It was clear as day that the sixth Prince has gone too far this time.
Altec knew that if he didn't punish Julius hard, it would cause a rift between himself and Clayton, his good friend and very loyal general.
"Someone, come! Write my edict as so: Because of sixth Prince Julius Bequillia's disrespect for etiquette, nobility, and royalty,… he is to be stripped of his royal title and demoted to a commoner!"
~Hiss!
Many sucked in their breaths, shocked by his majesty's harsh Edict. From now on, he will be the same as an ordinary peasant on the road. But Altec wasn't done yet.
"Susan Campbell—daughter of General Clayton Campbell—is a noble, talented woman with a heart of gold,… whom because of her forgiving heart and radiating beauty, is to be bestowed the name Princess Glaynota."
Princess Glaynota? Good name!
"She will be rewarded 10,000 gold coins, and 30 rows of fine silk… From today henceforth, the world will know her as Julius Bequillia's betrothed!"
The emperor's words sealed her fate, but gave her dignity. It was unfair to her and General Clayton, for their household to get tied up with Julius the now-commoner.
However, since he has already 'seen' her body, there was no helping it. Word has already spread about the matter, so any other man who wants to marry her will only see her as unclean. Julius was the best and only bet right now.
Again, whether she chooses to marry and throw her commoner husband out of her home after marriage, is all up to her.
'Ancestors… what did I do to have such an unfilial son?' Altec felt he had to leave fast before his headache grew worse.
"You are to live the palace within two days… live well." Giving one last look at Julius, he turned away.
With his majesty gone, many didn't hide their disdainful gazes, knowing the sixth Prince was finally kicked out of the palace. Some were secretly thrilled while others stood in a daze, looking at the sixth prince pitifully. It is easy for one to adapt from poor to rich, but harder to do the opposite.
'Pity… Pity…'
A few who were kind at heart, could only say a few wise words to the kicked out sixth prince. But no one saw the corners of his lips raise slightly after they left.
With hands cupped forward, the officials slightly bowed to one another and before stepping into their carriages with solemn faces.
It was time to leave the palace. However, not all headed for home. In their carriages the group lifted their curtains and left the scene.
…
The next day, Julius was woken up by a beautiful woman crying helplessly by his bedside. With one eye open and another closed, he decided to take a peek on the situation.
The beautiful woman was his mother, the noble Concubine Ava Garteera, his Majesty's second concubine. In Altec's harem, there were four concubines overseen by a Queen.
Holding a pail red-dyed handkerchief, Concubine Ava dotted the endless stream of tears leaving her eyes. How can she be comfortable after waking up and hearing the sad news?
At first she didn't believe it, but when concubine Shu and Rita paid her a visit so early to taunt her, Ava felt her whole world spinning crazily.
She knew the type of son she had, and felt it was impossible for him to force himself on any girl. If he wanted to do so, then all the beautiful palace maids by his side would've already been deflowered a long time ago.
Her son might seem arrogant and rude, but he was very respectful to women.
—No! Someone must have set him up.
Before coming here, she had already gone to his Majesty's courtyard to seek an audience on cornering the matter. But maybe out of guilt, anger, or fear that his heart might soften, Altec didn't want to see her.
How can an Emperor be respected if he wrote and canceled his own edicts so fast, contradicting himself before his people?
Many would say he was a soft man who listened to the 'whispery' pillow words of women in his bedroom, this changing his mind overnight.
He will not be recorded as a man easily swayed by emotions and women. Even if he wanted to change his mind, it won't be now but months or even years later.
He must never show weakness! That was… unfortunately, one of his duties as monarch. People will be scared to cross the path of a man who could even kick his son out.
If he can do that to his son, then what about they, outsiders? That was the message he would be sending out.
"Mother?" Julius quickly jolted out of bed, seeing the beautiful woman sat on the edge, wiping her tears pitifully.
Several maids also stood a good distance away, lowering their heads and not saying a thing. Although they had little to no respect for Julius, these people were very loyal to concubine Ava.
Julius felt guilty making the woman cry. How can he not?
Wooooo~
"You're father has been deceived! How can he not investigate the matter well and let you take on such a heavy punishment on yourself? Don't I know the son I raised? Tell me the truth.. you were framed, right?"
Julius nodded wryly.
Yeah. He was framed but he did so willingly. His plan has been to leave the palace all along. He dared not tell his mother or else she might truly hire Taoist priests to come over to drive the demon that takes hold of his brain.
Who the hell would want to leave the Royal palace to become a commoner?
??????
Even if he explained his purpose, no one would believe he was sane. Don't think his actions last night were what caused his expulsion. Rather, it was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Almost every day for the past few months, he has given his father headache after headache. Only he alone had raised his father's blood pressure levels high.
The poor man once fainted from pure anger alone, so it was a miracle he lasted in the palace as long as he did.