Chapter 17: The next Count will be a game changer.

Translator: Soafp

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” …… Is this really the only way?”

Ace muttered quietly in his empty private room. Although he said something that could have been construed as insulation from his family, he could still say that he had lost all feelings for them. He also wants the Serenity family to survive if they can. This is the true intention of Ace, you can say.

　Ace stood up and left the private quarters.

　Lugard, the butler, bowed attentively.

“I would like to request a meeting with the Marquis of Zafing. Lugard, please inform the Zafing residence at my request.”

“Very well, master.”

“I want to apologize and discuss the future of the Serenity’s family.”

　Lugard bowed nervously at Ace’s words.

“Lugard, as you know, our Serenity family has committed an irreparable folly against the Marquis of Zafing. It’s unforgivable, but I thought I’d at least apologize.”

“Ace-Sama ……”

“The rest is up to them.”

“Them……?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Lugard looked puzzled at Ace’s words. He sensed a kind of determination in the atmosphere that came from Ace.

“Ace-sama, you shouldn’t bet your life on …….””

“No, I should bet.”

“……”

“Don’t get me wrong. This is not abandonment, but betting. If we don’t gamble with our lives, the anger of Marquis of Zafing will never be appeased.”

“I understand. However, I would like to accompany you when you apologize to Marquis of Zafing.”

“It would be an unpleasant task, you know?”

“I am prepared for it, master.”

　Lugard responded to Ace’s words with a bow without changing his expression at all.

　To Lugard, Ace was a far more noble person than the current Count. He has been able to take the place of the current Count, who is not up to par as a Count, and take care of his business and stabilize his estate.

　He was also a man of impeccable character, who did not flatter his superiors, was kind to his inferiors, and believed in fairness and justice.

　The death of Ace would mean the end of the Serenity family. The current Count and Countess have no power or ambition. Their daughter, Fiona, has inherited her parents’ temperament and has a strong tendency to despise anyone she considers inferior.

　It was probably a result of the fact that Ace saw his parents’ deeds and took them as his antithesis, while Fiona took them as her teacher.

　He had been telling Fiona over and over again to “respect others,” but it had never paid off.

(You parasites who can do nothing but drag Ace-sama down!)

　Lugard cursed the Count and his family in his heart. To Lugard, the only master was Ace, and the rest of the Serenity family did not deserve his loyalty.

　Lugard obeyed Ace’s orders and went to the Zafing family to arrange a meeting with them.

　The day of the visit was the day after tomorrow, and when he told him that, Ace nodded quietly.

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　On the appointed day, Ace showed up at the Zafing residence with Lugard as promised.

　When he told the gatekeeper that he was the son of Serenity, he was met with blatant disgust.

　This angered Lugard, but he was unable to voice his protest as Ace restrained him with his hand.

“In the eyes of the Zafings, we are uninvited guests. Besides, I would have told you in advance that it would be a damaging role.”

“Ku….I’m sorry”

Lugard was embarrassed by Ace’s quiet words. He felt as if he had been criticized for his resolve. But for Lugard, Ace’s honor was far more important than his own.

“Lugard, your mere presence here is a relief to me. Because it confirms that I have the mettle not to look like a fool in front of those who believe in me.”

“Yes”

Ace smiles and tells Lugard in a small voice.

“This way.”

　Then a young butler appears in front of them.

(I believe this butler is …… Cain, who used to follow Ghazel. And there is no disruption at all in the house. Normally……I see, Giorg is already in control of the house as the Marquis of Zafing.)

　Ace took a casual look around the mansion and assessed the current situation of the Zafing family.

　In fact, it should be said that they have returned to the way things should be.

(It’s only been a few days since he officially took over as Marquis …… and despite the fact that there was a major incident where the former Marquis assassinated the prior Marquis, his control over the situation …… is frightening.)

　He knew that Giorg’s reputation was not low as Ace, and that he was a very talented lord who would soon become even more talented than he was.

　However, it seems that this was a big mistake. It seems to me that he has already surpassed him, not eventually, but at this point in time.

　Knock Knock……

“Come in.”

　Cain’s knock was followed by an immediate word from inside to gain entry.

(The tone of his voice has changed. ……)

　When they were waddling off to the Marquis, Ace thought that Giorg was faking it, but he had to admit that he was right.

Ace followed Cain’s lead into Giorg’s office.

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