Chapter 290

Jin found himself clenching his molars without realizing it.

No matter how exquisite a portrait might be, it could never fully capture the essence of the real person. Besides, the only image Jin had ever seen of Eriponi was the portrait painted by Romandro.

He had expected some differences, but the overwhelming presence of the actual person was something else entirely. Eriponi’s towering height surely played a big part in that impression.

“Please, have a seat.”

Eriponi nodded slightly and took a seat opposite Jin. Her attendants busied themselves tidying her long hair and smoothing her collar.

She looked down at Jin with an elegant tilt of her chin—a natural angle given their height difference. Jin suddenly became acutely aware of just how young he was.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness, the Fifth Prince. I am Eriponi Lasriel, the twelfth monarch of Luswena. Though it would be ideal to meet His Majesty the Emperor first, circumstances do not permit, which is truly regrettable.”

Her three-hundred-eyed gaze swept lightly from Jin’s head to toe. The glance was so brief that anyone less perceptive might have mistaken it for a mere lowering of her eyes.

‘The Fifth Prince, huh.’

Romandro, who had been quietly listening behind Jin, swallowed hard.

All those above Jin in the line of succession were already dead. And not just dead—many had disappeared under questionable circumstances. The First Prince, Marib, had even been stripped of his title.

So why insist on calling him the “Fifth Prince”? Was Romandro the only one puzzled? He glanced sideways and caught the eyes of several officials.

‘Why make a point of it?’

‘Exactly,’ they seemed to say with their looks.

Whether fortunate or not, Romandro realized he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. Everyone’s attention was fixed on Jin’s back. How would the prince respond to this greeting?

“His Majesty the Emperor surely appreciates your sincere heart, so do not trouble yourself too much. You know well the great expectations your father places on Luswena, do you not?”

No matter how revered a kingdom’s ruler might be, the Emperor was the sky above all skies. Eriponi’s words reminded Jin of her position—and subtly hinted that he was the Emperor’s son.

Eriponi slowly raised her eyebrows. As a faint, dry smile threatened to appear, she quickly hid it behind a fan.

‘She’s quite spirited for someone I didn’t even know was a shadow prince in the palace.’

After composing herself, she added, “Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. To show Luswena’s goodwill, I have prepared some gifts…”

At her subtle nod, Eldert placed a luxurious jewelry box on the table. These were just the first of many gifts brought in dozens of carriages.

Inside the box were neatly rolled papers, black gemstones, and spices.

“First, forty prized horses bred on Luswena’s plains. Five of them are pregnant, and their offspring are recognized by the kingdom as well.”

“I’ve heard much about Luswena’s famed horses.”

They were raised running across vast, fertile lands. Jin knew well their quality.

Eriponi twisted the corner of her mouth and fell silent for a moment. This felt less like a formal gift exchange and more like giving presents to a child. It was almost laughable.

“Your Highness, are you familiar with black gemstones?”

“Of course. I saw some brought by Eldert’s envoy last time. They’re unique to Luswena.”

“Yes. Five boxes of the finest black gemstones. And beside them, spices newly cultivated in Luswena. They take five seasons to harvest and have a complex, spicy-sour flavor that’s exquisite. I’ve prepared twenty boxes of the highest grade.”

Eriponi offered the boxes for Jin to inspect. With their huge height difference and her upright posture, it was hard to tell who was giving and who was receiving.

She nodded and asked, “Do you like them?”

“Certainly. Luswena’s sincerity is clear.”

“That truly pleases me. These are gifts that will satisfy His Majesty the Emperor, so I worried whether they would meet your expectations.”

Just as Jin closed the box himself, Eriponi took a sip from a prepared teacup and murmured,

“As expected of the Emperor’s son, you have a fine eye. Now I understand why His Majesty cherishes you like a precious gem.”

Romandro couldn’t help but look up sharply at Eriponi.

On the surface, her words were nothing but praise, but beneath that thin veneer, the meaning shifted entirely.

To praise the Emperor’s discernment and say he hid Jin like a jewel—it was a pointed jab at the Fifth Prince’s lack of presence. They had no way of knowing his tastes because he had been kept hidden. It wasn’t their fault they couldn’t cater to him.

“King Eriponi.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. I have a fondness for hunting, so I’m quite interested in bows and arrows. I brought something suitable as a gift for Your Highness…”

The prime minister tried to intervene, but Eriponi cut him off with a sharp look.

Her three-hundred-eyed gaze moved swiftly and sharply. Even in the palace, she was a sovereign king. It was a clear warning not to interrupt their conversation.

