Chapter 162: Chapter 162 — It’s Official.
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Francois was expectant, waiting at his Audience Hall in the company of his also enthusiastic youngest son, fidgety to the Lady’s and Crown Prince’s arrival.
Parent and child had made their escape from Duke Sylfinnier’s office successfully and walked to the Audience Hall, the Emperor was supposed to attend his subjects at, according to His Grace.
The path they coursed was quiet as Francois only focused on leading the way a few steps ahead of his child who shyly followed, slowly growing anxious to be left with his unattainable Father and preoccupied with the possibility of not being able to properly converse with him as he was supposed to.
Nonetheless, the indifferent Emperor had other things in mind as he took more steps through his Palace’s corridors.
The man was joyous in a childish victory and aware that his schedule did not have any subject to receive this morning, his mood only heightened in leisure.
’What should I do~? The cute child as a daughter-in-law ~... My Grandchildren might earn Izeneya by only being her offspring~ hohoho~’
His imagination was going berserk in anticipation of an uncertain future. Yet the delight of the illusion filled his chest with fresh tingling happiness, for the girl had gained his favour outstandingly quick with her gracious behaviour.
’... But Zeleskiaz... Sigh... He might be my heir but... The cute child might resent me later for offering that inconsiderate brat to take her as bride.....’ — The Monarch thought.
Francois was aware that his son lacked the delicacy the Lady deserved to be treated with. Moreover, he was ignorant that his son’s heart was amassing an unexpected emotion within him... which was slowly driving him into developing the necessary care to treat the Lovely Lady.
’... Although he doesn’t deserve her, I can still annoy Orland with this, Haha! He must be fainting at the idea as I happily take a stroll, Phwahahwa!!’
His walk continued, eventually reaching the Doors of his Hall.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Highness." — The guards at the Doors said in a chorus as they spotted their Ruler.
Receiving the Monarch’s admirable nod of his head, the men proceeded to open the high entrance and bowed in respect at their Emperor and Prince stepping into the honourable court.
Glancing at one awaiting servant, Francois lifted his limb and with the light twist of his fingers he ordered with a distant attitude:
"Prepare wine. Also, a chair for my son to sit at my side."
Crossing the lengthy room at a steady pace, the two Royals arrived at the towering Throne flaunting a pairing chair at its side, just as he demanded.
"Seat, Diovlecià."
"Ye–Yes."
The child obeyed, slightly struggling to seat properly in the large chair assigned to him.
As soon as Francois sat on his Throne, his chalice arrived, and taking it in his grasp, the aromatic wine was served, shining its elegant light as the juice of a carefully selected crop filled the container in intrinsic melody.
Taking in its scent, to then savour its taste, Francois smirked, content at the luxury in his hand.
"... Third Prince. Unbeknownst to the Duke, there is only one thing I should do in hast besides attending subjects."
"..." — Dioclecià intently listened to his Father, who did not seem to expect an answer from him.
"I believe fate has made it so you assist me in this certain matter."
"!!... What matter could it be that his Majesty, believes so?"
"Hoho... This morning you learned of the Lady being chosen by the First Empress’s chamber, didn’t you?"
"Yes!!"
"!?... Uhm..." — The eager response of his son seemed difficult to accustom to for Francois. Yet, bereft his surprise, the Emperor continued. — "She has now become ’The Ninth Calla’s Confidant’ according to history she’s the ninth successor to the title, however, the scripts say she is also to receive a Surname to her Title."
"... Ah... However, her Surname is the Duke’s... that is..."
"Oh, she does not lose her household’s name. I would die first." — Francois reassured the concerned child as his true reason for such reassurance crossed his thoughts. — ’That b*stard would take my Crown before letting that happen.’
"?? Then, what is this Surname His Majesty refers to?"
"....." — The Emperor maliciously smirked in silence as his hand played with the chalice in it, admiring the clashing waves provoked by his wrists movement before addressing the answer. — "Fenrir’s."
"?!??!"
"It is said that Fenrir shall grant to the chamber’s confidant a defining Role to its Title... Hence, Fenrir is to deliver said Role through the House’s Head he protects... Which brings us to the matter I need your assistance in, Dioclecià."
"!!! Your Majesty! May I believe His Excellency desires to discuss the Lady’s Title with me???"
"Huh? Are you not following what I’m saying, child? That’s right. The Lady needs a befitting Surname as a Role. I need good ideas for she deserves the best we can grant her."
