Chapter 20: The next Count is coming up ①

Translator: Soafp

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“Ace-sama, that was good.”

“Yeah, you’ve got the eye of a survivor.”

　Lugard’s words were met with an immediate response from Ace. However, Lugard felt that there was still a great deal of tension in his voice.

( Ace-sama is not at all distracted …… )

“Lugard, the terms that Marquis of Zerfing has offered will only take effect when I become Count of Serenity. Right now, he hasn’t signed the contract with me yet.”

“Y-yes.”

　Lugard realized that he had been carried away by Ace’s words.

“Now I have to take the Count’s title from my father and expel Fiona.”

“But wouldn’t that be easy for you, Master Ace?”

“No…..it’s not easy to inherit a title. There are some people who find it more convenient to have their my as an Count. I have to suppress them and increase the number of people who support me.”

“That’s …….”

“That’s why the Marquis of Zafing gave me a month.”

“But Ace-sama has reduced it to a week. ……”

“Yes, I thought it was just about possible. I have to show my talent to the Marquis of Zafing or he will buy me cheap. If I want to exceed his expectations, I’m going to have to do it in a week.”

　Lugard could feel his nerves naturally rising at the sound of Ace’s tense voice. He thought he had negotiated a good deal, but to Ace it meant that a new battle had begun.

“First …… we have to get Lydis in.

“Yes”

“If we can get Lydis, the head butler, the chances of anything happening in the Serenity mansion leaking out will be greatly reduced.”

“……”

“I hope Lydis will continue to serve as head butler.”

　The tension in Ace’s voice never dissipated. For Ace, he definitely didn’t want to confuse the outcome of a win with a favorable situation.

“Lugard, get Lydis when you get back, I’ll do the paperwork.”

“As you wish”

　Lugard responded immediately to Ace’s words.

　For the next five days, he stayed in his office and did not see any of his family members.

　The Count and Countess Serenity were summoned to the reception room by Ace, and Fiona’s expression was cheerful. They conveniently interpreted the fact that Ace had been running around for the past five days.

“So, Ace, how’s it going?”

　The Count asked humbly.

(Father is not even remotely aware that he is the one being trashed out……)

　Ace felt like sighing at his father’s insensitivity and lack of sense of urgency. The reason why he has been running around for the past five days is because of the people who serve Serenity, and his own family’s priority is infinitely low.

　However, from the tone of his father’s voice, he could only assume that they were his first priority and that the Count’s vassals were secondary, or even unimportant.

“Yeah, I’ve been running around for the past five days, and …… I finally have an idea.”

　The Count and Countess and Fiona looked relieved at Ace’s words. As for Ace, he asked outright, “What do you think I have been doing for the past five days?” But the three of them didn’t seem to notice that at all.

“I see, I see. Nice work, Ace.”

“Yes, as expected of our son.”

“Thank you, Onii-chan. I knew you were not the kind of man to abandon us.”

Ace gave a small laugh at their compliments.

“Yes, I negotiated with the Marquis of Zafing the other day.”

“Oh, and?”

“So, as it turns out, it looks like the Serenity family will be able to survive.”

　The three of them were clearly relieved by Ace’s words.

“I see, I see!”

　The three of them were clearly relieved at his words.

“There are three conditions that the Marquis of Zafing has set.”

“Three?”

“Of course, I made every effort to make it as favorable as possible, you know?”

　His parents had a high opinion of him, but Ace nodded in acceptance. It was the fault of the Serenity family, or more specifically his parents and sister, who were completely at fault for this incident, and Ace was forced to cover up for them, but he didn’t feel sorry at all.

“Yes, the terms are not burdensome at all for the Serenity family. I’m very lucky to have been able to get such good terms. The Marquis of Zafing is a decent man.”

“Hmph, that boy is decent? Ace, you are not a good judge of character at all.”

“Onii-chan, of course you have called off my marriage with Leon, right?”

“Yes. There’s also the matter of Fiona’s future. I will tell you about that.”

　The three of them were getting carried away, and their words were becoming more and more brazen.

“Yes, the Marquis of Zafing has given me three conditions. The first is that I become the Count of Serenity, the second is that father and mother are never to leave the Serenity estate again ……, and the third is that Fiona is to be expelled from the Serenity family.”

Without giving it a second thought, Ace continued to speak.

“The Serenity family will survive if only you endure these wonderful conditions.”

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