X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the ServerEthan rose from his seat after class, letting out a soft sigh as he noticed the crowd that had gathered around him.
He had only given the interview to divert public attention from the Zaisler and Moore families. However, with Enoch Cloud—a figure even more popular than Prince Devon Green—appearing alongside him, the public’s interest in Ethan had multiplied exponentially.
“Ethan Prescott, is it true that you are the ‘Flower of the Empire’?”
“Are you really close with Enoch Cloud? Are you returning to the entertainment industry?”
“Weren’t you a Guide for the Moore family?”
Ever since the broadcast, this exact scenario had repeated itself after every class at the academy.
Ethan offered a polite smile, kindly reciting the same answer he had given just two hours prior.
“Yes, but doesn’t that title make you cringe? ‘Flower of the Empire,’ really? Please, don’t call me that. And Enoch Cloud is actually closer with Bliss than he is with me; that’s how we met. I haven’t heard anything about him returning to the entertainment world.”
At least these fleeting, curiosity-driven questions were manageable.
After offering some vague answers and stepping outside, Ethan exhaled another long sigh.
“Ethan Prescott. I am Lord Kay Ektor of the Ektor family. My father serves as a vassal to the current Count Cloud, assisting Count David Cloud. I would like to speak with you for a moment.”
“…I apologize, but Ethan already has an engagement with me.”
As Maxon stepped between them, Kay’s gaze sharpened, turning fierce.
Yet, he dared not charge forward recklessly.
Though Maxon’s eyes, now a mundane brown due to the lenses he always wore under Bliss’s orders, seemed ordinary, his imposing build and fiery red hair were more than enough to intimidate anyone.
“Which family does he belong to? Is he a commoner?”
Ethan, despite being known as a commoner, carried an undeniable aristocratic air. This made it difficult to discern if Maxon, dressed in plain clothes yet appearing noble beside Ethan, was indeed a commoner or a lord.
Maxon grinned, responding with a swaggering demeanor.
“Well, do I really need to disclose that? Let’s just say I’m associated with the Moore family.”
His refusal to properly introduce himself was a profound discourtesy for a noble.
However, the name ‘Moore’ he invoked was too formidable for Kay to openly express his anger.
“I won’t take up much of your time. Look, do you think it’s easy for a noble to ask a favor of a commoner who is still nothing?”
Ethan and Maxon simultaneously let out a snort of amusement.
“Listen, Lord Kay Ektor. Among the noble scions who approached us today, three families were connected to the Cloud family. All of them used the exact same words to ask for our time. They claimed it was a difficult request, yet they made it quite easily, didn’t they?”
“…!! What, who were those bastards…?”
Kay pressed urgently, but Maxon simply shook his head and turned back to Ethan.
The moment they exited the building, Kyle, clad in the Moore family’s guard uniform, extended an arm to completely halt the approaching Kay.
“Do not allow Ethan’s image and position to be exploited in the Cloud family’s internal strife. These are the explicit orders of Lord Bliss of the Moore family.”
“…!!”
As they descended the stairs, Ethan glanced around, a weary expression on his face.
He was accustomed to being stared at due to previous commotions, but the gazes now were far more overt.
Anyone who met Ethan’s eyes, even for a moment, would immediately approach him, burdened with overwhelming favors, intense interest, and ulterior motives.
“At this rate, I’ll end up meeting every single noble attending Ramiel Royal Academy, won’t I?”
Maxon irritably swept back his red hair.
“Nobles aren’t the only problem. There are too many Enoch Cloud fans. That damned Enoch Cloud. Why did he have to become an actor, anyway?”
“…Kyle is having such a hard time.”
Ethan voiced his concern, dismissing Maxon’s grumbling, who then glanced at Kyle, still fending off encroaching individuals, and agreed.
“Liam needs to arrive soon. During the festival, Kyle and I alone won’t be enough to guard you. And didn’t you say there’s still an exclusive interview scheduled right after the festival?”
“…That’s right.”
Ethan mumbled dejectedly.
“Will you even be able to graduate properly?”
