5 Chapter 5 (1/2)
While the carriage was getting closer and closer to the Imperial castle, the guests started pouring in, these people were all the members of the higher echelons of the Empire.
They ranged from low ranking nobles to Counts, Dukes and even rich merchants and businessmen. These people made up most of the Empire's economy and it can also be said that majority of the common populace worked for them...
Once all the guests were inside, the doors were closed shut. Everyone quickly gathered around the Emperor who was sitting on his throne and kneeled.
”WE GREET HIS MAJESTY, THE EMPEROR, LONG MAY HE LIVE!” They said in unison.
”Arise!” Aurelius commanded them while he was seated in his throne.
Aurelius was quickly approached by a few of his close allies who kneeled once again and sat down next to him respectfully and conversed, which effectively made those pesky lower ranked nobles to not be able to disturb him.
These close allies of Aurelius were given special seats and seated close to the Emperor himself and under their orders, these seats were moved closer towards the throne so that they could speak softly without anyone hearing them...
While they were nobles of the highest rank, the way and the things they talked about were questionable since the way they talked was not of the 'Aristocratic' way...
One such person was Duke Aero, he was one of the most powerful people in the Empire, his authority second only to the Empress herself!
Duke Aero leaned forward, ”Aurelius, I heard you knocked your wife!”, he whispered these words with a perverted smile, the others who were seated next to him also nodded their heads and giggled.
”Now Now gentlemen, let's calm down a little...” Aurelius quickly replied with a smirk.
”Oh... I see what's going on!” Duke Aero stated and elbowed the Emperor, the guards who saw this looked at each other awkwardly, even if they knew the Emperor was 'attacked' no one had the gall to point their weapons at a Duke, let alone Duke Aero!
”What? What? Tell us!” The other Dukes and Counts asked Duke Aero eagerly who only whistled and glanced at Aurelius who closed his eyes to calm down.
However, before Aurelius could speak, the giant doors to the Imperial Ballroom was opened.
”HER HIGHNESS, THE EMPRESS OF THE GRAND LUNAR EMPIRE, HAS ARRIVED!” Shouted one of the more well dressed guards, these guards were stationed outside and were supposed to open the doors, they were powerful and so nobody said anything against them announcing out loud...
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Annalise walked into the bright and grand room elegantly as a few maids followed her from behind, they walked in unison and no longer lifted her long robes as the Ballroom was carpeted and regularly cleaned with magic.
Immediately after she stepped into the room, the guard next to the guard who announced announces out loud, ”HIS HIGHNESS, THE CROWN PRINCE OF THE GRAND LUNAR EMPIRE, HAS ARRIVED!”, while most of the guests could not notice it, the more prominent ones such as the Dukes along with Duke Aero included, noticed a bit of pride and respect coming from the guard.
Aurelius who noticed this too, smirked. These guards had probably heard of Alexis' genius somewhere...
The lower ranking nobles, businessmen and women were shocked. They've heard rumours of a Prince but to think that it was true... they were blown away.
Some of the daughters of nobles including some who were in their teenage years were eager to 'meet' this prince, however these teenage noble girls were inwardly disappointed once they saw it was a small kid with crimson hair...
Alexis entered the room followed by a maid, the nobles kneeled and bowed when the entire family arrived, mostly because they had to stay in their good behaviour infront of the future Emperor of the nation and get into his good looks,
Including the few nobles who were seated next to the Emperor but it was out of respect.
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'It seems like there are some bad eggs in here...' Alexis thought.
He saw greed in the eyes of some of the nobles and glared at them, the said nobles cowered under the gaze of the four year old and lowered their heads in fear.
Aurelius smiled when he saw this since he too felt some interesting emotions oozing out of some people.
However at this exact moment, Alexis noticed something interesting, he was always bothered by the light blue hair that almost all of the workers in the Imperial residence had, but these people had darker shades of blue and purple.
He then deduced that the darker shades of blue and purple represented either their pure blood or nobility...
'However I won't let you all ruin my life! I finally have the chance to live a carefree life...' Alexis thought, 'Besides, eventhough I have to complete the Administrator's job, it isn't that hard plus I'm a prince... I'm already in paradise!' Alexis continued on his thoughts not bothered by the gazes of lust and greed thrown at him by various noblemen and women alike...
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Once Annalise and Alexis arrived where the Emperor, the guests stood up and started whispering, Aurelius cleared his throat as the various individuals quietened down, he then spoke loudly in a crisp voice.
”Ladies and Gentlemen, Four years ago, my wife, Your Empress gave birth to a baby boy, his existence was kept a secret from most of the public and only those of the Imperial family and aides knew of him. So now I introduce you all to, Alexis Gladios Lunar, the Crown Prince!” Aurelius stated.
Alexis smiled and bowed his head a little towards the guests as a sign of greeting.
”We greet your Highness!” They said in unison.
”Now that everything is clear, it is time for the more important topic, Alexis has officially turned Four years old! He is now eligible to apply for schooling...” Aurelius said.
Immediately after he said those words, a group of elderly men and women started shouting.
”Your highness, my Lunarian Noble Magic Academy is the bes-!” Shouted one old man, he had a wrinkled face and greyish purple hair, however before he could finish the sentence, he was pushed away as another old man, he too had the same wrinkled face but his hair was greyish light blue, he shouted ”Bah! Your school is pathetic! Your Highness, My Imperial Academy is by far the best in the country!” He declared honestly.
The others immediately quietened down,they didn't want to be part of the conversation anymore.
”What did you say you old bastard?! Your Imperial Academy is the best in the country? Stop acting like a clown!” The previously interrupted old man glared at the one who pushed him.
”Principal Efreel, please calm down!” One of the nobles said worriedly.
”Huh?! Who the hell are you?! This fight is between us! Go buzz off!” Efreel, the Principal of the Lunarian Noble Magic Academy, shouted at the man who tried to calm things down.
”This...” the nobleman smiled wryly, his eyebrows twitched but he still kept quiet and observed the comical scene.
Meanwhile, the Imperial family stared at the scene in silence, until Aurelius bent down to Alexis' height and whispered.
”These two old people are the principals of the best Academies of the Empire, they were apparently rivals since my father's time! I know I haven't explained anything to you clearly but think of this as a test and pick the best option...” He said, hoping Alexis would get the meaning of his words.
”Efreel, take my punch!”
”Trebourn!!”
Alexis nodded and turned to the two old men, they were about to punch each other in the face when Alexis said, ”I have chosen the Academy I wish to go to!”.
”...”
The hall was silent.
Trebourn's fist stopped millimetres before touching Efreel's face.
”Your highness! What a pleasant surprise, which Academy will you be applying to?” Trebourn immediately retracted his fist and smiled amicably towards Alexis.
Alexis calmed down, he was about to berate this old man however he was still very annoyed as his eye twitched when Trebourn smiled as if nothing happened...
”I wish...” Alexis started, Aurelius looked at him a bit nervously.
”To go to both Academies!” He completed his sentence.
”WHAT?!” Efreel shouted in anger.
”What's wrong with it? I will complete my regular studies in your Academy and go to the Imperial Academy for my higher studies!” Alexis shrugged and explained.
The two old men were stumped.
Aurelius sighed as Annalise smiled at him and held his hand gently, reassuring him.
”Whether I study in your Academy or not, it fulfills 'my' expectations, the only problem is your ridiculous rivalry, and since regular studies are just as important as the higher studies and vice versa, it will do you both good and tie in whatever you are competing about!” Alexis explained even further shocking most of the nobles, not expecting a four year old to say something like that.