Dylan, meanwhile, approached Duke Smühl who had recently relinquished his claim to the throne. However, he was struggling against an unexpected obstacle, Duke Smühl’s granddaughter.

Duke Smühl had brought her with him, and even though Dylan wanted to speak with him, his granddaughter refused to leave their side and single-mindedly kept talking to Dylan. Duke Smühl merely smiled fondly at the sight of his adorable granddaughter’s earnest efforts.

“I saw your wife—the Duchess of Lancester—not too long ago.”

“Is that so?”

Dylan responded with an elegant smile. The granddaughter, who appeared to have only just made her social debut, had a spiteful smile that did not suit her age.

“She was having a rather intimate conversation with Lord Fernand of the Brandner family. They were even calling each other by their first names.”

“Despite appearances, my wife is quite accustomed to high society. I trust her completely.”

To be honest, he found the words and actions of this girl, who could still only be called a young girl, unpleasant. However, knowing that this was not the time to concern himself with that, Dylan merely maintained a perfect smile.

The granddaughter’s cheeks reddened and she sighed.

“I’ve heard rumors that your wife is very accustomed to high society. I also know that you, Lord Duke Dylan Lanchester, not only permit it but even go so far as to behave as though such a woman is to your taste.”

Duke Smühl did not reprimand his granddaughter. Rather, he nodded as if in affirmation.

“The truth is, my granddaughter has been distressed by the reputation of the Duke of Lanchester. That such a handsome young man, whose fame is on the rise, is being said to love wicked women seems to have saddened her.  Hahaha.”

“…I see.”

Dylan continued to respond with a social smile. Duke Smühl appeared to be about a decade older than his own hopeless father, and seeing how dotingly he cherished this granddaughter—as though he loved her so much that she could do no wrong in his eyes—was enough to make him feel faint.

If he can’t control her behavior here, or rather has no intention of doing so… then the correct conclusion is that Lawrence doesn’t want him to remain in a position where he has succession rights to the throne.

To begin with, Dylan had never heard of Duke Smühl being particularly shrewd. However, those who received a proper education and were raised in the appropriate environment should naturally become people who grow into their position.

Yet, even with that, this was the result. Lawrence had probably judged him to be “completely lacking in aptitude.” Actually, would a man like him even think of and decide to renounce his right of succession to the throne? Just from that point on, the opposite seemed to be true.

It would be more accurate to say that His Majesty the King forced him to renounce it.

The Duke of Lancester family was known for its aversion to socializing. Until he met Avril, Dylan only attended the bare minimum of social functions as was necessary. Now, seeing Duke Smühl’s true nature for the first time, he was utterly bewildered.

Even Lawrence would want to avoid needlessly sowing the seeds of conflict. If that is the case, are the other two candidates similar?

His head was starting to ache. Then, as if on cue, more unnecessary words came from the granddaughter.

“Lord Fernand of the Marquis Brandner family and your wife truly make a suitable pair. They, after all, are the playboy and a femme fatale who have the royal capital in an uproar. Say…Lord Dylan, why not have a little fun yourself? I wouldn’t mind being your partner…”

Dylan had been wearing the mask of social etiquette which was supposed to remain unshaken no matter what happened. However, he was irritated in every respect and inadvertently let his true feelings spill out.

“I am the one who loves that wicked woman more than anyone else. I would like for you to not misunderstand.”

“…!?”

The girl before him—who had probably gone through her life hardly ever being scolded—paled in an instant and gasped.

Duke Smühl, however, didn’t even notice.

◇

Meanwhile, Avril, having separated from both Dylan and Fernand, had stepped out onto the terrace to cool off and was enjoying a lively conversation with a mysterious gentleman.

Her companion was about the same age as Dylan’s father, Brandon. The crucial difference between him and Brandon was that an air of cleanliness and refinement naturally emanated from him.

However, strangely enough, he wasn’t dressed in formal attire like everyone else in the venue. He was dressed to the extent of someone going into town for a meal. He calmly spoke to her with a glass in one hand.

This had come about because he had noticed Samuel, whom Avril had brought with her, and struck up a conversation. The gentleman, in an excellent mood, took a drink from his glass.

“The one over there that the infamous villainess has accompanying her—is that Lord Samuel, the fifth son of the Marquis Brandner family.”

“Yes. He is my precious friend… no, rather, my servant.”

“A servant, huh? Haa haa haa.”

Since he had treated her as a villainess, she had tried behaving exactly as Dylan had advised her to, yet he responded with a hearty laugh. Still, there was still something refined about him.

Despite his cheerful and loud laughter, he never gave the impression of being in a bar in a bustling entertainment district. No matter how anyone were to look at it, they were at prestigious evening party being held in a grand ballroom.

Who could this gentleman be…?

---

Read more than 10 posts ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $3~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>