Chapter 28
"I have some news for everyone, but since my son brought in a new person, I would like to ask who he is first!" the Emperor smiled at "Michael".
That being said, Michelle bowed down and smiled. "I thought I've already introduced myself to you, Your Majesty, but I might remember wrongly. I'm Michael Grayson!" her voice was calm, but as she was bowing down, she lifted her gaze to stare at the Emperor, her purple eyes narrowed and openly scheming, even somehow mocking.
"I remember now." Seeing that gaze, the Emperor remembered the letters on his bedside table and a cold shiver run down his spine as his face turned even paler. He finally understood why the Eight Prince suddenly rose in power with the help of a single person. Because the single person helping him had power inflicting bone-shattering fear. No wonder the other Royal children didn't dare raise their voices. They must have been horrified by something that the Michael person did.
But the Emperor's guess was far off. It was only made so it looked like Michelle scared off the other Royal children. In reality, the Royal children were threatened by the Archduke, because he held some... valuable information over their heads. Like father, like son. Just as the Emperor was a despicable greedy bastard, his children were too, and it wasn't hard to dig it up. Especially with David Elether's help.
"Your Majesty, why have you called us today?" one of the officials asked when "Michael" was done introducing himself.
The Emperor snapped back to reality and pretended to smile helplessly. "As you all must know, my days are numbered, and as I'm no longer able to take care of the Empire, I've decided to crown a new Emperor." The Emperor's words caused whispers amongst the officials, but they quickly quieted down and one stepped forward.
"My King, if I may voice my doubt, the one sitting in the seat of a Crown Prince is the youngest of Your Majesty's children. We are worried whether he can be a good Emperor if he succeeds the throne." The official sounded like he was worried, but in reality, he just wanted the Second Prince to succeed the throne since he was one of his supporters.
The Emperor's eyes shone, as he was delighted that he might not need to hand his crown down to the Eight Prince. As more and more officials started "voicing their doubts", the young Eight Prince started feeling nervous, but just as Michelle told him before, he didn't move, remained calm and waited for the result.
In the end, the Archduke spoke up. "Your Majesty, the Archduchy supports the Eight Prince in succeeding the throne. We also agree that the Eight Prince is young, so we would propose the idea of the next Emperor having a Prince Regent until he can rule by himself!"