Chapter 310

“Long live His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness! Please look this way.”

“Glory to Bariel! Glory to the Crown Prince!”

The golden carriage slowly made its way down the central avenue. Amidst the swirling flower petals, Jin smiled brightly, as if the weight of the golden crown was nothing at all.

Like a noble surveying the world from above, he never bowed his head. Jin kept waving his right hand, occasionally raising the Crown Prince’s scepter to elicit cheers from his subjects.

“Waaah! Your Highness! Your Highness!”

“Please take care of us, Crown Prince!”

Hadn’t all the laughter and celebration over the past few days been leading up to this moment? The crowd showered Jin with flowers and congratulations, which were swept away by a magical barrier that fluttered like the wind, scattering them back into the air.

Truly, the surroundings were transformed into a wonderland, a sea of blossoms.

Buuuu— Buuu—

The sound of water buffalo horns echoed from the end of the procession.

It was the signal that they had reached the turning point and were heading back to the palace.

Though reluctant, the citizens followed the carriage, eager to catch one last glimpse of Jin. Amid the strange harmonies of the marching band and street musicians, more and more people began to dance in circles.

“Ian.”

“Prepare.”

At Ian’s command, the mages took to the air in unison. A vast darkness formed around Jin, spreading instantly along the path the carriage had traveled and the road ahead.

A blackness so deep it seemed capable of erasing everything.

The watching crowd murmured nervously and stepped back.

“Look! Look down there!”

“The entire central road has turned black!”

“Daddy, hold me! I’m scared!”

“It’s okay. The mages must be preparing something amazing.”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Whoosh!

The mages conjured the darkness, and Ian created stars. In an instant, the kilometers-long stretch transformed into a shimmering Milky Way.

The crowd was left speechless at the sight, never having seen anything like it before. The flow of the cosmos unfolding in broad daylight, the golden carriage riding that celestial river, and their Crown Prince aboard.

Everything was awe-inspiring, beautiful, and perfect.

“Wow…”

“My goodness, it’s so magnificent.”

The festive atmosphere quieted, settling into a reverent calm.

The birth of a new leader was cause for celebration, yes, but above all, it demanded awe. The marching band played louder, stronger, more grandly than ever.

Creak.

The procession continued until it reached the palace gates. Before entering, Jin rose from his seat, waving both hands, and the citizens responded with hymns.

“Ba-ri-el!”

The golden carriage disappeared inside the palace.

One by one, the cavalry trailing behind also vanished from sight.

But the songs they sang in unison grew louder, blazing like a fire. As the palace gates closed completely, the Milky Way that had stretched across Bariel’s capital vanished like a mirage.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

The carriage stopped before the main palace. The Prime Minister greeted Jin with concern.

To endure the heat of so many people at once— even adults would find it overwhelming. And here was a child, alone, facing thousands of subjects.

The Prime Minister kept checking on Jin’s condition, but the boy simply waved his hand, signaling to proceed with the report.

“What of the dignitaries and nobles from the three kingdoms?”

“They have moved to the banquet hall and are socializing.”

Jin removed his cloak and entered the main palace chambers with the Prime Minister. It had been a long time since he last saw his father, the Emperor. The attendants stayed behind, while officials began organizing the carriages and soldiers.

“…Ugh.”

“Felix, are you feeling unwell?”

“Sorry. I overused my magic.”

“That’s why I told you to stay back. Ian, Felix first—”

The cleanup in the magic department was especially chaotic. Covering kilometers of road with magic was no easy feat. They had completely exhausted their reserves, unable to cast even a simple spell for days.

“Ian!”

“That’s enough. Quiet down.”

Ian lowered his head, covering his nose with his sleeve. Though his dark clothes made it hard to see, the bloodstains on his pale skin were clear.

“My goodness. Where’s your handkerchief? Romandro! Look at Ian! Oh no, what do we do?”

“Huh? What’s wrong— Ah! Ian!”

“Romandro, please quiet everyone and help with the cleanup. The mages and I will head to the magic department first.”

“Don’t worry, just get going quickly. Bring the magic department carriage first! Oh no, is he still bleeding?”

“What!? Ian’s bleeding!?”

“Quiet, Beric, you fool!”

“I heard Romandro’s voice! Who’s telling who to be quiet? Ian, look— he’s got a nosebleed?”

Ian laughed, brushing off their fuss. The flustered mages, as well as Romandro and Beric, all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Your Highness?”

In the hallway leading to the bedroom.

Jin paused briefly, glancing back at the noise outside, but then turned away. At the Prime Minister’s urging, he continued forward.

Swoosh.

“…Has His Majesty’s health improved?”

Jin felt a chill at his fingertips and frowned. This should have been the coziest, most peaceful place in the palace, yet it felt cold and eerie.

They had strictly followed the medical staff’s advice to bar all outsiders for absolute rest. Had he known it would be like this, Jin would have inspected earlier and pointed out what was lacking.

“…My apologies.”

“Yes. His Majesty is very frail.”

Creak.

The Prime Minister opened the bedroom door, unlocking it.

At that moment, Jin sensed something was wrong and stepped back, his expression wary and fierce.

“Prime Minister?”

