Everyone was shocked by the emperor's unexpected announcement. No one had expected that the
emperor would reinstate to Rocky the title of 'Prince'. Deservedly, he had been stripped of the title for
touching the Holy Dragon Bead without permission.
They had not expected that the emperor would have such a huge change of heart towards Rocky.
More than everyone else, Alston was unhappy with the emperor's decision. Like his siblings, he had
never regarded Rocky as their brother. Though were step-brothers, born of the same father, they all
looked down on Rocky, because his mother was of humble birth. To them, he was just a bastard. So
when Rocky was stripped of his title two months ago, they were all over the top with glee at his loss.
But they had never expected that their father would entitle Rocky as a prince again. If he did so, Rocky
would become the youngest prince and the shame of the royals again. By all means, they would not
agree with their father's decision to number that son of a peasant woman with them. However, none of
them would dare say that to the emperor. Once their father had made a decision, they would have no
other choice but to abide by his will.
Even so, they still looked at Rocky with contempt. They did not care that Rocky had showed a splendid
performance at the Dragon Birth Festival and he was hailed as the ultimate prodigy of the Holy Dragon
Empire. They still hated on him.
Only Alston, the next emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire, one of them question him — and that, on
very rare occasions would.
"Father, I don't understand why you do this." He would not so readily agree to Rocky's admission back
into royalty. If anything, Rocky was a direct threat to Alston's ascent to power.
"I stripped Basil because he touched the Holy Dragon Bead without permission. But what he had done
at the Dragon Birth Festival can make up for his fault. But the main reason for his reinstatement is that
he now possesses the Holy Dragon Bead, which is the symbol of royalty. Since my predecessor
inducted the Holy Dragon Bead into the sacred treasure of the empire, only an heir to throne can
possess the bead. It's only that I have already chosen my successor, so Basil may not ascend to the
throne. But he should enjoy the same privileges as the next emperor. So I have every reason to restore
Basil again. He has to be treated fairly and with all the respect he deserves," the emperor explained.
"Your Majesty, though you want to reinstate Basil, you cannot announce it in haste. Basil was demoted
for only two months, if he is entitled a prince again so soon, he will only make all the royal family look
like a cavalier lot in the eyes of the people," Priest Dean beat around the bush.
"Why would they think the royal family is made of jokers? Everyone has seen Basil's excellent
performance at the festival. And I am sure people will appreciate having him back to his rightful
position," Lena disagreed. She hated people like Priest Dean who were quick on the bandwagon of
trying to mud-sling Rocky.
"I will never agree with you on bringing Basil back." Alston was determined. As heir apparent to the
throne, he had some influence in the empire. Right now, he was hoping the emperor would change his
mind.
"Alston, what gives you the authority to speak and decide for dad? Who are you to disagree?" Though
Rocky was also surprised by the decision. But the emperor was justified to reward him for the
outstanding performance at the festival. So when he heard Alston disagreed, he retorted at once with
the confidence of royalty.
"Who are you to talk to me!" Alston shouted back.
"I'm sorry. Didn't you hear what our daddy said just now? I am a prince again. So the only difference
between you and me is age. But we are both princes now. This is the fact you cannot change," Rocky
grinned defiantly.
"You!" Alston was so angry, he looked like he might burst a vein. He would have hit Rocky, were it not
for so many people around.
Seeing Alston and Rocky bickering on and on, the ministers exchanged curious guesses but did not
know how to stop them. They waited on the emperor to act. They were all clear that once the emperor
had made up his mind, Alston's disagreeing couldn't change a thing.
"Alston, stop," as they expected, the emperor immediately scolded Alston. Then with finality, he
declared, "I have made up my mind. I will officially announce Basil's readmission to the title of a prince
again later."
Seeing there was no chance to change the decision, Alston snorted as he gave Rocky an angry stare.
Then he left in a huff.
"Has Alston become so arrogant to the point of disagreeing with His Majesty in public?" Lena muttered
unhappily.
Rocky on the other hand couldn't help but smile in triumph as he saw Alston angrily storm out of the
venue. It was a sweet feeling of revenge for Rocky. But that was not enough for him. One day he would
trample over Alston.
Except for little discontent in his eyes, the emperor did not show much emotion as he watched Alston
walk away. Instead, he looked around, as if he was reading what the people were thinking. Then he
said, "I also have something else to announce. I made a decision about this yesterday."
Everyone looked at the emperor again, with eager anticipation. They wondered what else the emperor
had up his sleeve, right after the unexpected reinstatement of Rocky. They hoped his second
announcement would not be as shocking as the first one.
"Since Basil is not at a small boy anymore, it's time for him to have a wife, so I plan to betroth him a girl
and give him a part of his inheritance," the emperor announced that immediately.
"A wife?" Lena's face grew gloomy as she heard what the emperor said. She looked at Rocky,
dejected.
Rocky was also surprised. He did not expect that his 'dad' was going to betroth a girl to him and give
him a part of his estate. It was good to be the prince again.
Everyone in the hall was dumbfounded. Betrothals decided by the emperor were common in the royals,
but giving a fief was a serious thing. So far, except Alston, none of the sons of the emperor had their
own fief.
The other princes all felt discontented when they heard what the emperor said. None of them would
have expected that Rocky would get an inheritance ahead of them.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda