Chapter 681: 679 Tea Party_1

Marquis Klick’s manor is situated to the west of Phoenix Palace, just three blocks away.

In the backyard of the manor stand two towering iron oak trees, opposite each other. Despite their age not competing with the ancient oak said to have a history of thousands of years in the Royal Oak Manor, they have also weathered hundreds of years of wind and rain.

The huge and knotted trunks would take about seven or eight people to encircle, their dense canopy intertwining to cast a large shadow.

Underneath this shade, a long table made of gold-threaded wood is laid out, covered with various desserts and teas, surrounded by over a dozen standing and seated nobles.

This is Marquis Klick’s weekly Friday afternoon tea party, which even holds some fame within the nobility circle of Dragon City.

The Marchioness, looking to be in her forties, is wearing a traditional long noblewoman’s dress, her deep red hair styled up high, a satisfied and charming smile on her face. She is sitting gallantly at the table’s head, enjoying the attention everyone’s casting her way.

“…That’s all the information I have gathered so far. In conclusion, Prince Harrison was excessively unforceseeing this time. He dared to outright kill the Pope. No matter his reasoning, that is a criminal act that cannot be forgiven.”

“The Senate has already passed a resolution to strip him of his right to the throne. Up next, he will likely have to face the Church’s judgment!”

Undoubtedly, the topic of the tea party had to revolve around the incident of Prince Harrison murdering Pope Gregory.

For the past three days, the entirety of Dragon City still hasn’t emerged from the shock and disbelief.

However, the denunciations directed at Prince Harrison have flooded over like a torrential tide of rage.

As Marquis Klick’s wife pointed out, no matter what reasons Prince Harrison had, killing the representative of the Supreme Lord in the world, such violent conduct, is something all devout believers cannot accept.

In the face of public outrage, the Senate was forced under pressure to convene an emergency meeting, stripping Harrison of his right to inherit the throne.

This managed to quell the surge of widespread indignation somewhat.

“But the Pope was indeed the first one to make a mistake!” Suddenly, a clear voice broke out.

The speaker was Marquis Klick’s younger daughter. Barely fourteen, she had an innocent yet alluring air about her.

“If the Pope hadn’t killed Marquis Garcia first, and then conspired with Prince Lexie to detain Count Angler, Prince Harrison wouldn’t have…”

“Nicole!” The Marchioness glared at her daughter, stopping her from going further.

Wronged, Nicole pouted and stuffed a piece of cake in her mouth, ceasing her talk.

The reason for the little girl’s rush to defend Prince Harrison was out of admiration–although it might not be considered admiration for someone her age, perhaps.

Nicole and Prince Harrison were both the same age and knew each other since they were children. They often played and jested together, somewhat displaying an air of childhood sweethearts.

If it was before, the Marchioness would’ve been ecstatic for her daughter to marry Prince Harrison, but now, she would have to dispel such thoughts from her daughter’s head.

However, Nicole’s earlier comments did draw attention from the assembled nobility.

“Marchioness, is it true that Count Angler was secretly detained by Prince Lexie?”

“That… I am not too certain about that.” The Marchioness held back her words in heed of her husband’s advice.

The nobles were itching to know; however, there was nothing they could do.

In the past few days, various rumors were flying around Dragon City; the nobility, instinctively wanting to understand the trends of the Imperial situation, hoping to gain the most benefits amidst this round of political reshuffling.

“Oh, by the way, I did hear a rumor recently… I am not sure if it’s true…” A young noble suddenly spoke. Judging by the crest on his sleeve, he should be a Viscount of the Empire.

“What rumor?”

“There are rumors about Queen Midela’s two children…that they are not actually His Majesty’s offspring.”

Once this was said, the atmosphere of the tea party subtly changed.

There wasn’t much surprise on anyone’s faces. It seemed that they had all heard similar rumors to some extent.

In fact, rumors about the Emperor and Queen had circulated early on, but at that time they were still alive. The nobles only dared to discuss it in private, unlike now, where they dared to bring it up in a semi-public setting like a tea party.

Of course, in this era without genetic testing technology, it was impossible to authenticate paternity.

This kind of rumor was destined to be unprovable.

But this doesn’t mean it was harmless.

Sometimes, all a political game needs is an seemingly reasonable excuse.

Today, the only remaining legitimate member of the Lorenzo family is Princess Judy, but to the politicians who are like wolves and tigers, such a 12-year-old unprotected little girl is just an existence that they can manipulate at will.

All they need is an excuse.

Once Princess Judy’s inheritance rights are questioned, those who benefit would be the illegitimate children of Emperor Reinhardt.

Although illegitimate children have no inheritance rights, politicians can always find ways to circumvent the “Glorious Code”–for instance, through adoption.

Vera inheriting the Northern Duke’s position followed this path.

So, as long as Princess Judy’s inheritance rights are denied, the next step will be the showcase of powers from the illegitimate children of Emperor Reinhardt and their supporters.

“We should not easily believe in such rumors. Let the Senate and the Church decide on the issue of succession to the throne.” The Marchioness spoke lightly.

But everyone present could see the Marchioness’s feigned restraint, along with the hint of joy hidden in her eyes.

As one of the famous and high nobles of the Imperial Capital, how could Marquis Klick not have his share of the cuckoldry?

Yes, this Marchioness had also borne a child for Emperor Reinhardt. More importantly, he was the oldest among the illegitimate children.

The atmosphere of the tea party changed again.

Though the nobility stopped discussing this topic, their compliments towards the Marchioness became more overt, with their flattery apparent.

“Huh? Isn’t that knight Norman?”

In the middle of the conversation, a young man approached. Looking to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with thick golden hair draped over his shoulders, an arrogant smile on his handsome face like a marble sculpture. However, this smile was full of arrogance, lacking the humility and calm that a noble knight should possess.

“Mother,” Knight Norman came to the Marchioness and respectfully bowed.

This person was indeed the illegitimate child of the Marchioness and Emperor Reinhardt.

“Why are you here?” The Marchioness asked with a smile.

“There’s something… I want to talk to Father about, is he around?”

Of course, the Marchioness knew that by “Father”, Knight Norman was referring to Marquis Klick. Hearing this, she nodded, “He should be in the study. I’ll take you to him.”

Once done speaking, she got up, apologized to the gathered nobility, and personally led Knight Norman towards the study.