Chapter 317
Ian entered the main palace conference room with his usual composed demeanor.
In the wide corridor, the officials waiting on either side noticed his presence and stood up. These were the subordinates of the ministers attending the grand council. They greeted Ian with subtle nods and glances.
“Good day, Lord Ian.”
“You’re late. How’s the meeting going?”
“Everything except the magic department agenda is underway. The cultural ministry just finished discussing the ‘increase in arts funding’ proposal. The secretary will deliver the previous records to Lord Romandro.”
The prime minister’s aide opened the conference room door for him.
This was Jin’s first grand council as Crown Prince. Ian had worried—was he doing well? Was he struggling with anything unfamiliar?
“Amazing. Is the effect really that good?”
“Yes. The numbers far exceeded expectations.”
“That’s about the same cost as during the initial construction phase, isn’t it?”
“Correct. So, with the remaining surplus…”
Seated at the head of the table, Jin listened to the minister’s report with a dignified expression. The atmosphere was calm and unruffled.
Ian suddenly recalled the first time he attended a grand council holding the child’s hand. Did Jin realize how much he had grown since then? Ian hoped he did.
“Oh, Lord Ian.”
Jin, flipping through documents, spotted Ian. At the same time, the ministers turned their heads. Since the Crown Prince had withdrawn the magic department’s burden, they were watching closely to see how relations had shifted. Ian entered slowly and greeted them.
“My apologies, Your Highness. I’m late.”
“No worries. I heard about it. The magical barrier at the palace entrance overheated suddenly. Any problems?”
“Yes. It was a calculation error due to a formula discrepancy. It’s been resolved, so no need to worry.”
“Well done. Please, have a seat.”
The meeting flowed smoothly. Ian listened attentively, anticipating the earlier discussions. Romandro brought over the meeting minutes and handed them to him.
Ian quickly scanned the text and couldn’t help but smile.
“…Ruswena hasn’t designated any duty-free goods yet. If they request silver, it might be best to coordinate with Palepiphontz to regulate silver trade…”
The word “Palepiphontz” caught Ian’s ear. Did Jin know about this? Reflexively, Ian picked up his pen and glanced toward the head seat. Habitually, he jotted down notes in the margin when he encountered unfamiliar terms.
But what met Ian’s eyes was the Crown Prince confidently raising his hand to interrupt the minister’s speech.
“Wait. Let’s clarify—what is Palepiphontz?”
“Ah, my apologies. It’s the largest merchant guild in Bariel that trades gold and silver.”
“That wasn’t in the report, so I asked. If it had been, I would have studied it beforehand. Do you want this meeting to drag on?”
Half-joking, the boy chided the minister. He knew there were many gaps. That was why he had insisted on detailed written reports before the meeting.
Seizing the moment, other ministers joined in with playful remarks.
“Your Highness, the author’s son just started walking, and he’s been complaining that he can’t rest once he gets home these past few days.”
“Oh, no, Your Highness. I’m very happy.”
“Isn’t your wife also a ministry official?”
“Yes. Maybe that’s why he hoped the meeting would last longer.”
Ian twirled his pen, soaking in the warm atmosphere. It was a delicate balance of interests perfectly aligned.
The officials were unusually cordial toward Jin to keep the magic department in check, and Jin used that goodwill to reveal his own shortcomings.
Everything was running smoothly. After a brief silence, Ian gave the prime minister a subtle nod.
“Please continue the meeting.”
The prime minister cleared his throat and lightly tapped his gavel.
“Alright, let’s proceed. If we keep this up, we’ll be late. Burgos is about to leave the palace, and it would be troublesome if the schedule gets delayed.”
“Yes, so, regarding Ruswena…”
As the minister hurriedly resumed his speech, Jin glanced sideways at Ian, pretending to review documents. Had he noticed? Did he realize he could now participate in meetings without Ian’s help?
Ian hoped the boy sensed that, despite some gaps, he was standing on his own. That way, Jin could trust and rely on him while gradually gaining independence.
“Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
At the prime minister’s call, Jin turned his head calmly. The speeches were over. The prime minister reviewed the documents and proposed wrapping up.
“All matters except those concerning the magic department have been discussed. However, King Burgos’s departure is imminent…”
“What about the magic department, Lord Ian?”
“Yes, Your Highness. There are no issues requiring joint discussion—just progress reports. If time is tight, you may receive them in writing.”
Ian bowed slightly to indicate no problems. Silence fell as tension tightened. The moment had come. Jin cautiously scanned the room and spoke.
“Then, is there any objection to proceeding with the decisions made in today’s meeting as is?”
The ministers’ eyes quickly shifted to Ian. Since these proposals were made while the magic department was absent, it meant everyone except that side essentially agreed.
Ian tapped the edge of the document with his pen.
“…Lord Ian?”
“Yes. No objections.”
The prime minister moved to urge a conclusion, but Ian, resolute, set down his pen. The room relaxed but wore puzzled expressions. Why so easily accepted? It wasn’t a trivial matter…
“That means the palace is raising budgets for all departments except the magic department.”
“They were already receiving excessive funds. Asking to match other departments is only fair. Plus, the payment for Luron stones is still pending. Lord Ian can’t be blamed for avoiding trouble with the magic department’s annex.”
“Did you not see the next page?”
“I did. I saw it when it was passed earlier.”
Magic sealing stones are the only means to physically control mages. Ian had distributed them once before, but now the palace planned to grant a small number to the Royal Guard again.
This effectively empowered the Royal Guard, who protect the emperor, to counterbalance the magic department.
Though symbolic at first, it signaled that the Crown Prince was beginning to ease his grip on the magic department.
