"Chief Bryant only wishes the best for our empire. He has no obligation to consider marrying off his
granddaughter, the successor of their clan, to you. It is a sacrifice, and we shall appreciate him for his
service to the empire," the emperor sighed.
Rocky remained silent and his eyebrows knitted in thought.
Both Isis and Lena had their eyes on him, also lost in their own thoughts.
A long silence ensued and finally Isis remarked, "Basil, you don't have to worry about hurting my
feelings. It's fine." She knew that it was hard for him to give an answer to the emperor in her presence.
But from the moment she had decided to marry him, Isis never expected Rocky to solely belong to her.
He was like the wind—free and wild. He would always attract any women in his path with his unique
charm; she had accepted that long ago.
Rocky turned to glance at her. Seeing her gentle smile, he turned to his father and said, "Father, I've
made my decision. I will announce it in front of the people."
The emperor was hesitant. He couldn't tell what was going through Rocky's mind. He wanted a clear
reply, but decided to respect his son's decision.
"Basil..." Isis whispered. She had so much to say to him, but stopped herself and looked at their son
who rested silently in her arms.
"Father, if there's nothing else, I will make the announcements to the public." The emperor nodded
slightly. Rocky bowed to him, turned around and headed to the door.
"Father, what will his replies be? Will he marry Shirley?" Isis asked, unable to contain her anxiety after
Rocky disappeared through the open doors.
"Whatever he chooses to do, I believe he will make the right decision for the empire and for himself,"
the emperor replied solemnly.
Isis exchanged a glance with Lena, and both of them walked to the door to witness the announcement.
Bryant and Marcia walked up to Rocky when he entered the palace hall.
"Your Royal Highness, I believe that His Majesty told you about his decision?" Bryant asked
straightforwardly.
Rocky nodded.
"And? Do you agree?" Bryant asked tentatively.
Rocky didn't reply. Instead, he walked out of the hall, and Marcia and Bryant followed close behind him.
The whispering of the crowd quieted down instantly when he walked out. Everyone's eyes were
focused on Rocky, Prince Crimson of the Holy Dragon Empire. They held their breath to catch his every
word.
"His Majesty has three announcements to make today," Rocky said, loud and clear for everyone to
hear. He swept his eyes over the excited crowd.
The suspended whispering began once again. They shared questions and assumptions, wondering
what the announcements were going to be.
After the return of the emperor, all kinds of rumors were spreading throughout the Imperial City. The
people of the empire expected great changes to happen. The most wide-spread rumor was that the
emperor would soon pass the throne to Prince Crimson.
Before the turmoil, the forces against Rocky included more than half of the Holy Dragon Empire. After
Alston was killed, the forces that had once aided him scattered and turned to other princes, who were
hardly any match for Rocky. None of these princes held a responsible position; they lacked the strength
and ability to lead. Rocky was the best candidate to inherit the throne, and was the emperor's only
choice.
In addition to that, there was another rumor that was widely discussed. Shirley had publicly mentioned
her engagement to Rocky at the centennial celebration of the Ximen Clan and was willing to marry him.
At that time, Rocky had also presented her with rare treasures and spiritual crystals, including a
mutated Dark Heaven Insect. The people were curious to know whether the pair would really get
married.
If Rocky were to marry Shirley, he would receive undisputed support from the Ximen Clan, the first clan
of the Holy Dragon Empire. They would consider him as their own and provide him with all their
resources. He would become the pillar of the empire with the support of the Three Great Generals,
along with the backing of the two strongest clans of the Holy Dragon Empire.
And when that day arrived, Rocky would be able to do whatever it was that pleased him and completely
rule the whole empire.
Once he sat on that throne, he would be unbeatable. It sent shivers down the spines of anyone who
was against him until that moment.
"Firstly, the emperor has decided to name my son, Nigel, as the heir to the throne," Rocky announced,
with no emotion in his voice.
The crowd was hushed once again by this sudden news. His son, and not him? Why didn't the emperor
choose Prince Crimson as the heir? Was this the emperor's decision or Rocky's? The crowd wondered
in silence as they stared at the man in front of them. Prince Nigel was still in his cradle. Would he grow
up the way they expected him to?
Marcia stepped forward to stand beside Rocky. "I would like to make an explanation. It was His
Majesty's desire to pass the throne to Prince Basil. But he has no intention or desire to be the emperor,
and hence, refused the rights to the throne. After careful consideration, His Majesty decided to name
Prince Basil's son, Prince Nigel, as the heir. This was by no means a rushed decision. It is His
Majesty's final word, and I believe that you will hear and obey."
Murmurs arose among the crowd. "He refused the throne?"
"He was born a prince. Isn't it something he's supposed to do? What else does Prince Crimson want?"
"I've never heard of a prince who refused to take the throne."
"Could it be that Prince Crimson has a bigger picture in mind—something greater than the throne?"
"Ordinary people like us couldn't possibly try to understand the intentions of Prince Crimson! But
whatever it is, I bet he is ambitious!"
This was insane news for the people—a prince refusing the throne. At the same time, they admired
Rocky's courage to turn it down. Not everyone had the chance of inheriting such a position. Rocky's
action was unprecedented and had never occurred in the history of the Holy Dragon Empire.
However, it was also terrifying that he had no eyes on the throne.
At that moment, they looked at Rocky with more fear, because they realized that the man in front of
them was to a certain extent more fearful than the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire.
"Secondly," Rocky said, raising his voice to silence the crowd. "From this day forth, the Holy Dragon
Empire will abandon all contact and relationship with the Dragon Master Clan."
This time, the crowd erupted. The ministers and royal members stared in shocked silence at Rocky.
The Dragon Master Clan was the backbone of the Holy Dragon Empire from ancient times, and if they
broke ties with them, they would have to deal with frightening consequences. The other empires would
grab this opportunity, and then the Holy Dragon Empire would be like a piece of meat dangling in front
of them for the taking.
When they were to finally process this information, the royal members and ministers present rose in
loud uproars, unlike the previous whispering.
"The emperor has valid reasons for making this decision. It is the conclusion he came to after a long
discussion with General Marcia and Chief Bryant. Do not stir up any rumors in the empire over this. If
any of it reaches my ears, I will guarantee that the perpetrators will be punished accordingly," Rocky
warned, his face turning stone-cold serious.
The royal members and ministers immediately quieted down. They were already aware that Rocky was
a man of his words.
"And finally... I believe everyone is aware that Miss Shirley and I are engaged, and are supposed to get
married soon," he paused.
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