“Eldert.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Eldert returned with a massive box. This was something they had debated whether to present officially to the prince. But since the king had ordered it, it was brought forth. Eriponi’s silent judgment of Jin was clear.

Creak.

“What is this?”

“It is my pride and Luswena’s treasure. I hope Your Highness will like it.”

Jin’s brow furrowed slightly.

It was a delicately carved silver bow. The item itself was impeccable, but what caught his eye was its size—it was nearly as tall as he was.

Eriponi lightly plucked the bowstring with her long fingers as she explained.

“It was crafted by the royal artisans of Luswena over six months. The body is made of silver, and the string is woven from a rare reed found only in the southern forests. When drawn, it sings like the wind, producing a sound more beautiful than most instruments, enhancing the joy of the hunt.”

Whirr. Whoosh.

As she said, the bowstring’s sound was strange and unique. She smiled and set the box down.

“I heard you might not be much of a hunter, so I didn’t include this in the official gifts. But seeing you in person, your spirit seemed fitting. Please don’t be surprised and accept it.”

Jin’s face flushed deeply. She had noticed the scars on his face—rumors said he was frail, but here he was, bearing marks that only hunters might have.

Eldert cleared his throat and placed the box beside her. The situation was becoming a bit tense. As the king’s advisor, it was a signal to ease off.

“Oh, right.”

Eriponi plucked the bowstring several times, then suddenly gasped as if remembering something. Smiling apologetically, she added,

“The reed stretches over time, so when that happens, please let me know. I will have it adjusted anew.”

She must have known Jin wasn’t old enough to go hunting. To give such an oversized bow was a blatant insult, a way of belittling his youth.

‘It will take so long for you to grow enough to hunt that the reed will have stretched by then.’

But Jin couldn’t openly say that. The gift itself was flawless and of the highest quality.

“Thank you.”

That was all Jin could say. Any more words might only highlight his own vulnerabilities.

“Not at all. Your Highness’s happiness is my joy as well.”

Eriponi smiled brightly and bowed slightly. Though the bow of her head barely tilted, it was hard to tell if it was intentional disrespect or just the difference in stature.

The prime minister nervously stroked his beard and glanced awkwardly at Jin.

‘If His Highness doesn’t say anything, I can’t easily step in…’

Jin clenched his hands tightly on his lap. Countless words swirled on the tip of his tongue. He had caught the Luswena king’s provocation but was unsure how to respond.

He knew every word he spoke could have far-reaching consequences. Despite the differences between empire and kingdom, Luswena was backed by the alliance of three nations.

This might be a deliberate provocation, meant to provoke a reflexive reaction from the young prince.

‘What should I say? What would be the best response…?’

It had to uphold the dignity of the imperial family and benefit the empire.

But before he could decide, Eriponi raised her teacup again, and Jin’s chance to speak slipped away.

“The tea is truly delicious, Your Highness. It seems to wash away the weariness of your journey in an instant.”

“Ah. Yes. That’s good to hear.”

Romandro gave a subtle nod to the officials—a silent signal that it was time to wrap things up.

Prince Jin looked uncomfortable, and Luswena’s attitude was downright arrogant. Instead of discussing matters of state, they were insulting the prince over mere gifts. Clearly, another meeting was in order.

“…Your Highness,” someone began.

But Jin frowned, clearly refusing. If he backed down now, wouldn’t that mean he’d truly been slighted? It would undermine Bariel’s dignity.

Jin took a steadying breath and sipped his tea, as if to say, “Just wait.” Eriphony kept watching the boy’s face intently.

‘How adorable. So cute.’

What could be going on inside that little head? Even as the empire’s prince, what could a ten-year-old really do?

Eriphony couldn’t help but smile quietly.

Just then, the door to the parlor opened, and the atmosphere shifted instantly.

“Ah.”

“Excuse me.”

A low, refined voice. Eriphony instinctively turned her head. People naturally stepped back, clearing a path.

Golden hair, emerald eyes.

And a youthful face.

“Oh.”

Eriphony let out an intrigued sound without meaning to. It was none other than the famous Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic.

Ian entered accompanied by a group of mages, as if returning from an errand. Romandro hurried over, whispering like a ventriloquist.

“Was everything handled well, Lord Ian?”

Why the late arrival?

Ian seemed to hear the unspoken question. After all, the mood in the room had been strange. They’d only just stepped out moments ago.

Ian leaned in and whispered to Romandro.

“There was an issue with the magical artifact, but it was nothing serious.”

Then, locking eyes with Eriphony, he asked,

“What were you discussing?”