Chapter 189
As Ian’s carriage arrived at the Ministry of Magic, wizards who had been waiting inside the building began to rush out one by one. There was a mountain of reports to submit and approvals to get, so no one hesitated to move first. They followed closely behind Ian, each calling out bits of information.
Tap tap tap!
“In one hour, His Highness will convene the Grand Assembly.”
“Understood. All departments, hand over your materials to Romandro.”
“Lord Ian, the disposal of the palace corpses is complete. We’ve distributed lists of identified bodies to each department, and those unidentifiable have been destroyed. We can re-investigate based on incoming reports after the gates open. Oh, and the necromancers requested a few intact bodies for study.”
Ian accepted the report as he walked. Though he seemed to glance over it casually, he caught every important detail. He signed off with his pen and handed it back.
“Denied.”
“Of course. Given the circumstances, that’s expected.”
“Also, we recovered five magic-sealing stones from Prince Gale’s quarters. They’re only 10-gram and 50-gram sizes, fewer than the officially registered number. We suspect some were lost during the battle with Prince Marib, when Captain Riama was killed.”
“Prince Marib must have had some as well.”
“We’re still searching his quarters and office, but no sign yet. Please allow interrogation once Marib awakens. Here is the approval form.”
“Good. Also, request the administration to verify the records. There must have been some authority adjustments regarding the management of the magic-sealing stones during Wesley’s tenure. It’s not that long ago.”
Since Wesley had handed most of the stones over to Gale, it wasn’t hard to trace the flow. Ian signed again to approve and repeated this process until he reached his office.
Click.
Hearing footsteps, Beric, Xiaosi, and Jin—all waiting inside—turned to look at Ian simultaneously. The three were gathered around a drawing pad, sketching something. Unfortunately, it was still unrecognizable.
“Not asleep yet?”
Ian asked, glancing at Xiaosi. He had ordered her to stay with Arsen, so her presence here was telling. It seemed Dilaina had taken Arsen away while Ian was absent.
“Oh, you’re awake.”
Jin smiled brightly, dimples forming in his cheeks. Beric, from behind, made devil horns with his fingers and pulled a fierce face. Dilaina’s commotion must have been quite intense. The boy quietly resumed scribbling with his colored pencils, the shapes becoming even more distorted.
“Are you heading out now?”
Xiaosi asked, and Ian nodded. After a moment’s thought, he changed his robe and called Jin over.
“Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
“If you can’t sleep, would you like to come with me?”
“Outside?”
“I’m attending the Grand Assembly. You may join if you wish, or take a nighttime walk instead. Beric and Xiaosi will be with you, so no need to worry. It’s only been two days, but staying indoors all day disrupts sleep and eventually throws off the day-night cycle.”
Jin blinked. Though Ian suggested a walk, it was clear he was inviting him to the assembly.
“Won’t your mother be there?”
Jin had a vague suspicion. If Marib and Gale were out of the succession line, then it would be Arsen and himself next. Judging by Ian’s attitude, a direct confrontation with Arsen might be inevitable.
But he hadn’t expected Ian to step into politics so quickly.
“No, she won’t be.”
Dilaina was busy meeting with Duke Hyman. Besides, this assembly was about directly managing the palace’s aftermath, so Dilaina had little role. It was probably more efficient for her to gather support and align with Hyman than attend.
“Aren’t you curious? To see how palace officials discuss, decide, and govern affairs.”
Though Jin had received royal education, it mostly covered etiquette, knowledge, and culture. Political matters had been deliberately excluded.
Partly because the twins were still young, but mostly because Marib and Gale firmly held power above. To them, state affairs were like forbidden fruit—something to only gaze at from afar.
“You’ll find it interesting.”
Ian smiled warmly, and Jin sprang to his feet, eyes sparkling with rare enthusiasm. Clenching his small hands, he exclaimed,
“I-I’m curious!”
“Change into your going-out clothes. Is anyone outside?”
At Ian’s call, a servant entered and bowed. Jin hurried after him, with Xiaosi naturally following. Only Beric remained half-lounging on the sofa, idly shining a light on the unrecognizable drawing.
“Ian, look at this! The prince drew me!”
“Beric, get ready to come out too.”
“Huh? Me too?”
“How can you enjoy luxury alone when the masters are all going out?”
Ian’s teasing order made Beric tilt his head back. Since the palace incident, he hadn’t eaten properly. Being confined with limited supplies made that inevitable.
Knock knock.
“Ian, where are you and His Highness Jin going at this hour?”
Romandro knocked on the open door, carrying a stack of reports from outside.
“To the Grand Assembly. Prepare yourselves.”
