Chapter 697: The Crown Prince Appears

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The crown prince finally managed to stand still. The secret guard immediately handed him his crown prince’s gown, indicating for him to quickly change into it.

Looking at the gorgeous gown in his hand, the crown prince sighed. “I didn’t expect to actually wear this one day. I only hope this is the last time.”

If it weren’t for Sophie, he really wouldn’t want to go back to the palace.

The people at the banquet did not know what would happen. A few nobles were still chatting, thinking that they would have a chat with the king later to deepen their relationship.

After all, the old king had not appeared in front of others for a long time. They could not let the king forget them.

Henry snapped, “Mary, it’s not very good of you to stand next to your grandfather.”

Mary said confidently, “This is Grandfather’s idea. There’s no need for Uncle to say anything here.”

Henry really wanted to attack directly, but he did not want to make a big deal out of it. If everyone knew that the old king had died long ago, he would not be able to gain anything.

Moreover, William had told him that if they dared to announce John as the new crown prince, he would fight for it with all his might to protect his brother’s identity as the crown prince. No one could say that he had done anything wrong.

Mary saw that Henry was silent and thought that she had won. She looked at everyone very proudly.

She gestured for the substitute to speak quickly, but the other party was already trembling.

Mary asked someone to bring a chair over for the substitute to sit down. In a voice that only he could hear, she said, “If you don’t tell me, I can only send you to your death. As long as we insist that we didn’t know that you’re a substitute, you’ll be a sinner who offended the king. When the time comes, you’ll be pulled out and burned alive.”

The substitute knew that there was no way out. He could only follow Mary’s instructions.

He said, “I called everyone here today to announce something important. My eldest son doesn’t want to be the crown prince. Moreover, he has rejected this identity many times and left Country F not long ago. I don’t want to force him, so I’m here to announce the abolition of his status as the crown prince.”

The nobles did not expect this, but they could understand.

But what he said next shocked them all. The king let John walk to his side. “I announce that Prince John is the new crown prince and the future king!”

After saying that, the substitute’s face turned even paler. He really looked like he had been seriously ill. No one knew that he looked like this because he was frightened.

Henry quickly stood up. “How can you abolish the crown prince casually? Big Brother has been doing very well for so many years. He’s just been in a bad mood recently and went out to relax. I don’t agree with the idea of abolishing Big Brother.”

His words were filled with righteousness, as if he really did not want his brother’s identity to be abolished.

Mary said, “Uncle, this is Grandfather’s decision. Are you going to defy the king’s will?”

“Big Brother has never done anything wrong. It’s not fair at all to be abolished just because he left temporarily.” Henry was determined to say this. “John has seen what Big Brother has done for so many years. Are you really going to replace Big Brother?”

Of course John wanted to, but he still had to pretend in front of so many people. He squeezed out two drops of tears and said, “I don’t want to do this either, but Big Brother left in disregard of his responsibility as the crown prince and broke Dad’s heart. If I reject him again, Dad’s mood will be even worse.”

Henry gave William a look and said, “It’s not a small matter to abolish the crown prince. Even if we really want to abolish the crown prince, it has to be signed by the government before it can take effect. It’s not in line with the law to want to establish the crown prince just by saying it.”

John and Mary knew this very well, but they could not do it at all. Once they wanted to pass through the government, they would definitely need the king’s signature. The king was already lying in the mortuary, and the signature of the substitute would not be recognized at all.

That was why they wanted to finalize it in such a way as a king’s declaration and then immediately announce the king’s death. Then no one could object anymore.

“After that, the king will follow the legal procedures. Are you not going to listen to the king’s words?” Mary said firmly.

The nobles did not speak. They sensed that something was wrong today.

At the banquet, it was almost as if the two princes were arguing. The king actually just sat there and did not say anything. It was obvious that the princes had always listened to the king in the past.

“I want to know who’s sitting here now that Dad has passed away,” the crown prince said as he walked in.

No one could believe their eyes. The crown prince had actually returned at this time.

John panicked. He had yet to become the new crown prince. If his brother returned, everything would be over.

Mary made up her mind and shouted, “Who are you? How dare you impersonate the Crown Prince!”