269: 6.29 Royal Prince

6.29 Royal Prince

"Recently, strange rumors have been spreading all over the place," King Emeri started with a frown on his face. "The content of it is so incredulous that I can't help but doubt it because I knew your father's temperament very well. He was not the kind of man who could look at any other woman except your mother. But then, when I recalled the rumors about your… doll, I am no longer so certain. Care to elaborate about that, Duke Lacrosa?"1

"Your Majesty," Jillian replied with his head lowered humbly. "As you know, rumors are exaggerated. You're right, my father is known for his loyalty and integrity. To accuse him of having an illegitimate child is a besmirch to his name. However, I would like to confirm that other than that, the rumors are mostly true. I, Jillian Lacrosa, have taken an oath to make Hayden my sworn brother."

Murmurs of apprehension and doubt echoed around the noblemen as soon as Jillian clearly showed his stance.

King Emeri showed a thoughtful look. "Hmm… as strange as it is, I believe that you must have a reason to do so, Duke. It's your personal affair so the last decision actually lies in your hands. I only summoned you here because I can't curb my curiosity, you see." He laughed lightly and turned to the others. "What do you say, gentlemen? Aren't you curious as to what the young man looks like to compel the Duke to take him as a brother in everything but blood?"

"That's… true."

"Yes, I am indeed a bit intrigued, Your Majesty."

The noblemen plastered a cordial smile but inwardly, they were actually frowning. First, a doll and now, turning a commoner into a noble. Goodness, what kind of craziness did the Duke get up to now?! He had always been acting as he pleased and His Majesty had again and again been so lenient and pampered him! How audacious!

Jillian smiled, knowing exactly what were the true thoughts behind those fake smiles. Poor Hayden, they were going to tear into him on Jillian's behalf as well. Who could be the most suitable target than someone of commoner blood? Dare to present yourself in the Royal Palace? Then we would make you run away with the tail between your legs!

"Coincidentally, he's here with me now," he said. "With your permission, I'd like to introduce him to everyone so you can judge by yourself what kind of brilliant and virtuous young man he is."

With King Emeri's approval, the door finally swung open and Hayden stepped in. Not a hint of nervousness and hesitation was shown on his face, to Jillian's satisfaction. His steps were firm and decisive as he walked to the front of the throne and dropped to his knees gracefully beside Jillian. It seemed like all the practices had been worth it, afterall. Jillian was pleased to see the noblemen's mouths hanging open when they looked at Hayden, trying to nitpick on any flaw of his mannerism to no avail. Hayden really looked like a noble like this; so convincing that Jillian could almost see the King's shadow in his steely jaws. 

"Your Majesty, it's the greatest honor to finally meet you." Hayden's voice rang out firm and clear, his eyes trained to the floor like how Jillian had taught him to. 

"You…" King Emeri stood up tremblingly. "Raise—Raise your head and look at me."

Hmm? Jillian showed a doubtful look at the obvious quiver in the King's voice. He had never seen King Emeri like this before. So distraught and appalled… as if he had seen a ghost. What was happening? He sensed the question from the glance Hayden gave him but in the end, Jillian merely nodded. Obey His Majesty's order, he tried to convey. If somehow, the King wasn't pleased with Hayden, then Jillian would have to search for another way to convince him.

Hayden clenched his fists and lifted his head to look at the King, despite how loudly his heart was beating. He was so nervous that he felt light-headed. The pressure was crazy! And from now on, he was going to deal with all of this?! Hayden almost wanted to cry again but then, he was quickly distracted when he looked into the King's eyes and found a semblance of familiarity… Confusion flickered in his eyes. Had they met somewhere before?

The atmosphere was stagnant for a few seconds as King Emeri and Hayden stared at each other and then, an unexpected thing happened! His Majesty actually descended from his throne! 

Ignoring the ministers and noblemen's surprised cries, King Emeri stumbled to make his way straight to Hayden. That face… that lips and nose… he couldn't have mistaken it. His hands shook violently as he bent down to lift Hayden up, staring into those light brown eyes that were almost identical to his own. This young man… he…

"How old are you?" The King asked, his voice barely in a whisper, shaking.

Despite his confusion, Hayden answered honestly. "I am twenty four this year, Your Majesty."

Twenty four. Twenty four years ago, he was… A gasp escaped King Emeri's lips and tears began to gather in the corner of his eyes. "Your mother, Roese, how is she…? No, where is she now? Is she here with you?" The more King Emeri thought about it, the more excited he was. More than two decades had already passed. He had thought that there was no chance between them any longer but… but if this man was indeed the product of their love, then…

A sorrowful shadow fell over Hayden's face and just like that, King Emeri's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. "My mother passed away when I was twelve years old. But… how did you know her, Your Majesty?"

King Emeri staggered and he would have fallen down if Jillian wasn't quick enough to support him up by the elbow. Voices of confusion and apprehension were rising in the room but King Emeri's head was woefully blank. She had passed away… The love of his life had left this world twelve years ago. In the end, he was still too late. But then, as he laid his eyes upon the concerned and flustered young man, hope began to sprout in his chest again. King Emeri straightened up and regained his bearings immediately, even though the grief and sadness was still apparent in his eyes.

"Twenty four years ago, I met the most beautiful and kindest woman in the world. As soon as I saw her, I knew she would be the love of my life. I was of noble blood, and she was nothing but a commoner. I wished she could stay by my side, but I knew her shine would dim and wither if she was caged within the Palace walls. I couldn't bring myself to do that to her so… I left her, without knowing that I had left something precious behind with her." King Emeri closed his eyes and a crystalline tear trailed down his cheek. 

"Until now, I still regret it. I couldn't help but wonder, if I had tried harder that year, would everything have changed? Would she stay by my side now? Alas, my heart is broken to hear that she has passed away quite early but I delight in the fact that she has decided to raise our child." He raised his hand to cup Hayden's cheek, who was frozen in place at the revelation. "My child, Hayden, you have grown up to be a dashing young man. I am so proud of you and your mother. I'm very sorry… that I have never been there for you two."

Sharp gasps and surprised exclamations resounded within the room. Everyone looked at Hayden and King Emeri back and forth. Now that His Majesty said it, they couldn't help but notice many similarities between the two. Their eyes, the shape of their chin and their side figure, they were practically made of the same mould! 

Not to mention the others, even Jillian was stunned by the sudden development of the event. He didn't expect to bring Hayden here only for him to reunite with his father, the monarch who sat above all! 

Did this mean that Hayden was a Royal Prince in the first place?

So what was he working so hard for in these last few weeks?!

When he recalled all the stress he had gone through and the effort he had put in to make Hayden at least presentable in front of the noblemen, Jillian couldn't help the blaze of white fury that exploded in his heart. He gnashed his teeth hatefully.

Regius! There was no mistake about it, Regius must have known the fact early on and he didn't tell Jillian anything! Wait until Jillian returned home, he would make sure to teach Regius a lesson!

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