"!! Indeed!"
"Therefore, I want to know your opinion on some I’ve been thinking on the way here... She needs one to honour her innocence as well as her refinement... As the Youngest, I believe you ought to present the innocence she needs...–"
"And His Majesty the refinement!" — The excited child interrupted.
"!... Haha! That’s right, Dioclecià! My thoughts indeed! Hohoho~"
"Hehe!"
"..." — After the fine exchange, Francois watched the shy laughter of his child with misplaced delight. And, regardless of the new view, he continued his sayings amidst his fascination. — "Alright. Come closer, Dioclecià. We need to consider this carefully..."
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"Your Majesty, Sir Ervin has informed the Crown Prince and the honourable Guest of your summon. His words were: ’The rage did not climb. His Highness is to make his way along the Lady shortly.’
... Sir Ervin is to arrive ahead as the Crown Prince’s petition."
"... Well done." — ’That brat... He won’t lose opportunities to be alone with her... Sly... Yet clever... Haha... He certainly resembles me on that! Hahwaha!’
"... Hihi~..."
Hearing once more the playful giggle of the Third Prince, which he failed to hide, Francois rolled his eyes in discretion to watch the child trying to restrain an overly big smile from appearing in his youthful expression.
’... His laugh is cute... Did Zeleskiaz and Sverre also laugh like this at his age??..... Those two are so stiff it’s difficult to imagine now...’
The Emperor contemplated with curiosity for he had never heard his sons’ spontaneous laugh.
Only his daughter’s, Princess Jasmine’s laughter was known to him, for he had at times witnessed his only daughter laugh in her mother’s company and when conversing with the Ladies who served her.
"... Sigh..." — ’... The question is... If they are able to laugh... Severe doesn’t seem the type to know laughter... And Zeleskiaz... Hmm... He went to war for "fun" so maybe he laughed there?.....’
"... Bloody children I have..." — His tired realisation at his heir laughing while in battle made his curse come out in a frustrated mumble.
"??" — Dioclecià did not hear his mutter clearly. Hence, the little Prince innocently tilted his head in wonder.
’... His Majesty seems impatient... Hehe... I also am... The selected Surname of the Lady... How exciting!’
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’Haa... aack... I hate the Palace... Why is everything so far?? I feel like we’ve been walking around the whole place...’
It must have passed around fifteen minutes since we left the Prince’s office and we haven’t arrived at the Emperor’s!
’Was the way so long before?? I don’t recall it taking so long from the Audience Hall there... We made it there very quick yesterday...’
"..."
Glancing at the arm I had my hand wrapped around, I rolled my eyes upwards to peek at the Crown Prince escorting me to the Emperor’s presence.
’Is it that we’re going slower than I did when following the servant???... Theressa was also there so I had my mind busy to recognise the way we took...’
The possibility of him taking a longer route crossed my mind. However, it could also be a matter of perception that’s playing with my senses.
Being in constant silence does cause another effect.
And this guy... Hasn’t said a word after offering his arm to guide me.
If not because I tapped his arm, we could be still seating there, waiting for him to answer the poor guy outside the door.
He seemed lost in thought, very concentrated as he watched the closed door trying to pierce it with his gaze.
I felt like the long wait the servant was going through after acting weird, raising his voice by the end of conveying the Emperor’s message, was not nice from the Crown Prince... Although I do understand why his voice trembled.
Even though it was a message from the Emperor, saying his Master’s face is annoying does seem a matter to piss oneself. More so if the Master is known as a madman.
Therefore, I tried pushing some response from him by calling him back to earth.
The Crown Prince eventually sent off the servant saying he would guide me there on his own and so on.
And now, here we are.
Being suspicious of him making me go in circles.
’Sigh... I really hope he’s not doing it... My legs will end up just as, or maybe even more tired than yesterday if we keep this up.’
Shwiiing, clank.
In the midst of my sigh, I heard the slightly familiar sound of moving armour. And lifting my gaze to look further ahead, I saw knights politely saluting as we came closer, along with a familiar man.
"Your Highness... His Majesty is not ha–"
"He should learn to wait."
"..." — ’... So we did take longer... B*stard.’
Annoyed at the confirmation of my suppositions, cursed at the Prince, and taking my eyes back at the obviously frustrated servant...
"... I shall announce you now, Your Highness."
Observing him as he declared his next actions, I knew that on the inside... The guy wanted to curse at the Prince just as I did.