Maxon, speaking with a subtle tease, widened his eyes as he spotted yet another group approaching them.
Ethan, not to be outdone, retorted to the vexatious man.
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get a scholarship this time because of your training? I heard Bliss offered to cover it.”
Feeling a childish sense of victory at Maxon’s slight flinch, Ethan quickly got into the car Kyle had waiting and headed for the royal palace.
Today was the day of an invitation from Rosalyn Green, the Crown Princess of His Highness Herace Green, the First Prince.
After classes ended late, he needed to have dinner first, then stop by to see Huey Cloud, his educational supervisor.
****
“Ethan Prescott greets His Highness Herace Green, the First Prince, and Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Rosalyn Green.”
“Welcome. I’ve been eager to meet you.”
Rosalyn Green exuded an aura of gentleness.
With her abundant auburn hair elegantly swept up, revealing her graceful neck, she wore a soft, comfortable dress that subtly highlighted her gently swelling belly.
“Bliss surprisingly gave his permission.”
Ethan gave an awkward laugh at Herace’s playful remark.
“Actually… since I was invited, I was hoping to receive both of your Nishan as well.”
Herace and Rosalyn widened their eyes for a moment, then chuckled.
“No wonder he let you come so readily; perhaps he couldn’t bear the thought of us meeting again.”
“Oh my, are you asking us to create Nishan right here at the dinner table where we invited Ethan? Should I tie a ribbon on a fork?”
“That too, but I don’t think it will be easy to receive Nishan from His Majesty the King or His Highness Devon within ten days.”
Their laughter ceased, and silence settled.
A hush fell over the lavishly set dining table.
Ethan calmly continued his meal, merely waiting for Prince Herace and Crown Princess Rosalyn to collect their thoughts.
The lightly seasoned dishes, prepared for the pregnant Crown Princess, focused on enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients, making each bite a delightful experience to savor.
“It seems this was Ethan’s idea, rather than Bliss’s.”
Herace meticulously scrutinized Ethan.
The depth of his thought, his composure, and his impeccable timing—Herace found himself coveting such qualities.
“It’s likely that His Majesty the King isn’t feeling particularly favorable towards the Moore family at this time. The same goes for His Highness Devon…”
As Rosalyn murmured worriedly, Herace patted her hand and inquired.
“How do you intend to get them?”
“Before that, I have a question. Does someone holding the title ‘Flower of the Empire’ qualify to request an official audience, regardless of their status?”
“……No. They do not. Commoners cannot directly request an audience with royalty. Such matters are typically resolved through petitions at regional administrative offices, and only a select few of the countless petitions are significant enough for royalty to intervene. Even then, it’s not that commoners request an audience, but rather that the royals decide a meeting is necessary.”
“Royalty cannot meet everyone, after all. But Ethan, does it have to be an ‘official’ audience request? As the ‘Flower of the Empire,’ you can make an informal request for an audience to receive Nishan from the royals within ten days, even if it’s not official.”
Ethan shook his head at Herace and Rosalyn’s explanation.
“An informal audience is simply too easy to refuse. I believe that even if I were to verbally request an audience through the Chief Chamberlain in front of His Majesty the King’s or His Highness Devon’s office, they would not grant me a meeting.”
“……It won’t be easy, that’s true. However, to leave a record of an audience request in the royal palace’s network, one must be a noble. And not just any noble, but a bureaucrat or a lord actively involved in politics to some extent.”
Silence descended once more.
This time, Rosalyn and Herace slowly ate, waiting for Ethan.
They were eager to see what solution Ethan would propose.
“……If adoptive parents are decided, can an audience be requested even if the adoption hasn’t been fully processed?”
“Haha.” Herace’s laughter boomed across the royal dining table, shattering its usual elegance and quietude.
After a hearty laugh, Herace made no attempt to hide his covetous expression, actively trying to persuade Ethan.
“Ethan, I’m serious, would you consider taking charge of the Royal Palace’s PR department?”
“No.”
Despite the sharp, immediate refusal, Herace merely smiled wryly.
You’ve got to see this next! Looking For My Child's Father will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : Looking For My Child's Father
