"How can this be? Who can ascend to the imperial throne?" one of the Marquesses, who also served as one of the palace prime ministers, asked.
"If the question is framed that way, the answer is certainly His Royal Highness the Crown Prince," replied another minister.
"The question is, who will fill the void on the throne before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince reaches the appropriate age and qualifications to be crowned Emperor."
Meanwhile, Adam, still mourning the death of his parents, was reluctantly attending this gathering of capitalistic humans. "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is already qualified to be crowned Emperor!" exclaimed one sycophantic Viscount.
Hearing his name being mentioned, Adam looked up, and suddenly all eyes turned to him. At his current age, Adam had never attended such meetings directly; he didn't know what to do. He spent his days studying swordsmanship and learning the theories of becoming an emperor in the future.
"T-that... what does Advisor Edward think?" Adam asked, clearly inexperienced in such matters.
Advisor Edward spoke up, anticipating that Adam wouldn't be able to make a firm decision regarding the ascension to the throne. "My Lords and Ladies, the transfer of power is not up for debate because the only descendant of the late Majesty the Emperor and Empress is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I understand your concerns, but here His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not alone. There are many palace experts who will guide him to become a worthy Emperor," Edward explained, giving his decision.
The nobles discussed further regarding Advisor Edward's opinion. Indeed, based on the lineage, Adam was the rightful heir to the throne. Various considerations led to one of the ministers speaking up, "With Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Advisor Edward's permission, I understand the regulations of the empire regarding the succession of the emperor very well. I have no doubt about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but the issue surrounding the deaths of the late Emperor and Empress has spread far and wide. It's a ticking time bomb for Vanrize if we don't have sufficient strength. If the next Emperor is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is still underage, can His Royal Highness bear the burden of a faltering Vanrize and instill a sense of security in the frightened people?"
The logical argument from the palace minister made Adam feel even more unworthy. He knew very well that his abilities were inadequate. His decision-making process still involved emotions, which a leader was not allowed to indulge in.
"Will Father be angry with me? Will he be ashamed to have a son like me?" Adam wondered silently.
"What you're saying is correct, Minister. The sympathy of the people towards His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is advantageous for now. However, we as adults have no right to burden His Royal Highness so heavily just because he is the sole heir," another noble added.
Contradictory opinions to Advisor Edward's emerged as the majority opinion in the room. Calls for approval resounded beautifully until one person smiled there.
His steps were more certain as he entered the meeting room after disappearing during the death of the Emperor and Empress. Hearing the news of his brother's death as the Emperor made Jean immediately return to claim what should rightfully be his.
"I am willing to bear the heavy burden to replace Adam as the leader of the Empire!" Jean's sudden voice made the meeting room fall silent instantly.
All eyes turned to the source of the voice, which arrived with arrogance and without invitation. A sharp pair of eyes from many factions of the previous Emperor stared fiercely, but the alleged perpetrator of the heinous murders remained unfazed. He knew he would be the most powerful figure here.
"Uncle...," Adam murmured, feeling relieved to see his uncle come as if to rescue him.
"What do you mean, Lord Jean? Do you want to replace His Royal Highness the Crown Prince as the emperor? What nonsense is this?" Duke Ellian countered loudly.
Everyone present was stunned to see how two great powers clashed. Duke Ellian, the owner of the largest military force in the Vanrize empire, which was a close friend of Yurize, naturally opposed Jean's emergence as the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Jean smiled calmly. He walked towards the empty seat that should have been occupied by the Emperor.
"What recklessness are you committing, Lord Jean? It's not permitted for someone who is not the Emperor to sit in his seat—" Cerrish's declaration was interrupted by Adam.
"I-It's okay, Cerrish. Besides, Uncle is Father's brother. Father's departure automatically makes Uncle his successor, doesn't it?" Adam interjected, causing many eyes to look at him in disbelief.
If they were to defend Adam, who they thought was theirs, he was actually in Jean's grip. What could they do? The game had been won by Jean from the start.
"My nephew Adam is indeed very clever," Jean said.
"Listen, everyone. I want to redeem myself for not being able to prevent the murder of the Emperor and Empress. I feel ashamed; as their brother and a member of the imperial family, I wasn't there for you all during the incident," Jean explained his remorse.
Everyone there naturally didn't believe what Jean said, except Adam.
"But now, I will use that remorse to dedicate myself to the empire!" Adam felt touched by every word Jean said. He knew well how his uncle regretted not being able to protect his father.
"Is that so, Lord Jean? Isn't this moment what you've been waiting for all your life? To sit on the Emperor's throne in the most heinous way, killing your own brother," one of the ministers spoke with fiery emotion.
"Minister! Watch your words; you are speaking to a member of the imperial family. Were you appointed as a minister with such behavior?" Adam erupted, his previously restrained voice now overflowing.
The opposing opinions against Edward's emerged as the majority opinion in the room. Calls for approval resounded beautifully until one person smiled there.
"Alright, let's use the fastest way. We'll hold a secret ballot vote, done right now. Gallan, please distribute the papers," Jean suggested.
Gallan, Jean's assistant, handed out papers and pens to everyone present.
"Please write 1 if you agree with my appointment as Emperor. Write X if you disagree."
Everyone there quickly wrote down their opinions. Seeing how the meeting proceeded heatedly, opposing Jean's ascension, wouldn't this method actually disadvantage Jean?
"His appointment as Emperor? That's impossible." At least that was what Cerrish, Duke Ellian, and Advisor Edward thought.
However, contrary to their expectations, what they deemed impossible turned out to be true.
"It's IMPOSSIBLE!"