Chapter 514: 13.12

"Raphael will be a saint in the future, he cannot have a child to avoid child-worshipping because sainthood is not determined by blood, but by God's favorite," Emperor Argent III explained. "So if he wants to marry a man, that'd be the best because it would avoid a child being birthed since your little brother is also a man!"

[Ehe… ehehehehe, apparently, he doesn't know about my record of getting pregnant many times and birthing many children, some of them even have children or their own! So I was also a grandpa to many grandchildren!]

[Pupa: Luckily, you can't get pregnant in this world. I get tired listening to your pregnant mood swing and random stuff you said.]

[Eh? Is it that bad?]

[Pupa: You said to me once that you want to want me to dress up in a baby diaper, then you'll breastfeed me.]

[… okay, forget I ever said that.]

Maximillien was trapped in an awkward position one he was confronted by Emperor Argent III. He was ready to separate Little Jean and the Second Prince. But now that Emperor Argent was suggesting the marriage, he couldn't just say no easily.

Because his Archduchy was still under the Empire's rule, even though it was already autonomous. He still had to maintain the relationship between the Empire and the Archduchy, especially since La Fleur Academy was located in Eau Saumont capital city, where the nobles from across the Empire came to study there. 

To get continuous support, he had to maintain the relationship.

…

Maximillien stared at Little Jean, who still lowered his gaze, afraid of raising his head. Thus he ordered, "Jean, look at me."

Little Jean slowly raised his head. When his eyes met with his big brother's, he jolted slightly and mumbled, "B—Big brother…."

"Where have you been after you left my office? Did you wander alone in this maze garden?" Maximillien asked. He was actually so worried searching for Little Jean here and there across the Palace. He even ordered his maids to search for Little Jean, and he entered the maze garden because this was Little Jean's favorite place.

How did he know? Because he could see the maze from his office, and he often saw Little Jean strolling around alone in the garden when he reached the fountain in the middle of the maze. 

For some unknown reason, Maximillien was afraid that Little Jean might get hurt or lost somewhere, knowing how harsh he was towards Jean. 

"Un… Big brother said that you don't want me…." Little Jean replied.

"That's not—" Maximillien was about to refute that when Raphael interrupted and said, "When I came here, I heard Little Jean's cries. He was crying because his Big brother is a meanie. Duke Maximillien, I know that Little Jean is adopted, but that doesn't mean you can crush his hope."

Maximillien saw the grin on Raphael's face. He was definitely trying to worsen the situation to his advantage. 

"N—No, Big brother—Big brother is not a meanie, Jean is wrong—" Little Jean still tried to protect his Big brother, which baffled Raphael. 

It was so clear that Duke Maximillien disliked his adopted brother, but it seemed that Little Jean's attachment was deep for Maximillien. 

Emperor Argent III patted Little Jean's head and asked, "What is your name?"

"Jean? Un… Jean's name is Jean…." Little Jean replied innocently. His doe eyes melted Emperor Argent's heart. He couldn't help but pinch Little Jean's cheek gently.

"Hehe, you're so cute. I don't mind bringing you to Royal Palace," Emperor Argent said. 

"He is not allowed to leave Palace of Eau Saumont," Maximillien said. 

Emperor Argent looked at the young Duke, who was obviously displeased with the proposal, but the Emperor didn't care about that. He knew that Raphael, his son, hated everyone ever presented to him, whether young girl or boy.

He hated everyone because he could see their dishonesty and read their mind. 

Thus, Raphael, liking Little Jean, already said a lot about this little boy's character.

Emperor Argent III asked his son, "Raphael, do you like Little Jean?"

"Certainly," Raphael smiled towards Little Jean. "I want to get engaged with him, dad. And married him in the future."

"Good, remember your words, Raphael," Emperor Argent warned. 

He shifted his attention at Little Jean and asked, "Young boy, do you want to help your Big brother?"

"Help, Big brother?" Little Jean tilted his head. "Jean can help Big brother?"

"No, you don't need to," Maximillien tried to stop Emperor Argent's agenda, but it was too late because of Little Jean's next words.

"Jean wants to help Big brother… Jean is useless and stupid. Even Big brother doesn't want Jean…."

"That's unfortunate," Emperor Argent said. "You can always help your Big brother by getting engaged with my son, Raphael. After you got engaged, Raphael will visit this Palace often, and he will play with you as well."

"When you're older, you can get married and live with him together," Emperor Argent smirked at the young Duke. As expected, the Young Duke was astonished. He must've realized that he was stupid to let Little Jean left his room while there was a visit from another noble.

Because engagement between nobles was so common even when they were just a child, and it was the children's decision. As long as they liked each other, then the engagement would be inevitable. 

"When you get engaged with Raphael, I will help your Big brother. I will make sure that he will have less stress and he will not work until late at night," Emperor Argent persuaded. "How is it? Don't you want your Big brother to sleep well?"

"YES!" Little Jean replied immediately. "Jean wants Big brother to be happy! Jean wants Big brother to sleep well! Jean will get engaged with Angel!" 

"NO!" Duke Maximillien snapped, unable to control his emotion any longer. He grabbed Little Jean's hand and dragged him out of the maze garden.

He looked over his shoulder and leered at Emperor Argent, "Your Majesty, pardon my impertinence, but we can talk about business tomorrow. There is no use to continue our discussion in this situation."

"Good, I will return with Raphael tomorrow. I'll make sure to get some document about my son and your adopted little brother's engagement."

Duke Maximillien gritted his teeth. He grabbed Little Jean by his back collar and then carried him on his arm. He rushed to leave the maze garden because he didn't want Little Jean to stay and getting influenced by those manipulative royals.

Meanwhile, Little Jean turned his head and rested his chin on Big brother Maximillien's shoulder. He stared at Raphael, who was smiling at him, and waved his hand.

After Duke Maximillien and Little Jean left their sight, Emperor Argent III asked his son, "Real talk, my son, do you actually like him? Or is it part of the plan to take over the duchy?"

The smile on Raphael's faltered. He never liked his callous father either, but he agreed upon his request to take over this Archduchy because he also had a plan for himself. 

But when it came to Little Jean…

Raphael shrugged, "I'm not sure either. My proposal is also sudden without any preparation. But I do like him… just a bit."