Chapter 110 |
Since Lennox said he will attend the morning audience, all windows and curtains were shut to prevent any sunlight from sneaking in.
There is a rule within the imperial family, that a prince or princess are not allowed to appear in public until their coming of age ceremony. With Lennox being ten years old, the throne was also covered by light curtains.
This wasn't the first time that he has attended a public audience. When Jennings was in the sublime tour last year, Lennox occasionally came to listen to it personally. This is why when the minister of public affairs heard of this, he immediately knew what preparations needs to be taken.
Once the guard announced his arrival, everyone knelt as they greeted the crown prince in unison. Lennox entered from a side door on the platform to avoid being seen, after taking a seat on the throne, he raised his hand and the attendant called for the crowd to stand up.
The audience started and one by one people stepped forward, knelt then praised the crown prince and spoke their requests. Some time passed when Lennox heard faint whimpers, he nonchalantly scanned the crowd. It's common to see kids in throne hall during the public audience, as those few who brought their children wants to either receive blessings from the imperial family or request sponsorship from the Empire.
At the back line, Lennox spotted a young man carrying a four-month-old newborn.
' He looks too young to be the baby's father, maybe his uncle? '
It wasn't long before the faint whimpers turned to loud cries. The man looked like he was about to cry too upon seeing the baby's tears. Lennox's unconsciously softened as he remembered how distressed Jennings was when he was born.
" tsk, why bring your kids if you don't know how to calm them "
One of the assistants by Lennox's side was about to go and rebuke the young man but Lennox stopped him firmly. He stood from the throne and walked out of the curtains.
Out of the curtains...
" !!!!!!!!!!! "
" Oh my god! Is that the crown prince?!! "
" I thought he would look disfigured or more like a devil "
" I know right?! Who would expect him to have such extraordinary looks "
" Why did he come out? "
" Maybe he got annoyed by the baby's cries and wants to shut him up "
" Goodness! "
The assistants were too shocked their eyes almost fell out of their sockets. Thankfully the imperial guards were fast, they quickly ran behind Lennox and encircled around him. They can't stop him from appearing in the open, but they can stop people from looking at him.
Although he couldn't see the person in the centre of all these muscular men, the man with a baby knew that Lennox was heading towards him. Once he saw Lennox gesture to the guard standing between them, blood instantly drained from his face, he quickly got on his knees and lowered his head, anxiously saying.
" Y- your highness, please spare us! t- the child m- must be uncomfortable, I- I will take him away "
With the crown prince right in front of him, the man was so terrified, he was trembling and sweating buckets. The man was so scared that he didn't notice when Lennox took the baby from his arms.
" There now, stop crying "
Although his tone was as indifferent as ever, the way Lennox gently held the baby and patted his back made the man somehow feel relaxed. He could feel that Lennox had no ill intentions towards them.
After taking a good look at the young man, Lennox turned around and returned to the throne platform with the baby in his arms. The murmurs and gossip were endless yet he doesn't give a shit, all his attention was on the small and soft bundle of joy in his arms.
' *sigh, so cute and lovely, he even has a warm scent. Kind of reminds me of someone....never mind, it's not important now, is it? '
After he sat down again, Lennox ordered to proceed with the Hearing.
Truth to be told, Lennox has a very soft spot for children. Although he keeps denying it, having adopted 8 children is evident enough to show how much affection he had for the powerless infants. Well, Everly might not be powerless, however, she's was too cute for Lennox to just let her be. Who in their right mind would ignore such an adorable and fluffy Love?
' Loves are to bless our eyes you moutherfuckers! '
Seeing that his thoughts have diverted to a weird direction, Lennox sighed, gently bit the soft cheek of the little guy then returned to pay attention to the audience while rocking the baby to sleep.
After more than half of the line passed, the young man's turn finally came. By greeting the crown prince and praising him, following the etiquette for meeting an imperial member, the man continued with his request.
" your highness, about a month ago this subject's sister left the house and never came since then. This subject has searched everywhere she could be but couldn't find her, there were no results even after reporting to the lights in charge "
a moment later, a man's voice sounded, it wasn't Lennox's but one of his assistants who was delivering his words as usual.
" Have you considered the possibility that she might have run away or died at a remote area "
" It can't be! "
The young man paused, he got on his knees then continued in a firm tone:" She wouldn't have run away, this subject and the baby are her only family, she doesn't have anyone else. And....if she was dead....I want to see her body myself, or I wouldn't give up "
There was no response for a while. Suddenly one of the assistants broke from the curtains with the baby in his arms, he handed the child the young man and transmitted what Lennox said.
" Your matter shall be looked into. If you have a strand of hair or a drop of blood from the missing person, then hand it to our assistants, whether above the cloud or beneath the ground that person is ought to be found "
The young man's eyes instantly swelled with tears. He kowtowed thrice while repeatedly thanking the crown prince. Lennox stared at the departing man's back with a thought in his mind.
' that baby really looked familiar, should I have used my senses on him? I could have figured out his race and attribute.....no never mind, he might be a son of a random guy I saw somewhere '