BXBX NOVEL Chapter 217 How Fickle Could Fortune Be?
The atmosphere was again heated as the Vesala faction reacted adversely toward Antoine's words. They scanned their eyes in fear as they witnessed the neutral nobles looking at them with suspicion in their eyes.
The rest of the nobles couldn't believe that the matter escalated to the Vesala house coming out with the intention to insult the throne and disregard its authority.
They were now reevaluating their stance on who to support in the race for the throne.
Duke Vesala also noticed this subtle change in the atmosphere. Gritting his teeth took a deep breath and spoke.
"Second Prince, it is by no means that I intend to usurp the throne, not even a single drop. Please retract your words.." Duke Vesala's hoarse voice directed to Antoine.
His body was trembling in anger as he tried to compose himself from the unprecedented hostility coming toward him.
Never did he expect that the Astazes would discover their men conducting the investigations. He also did not expect the seemingly frivolous prince to put his covert actions in this way.
Although they were indeed planning to take control of the throne, they weren't adamant about the nobles and the Emperor gaining suspicion towards their house this early! This would really put them at a disadvantage.
"Have I, the Emperor of Seirende, allowed any of you to speak?! Open your mouth once more or I'll have to throw you out in the palace, never to step here ever again!" Emperor Valentin's voice roared in the entire room.
His voice carried so much authority and aura as a leader, that all of the people present trembled in fear and shock.
"We seek your mercy, Your Majesty…" Everyone knelt again in submission, they really couldn't get used to the Emperor's change in attitude.
For them to be thrown out of the palace was an extremely shameful act. It would mean that the Empire no longer values the name they carried and basically, they would be considered fallen nobles, no different from commoners.
Duke Vesala almost turned into a tomato from being too red upon receiving the direct shaming of the Emperor. There was a huge sense of apprehension in his mind as he realized the great change in the attitude of the Emperor.
However, he tried his best to keep his expression and emotion in check, for this is a tricky situation. He didn't dare to add more fuel to the fire.
He commanded himself to calm down, even if he was starting to see that they were dealing with someone whom they were now unable to understand.
The room was now filled with a dangerous silence, everyone held their breaths as they were afraid that even a little noise would make the Emperor explode again.
As Emperor Valentin swept his gaze through the crowd, he called for his secretary and asked in a low, unfeeling manner, "What is the sanction for ignoring the restrictions on the investigation?"
The secretary bowed and respectfully answered the Emperor's inquiry:
"Your Majesty, for any house to ignore the statutes in the matter of investigations, the violator would be immediately punished by seizing 20% of their properties and 15% of their territories on the first offense. This would rise by the increments of 10% and 5%, respectively, for every warning ignored thereof!"
Hiss!!
The nobles flinched upon hearing the sanctions. The Astaze faction felt smug in their hearts for they know this matter firsthand and were sure that this would hurt the Vesalas a lot.
True enough, upon hearing the sanctions the Duke of Vesala started to become nervous and uneasy.
He also knew of this policy, but never did he expect that the Emperor would really publicly reveal this in front of the council.
It is one thing to have their properties seized, with the vast wealth that the Vesalas accumulated through the years, this will not really hurt them much.
But that was different with the seizing of territory.
For it is completely under the Emperor's hand on which territory he wanted to retract. That means that the Emperor can take away 15% of his territory and specifically choose the most prosperous or advantageous areas for political agenda!
This would definitely cause a great disturbance in their plans for the throne!
If it was before, he was still confident that the Emperor would give the Empress and his son some face and not fully impose these sanctions, but now… He couldn't really decipher the Emperor's intention.
"Then impose these sanctions as soon as possible. I'll have the Second Prince lead this matter!" The Emperor finally gave the verdict to everyone's horror!
"Imperial Father!!! This is too much! I implore you to think of this matter carefully." Kazimir immediately pleaded for the Vesalas.
He couldn't believe it! This was the first time he saw his father disregard his blood ties with the Vesala clan and make the situation hard for his maternal family.
The Emperor raised his brows towards Kazimir, looking at him with eyes full of intrigue."First Prince, I want to know, whose family are you pledging your loyalty to right now?"
"I- my loyalty is in the Imperial Family... Imperial Father, why ask me this obvious question?" Kazimir was taken aback by the Emperor's question.
"Hmmm... Is it really?" The Emperor looked at Kazimir skeptically, he did not even mask the doubt on his face as he looked at the first prince. "But why am I hearing you, the eldest son of the Emperor of Seirende, plead on a violator's behalf?"
It was at this point that everyone in the council, including the Duke of Vesala and Kazimir, knew that the Emperor was now looking unfavorably towards the First Prince!
"I-i… have misspoken, Imperial Father. I sincerely apologize.." Kazimir didn't know how he was still able to remain standing after realizing that his father was now looking at him negatively.
Back then, they were always gloating on the sidelines whenever they saw their youngest brother get treated like this.
But now, experiencing it firsthand, he felt like his chest was suffocated so much that he was unable to breathe properly. He was perspiring so much because he could feel the eyes of the nobles staring at him with mixed attitudes, some pity, others of gloating.
He very much wanted to disappear like a bubble in his spot.
His heart was in turmoil, there was a mixed sense of shock, anger, and frustration invading his heart, which made his expression turn crestfallen and ugly.
"Hmm, prove that to me." The Emperor ignored his son's stifled expression and looked at Antoine with a strict countenance. "I'll leave the matter of seizing the properties to you, Second Prince, do not disappoint me."
"I will carry out this duty perfectly, Imperial Father," Antoine answered solemnly.
In fact, he was not gloating over his elder brother's misfortune. Instead, he was somehow feeling uncomfortable witnessing him experience the same as what Leon had experienced before.
It made him wonder, how was his youngest brother able to withstand this kind of atmosphere with his young body back then? They were now adults, but he could visibly notice the internal breakdown that was happening to his elder brother.
It also dawned on him how fast the tables could turn on their side. Seeing the First Prince suffer because of this, has made him more anxious than victorious.
This is how fast a favor could be lost inside the Imperial Family! This is how cruel the crown could be!
Realizing this truth, how could the Second Prince of the Empire have the mood to be happy over one's misfortune?!
Who knows, it would be his turn to lose favor tomorrow!!! This is how fickle and fast the situation inside the palace could be.
Prince Antoine realized that the three of them, starting today, would be walking on thin ice under the Emperor's cold watch.
The Emperor looked at his two sons and announced to the crowd his intentions:
"Remember, I'll be watching you. I have long set aside the matter of evaluating the three of you. Now that the immediate matters of the Empire have settled down, it's time for me to watch you closely and see who deserves the title of the Crown Prince!"
"I'll send a formal decree as to which part of the territory must be seized by the Vesala house within three days."
He then addressed the matter at hand, "As for the investigation, I will impose its restriction until the application is finalized and approved on my end. I remind everyone, this is the Seirende Empire, comply with the policies and your house will not be suffering from the sanctions!"
Emperor Valentin's cold voice swept the entire room like it was a great blow of the harsh wind. It made the nobles feel fear and nervous about what their own houses have been doing.
That day, all of the noble houses gathered around their vassals and officials for two things.
The first was to check if their territories were complying with the Empire's policies and decrees. They swept through their businesses and dealings to ensure that even their taxes were rightfully remitted.
The second was to disseminate the fact that they have to reevaluate their support amongst the possible heir to the throne.
Now that the First Prince made a huge mistake, they have to check if the other two princes could make good allies in the future.
Yes, their evaluations now included the Third Prince, who had been the most ignored for years now.
For the Emperor explicitly said that he would be considering the three princes in choosing his successor!