Chapter 321: Chapter 321
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"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived to meet your presence."
"Tsk! Let him in. He comes whenever he wants this heir of mine." — At his Royal lounge, Francois grumbled for he had been waiting impatiently for the son he could never hold grasp of even when living under his roof.
The doors were opened and the collected Zeleskiaz entered, meeting his father’s gaze only to find a frown on him. One he was indifferent to.
"Good day, your majesty."
"It should be. Yet it isn’t. Why did it take you so long to come report to me? I know the cute child has been here for a while now."
"I was busy."
"With what!? It’s the first time I see you after she left, you d*rn hypocrite!! I know you’ve made Biel do your work while you escaped my shadow’s eye!!!"
"... She arrived fine."
"... Haaaaaaa... this son of mine..." — Exasperated by Zeleskiaz’s indifference, the Emperor’s hand came to press his own forehead. Yet taking a moment to calm down as his frustration would only continue when against his aloof son, he resumed into the matter he was interested in. — "How is she? Her bodyguard I know he arrived along with her, but did you sense the one from Umbra Quadrigis?"
"She is alright. Both were around, although that Umbra she has..." — Taking a moment to recall an attack by his hand, Zeleskiaz stayed quiet, only telling what mattered on the issue. — "He’s bold and lacks skill. He’s easy to spot."
"... If it’s you he’ll always be spotted."
"Indeed."
Silence followed his confident reply and keeping to himself the wish to contradict the Prince even when his sayings were correct, Francois sighed, this time only to observe Zeleskiaz’s well-kept appearance, one he only used on special occasions and now if a certain woman was around.
"Heh... So you dressed up? Was she charmed?"
"... A privileged guest arrived, was I to wear armour to receive her?"
"Son. With that attitude, you won’t ever charm the cute child. You are still a sprout when it comes to love, huh? And to think you are the Empire’s hero~ this is a different battlefield you’re in~"
"... Since I have said what was needed I will take my leave now."
"Hey! I’m serious! She won’t like you if you’re this boring! Make the cute child laugh at the very least, don’t be so serious all the time!"
"Then. If I make the humble joke of not bringing her to you to share lunch, will that make me less boring?"
"... Nevermind. You better keep the seriousness. Your jokes aren’t even funny... Sigh! Poor child. Poor heir of mine... to think he could be rejected for being this boring... Not even your graceful mother–"
*Bang* — The sound of the lounge’s door resounded while Francois dramatized, enjoying teasing his eldest, cutting his scene and making him stare blankly at the closed entrance of a lounge now devoid of the Crown Prince.
"Hah. He’s probably thinking he’s actually not funny right now. Serves him right. Making me wait to only show that annoying confidence of his..." — Coming back to hold the wine he had lowered once the Prince entered, Francois squinted his eyes while drinking its juice. — "He didn’t even stay to talk further... He’s simply not cute at all."
Tasting the wine in his mouth his countenance quickly softened after the thought came out. Grinning as he pictured the son in love and the father of the child his love pertained to.
"This should be fun, nonetheless... Being in love should make him humble. The cute child shouldn’t be easy to handle since she’s Orland’s child... and you, my friend..." — Glancing at the letter that arrived along the lady, Francois’s mischievous smirk widened. — "Keep investigating. I’ll take good care of your daughter... as much as it’s a serious matter you are away for... I still want revenge."
Already planning his jests against his offspring and childhood friend, the Emperor smiled, pleased by the flavour of the sip of an announced victory instilled within the winery taste of his grail. Leaving it overly elegant on the near table, solely to stand energized by the outcome he wanted to accomplish.
"First, since Zeleskiaz is still useless in courtship, I shall aim to be called Uncle Frois~ Later, I’ll have to help this ignorant son of mine so I get to be called Father in law~ always embarrassing him a little too since it will teach him respect... ah~~ Orland~~ have fun unveiling those worrisome matters~ My soon to be daughter in law is in good hands~~"
Taking the elegant cape he was to flaunt along with luxurious jewellery and suits, Francois singsonged happy to have the chosen by Fenrir under his roof again. Becoming more excited as the events that would occur during her long stay were recalled.
"The Summer Festival shall be the best it has been seen in centuries, then the hunting competition and later the Autumn Ball... Things will become interesting between the young ones..." — Lowering the cape of deep red, Francois became solemn. Thinking that between those young ones, his offspring were involved.
The children’s faces surfaced in his mind. Aware that he did not know them well enough as a Father should.
A soft smile emerged. Even when thinking of his unruly firstborn whose coldness could never fade when exchanging words with himself. And to their illusioned picture, a thought was said so only the Emperor could hear.
’Although I am not to get closer to any of you... I will do what I can... So that at least you are happy while peace reigns in this Royal Family.’
The awareness of the past would keep him restricted. All out of a selfish desire to protect himself along with those that made up his family.
"... Is the banquet ready?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"... Is the Ninth’s squad completed? In a few days, her exposure to the Empire’s people will be official. We ought to hand the command to her by then."
"Thankfully, they have been selected. Their troops are to receive their distinctive armour shortly and the emblem of her squad has been embroidered with the finest materials of the continent. It is now only meant to be cursed by Fenrir’s satisfied acknowledgement. This at the Grand Summer Day of the Festival."
"Perfect... In a few minutes, go to the Ninth’s whereabouts and announce their summon to today’s welcoming banquet with the Royal Family. Make sure all members are informed."
Becoming admirable as the Sovereign of an Empire, Francois recomposed his demeanour... For the time he was to permit lament to inundate his chest was over...