Seeing that Lucas was maintaining his silence, the officials didn't back off. They talked about many unreasonable things he had done before, and it was funny for even Francis upon hearing all that. He wondered if the officials had nothing else to do in their spare time other than to monitor Lucas. They could even remember when he had climbed to somebody's house wall and had stolen two eggs!
Lucas was left with a long face. After hearing out the officials, he himself felt that he had committed some heinous crimes, although the truth was contrary. He was not a murderer, or an arsonist, or a rapist. However, anyone hearing out those officials would get tricked to believe that he was a savage who committed some unforgivable sins.
"Bah!" Lucas could not stand it any longer. He spat on an official who used the most ferocious words to demonize him, then turned around and left arrogantly.
The embarrassed official froze and couldn't even respond. The rest of the officials had contorted faces. But later, they were glad as Lucas didn't spit in their faces.
"Your Highness, look! Prince Lucas doesn't even know how to behave in the imperial court. He spat in my face!" the official complained to Francis, without even wiping his face.
Francis raised his sleeve automatically to cover his face as he looked at the official who kept talking. No wonder Lucas couldn't help but spit at him. The man got so emotional that his saliva was sprayed everywhere when he was speaking. Lucas might have been unable to endure his saliva, and that would be the reason why he spat at him in return.
"Well, Lucas is always naughty and I am sure all of you are quite aware of that. His misdeeds were evident from the words you just spoke about him, but now for the time being, let's keep that aside. The marriage for Lilian is decided. I will appoint Uncle Matthew as the envoy for the peacemaking marriage, and Lucas will follow the team to the Great Jade Kingdom for the discussion of the marriage."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"So, everything about the marriage has been decided. We had already decided about this marriage much earlier, but it was just delayed due to my father's death. They will go ahead as per the decision as soon as possible," Francis declared.
"Your Highness, a country can't exist without an emperor. Prince Jason has no intention, and Prince Lucas can't bear the relevant responsibility. Prince Wale is too young for this humongous task. So you must ascend the throne as soon as possible." Some courtiers brought up the matter again. In the past, Jason hadn't revealed his intention, which led to the conflicts between two factions. Now that Jason voluntarily made his withdrawal, and Lucas was never a serious contender, the remaining natural choice qualified to ascend the throne was Francis alone.
Francis didn't answer immediately. Neither did Zack say anything. They both just remained silent. Right from the beginning, Matthew didn't express his opinion. In other words, he was not in favor of Francis' ascension of the throne. Then who on earth was Matthew's choice?
"I am badly ill and may die at any time, so I am not a good choice. I request everyone to forget about it. Now the Cabinet supports in managing the state affairs, and the army has the command of Uncle Matthew and General Maxwell. There will be no worry for the imperial court in any matters. Let's take up this matter when there is an appropriate person available," Francis announced.
"Your Highness, you are the most suitable candidate in the current situation!" The official tried to pressurize Francis once again.
Francis stood up and went straight out. "I said we'll talk about it later. You don't need to be worried about it."
"No way!" Francis shook his head. "Every time he received a high ranking official, he was accompanied by someone. It was impossible for him to give his will to any official. The only possibility is…"
Francis recalled that on the day the emperor passed away, Lucas had entered the Tranquil Hall alone, and a moment later, he had been kicked out and the emperor had hit his head. If the emperor were to give the will to someone, it would most likely be Lucas!
"Who is it?"
"Lucas. He was the only person who visited Father in private. Even though their meeting lasted only for a few minutes, there was enough time for Father to give him the will." Francis realized that he had been too careless, so he planned to send Lucas away to the Great Jade Kingdom. He wanted to know if Lucas really had the will!
"Can we just…?" Sherry made a gesture of cutting her throat. If Lucas was killed, no matter if there was a will, it would be totally useless.
"Then I will be ascending the throne illegally!" Francis shook his head. "Don't worry, Mother. I have a plan. He will never return from the Great Jade Kingdom."
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