Lucas, who has been sent to coordinate the disaster relief efforts, finally got back to the imperial capital.
He went straight for reporting to the emperor as soon as he entered the Imperial Palace, but was stopped by Francis.
"Francis, it's been a long time. I'm happy to see you in good health. Congratulations!" Even though his performance was
laudable during the disaster relief, Lucas was still frivolous. He said with a casual smile, "Francis, I met a beautiful lady in Stream
County this time. I was so mesmerized by her beauty that I almost forgot everything and didn't even want to come back."
"Your help in the disaster relief was commendable. Father has always been thinking about you. If he comes to know that you
were late because you got mesmerized by a beauty, he'll teach you a hard lesson." Francis spoke in a gentle voice and smiled
warmly. Lucas always thought Francis was good-looking. Now when he looked at him carefully, he felt his eyes and brows were
as elegant as a charming woman's.
"Francis, you're the most charming one among our brothers. If you were a woman, I would definitely fall in love with you." Lucas
couldn't help but praise him. "I think you have already received many intriguing marriage proposals."
Francis glanced at Lucas and said, "Everyone knows that I'm in poor health. I might die at any time. Who would risk her life and
desire to remain a widow in my mansion?"
"Pooh, Pooh, Pooh!" Lucas spat symbolically. "Don't say anything unlucky!"
Francis was amused by his words and said, "Let's both go together to see Father. He was badly injured when Felix was
rebellious. He hasn't fully recovered from it and now, he even has a bad temper. You'd better maintain silence in front of Father,
lest you might annoy him and get scolded."
"As if Father never scolds me. All he does while talking with me is scolding." Lucas cast a glance at Francis from time to time, as
if he didn't bother at all. "I completely agree with what Aunt Harper said."
Francis stopped and asked, "Aunt Harper? What did she say to you?"
"She exalts you and really admires you very much." Lucas kept looking at Francis up and down and said, "I always used to think
you were in poor health, and you looked even weaker in white. But now, you're the perfect person to wear white clothes."
"You haven't said what Aunt Harper told about me," Francis reminded him as he was eager to hear Harper's words about him.
"A peerless gentleman as beautiful as a jade." Lucas tut-tutted under his breath. "Aunt Harper seldom speaks highly of someone.
The last time she praised someone was about Master Chodak."
Francis smiled sincerely as his eyes shone. He thought once again about Harper's words and got even more joyful. "You naughty
boy, be careful. Jason will teach you a lesson once he sees you."
"I've heard of Jason's return, but I haven't seen him. In the past few years, he has been outside the imperial capital avoiding
shouldering his responsibility as a prince. Now, I'm happy that he finally returned. I wonder if Father has scolded him badly. He
might be too ashamed to even raise his head as I did." Lucas shook his head. "It's strange. I've been in the palace for quite a
while, but why didn't Lilian come to see me?"
"Lilian is preparing for her wedding."
"What? Is she ready to marry?" Lucas looked at Francis in shock and said, "Oh my God! Lilian finally came to her senses. I'm
happy that she is no more clinging to that monk Chodak and will get married. Well, who is that lucky man who persuaded her to
change her mind?"
Francis gave a stern look at Lucas and said, "Rolando, the emperor of Great Jade Kingdom."
Lucas went blank for a moment. He then asked, "The emperor of Great Jade Kingdom?
Lilian has agreed for the marriage alliance?"
"Well, she herself asked for this marriage alliance," Francis answered and pretended he didn't see Lucas' shock. "I too was quite
surprised when I heard it. You know, our country is suffering from domestic as well as external trouble and is restless now.
Uniting with Great Jade Kingdom is in our interest. I asked for Father's advice and then he agreed."
"No way!" Lucas refused without hesitation. Rolando had no love for Lilian. If she married him as part of an alliance, she would
end up as the first victim when the two countries were to have a fight.
Francis cast a sidelong glance at Lucas and asked, "Why not? Lilian has come of age and is the only unmarried one among the
princesses of the royal family. And she herself asked for the marriage alliance. Why wouldn't you agree?"
"Rolando won't be a good husband to her!"
Francis laughed and said, "Lucas, Rolando is the new emperor of the Great Jade Kingdom. He is the head of a country. After
Lilian gets married, the worst thing possible for her would be to serve as his concubine. If she gives birth to a boy, her status will
be more stable. Moreover, Emperor Rolando just ascended the throne, and he has no wife as of now. The Bright Dynasty and
Great Jade Kingdom would advance shoulder to shoulder. After Lilian marries Rolando, she even deserves to be the empress."
Lucas smiled bitterly. "Do you think Lilian will become an empress with her character?"
"Lucas, I see that as your fault. Lilian is forthright. Emperor Rolando may like her straightforwardness." After saying that, Francis
stopped and found that both of them had already reached the gates of the Tranquil Hall.
Lucas raised his head and looked at the plaque of the Tranquil Hall. Even though he was outside the imperial capital during this
period, he was familiar with the state affairs. Now that he had returned, he was afraid that the situation at the imperial court
would become more chaotic.
"Your Highness, you are back."
"Yes, I'm. Lord Andy, how is my father now?" Lucas moved close to Andy and nudged him. "Is he going to scold me when I'm
in?"
"Well, Your Highness, I have no idea. His Majesty always indulges you, and I think he wouldn't scold you."