Evil dragon has a warm heart-Chapter 159 - 158 The Son Inherits the Fathers Business

Chapter 159: Chapter 158: The Son Inherits the Father’s Business

Chapter 159 -158: The Son Inherits the Father’s Business

By the time Russell had contracted with the Tobacco Sprite Nicco, the slightly tense atmosphere in the study quickly livened up.

Rolin stepped forward, took hold of Earl Merlin’s arm, and cooed, “Grandfather, you’re so biased, giving Russell a Little Sprite. When I had my coming-of-age ceremony, you only gave me a dress, the difference is just too much!”

“Wasn’t the dress beautiful?”

“It was lovely, but…”

“Then that’s settled, little Rolin, remember not to be too greedy,” Earl Merlin teased with a smile. “If you could also gain the favor of looking at you more than once, why wouldn’t I begrudge you a Little Sprite?”

Rolin then pouted, “That Great Dragon from the Grand Duke’s family really, can it be going blind, only noticing Russell and not me?”

Although the Shadowflame Dragon was revered, it was also often the subject of jest.

“The Shadowflame Dragon has been healing its wounds these years, so it’s normal if it can’t see clearly,” Roland comforted himself, a smile on his face.

But Russell could always detect a hint of sourness in his words.

“After twenty years of recuperation, father, you’ve contributed to the well-being of the Shadowflame Dragon. It’s only natural for it to look kindly on Russell,” Viscount Mejie said. “In the future, Russell will surely become an outstanding Knight who battles for his country.”

“Uncle, you flatter me,” Russell chuckled. “But I will certainly fulfill my duty as a Knight.”

“That’s enough.”

“Do your best, Russell, and don’t let down your grandfather’s expectations,” Baron Roman said, reassurance in his voice.

His gaze toward Russell was much more affectionate than before.

In the past, he had always considered Roland as his outstanding heir, devoting most of his energy to Roland, somewhat neglecting Russell. This was also because Russell had failed to inherit the discreet way of living from the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

Being handsome, in Baron Roman’s view, was not being discreet enough.

Yet it was this overlooked second son who had obtained an unimaginable wealth—two Little Sprites!

No matter how he managed it, the fact that he acquired Little Sprites was a testament to Russell’s ability.

At this moment, the usually reticent Aunt Kuna Yingyan smiled and spoke, “The Shadowflame Dragon watches over you, Russell. When you achieve greatness in the future, don’t forget to serve the Grand Duchy, to serve Red Castle. Earn your military exploits, and you may be granted the title of a Lord of the Duchy.”

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

“I understand, Aunt,” Russell responded.

However, Mel, his cousin, said, “Mother, it would be better for Russell to come to the Tributary River Mouth. It’s better to help me than to help Kunstan.”

Lady Kuna replied with an amiable smile, “Don’t talk nonsense, Mel.”

“I’m telling the truth, that Kunstan boy…”

“Enough!” Lady Kuna suddenly reprimanded sharply. “Even though Kunstan is your cousin, he is the Grand Duke and you are his vassal; even in your own territory, you must always maintain your loyalty to the Grand Duke!”

Mel opened his mouth, but seeing his mother’s furious expression, he swallowed his words and reluctantly agreed, “Yes, Mother, I know I am wrong.”

Viscount Mejie chose not to interject. His wife scolding their son made him feel somewhat embarrassed, unsure where to look.

In an instant of evasive glances, he met Baron Roman’s eyes.

For a moment.

Between the two middle-aged men, as if by a telepathic understanding, they each shrugged their shoulders, and all the awkwardness seemed to dissolve into thin air.

Earl Merlin narrowed his eyes, picked up his teacup, and said calmly, “There’s no need to stay in my study, you may go wherever you please this afternoon. I need some quiet to work on my memoirs, hoping to finish them sooner.”

With political affairs at Red Castle far behind him and the management of their lands in the hands of his son and daughter-in-law, he truly had nothing to worry about.

Writing memoirs would be a perfect way to pass the time.