His heart pounded. Had danger come the moment he became Crown Prince? He was alone here— no Xiaoxi, no Lord Ian…

“Oh dear, you’re startled. I apologize. But there is no cause for concern. This is to maintain security, and I swear it was all His Majesty’s wish.”

“His Majesty’s wish,” he said.

The phrase carried the unmistakable tone of a final testament. The Prime Minister gestured for Jin to follow, and though still cautious, the boy did so slowly.

The spacious bedroom was exactly as Jin remembered. A peach tree stood outside the floor-to-ceiling window. If his memory served, it was connected to Gale’s birth mother.

“…Father?”

Jin approached the Emperor lying there. His appearance was unchanged from the last time—deep wrinkles, white hair, and gaunt hands.

“……?”

Something was odd. There were small wounds on his hands. He shouldn’t be moving much if he was unwell. When Jin looked back at the Prime Minister, the truth was revealed.

“His Majesty is currently in a state of suspended animation. During the civil war, he suffered a fatal wound from Marib’s sword. To prevent chaos following his passing, this decision was made. His wounds, including the abdominal stab, have not healed.”

“What on earth…?”

“His Majesty wished for an official heir to secure the royal family’s stability. That position has passed to Your Highness. I now entrust you with the secret I have borne all this time.”

The boy blinked in disbelief, clutching his father’s hand. Though the Emperor was essentially hovering between life and death, the shock was immense, having never suspected this.

“Who else knows?”

“Former General Beols, Lady Dilaina—”

All long dead and silent.

“And Lord Ian.”

“…Lord Ian too?”

“Please do not be upset that it was not disclosed earlier. This was a matter of utmost importance and His Majesty’s final command.”

Jin said nothing. He simply hid in the dim shadows of the room, staring at his father who was neither truly alive nor dead.

What was he thinking? The Prime Minister tried to guess the Crown Prince’s thoughts but realized it was futile after hearing the boy’s hesitation.

“…I think Lord Ian and I will walk different paths.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just as I said. Lord Ian and I are destined for different roads.”

The Prime Minister understood the words but not their meaning. Jin and Ian had been different from birth; naturally, their paths would diverge.

Could it be…

“Has Lord Ian overstepped his bounds?”

Though he had deliberately tolerated Jarrett’s interference, deep down he had an odd trust in Ian.

The Prime Minister knelt before Jin, shocked. If that were true, it was serious. There was no one in the palace who could counterbalance Ian, the Minister of Magic.

Jin shook his head firmly.

“Absolutely not. I share your concern. So, even if our paths diverge, it’s best I prepare to walk alone.”

He meant to adjust Ian’s overwhelming presence, power, and influence. The Prime Minister swallowed hard, calming his racing heart.

“A wise decision. Anything that leans too far one way will topple. I will assist you wholeheartedly.”

“I look forward to your counsel.”

“Hmm. Perhaps we should wait to discuss details until after the dignitaries from the three kingdoms have left. For now, moving your residence might be best.”

No Crown Prince had ever lived in the magic department before. With Dilaina’s palace renovations nearly complete, returning to the main residence seemed wise. First, reestablishing physical distance was the beginning.

Jin nodded briefly.

“Understood. Let’s do that. You may leave first.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will wait down the hall.”

He was an emperor, distant and untouchable—but he was still a father. Knowing that he was frozen only deepened the sorrow. Though today was a day of great celebration for the empire, for the child, it was nothing short of tragedy. The prime minister, considerate of this, quietly left the bedroom, allowing the boy to grieve freely.

Creak.

Left alone, the boy didn’t look back at the emperor. He simply sank onto the sofa, clutching his head in his hands.

His shoulders trembled, and tears traced down the bridge of his nose. He stifled his sobs with all his might, but the quiet weeping still escaped. There was no way to catch the tears with his hands—how could they be stopped any more than that?

“Ian knows the emperor’s condition.”

It was certain now. If Ian had any other intentions, that wise man wouldn’t have left him alive. Before, he had assumed that since the emperor was still alive, Ian would position himself as the rightful heir through a will or some other means.

But the emperor—his father—was already half dead. If he had wanted, he would have claimed everything by now. There was no need to elevate him to crown prince and share the secret of the freezing.

“So then, why is Ian doing this—”

A pillar. A safe distance—enough so that if one fell, the other could still stand.

Jin wiped the tears streaming down his face, frustration choking him. He wanted to say he didn’t want this, but the weight of the golden crown pinned him down, making him unable to move.

Swish.

Using the handkerchief Ian had given him, Jin dabbed at his eyes and sniffled. He remembered Ian’s expression when he had asked for help and received no answer.

Ian told him not to cry, but did he even realize what expression he wore at that moment?

“I understand. Ian. I understand.”

Jin muttered as he steadied his breath. If Ian stepped back to create distance, then he would help in return. It would be too hard if Ian retreated ten steps alone, so he would take five steps back himself.

That way, it would be easier to come back.

For both sides.

“I just have to be strong. I have to be able to stand on my own.”

It was a problem both simple and complex.

Jin clasped his hands together in prayer, just like at the coronation. Please, let ten steps be enough. Don’t let the distance grow too great. So that even if they were apart, they could still see each other.

A breeze stirred, shaking the withered leaves of the peach tree.