Chapter 551: 13.49

Little Jean was prancing around in the corridor as he went for dinner with his Big brother. 

Wolf followed behind as he kept staring at Jean, afraid that Little Jean might disappear and left him again. 

Wolf stopped and stood at the corner of the dining hall when Little Jean joined his Big brother to eat dinner. 

"Big brotheeeerrr!"

Maximillien was sitting on his usual spot, waiting for Little Jean to join him. When he saw Little Jean prancing around happily, the very rare smile on Maximillien's face also bloomed. 

"You look happy tonight," Maximillien said as he helped Little Jean climb the tall chair. "Did you do something this afternoon?"

"Ah? No, no, Jean just played with Wolf in the maze garden, and then went to my room and play with my toys!" Little Jean lied. Of course, he wouldn't tell his Big brother that he had teleported to the city and played with Matthew. 

"Really?" Maximillien asked suspiciously. He was extra careful nowadays, knowing that Little Jean was starting to get rebellious. Things would worsen later on when he got older and had his own independent thoughts. 

"Yes, really really!" Little Jean replied. 

"Hm… okay then," Maximillien dropped the matter, and they had dinner together. 

They were silent during dinner, but after dinner, Maximillien opened the conversation first, "Jean, I want to surprise you with something. Come with me."

"Wu? Surprise?" Little Jean's eyes glimmered with happiness as he heard the word surprise, "Yay! Surprise, surprise! Jean loves a surprise!" 

Maximillien smiled when he saw how excited Little Jean was because the surprise he wanted to give was something that would change Jean's life forever. 

Maximillien carried Little Jean on his arm. He told Wolf to stay in front of Jean's room because he would be protecting Jean instead.

They went to Maximillien's office, and the Archduke sat Little Jean on the sofa. He went to his table and took a paper that had been framed, signifying its worth. 

Maximillien gave it to Little Jean. 

"Wu… what is this, Big brother? Um…" Little Jean tried hard to read it. "C-e-r-t-i-f-i-c-a-t-e… ce… certificate?" Little Jean tried spelling it. But even after he spelled it successfully, he still didn't understand what this thing was. 

Maximillien chuckled and sat beside Little Jean. He ruffled Little Jean's pink hair and explained, "This is called Certificate. This is not just a paper. This is very important for you in the future."

"Very important?" Little Jean tilted his head. "Can Jean play with it?"

"No, this is what we call as Certificate of the sovereign. This is given by the Empire magistrate for new nobles. Jean, with this, you've been recognized by the Empire as one of the noble. You're now part of Archduchy of Eau Saumont."

"Unn… but Jean is Big brother's brother. Jean is already a part of the Duchy!" Little Jean said. 

Archduke Maximillien smiled and patted Little Jean's head, "I know, this is just for a certification that you're also part of the Duchy. So in the future, if someone dares to challenge your authority as the Young Master of Eau Saumont, you will know that you have the full right, just like me," Maximillien explained. 

Little Jean still didn't understand anything since he thought that he had been treated very well by his Big brother and the rest of the people, but in the end, he just nodded to whatever his Big brother said. 

"Jean, please understand that you also have as much worth as me, so in the future, nobody dares to insult you for being adopted," Maximillien said. 

Little Jean kept on nodding like the obedient little boy he was. Maximillien knew that Little Jean still didn't understand what would happen in the future. 

But Maximillien had guessed that Emperor Argent III would try to take over the Duchy through Jean, in case Maximillien got incapacitated through any devious means. 

"Know your worth, Jean. You're worthy of all jewels in the world," Maximillien smiled to the innocent Little Jean, "You can leave now. You should rest after a long day. You're tired, don't you?"

"Un… Jean is very tired…." Little Jean said as he rubbed his eyes. "Night-night Big brother, Jean wants to sleep…."

Little Jean got up and kissed his Big brother's cheek before leaving the office.

Chu~ 

Maximillien was stunned for a moment, and he touched the cheek that had been kissed by Jean. His heart was warm all over, and a smile perked upon his lips. 

**

Maximillien waited in his office until late at night, and then a ball of light suddenly appeared. The light gradually expanded, shaping itself to look like the human body, and Raphael finally popped out of the light. 

They stared at each other for a while, and Maximillien asked, "Have you decided on what you want to do next? Second Prince, I don't have anything against you, but I also need to protect my little brother."

Raphael grinned when he noticed how protective Maximillien was to his little brother. Maximillien might not realize it yet, but it was apparent that their feelings for Little Jean were nevertheless the same. 

"Yeah, I've been thinking about it, and… I've decided not to break up the engagement," Raphael said. 

Maximillien wasn't surprised. He sent a letter to Raphael because he wanted to talk about this. He felt that it wasn't good for Little Jean to live in an illusion of love with Raphael, knowing how low Little Jean's status was compared to Second Prince and soon-to-be Saint Raphael. 

"I urge you to break the engagement. There is no use in giving false hope to Little Jean. I know that your father, Emperor Argent III, has been planning to use Jean as your meant to take over the Duchy," Maximillien accused.

"Why are you so hostile about my relationship with Little Jean?" Raphael grinned, trying to bait the Young Archduke, "Is it because you're his Big brother, or because of something else?"

"What do you mean? He is my little brother, albeit adopted! Of course, I know what's the best for him!" Maximillien insisted. 

Raphael knew well how cold Maximillien was. He was both ruthless and cold to everyone, even to his own parents. The fact that he would even urge the Magistrate to give a certificate for Little Jean, that meant Little Jean held a special place in Maximillien's heart.

And Raphael knew what that place is….

Yet, Raphael didn't want Maximillien to realize because it might add to even more competition. Little Jean had many admirers, and it would be difficult if he had to fight with a lot of people for Little Jean's attention. 

"I will never break the engagement. In fact, I've been thinking about marrying Little Jean after he reached eighteen years old. He will live with me instead of this Palace, and that would bet or the best," Raphael said.

"You!" 

Maximillien was so worried that Little Jean would just be a tool for these scheming royals. But even after he called Raphael out, this Prince didn't even budge.

"Well, if that's all you need to say, then I will be going. Remember, I am his future husband, not you."