3

The next day,  Lucho Athelstan was called which he immediately comply. It is normal for ministers to be called by the emperor but in groups, but this time he was especially called alone that made him extremely nervous but he set aside this and straightened himself to make himself look professional in front of the emperor.

" Greetings to your majesty, Lucho Athelstan one of the ministers is in front of you" Lucho introduces himself and kneel in respect to the Emperor which is sitting on the throne.

" Lucho Athelstan, The emperor have something to say and the only you could answer is yes nothing more " Lucho gulped to what Lee said, this just means one thing. Emperor have an order.

" This servant understand "

" Lucho Athelstan, I believe you know Lucious Athelstan "

suddenly a cold sweat enveloped Lucho, he froze suddenly and his throat dried. What did his son did again?!

" yes your majesty, h-he is my youngest son " Lucho said gulping.

" call him now together with your whole family but before that I want you to know this first "

as the second pass, as what the emperor words pass. Lucho felt like his life is slowly leaving his body, but what the emperor said next made him even more felt dead.

" Lucious Athelstan would be in my harem, he would become one of my candidate to become an Empress "

Lucho even Lee suddenly look at the Emperor, speechless. Lee thought that he just wants lucious to be in his harem but in just a night, The emperor change his decision again and even got promoted!

" My great apology to the great emperor but may this servant say a word? " Lucho nervously asked which the emperor gave him a nod agreeing that he may say something.

" My Lucious Athelstan is a very mischievous child, sleeping everywhere, always escaping from his lessons and lazing around " It may look like that Lucho is dissing his son, but it is true. Making Lulu one of the candidate of becoming an Empress he wouldn't last.

" Lucho what are you trying to say ?" the emperor asked

" are you sure your majesty? " The emperor laughed but nobleness is still evident and his laughing face just add to his handsomeness.

" I'am, that's why go call him immediately I want to see your adorable lulu "

Lucho shivered, it looks like his son mischievousness got someone's attention and it happened to be the Emperor yet Lucho is not least happy because as time pass by, his family's life is slowly being shouldered by his youngest son which happened to be the least capable.

Though being one of the candidate of being an Empress would bring Prosperity to the family, Lucho thinks otherwise because knowing his son, only trouble he could bring to his family. But it also saddened him if Lulu become one of the Emperor's harem it would just mean that Lulu would no longer be with them and seeing his son would lessen.

After leaving the palace of the emperor he immediately called a family meeting. He lifelessly sat on the table where he patiently awaits the arrival of his family wishing that the Emperor said is just a dream.

But that would be impossible because everyone in that hall as where he was talked by the Emperor, could clearly see that Emperor is delighted and eager to see his son again.

The first one to arrive is his wife who sat beside him,  seeing his husband restless and pale face she could not help but to ask.

"What's the matter? "

Lucho didn't answer more like he is still in dazed and didn't noticed that his wife arrived.

The second son, Aiden arrived shortly followed by Rold and Sen.

They were all seated, no one dare to say something because everyone noticed that their father is serious, too serious that they  got scared.

After some minutes finally Lulu arrived and this time Lucho finally raised his head and look at lulu.

lulu who is lazily walked inside was taken aback because his father is looking at him seriously, well they all did. The first three son and wife have no idea to what Lucho is about to say but looking at the Minister's reaction.  It is definitely about Lulu.

"father why did you call us all here? " The eldest son Rold said,  having enough of the silenced.

Lucho sigh as he look at his youngest son.

"d-did I do something again? " Lulu nervously asked.

His family just silently look at him,

" I didn't go anywhere since last night! I promise, I just stayed in my room " Lulu explained defending himself to those judging eyes of his family.

" Lucho,  stop making us all nervous and say it " Their mother Impatiently said.

Lucho sigh's again and started.

" The emperor called me this morning, he said something about you lulu " lucho said making his family froze in their sit especially Lulu.

" But father!  I didn't talk nor did I meet the Emperor face to face last night!  I didn't do anything " lulu explained, this time Lulu felt scared for real. Not in his whole life did he meet the emperor nor did he dream of meeting him.

" Lulu relax it may not be something bad " Aiden told him trying to calm him down.

" maybe you did, lulu " Rold nervously said recalling about what happened last night.

Everyone even Lucho look at Rold curiously. " Remember you sleep somewhere last night in the banquet? I came to get you and it happened that you sleep in the Emperor's hammock and the Emperor is there "

Lulu paled and he curses himself multiple times.

" why didn't you said it immediately?! " his mother said almost hysterically.

"I-It's because the emperor said so himself that it was alright and even reluctant to give Lulu to me "

Lulu looked at his older brother puzzled, why would the emperor be reluctant to let him go? When in fact he didn't personally knew him.

" Everyone calm down let our father finish, were not even sure what the emperor said to our father " Sen said making his family settle down temporarily.

But what their father said next made them all even more hysterical.

" The emperor wants you in his harem "

Lulu jaw drop,  his brothers eyes widen and his mother suddenly collapse.

" Long live your majesty " The Athelstan family simultaneously said and kneel.

The emperor who is still sitting on his throne looked at Lulu which made the latter nervous.

" I assume as of  now you all know the reason as to why you're called "

" Yes your majesty " Elizabeth answered.

" Lucius Athestan, from tomorrow onwards you are going to stay in my palace " The emperor said still looking at lulu.

His family silently cried.

As if ! I'm going without a fight Lulu become determined, after hearing what his father said that the emperor wants him in his harem his fear became anger.

Who would want to lived in the palace especially in emperor's harem?! Maybe everyone but not him definitely not Lulu who loves freedom the most.

He reject the idea of being confined in the palace and be a slave in the Emperor's disgusting heat.

So lulu bravely raised his hand earning widen eyes from his family.

" your majesty may this servant of yours  say something?  "

The emperor become amused, it looks like the eye of his affection is not going to surrender without a fight,  feisty.

" you may "

" pardon my rudeness emperor,  I know that what I have to say is an offense. Being one of your candidate in becoming an empress is truly a privilege, but I'm too fond of freedom and being tied to responsibilities is too great for me to handle, it would only cause trouble and disappointment. "

The emperor look at Lulu's determined eyes, but instead to carefully listen to what he said the emperor was instead become captive in Lulu's face. His round eyes and knitted eyebrows which made the latter even more determined yet more adorable, his cherry colored lips which is magnificently moved as he he speak,  The emperor wonder what would be the taste of those lips.

" do you not want to become mine?  " The emperor asked still calm,

Lulu was delighted, it looks like the emperor is an understandable person.

" I just thought that the current me, is not suitable for you your majesty. You are so great and noble that I think you deserve better and more beautiful "

Lulu wants to flatly reject the emperor but if he did this and said some inappropriate things the emperor might kill his family so Lulu tried to make himself look not worthy and make the Emperor think that he is not capable.

Unknown to him, his father already diss him. In a more direct words.

" It's alright you could improve, i will make sure that the only finest tutor will teach you and let you know whatever you need to know " the emperor confidently said trying not to laugh because he could clearly see what this adorable little man is trying to do.

Lulu become speechless.

Did he say that the thing he hates the most is studying?