“But who could oppose this? It doesn’t reduce the magic department’s authority—it’s just granting palace property.”
“Exactly. That would be overstepping and a challenge to the palace. It’s a risky move for them as well.”
“We’ll have to watch the situation for a while, yes.”
Whispers about Ian circulated quietly but frequently, stirring the atmosphere. The prime minister quickly tapped his gavel to restore order.
“Then, let’s conclude today’s grand council. Thank you all for your efforts.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s move promptly to see off Burgos.”
“Agreed. Since it’s the neighboring palace, we can walk.”
The ministers rose in a rush and dispersed, eager to avoid any trouble with the magic department.
Ian calmly tapped the document’s edge to tidy it. Jin lowered his head, studying Ian’s expression.
“Lord Ian, are you alright?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The fatigue has passed. I heard you weren’t feeling well either. The appointment ceremony was tough, wasn’t it?”
More than that.
He was asking if it was truly okay for Ian to step back like this. Was there any misunderstanding or mistake? Did this align with Ian’s wishes? The boy’s gaze clung persistently, and Ian tilted his head in curiosity.
“Why do you ask, Your Highness?”
“Because you were late to the meeting.”
Who told him to be late? Showing up late to such a place naturally invites disadvantages. Jin narrowed his eyes, and Ian smiled faintly.
“Yes, that’s true. If possible, I would have come earlier. After all, it was your first meeting to lead.”
Ah, he smiled. That was a relief. This was the right path. Jin composed himself and stood with dignity.
Then, from behind came a thunderous announcement.
“Your Highness, soon will be my mother’s engagement ceremony…”
“I know. Of course, I’m aware.”
Since she planned to wear the earrings he gave her, he surely intended to attend. Ian smiled sadly.
“Will you be able to make it?”
“…Why, why do you ask?”
“I thought you might have a lot of work.”
Jin’s eyes widened. Yes. It was only right to keep distance now, even with Philia. The palace wasn’t foolish; superficial checks wouldn’t work. If Jin attended a private event like his mother’s engagement, it would imply their relationship was unchanged.
But Jin froze, looking deeply shocked.
“Your Highness?”
“…Yes. There is a lot, a lot of work.”
“Don’t worry, I will speak to my mother. Please focus on state affairs.”
As Jin paused, Xiaosi and Romandro, waiting by the door, peeked their heads in simultaneously.
Ian hurriedly gestured to Romandro, signaling that they should leave quickly. But Xiaosi brushed past him and approached Jin. Meeting the child’s eye level, Xiaosi noticed how uncomfortable Jin looked.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?”
“Just a moment, um…”
“Yes, understood.”
Xiaosi gave a subtle nod toward those waiting outside, including Ian and Romandro. With Romandro trailing behind Ian, still wearing a puzzled expression, they left the conference room, leaving only Jin and Xiaosi inside.
“…”
With a soft thud, the child pressed their forehead against the wall and crouched down. Fighting back a sob, Jin began to sniffle quietly. Xiaosi gently patted the child’s shoulder and asked,
“Are you feeling unwell? Is something hurting you?”
“Well, it’s just that Filia’s engagement is next week.”
“Yes, I heard the rumors. It’s said that Lord Ian took his first vacation since his appointment.”
At that, Xiaosi paused, a sudden realization dawning.
They had vaguely sensed the strange tension between the two. Jin had never spoken openly about it, but since the appointment ceremony, there was clearly some distance between them.
Whether it was a relief or not, the fact that there seemed to be no recent negative feelings was somewhat comforting.
Jin remained crouched, muttering softly.
“I’m so busy… I don’t think I can go…”
“Do you want to go?”
“…No. There’s just too much work.”
So, you do want to go.
Xiaosi knelt down beside the child, studying their face. Tears shimmered, threatening to spill.
“If you truly want to go, Your Highness, then go. It’s alright.”
“No, I can’t. I have too much work… And if others find out, it’ll lose all meaning…”
Jin meant that if they attended, the effort to keep Ian at a distance would be wasted. Xiaosi thought for a moment, then whispered softly,
“You could go secretly. I’ll find a way.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now, please get up. How can the Crown Prince be crouching like this?”
Jin took Xiaosi’s hand and let them help him to his feet. A tear nearly escaped, but was quickly wiped away with a sleeve, leaving no trace.
Then the child’s expression turned pouty. Ian really was thoughtless—couldn’t he just let the engagement ceremony pass without a fuss? It was only a few days difference!
“Ian is too much. Really.”
“Should I scold him?”
“Who would dare scold Lord Ian?”
Even the Prime Minister wouldn’t dare in the palace. Thinking that over, Xiaosi suddenly understood why everyone seemed so desperate to get at Ian.
“How dare anyone…”
Xiaosi smiled playfully, smoothing Jin’s clothes, while Romandro, who had been walking ahead, scratched his ear.
“Who’s talking about me?”
“Why do you ask, Lord Romandro?”
“Nothing, my ear just itched. By the way, what were you talking about with His Highness Jin earlier? His expression didn’t look good.”
Ian glanced at Romandro nervously, then mumbled,
“Nothing.”
“Nothing, huh? That doesn’t sound like nothing.”
“…I told His Highness not to worry if he couldn’t attend his mother’s engagement ceremony due to work.”
Romandro stopped dead in his tracks, his face twisting in disbelief. How could it be? The thing His Highness Jin had been so eagerly awaiting…!
“Ian!”
Romandro shouted in shock, forgetting all decorum. Ian hurriedly pretended not to hear and slipped away. That cold-hearted workaholic!
Rolling up his sleeves, Romandro gave chase, determined to catch up with Ian.