Chapter 140: Chapter 140
Unbeknownst to the child, these details are concealed within his older brother’s involute convictions. Hence, now, Dioclecià walked hurriedly once again, joyfully holding hope in a corner of his mind to fortuitously cross paths again with his older Brother.
’I wonder if he will be paying hospitality to the Guest Lady... It’s the first time he personally invites someone, therefore... Brother Zeleskiaz must also think highly of the pretty Lady...’
His path was long, yet, in eagerness to meet his Brother, the innocent child would make it longer, roaming through the intrinsic hallways that lengthened his arrival at the respective study room.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
"!!"
Suddenly listening closing steps, Dioclecià lightened up, looking expectant at the intersecting hall ahead of him, to know if it was indeed the one he was walking long distances in search of.
’I-Is it Brother Zeleskiaz??... He doesn’t usually make noise...’
Dubious by not hearing the known stealthy steps his brother usually gave, the child wondered if it certainly was him.
It was only once the feet of the owner peeked from the adjacent corridor as his figure became evident that disappointment came over him to quickly change into timid fright.
"Hmm? Dioclecià?... Son... What are the odds to find my youngest on the corridor..."
Tightening his lips in nervousness, the child swallowed in preparation to greet his Father, the Emperor, who he never had encountered through the years on those corridors.
"Greetings..... G-Good Morning, Your Excellence..."
"... Are you on the way to your lectures now?" — Watching how awkward his son appeared, Francois felt sadness as he nonchalantly tried to continue the conversation.
"Y-Yes!... I have... Uh... I must attend History of the Empire... Umm... And..... Maths....."
"... I see..... That’s boring." — The tactless Emperor said.
"...ah..... Um..."
’Ah... Bloody hell..... Have I made him uncomfortable again??’ — Francois thought, seeing his son troubled to respond.
"Dioclecià."
"... Yes? Your Majesty?"
’Agh, d*mn it. This is why I hate my kids... All just address me with honorifics, taking all their cuteness away!... It’s my fault too for not interacting much with them, but..... Sigh...’ — The Emperor whined, before telling his child his new plan.
"Do you remember the Lady I introduced you to yesterday, son?"
"... Lovely... Interesting... And clever Lady Marianne??"
"!!? Cough!... Uh... Ahem... Yes... You don’t need to repeat the introduction I made..." — The man said, ashamed of his yesterday self and slightly upset at his youngest son’s memory. — "I am on my way to invite her to breakfast..... So, forget your studies."
"Uh?!?"
"Yes, come with your Father to share some tea with the Lady. I may not seem like it... But I noticed you yesterday, son, wanting to seat alongside the Lady."
"!!!"
It was indeed the truth. As a Monarch Francois had amassed a good eye when interacting with others.
As one who had the highest Title in the Empire, and so, the most endangered one to be betrayed by his close followers, the Emperor had an efficient eye to analyse people’s true intentions while in his presence.
Although his other Family members seemed mostly nonchalant to the Lady, the youngest one, who still had the innocence within him to not refrain his true feelings from emerging on the surface, along with his eldest one, were the only two who had attained the most of his attention at the Welcoming Banquet to the Sylfinnier Lady.
The child widened his eyes and slightly blushed, embarrassed to be found in his curious awe towards the Lady’s mystic presence, no less than by his unattainable Father.
’Hngh...! His Majesty will laugh at my idiocy!’ — The pitiful child thought.
"Therefore, forget studying today. Let’s both go pay the Lady a visit... I... Yesterday I made you attend for this very reason, child." — The Emperor softly confessed to his troubled son, placing his hand on his head for the first time ever.
’Small... What a small head he has...’ — Weirdly enough, Francois thought, getting a new kind of pleasure he had never experienced. — ’His hair is smooth too... Better than mine...’
Also surprised by the sudden touch of his Father, Dioclecià stiffened, blinking in confusion at his Father’s words and actions; Not daring to lift his gaze to ask his following question as he looked at him.
"... Why... Your Majesty...?"
"... You’re the only one left who’s still young and sincere. Therefore, I want you to also get close to the Lady."
"??... I- I understand. Then, I shall accompany you in y-y-your visit." — Without truly understanding his Father’s reasons, the little Prince agreed.
