What about my own will?
"Who are you? Did you seduce my daughter?"
Duke Grande glared at me with a terrifying expression.
"He is the fiancé for Floria that we have approved."
What about my own will?
"Who gave you the right to decide that on your own? She is the daughter of the Soleil Empire’s ducal house!"
He looked like he was about to lunge at me.
At that moment, Atre climbed onto my lap, and Lucas perched on my right shoulder.
"A White Dragon…?"
"Duke Grande, Young Reinhardt here is the master of Atre the Fenrir and Lucas the White Dragon."
Hearing Duke Clondale’s words, Duke Grande muttered, "The master of a White Dragon and a Fenrir…"
He didn’t seem like someone who treated Floria poorly.
If this is an act, it’s incredible.
"Duke Grande, you chose to prioritize your adopted daughter over your real daughter who had done nothing wrong. You are the one who decided I ranked below the adopted daughter."
"Don’t exaggerate…"
"What Floria is saying is true."
Right. If Floria had been at fault, that would be different, but Floria had been pushed down the stairs by a maid and spent three days unconscious and gravely injured.
Yet despite that—despite everything—the duke allowed the maid to remain in service because the adopted daughter begged for mercy. Duchess Clondale pointed out that this made the entire household conclude the duke valued the adopted daughter more.
In reality, many people must have changed their attitude toward Floria.
Hearing this, Duke Grande and his eldest son turned toward Floria with stunned expressions, as if saying that can’t be true.
"What Aunt said is correct. Also, do you know the old rumors about the duke and duchess?"
"What rumors?"
"They’re well-known. If you look into it, you’ll find out immediately."
Floria looked at her real father with a cold, scornful gaze, saying she did not wish to speak of it herself.
"What is that look? If you’re dissatisfied, speak clearly."
"Before she died, Mother told me that even though she married you by her own choice, she was used merely as a cover so you could hide your true lover."
"Duke Grande, we believed you because you and your father bowed to us again and again, swearing you would make Lilianna happy."
"Lilianna was truly the only one for me. People around me said a young girl needs a mother, so I remarried as they recommended."
"You remarried someone who was already dragging down the ducal family’s reputation. It’s far too late now. If you have even a little desire for my happiness, then accept the severing of my with the Grande family and the adoption to the Clondale family."
"Floria—"
With Duke Grande calling out to her, Floria rose from her seat and left the room, as if to say she had nothing more to discuss.
"Floria—" Duke Grande stood as if to chase after her, but—
"Young Master Reinhardt, I’m sorry, but please look after Floria."
Since Duke Clondale said so, I answered, "Understood," and left the room to search for Floria.
Huh? Atre and Lucas aren’t here.
Where did they go?
—
Atre and Lucas, who had been about to follow Reinhardt out, turned back toward the room and suddenly released a wave of pressure.
"When you leave, take the royal family’s dog that’s been attached to Floria with you. And tell the First Prince this: Keep your promises, and keep a proper watch on your relatives."
Lucas said only that, then he and Atre departed.
So they were directing this pressure at anyone who tried to approach Reinhardt at the royal palace parties…
The pressure lifted immediately, and I let out a relieved breath—but the royal family’s dog on Floria, huh.
There must be circumstances behind it, but the moment Floria asked us for help, their plan must have fallen apart.
Mother was furious after hearing Lucas’s words—angry like a raging demon.
Doing something like that to an eleven-year-old child, intentionally, when she had absolutely no allies… it’s far beyond abnormal.
What do you think about this chapter?
