ian. He knew well that testifying carelessly in front of Arsen was unwise. After all, Arsen had been an assassin who tried to kill Gale, so now serving Ian as his master was certainly problematic.

“Why would you ask that? What reason would I have to visit Brother Gale’s quarters that night? Do you think I’m the mastermind behind the assassination?”

The nuance was sharp, and Ian caught on immediately. Arsen remembered meeting Xiaoshi last night. Ian sat across from the boy, studying his face carefully.

“By the way, Ian, I find this a bit embarrassing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You saved Jin before me, didn’t you?”

It was pure curiosity. Ian was a proven man—born a commoner, yet rose to Minister of Magic. He couldn’t understand why someone like Arsen would measure him and Jin against each other.

“I am under a prophecy. If I had been harmed instead of Jin, you would not have escaped blame. When this crisis ends, Mother will rally forces around ‘us.’”

Though he said ‘us,’ he meant himself. Without Marib and Gale, he was the most likely heir. It was a warning to think carefully and behave accordingly. Don’t stir trouble for his precious twin brother.

“Your Highness Arsen.”

Ian smiled quietly at the boy.

“Do you consider yourself close to the throne?”

“What?”

“If those close to the throne are safe, Bariel is safe. If not, who harms whom doesn’t matter. Look outside. Even now, Marib and Gale are trying to kill each other.”

Arsen scowled deeply. So Ian was saying Jin was closer to the throne than he was.

“Perhaps it’s because you’re from outside, but your views are unusual.”

“You flatter me.”

Arsen clenched his teeth silently. Ian set down a cup of cold tea.

“If memories from last night come back, please tell me anytime. Xiaoshi will stay by Your Highness Arsen’s side. As you can see, with so many refugees, it’s to ensure your safety.”

Had Arsen secretly used the Emperor’s hidden passage? Or did he have another ally?

‘Marib didn’t know the secret passage and missed the Emperor. It’s unlikely Arsen knows it. He must have used another method.’

Did Ian sense his thoughts were scattered? Arsen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Though he looked just like Jin, it was strange—when facing him, Jin’s image never came to mind. They were just that different.

“Ian, from what I see, there’s only one way to resolve this quickly.”

Arsen slouched back against the sofa, flicking his fingers impatiently.

“Find the runaway father. If His Majesty appears and publicly rebukes the whereabouts of the seal, Marib will lose legitimacy and be branded a traitor. That will give the neutral factions a reason to unite. The Magic Department won’t just shield itself but will join the fight and rewrite history.”

He was sharp. Anyone could see that coming, but the ten-year-old prince didn’t just read the situation—he applied it.

“I don’t know what Father will do to Brother Gale. But the real problem is when Marib wins.”

The Emperor’s only immediate move to deny Marib’s legitimacy was to declare a new heir. A political foundation to settle the crisis.

“Who do you think Father will choose as heir—me or Jin? And once chosen, will it change even after the crisis ends? If I become heir, the forces opposing Jin will grow stronger. He’s a threat to me.”

Grinning, Arsen reached out his hand to Ian. He had refused before, but this time, his tone left no room for refusal. Ian smiled faintly at the small hand but didn’t take it.

“Your Highness Arsen, I understand what you mean.”

So he wanted to bring the Magic Department—the third major power—onto his side. But Ian wasn’t convinced.

“However, Your Highness, your family has two variables. First, if Your Highness Gale wins. Second, if His Majesty appoints Your Highness Jin as heir.”

Of course, Ian didn’t want the first either. That would leave no place for Jin. So the second remained.

“Do you believe Father will name Jin heir?”

Arsen snorted. He thought it foolish to imagine such a future. Ian just bowed his head silently. Didn’t he know that until the future arrives, anything is possible?

Knock knock.

“Minister Ian, I’ve brought the documents you requested.”

“Good. Let’s review them.”

Romandro knocked and announced he had completed the task. He brought a report from Minister Wesley’s time. If Ian’s guess was right, it might hold a clue.

“Your Highness Arsen, please rest well. If you need anything, tell Xiaoshi. Also, for the time being, I must forbid visits from Lady Dilaina and Your Highness Jin to ensure your absolute safety.”

Arsène’s face twisted sharply. Even if it was about Jin, blocking Dylaina too was crossing the line, as if he couldn’t believe it. But Ian didn’t correct him; instead, he grabbed the doorknob.

“And be careful with Xiaoxi. She has a temper—if you provoke her, she’ll bite.”

At the owner’s teasing warning, Xiaoxi let out a small chuckle. Arsène knew it was a warning not to bother her, but still, wasn’t that a bit harsh? He spun his head away, voicing his displeasure in silence.

Squeak.

Thud!

“Ian, over here.”

“Thank you for your hard work. There’s more than I expected.”

“The captains are waiting. Let’s go together.”

As Ian stepped forward, he carefully read through the documents Romandro had handed him.

They detailed secret passages that could swiftly traverse the palace grounds. If their operation was anything like when Ian was emperor, magic must be involved.

For example…

‘A massive painting or a hidden door. If made from mana stones, the locations could be connected.’

Just as he was about to enter the conference room to discuss this with Acorella, her scream greeted him first from inside.

“This can’t be! Hale!”

“Keep it down. I’m still watching.”

“Captain Acorella, please calm down.”

“Calm? How can I calm down? Don’t you understand what it means that Riama is dead?”

Click!

Ian flung the door open. Acorella, tearing at her hair, and the mages froze in place, staring at him.

There was no need to ask what had happened.

Acorella’s scream was filled with terror.

“Ian! It seems Riama, one of the three captains, has died. You understand what this means, don’t you?”

Of course he did.

Hale crushed out his cigarette, frowning deeply.

“If the mana-sealing stones are being used in battle, then we can’t guarantee the safety of this place either.”