Chapter 21

"Y-Your Majesty, that is not what I meant!" Ryden hastily replied with a touch of panic, seemingly extremely afraid to offend the Empress

"I-it's just that ..." Ryden trailed as if he wasn't unsure whether he should say his next sentence or not. He has a look of hesitation on his face and that causes the Emperor to furrow his brows

"Speak! You don't need to hold back" he said. His earlier good impression of Ryden also vanishes

After all, who doesn't know that Ryden is the mightiest sword of the Empire? He was the one that is always in the front of the battlefield

He brought countless victories to the Empire despite having threats almost everywhere

After all, the stronger a nation is, the more people would covet and destroy such a giant

If the battlefield loses such a capable soldier such as Ryden, that would be a great loss for the Empire

"Y-Your Majesties ... t-there's a ... a-an unpleasant rumor spreading" Ryden continued though he hesitated again making the Emperor impatient

"Just speak whatever is in your mind" John said, displeasure visible in his tone and sensing that, Ryden 'doesn't have a choice' but to speak

"T-there are people that are saying that I am always fighting not for the sake of the Empire but because I am coveting the Imperial Throne!" Ryden said

Most Princes would never be this direct. Even if there really is such a rumor spreading around, they would say it in a roundabout way

People like Ryden that lacks tact are not many

If that was said by others, they might think that the Prince is being impertinent. However, the one that said was was Ryden, a Prince with strong fighting prowess but lacks intelligence

He was crude with his words with no skills to sugarcoat it

As such, despite speaking in that manner, the Emperor merely frowned but he wasn't completely offended

However, Ryden acted like a frightened rabbit just by seeing the Emperor's frown and he hurriedly explained himself

"T-the rumors of course was false, Your Majesties! I know that I maybe be a Prince but I don't have what it takes to be an Emperor! I am simply lacking the qualities that Father Emperor has!"

"I don't dare covet the Throne, Your Majesties, please believe me! I merely want to contribute to the Empire and the Emperor that gave me so much more than I deserve!"

Ryden humbled himself to the extreme, even to the point that he seems to be insulting his own self

The past him wouldn't know what to say in this situation but thankfully, his wife has quite the intelligence

"A-although I want to spend more time with my wife in peace, I also don't want such rumors to continue spreading!"

"I am merely a Prince because Father Emperor hasn't abandoned me but I really don't dare covet the Throne"

"Father, instead of sending an unworthy Prince like me, please send a Prince with more status and power than me. My brothers are much more suited to the Honor of being Your Majesty's heir! I am sure that my brothers would be able to do much more than I can do for the Empire!"

Clyde lowered his head to hide his smile, very satisfied at Ryden's performance

Ryden might be stupid but he wasn't 'stupid stupid'

When it comes to memorization, Ryden actually was exceptional. After all, would Ryden even become a doctor back on earth if he was really stupid?

What Ryden lacks more is diligence as he doesn't like thinking. His EQ was also at the lower side and he also was very silly

However, as long as Ryden was 'prepared' properly, his performance was more than passable

They might only have to greet the Emperor and Empress but Clyde's goal isn't just to greet them without receiving any punishment

This was the best occasion to pull Ryden out of the battlefield

With the excuse of the rumor and some smooth talking here and there, the Emperor would have to stop sending Ryden into the battlefield for the time being

No matter what, the Emperor wouldn't make an illegitimate son like Ryden the next Emperor

The Throne is reserved for the legitimate Princes

Ryden might have not spoken much but smart people can easily think of the implications of his careless words

There was already the talk that Ryden is trying to be the Emperor. However, no one was saying that he was a fool to try doing that

Since that was the case, it means that Ryden's performance and skills gathered the admiration of the citizens

He wasn't a foolish Prince but a reliable one

Since the Throne is reserved for the legitimate Princes, how could the Emperor let Ryden shine even brighter than them?

Just because of that petty reason, the Emperor would surely choose another Prince for the job

Clyde clenches his fist, feeling really excited. The person above him was the Emperor, the most powerful person in the Empire yet even such a person was being manipulated by him without the victim knowing it

To think that being the one in control rather than being the one that is being controlled feels this good ...

Because of this pleasure, Clyde vowed that he would strive hard so that no one could control him ever again!

"W-what nonsense! For that reason, you wish to retreat from your duty?!" The Empress hurriedly intercepted before the Emperor can fully decide

As for the reason why? It wasn't that hard to guess it

Ryden is an unfavored Prince that has faced countless hardships both in the past and the present

The legitimate Princes on the other hand... they are completely different

They are showered with love, affection, and even power by their parents

They almost do not face any hardship at all. Sure, some of them are smart and scheming

However, if they would be sent as a replacement for Ryden... those Princes would surely lose a lot of face

They can be smart and scheming but how can they have Ryden's overwhelming might?

The power that let people kill thousands of people on the battlefield where danger and hardship are everywhere

How could those pampered Princes have that?

Not only would sending another Prince free Ryden, but the citizens would also think that compared to an illegitimate Prince, those legitimate ones are too weak, powerless even

Since Ryden spoke in a way that would kind of force the Emperor to send a 'reliable' Prince, the Emperor would have to choose amongst his children with the Empress

After all, the Empress's children are still the ones with the most hope of inheriting the Throne

The battlefield is a great place to accumulate power and honor but that is only if you have the ability to!

The pampered Princes instead of raising themselves through battles would just be pulled down from their pedestal. They might even lose their life!

As such, it was no wonder that the Empress would try to influence the Emperor's decision

Unfortunately for him, the Emperor already has a decision inside him

Since it was among the legitimate Princes that would be the Emperor's successor, they have to show their capabilities

John would not give his Throne to people with little to no capabilities!

Despite not saying anything yet, the Emperor is already set in sending one of the Empress' Princes

"Alright, this matter ends here. I would consider it and give you an answer later" the Emperor said in a dismissive tone

He can just agree on the spot but it would look like he was yielding to Ryden

"For now, you may return to your Manor. Your wife seems to badly need a rest!"

The Prince and his Consort gave their thanks to the Emperor and Empress first before returning to the Manor

While in the carriage, Ryden excitedly stared at Clyde. "How was it? Was I good? Do you think with my acting skills, I would have become a Film Emperor on earth?"

Although Ryden's performance was more than satisfactory, if Clyde were to admit that, this Prince's head might expand to the size of the sun

As such, Clyde can't give any praise and he merely coldly glance at his husband

"You think too much. You are barely passable" he said with no expression on his face and tone

As a person with low EQ, Ryden naturally can't read his wife and he immediately becomes dissatisfied

In his eyes, his acting was even better than the acting of a Film Emperor. How can his wife say that it was barely passable?

"Tsk, tsk, you just don't have an eye for talent" Ryden complained in displeasure

Clyde refrained from giving any answer but he can still feel Ryden's prickly gaze

It was like the man wants to poke holes in his body after not only not receiving even a single praise but also being criticized

Such a childish act formed a slight smile from Clyde that he didn't even notice that is there