Chapter 4: Barging In (3)
When the royal guard left to fetch the kid a small tense atmosphere was present, the emperor was literally emitting an annoyed aura while the three prince were having a bad time.
If their prediction is correct then this guy maybe will become another competitor for the throne, already having three with Major Arcana is enough, bringing in a fourth to the equation would be a disaster.
But nonetheless the confidense they have still didn't waver, the confidense of being picked by a Major Arcana is nothing to be scoffed at.
While the three prince began contemplating, the older nobility started to connect dots. How long has it been since a commotion happened inside the Imperial Family?
It has been 17 years since the last commotion happened and that was with the foreign princess of a fallen kingdom.
As second passed the tension only grew bigger, not until the giant door once again swung open and from it entered a Royal Guard with a young man in tow.
The young man was dressed in commoner's attire, he had violet hair and blue eyes. Even though he was dressed humbly the handsomeness of the young man can't be deny.
In fact you could say that he was more charming than the Eldest Prince which is known as the most handsome young man of this generation and the most sought after spouse.
Once the two was in front of the emperor and the priest the young man didn't kneel in fact he stood there and looked at the emperor straight in the eye.
The emperor looked at him and said:
"Who are you?"
With confidence he shouted.
"I am Marcus Pontifixus Aurelius Bartholomew! Son of The Eldest Barthol Princess Kristal Von Bartholomew!" The young man shouted with great condidence.
He then pulled out a coin from his pocket and revealed it to everyone.
"I am here to claim my rights as the youngest prince! I would like to undergo the ceremony of Dictum Deus with my rights as the prince!"
When the young man was done the entire temple was caught in a great shock, everyone had their jaw open by the sudden bild declaration of the young man.
But it was undeniable that this young man had a connection to the emperor seeing that he possess the Golden Eagle's Emblem.
A small deafening silence struck the entire temple, the entire crown looked at the emperor expecting a reply.
"So Kristal was pregnant after all." He said with cold tone.
"You are undeniably my son seeing that you bear my family's crest and your blue eyes but the question is, why would I?" He sat on the throne and tapped his finger to the armrest.
"Why would I?" Marcus repeated.
"Because of the old ways!" He followed.
"You are above all subjects of the empire but you are not above the gods! The gods who created the rules! The old ways!"
"Let the gods be the witness of my rights, Gods of Olympus please bear witness!"
Soon after the entire tenple was lit with light, the statues of the Gods started to emit light and from it a voice with seemingly infinite power reverbrated though the entire place.
""We witness!""
When he heard the voice Marcus looked at the Emperor with a smug. Kristoff remained unmoving but deep inside he was irritated.
"Very well then Marcus I allow you to undergo the ceremony." He said, he didn't call him son nor prince stating that he does not recognize the young man's claim.
"Thank you your majesty but you should call me prince from now on, the Gods bear witnessed to my claim and as their proxy you should too." He smugly said, he smiled under his breath and that smile ticked off the Emperor.
"Sigh," the emperor sighed.
"I see that you are as cunning as your mother Prince Marcus." He said defeatedly and smiled a little.
"Why thank you for your compliment, Father."
The emperor smiled and Marcus smiled, they stood off for a second staring at each other with great competetiveness and understanding.
When those words were let out the entire audience was in shock. For the Bloody Emperor to compromise in defeat is a not feat that anyone could achieve. To make him not only acknowledge but sigh in defeat to you is such a power move.
Now the people present were starting to doubt who they should support with to the battle of succession.
The three prince on the other hand had their entire being shaken, for them to see their father sigh in defeat and smile too is something they have never seen before their entire life.
Now their worst fear seems to be manifesting, a competition that could contend with them for the affection of the emperor appeared and that put them in a precarious situation.
While the three prince were having a crisis Marcus stepped up to the altar, the priest on the altar fetched an iron rod the same as those others before.
He handed the iron rod to Marcus who accepted it confusingly. He was not there to witness the ceremony so he didn't know what is the purpose of this iron rod is, he only knew that the gods who will claim you will be the one to pick your weapon.
He didn't know what this was but he still accepted it. Once he was in the altar the priest approached him and said.
"Young Prince, that was very bold of you."
"But nonetheless the Gods are your witness, so I will conduct this ceremony with the same integrity as the others before you." The Priest said with a slight smile seemingly enjoying the show.
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