Subsequently, Lucian received a formal invitation from the Emperor. Wait for what? why does he need an invitation when it's his birthday?! I guess his majesty was just making sure he would come, right? However, Lucian was cynical, even though he was finally being recognized by his biological father who suddenly cheated on her mother and abandoned him. Lucian only wanted to do this for his success.
"It came?"
Well, there was nothing wrong with Lucian's disdain. Until now, the imperial family, especially the emperor, ignored and abandoned Lucian when the current empress came. followed by the thought he knew he existed. He thought Lucian at that time was useless. However, now that Lucian succeeded in conquering the kingdom of Theodosia which is known for its valuable treasures and land for prolific harvest, he changed his attitude by flipping his palm. It was because he wanted to establish the status of the imperial family. The firstborn prince who had been hidden and had been the target of assassination from the current empress for so long, succeeded in his plans, as those years he spent suffering from those who wanted to get ridden of him for being the abandoned son will soon beg to its knees for his mercy.
"Don't crumple the paper," Eugene said when he saw Lucian annoyedly crumple the invitation.
" And why not?! Why the hell would someone send an invitation to the celebrant?"
"I think because last time you refuse his request, that's why this time he's making sure that you will come."
Then, Lucian waved goodbye to Eugene and left the office. It looked like he was going to the practice hall to cool his head down.
"That hot-tempered head," Eugene spoke in a sour tone.
Rumors about Lucian spread quickly. To some extent, the nobles even knocked on the door of the De Veron mansion out of curiosity. Of course, all of them were rejected right away.
Seeing these people's conduct, Lucian often grumbled. "They treat a person like seeing a very rare monster."
Well, for some reason, he could not blame them. This was a special circumstance. Moreover, as the date written on the invitation of the imperial family's grand banquet was getting closer, the gossip, rumors, and stories were spread more in the society.
Eugene had been worrying that Lucian would have an expression when he hunted those monsters in front of the nobles. But now he was a little relieved. Honestly, he should have the lively face of a young man often. His beauty shone when he was loosening up his expression. To the point that people who would have eye contact with him will find him so attractive.
Four days have passed and tomorrow night will be the grand unveiling of the successor. Those nobles and aristocrats who were invited stayed in one of the royal's guest rooms and some of them stayed in the capital. As the gossip spread nonstop, some of them said that 'his highness, the firstborn prince will be the official crown prince of the empire ' which is true by the way. Some of the rumors also think that the prince has already made a noise, that he suddenly brought his partner in short his lover.
**********
Everyone who served the royal family was very busy with the smallest time to set things up in its place, all of them work so hard for tomorrow night's event.
*Knock!! Knock!!! Knock!!*
Lucian cautiously looked at the door slowly opens as he watched who could've visited him this late at night.
Ezikiel peeked his head in and lightly smiled.
"Brother, are you— " he paused as soon as he notices Lucian reclining in a settee.
" May I come in, brother?" He queried, shyly glancing at him.
"You may..."
Hearing his response Ezekiel formally entered his room, and calmly walked toward him as the latter stopped in a distance.
" Ezekiel..."
" Yes!! " Ezekiel trembled with awe at the voice calling him.
" I told you, you don't need to be so formal when you're with me, especially something like this."
" But! Well, fine."
Lucian slowly lifted his gaze to him as he offered him to take a seat. Eyeing how Ezekiel behaves when he's with Lucian doesn't resemble his mother, the current empress consort. Whenever his around with everyone in the palace except for Lucian and his loyal knight, all they can see is nothing but the domineering and cold-hearted prince, behaving like a powerful prince of the empire his hidden deed of kindness was nothing like how he plays his role.
"What brings you here?" Asking why he'd come in this late at night, Lucian secretly didn't let his guard down even if he knew Ezekiel is the nicest person in the palace. As he waits for his reasons.
"Well, We both know that tomorrow will be your coronation as the official crown prince, and I'm here to give you this." As he took off his gift for Lucian, the looked on his face was just like how Celine gifted him sincerely with love. The surprised look on his face made his heart tingle in delight.
Placing his gift on a simple but elegant case, Lucian was secretly amazed at how Ezekiel behaved toward him as they both knew that they were rivals. Picking it up gently as he opened it with care his eyes widened from shock.
"I know that you don't like useless gifts no matter how expensive they are and also I knew that gift belongs to you."
" This—"
Looking at how simple and old it is, The golden compass itself has a sentimental value to him. The golden compass itself has the name of its previous owner and was Lucian's mother.
" Where? How? Did you—"
" I'm sorry but I've been eyeing it these past few months, and I think my mother stole it from her for some reason, and I'm very sorry for that."
" Also I assure you that I'm telling you the truth and I—"
" Ezekiel, thank you... This is the first thing that I have from my mother..."
The warm look on his face melted his cold stare, and as Ezekiel's eyes perked in delight, he greeted.
" Happy Birthday, brother..." Greeting him with a warm and sincerely light smile, the guilt he felt for being born as his rival was finally set free. As he leave his room light-hearted and had a gleeful smile on his mind.
As the sun rises, everyone who was invited to the grandiose banquet for crowning the official crown prince of the Pedalion empire had finally come. The warm spring of the 27th day of April in 1533, has finally come to welcome this empire to a new successor.
As the tales of his success spread like wildlife across the whole empire. He had also become the theme of many gossipers. The rumors of him being an abandoned prince and becoming the empire's crown prince leave them in disbelief.
Of course, the biggest topic of discussion at this period was the existence of a young man named 'Lucian' who suddenly appeared and become the empire's successor was unbelievable for them.
As the most awaited night of this year had finally come, The grandiose banquet filled with the finest and most delicious of foods and champagnes was presented in the grand dining hall. The royal knight who was assigned to announce the guest's arrival magnificently announced and welcomed them a good evening.
The most high-ranking officials were also presented, followed by the wealthiest nobles and aristocrats who wore the finest and the most trendy fashions in the empire. It was the biggest night's event. But the nobles gathered in twos and threes, talking about him. The noble girls who came to the ball with their parents were also no exception. They had half anticipation and half concern about the emergence of a new successor.
"That 'abandoned child' appears today, right?"
"Shh.. be careful. There are rumors that His Majesty would appoint him as the official crown prince."
"Isn't it rare for an abandoned child to be officially appointed as a crown prince? What's more, with the current emperor's personality towards him is…."
"But he's the first young prince who succeeded in conquering the blessed kingdom."
"I heard he is a very handsome man."
"Oh my... I also heard he is a very mean and cruel person. Well. it's plausible he is like that considering... it's been said that he's been in war for such a young age and living a barbaric kingdom of Lydra."
"Lydra you said… isn't it a very dangerous territory?"
"The dangerous territory is not the problem here. I heard because the place is full of monsters, even the locals are also violent."
The distance between the capital and Lydra was far. As a result, a lot of information was also uncertain. Naturally, rumors about Viscount Agriche were circulating in the capital.
Lydra was a place where adventurers, mercenaries, and merchants actively interacted. It used to be a barren land but now it was a place where the wealth accumulated the most. The businesses were doing so well.
Still, not many people saw these facts. Among the nobles, only those with brains could see and rate Agriche rather high. Although, at the same time, they watched (Alucard) Reynold's moves very closely.
"I think I've heard that too... Oh my gosh... I should hope that the new prince is someone who could speak well like a human."
The most common ideas of the Agriche among the capital aristocrats were 'barbarous' and 'always sinister'.
However, it was of course all prejudice.
Agriche support him seemed to be true."
The main character of the rumor had entered. And the noble girls who had been talking about him until now will all soon shut their mouths when they saw Lucian's face.