"Alright. Then, let’s go."
Taking his hand off of his head, Francois continued his path with his little son in his tail, thinking about what he truly meant with those words said to the young Prince.
’You can still grow to be like her, child... And overcome that shyness while witnessing her marvellous example.’
Francois was not a present Father by personal choice, yet he still learned of his children’s imperfections. Nonetheless, for once...
’... Introducing you to her is the only thing I can manage to do to help you.’
... Francois desired to assist in one of his offspring’s growth.
Within the Emperor, great concerns and precautions had been engraved from a young age, making his perspective on the world surrounding him a place where he should have little to do when it came to his family.
Francois Maurice Di Frotschter shall continue to deceive himself for a bit longer, since from now on... changes will be made on the forcibly settled fate of this Realm.
*******
"... Phew..."
Orland was on his way to his Daughter’s chambers after working hurriedly on some documents he had brought with him to the Palace.
Not being able to dismiss completely his restless convictions on what pained his daughter’s soul, he had started to work while the sun wasn’t meant to brighten the sky until moments ago.
He had also spoken with a fellow knight after leaving Marianne’s company the night before, ensuring to spread the notice that...
— Don’t inform the Emperor of my Daughter’s awakening tomorrow... Or I’ll go to the training grounds every morning. —
Orland had a sharp mind and knew well of what kind of foolish machinations his old friend would try hereafter during their stay at his Royal Residence.
Nonetheless, the sight that he found at his daughter’s doors was still expected since it was not easy to restrain the selfishness of the Emperor by mere sabotage.
The unwanted childhood friend was closing into Marianne’s accommodations, just as Duke Sylfinnier did, with the little prince a few steps behind.
’Tsk... So he figured it out...’ — Displeased, the Duke thought to himself.
It was soon after that The Emperor noticed him, and without a hint of hesitation, he spoke, smirking satisfactorily.
"My~ My~... Isn’t that the admirable Duke Sylfinnier? Isn’t it splendid that we’ve come to meet here to greet Your Wonderful Daughter?"
"... Greetings, Your Majesty. It is indeed a fortune to find His Majesty himself at my precious daughter’s doors."
They stared at each other for a moment in which both thought to themselves impolite comments to the other.
’... Feigning ignorance doesn’t suit you, Orland... you crooked Duke...’
’So you still crawled your way here... Are you a roach, Maurice?’
Although the two couldn’t hear each other’s thoughts, their arrogant gazes were enough to annoy each other. If not for the little Prince’s presence, the two childish men would have entailed once again on an unending and unsightly discussion.
"... Greetings to Your Grace, Duke Sylfinnier..." — Bravely taking a step ahead, Dioclecià interrupted their silent exchange and saluted with straightened stance to his Father’s friend.
The Duke turned to look at the small child and granting him an honest soft smile, Orland responded with courtesy to the nervous prince.
"Good Morning, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to meet the brilliant youngest of the Royal Family today again."
Doing his respectful bow, Orland glanced at the young boy with fondness, thinking in awe to himself what a gentle child had been born to his senseless friend.
The child was able to feel the Duke’s kindness and purely blushed at how much more gentle and admirable he portrayed himself from up close.
Witnessing the beaming child’s delight, Francois got upset and mumbled to his dear friend after taking a step closer for him to hear well.
"Don’t dare to fool my kid as you fooled yours... I’ll positively sentence you to death this time."
"You can go and try... Maurice."
Their popping veins were starting to be apparent, yet the ignorant little Prince missed the scene, for he had been paying attention to the bedroom they had arrived at.
’This is... The First Empress’s favourite... "The Burgundy Calla’s Chambers"!!...’
His knowledge was still limited to his breed, nonetheless, the little prince was still more knowledgable than the average person. Therefore, his eyes dilated shining in expectations to meet again with Lady Marianne, for she was the one who had entered those chambers successfully after two hundred years of no residing chosen.
’Is... Is The Lady truly staying here?!?!’
"Fa–! Your Majesty!" — Eager to know the truth, Dioclecià turned to his Father and asked. — "Is the lovely Lady... One of the chosen by Fenrir?!"
The two men rolled their heads to look at the excited child, shocked at his energetic inquiry and concerned over what he truly knew about the matter.