In the afternoon, Lady Kuna invited Lady Meryl to watch a stage play in the city; Viscount Merlin planned to go fishing by the lake with Baron Roman; and Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were to visit a relative who had married into the Tributary River Mouth territory.

So only Roland, Mel, Russell, and Lola were left needing to find their own entertainment.

“Russell, where are you going to have fun?” Lola immediately clung to Russell, fearing that the others would leave her behind and not take her along.

Russell was indifferent, “I’ll see what Roland and Mel have planned.”

Without a second thought, Roland said, “You guys go ahead and have fun. I have an appointment and won’t be back for dinner tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow morning.”

After saying this, he hurriedly left Bluebird Castle.

Mel scoffed, “He has a date with Mrs. Kelly, a widowed baroness. I saw them dancing last night and knew something would happen… Anyway, good luck to Roland, Mrs. Kelly is not an easy one to handle.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know that after a baron passes away, there is a ten-year period for ‘the son to succeed his father’s business,’ don’t you?” Mel said, referring to the rules of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.

The title of baron is a lifelong nobility, annulled upon death.

Therefore, many barons, in hope of their family continuing to enjoy noble privileges, would desperately train their heirs, hoping to be granted fiefs again to extend their family’s territory.

However, if a baron were to fall in the Snowfields or died due to other accidents, resulting in the revocation of his title, his territory would also be returned to his lord. This was undoubtedly a catastrophe for the baron’s family and also contradicted the knightly code.

If barons knew that nothing would remain if they died in battle, who would dare to fight for honors on the Snowfields?

Consequently,

After a baron’s death, there would be a ten-year period of “the son succeeding his father’s business,” which, as the name implies, is to allow enough time for the baron’s son to inherit his father’s foundation.

In these ten years, if the baron’s son is diligent and earns military merits, he could gain the appreciation of his lord and be granted a new barony, thus securing his family’s territory.

Even without receiving a fief, the ten years are enough for the baron’s widow and offspring to smoothly get through this difficult time.

By the time they return the fiefdom, they could also have saved some family wealth.

“So what?” Russell asked.

“Mrs. Kelly’s husband fell in battle on the Snowfields nine years ago, and they have a son who was three at the time, twelve years old now,” Mel explained.

“Hmm, how old is Mrs. Kelly?”

“A little over thirty,” Mel replied.

“I see.”

Mel smiled, “With the ten-year period of ‘the son succeeding his father’s business’ almost up, Mrs. Kelly has to think about her son… I hope Roland has good luck; otherwise, dating Mrs. Kelly is easy, but getting away smoothly will be difficult.”

Russell laughed but didn’t comment.

It wasn’t his place to say anything about consensual affairs.

“Mel, where are we going this afternoon?” Lola impatiently interrupted the two discussing Mrs. Kelly, “We are going back the day after tomorrow, and I haven’t had any fun yet!”

“How about the Fantasy Beast hunting ground by the Turbid River? There is a forest full of animals, and the family has captured more than a dozen Fantasy Beasts from it. Maybe if we go hunting and stroll through the forest, we might find a Fantasy Beast too,” Mel suggested and then added, “When that time comes, whoever finds the Fantasy Beast can keep it; how does that sound?”

“That would just mean taking advantage of your generosity,” Russell shook his head.

In the territory of the Tributary River Mouth, all magical creatures belong to the Rainflower Family, including Fantasy Beasts.

He had already received the Tobacco Sprite Niko as a gift from his grandfather and didn’t want to acquire more. Otherwise, it would seem rather greedy.

“Haha, just a single Fantasy Beast,” Mel laughed heartily, and then teasingly added, “Besides, if you do find a Fantasy Beast, it would suit me just fine. I would like to see who the Shadowflame Dragon should really pay attention to out of the two of us brothers.”

Before Russell could say anything, Lola spoke up, quite annoyed, “I want to find a Fantasy Beast too. Why can’t the Great Dragon also pay attention to me!”