“Oh, that’s good. Officials will be more reassured seeing His Highness is safe.”
The Hyman faction was aware of fabricated rumors, and Dilaina hadn’t met her son. Their meeting would only fuel talk that Ian had forcibly taken control of the palace. To prevent that, subtle moves were necessary.
“Besides, His Highness Jin will one day come of age and lead the government himself. It’s good to get a feel for it now. Situations like this are rare, so it will surely be helpful.”
Ian’s words hinted at the start of Jin’s formal princely education. With the emperor—his father—frozen and lying incapacitated, and his mother shielding only the eldest, who else would teach him?
In a way, this was an opportunity for Jin. The only one to guide him step by step was the emperor himself. What could be more certain than the emperor’s own path?
I was betrayed and nearly beheaded; I know the worst paths not to take. There’s much I must teach Jin.
Ian smiled as he organized the documents.
The carriage sped toward the Grand Assembly building.
Jin pressed his forehead against the window with Beric, watching the palace at night. Having always lived a regulated life, this was his first time outside so late. Fortunately, the half-ruined palace looked quite majestic in the darkness.
Amazing. It’s not as dark as I thought it would be at this hour.
“Your Highness.”
Ian’s voice made Jin turn. His silver hair shimmered bluish in the moonlight.
“Before we enter, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Romandro cleared his throat and lowered his gaze. The tone suggested the news wasn’t pleasant.
But Jin straightened up and fixed his eyes firmly. Nothing Ian had said so far had ever been harmful. Whatever it was.
“Lady Dilaina is currently the sole guardian of His Highness Jin and Arsen within the palace. Legally and morally, no one can deny this.”
“But Sir Ian is here as well.”
Ian smiled faintly at Jin’s reply. Deep down, he was a guardian, but to outsiders, it looked nothing like that. They saw a powerless prince being used to monopolize palace power—a blatant attack for which Ian was defenseless.
“If Lady Dilaina wishes to see His Highness Jin, as today, I must step aside.”
At that moment, a shadow passed by the window. The moon hid behind clouds, but Ian felt Jin’s expression darken.
“Anyway, Lady Dilaina is Jin’s mother. Soon, the palace will be reopened after cleanup, and then there will be no grounds to protect His Highness Jin.”
“Then what…?”
“There is one way. But it would be a burden for His Highness Jin, so I ask your opinion first.”
Jin easily recalled the midday two days ago.
Meeting Marib in his quarters. The cool breeze. Someone’s head rolling. Arsen whispering. His mother letting go of his hand.
“Do you mean to tell me that Mother handed me over to Prince Marib?”
Ian nodded briefly.
Begging for his life from a traitor who would be recorded in history, she handed Jin over. Though it was to save Arsen, Jin was still a noble imperial bloodline. As a guardian, it was an unforgivable choice. This was the only legitimate reason to separate Jin from Dilaina.
“If you permit it.”
If Jin agreed, Ian would reveal this and free him from Dilaina’s control.
The boy fell silent. Only the sound of horses’ hooves echoed outside the carriage. Ian waited patiently, not pressing. Jin was the future emperor. Every choice had to be his own.
“Sir Ian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I want to live.”
After a long pause, Jin’s answer was simple. He gently touched the still-healing wound, as if soothing that day beyond the window.
“But if I stay with Mother now, I feel like I will die. Whether it’s my breath or my soul.”
He couldn’t completely abandon her. She was his mother, after all.
A name that countless people revered with all the respect the world could offer—Mother.
“So when the time comes that I feel I can stand on my own, I want to see my mother. And by then, even if she doesn’t hold me, maybe I’ll be able to hold her.”
And when Arsen’s whispers no longer tighten around my heart.
It would take some time. But that was something I could endure. Even if everyone whispered that I was a forsaken prince, I could bear it.
“That’s a remarkable resolve.”
“Sir Ian will assist you.”
Screech.
The carriage came to a halt. As the door opened, Ian stepped down first and reached out his hand to Jin. It was an unspoken promise—he would always be there to hold her hand.
Tap!
Jin’s feet lightly touched the ground, her pounding heart barely settling as she looked up at the grand assembly hall. Carriages of high-ranking officials lined up in a row, and middle managers from various departments gathered, exchanging information in a chaotic buzz.
“Your Highness, remember this night.”
Holding Ian’s hand, Jin climbed the steps one by one. People recognized Ian first, then quickly noticed Jin standing beside him. The crowd parted respectfully, bowing their heads in greeting as she passed.
“Tonight is the first time Your Highness attends the grand assembly.”
Then, with a small smile, someone whispered quietly.
“This is a place even Arsen could not enter. You’ve taken a step closer to the emperor’s throne.”