I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree-Chapter 26 - The Banquet Begins

“Ah... uh, this...” Lucius froze in place, a little at a loss.

Right at this moment, William stepped forward in time.

“Duke Giovanni, please don’t test Duke Lucius’s memory here. He has spent half his life in the military, and his health is much better than us old men. How could he not remember?”

He said this, smiling, and then continued, “Besides, when Duke Lucius first entered the Imperial Academy, he was the first place! The Stranick family produces geniuses one after another. Everyone is first place. Truly enviable.”

“Indeed,” Giovanni nodded, and the smile on his face also subsided. “If you, Duke William, could change your meddlesome personality, you wouldn’t have both of your children in second place upon entry.”

“Is second place very bad?” William heard this, not getting angry. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, looking at Giovanni, with a hint of provocation in his expression.

“No matter what, second place is higher than Young Master Donny’s ranking, isn’t it? Oh, apologies, I forgot. Donny’s current ranking doesn’t matter anymore, after all, he has been expelled from the Imperial Academy.”

“Heh,” Giovanni heard this and laughed nonchalantly. “Yes, my son is unpromising. I can only strive myself and pave the way for his future.”

Saying this, Giovanni no longer spoke to William but turned back and rejoined the conversation with the other nobles.

Noble conversations were like this. Although what they said had hidden meanings, they wouldn’t stop until they had verbally cornered the other person.

But if one were truly provoked and made a rude gesture, then they would have truly failed.

On the second floor, Vivian saw Lucius’s current state. She assigned her work to others, then quickly went downstairs and stayed by Lucius’s side.

Now she had to stay with Lucius every step of the way, trying her best to ensure that Lucius wouldn’t have problems at the banquet like he did just now.

Lucius greeted the nobles he met downstairs one by one. This time, he did not forget the names of the nobles.

Then, he came before William’s family.

This time, accompanying William to visit the Antica Duchy were his two daughters, Olivia and Lianca.

Olivia had returned to the Prussia Duchy for a period due to an urgent matter. This time, when she came with her father, she had planned to see Orson. To her surprise, Orson was not in the Antica Duchy at the moment because he was handling matters in the desert.

Not seeing Orson, Olivia was naturally in a very bad mood, but seeing Lucius walking towards her, Olivia still proactively went up to greet him.

“Uncle Lucius, it’s been many days. I wonder if your health is well?”

“No major issues,” Lucius shook his head.

Looking at his future daughter-in-law, Lucius was only filled with satisfaction.

You should know that as a Duke’s daughter, there were not many people who could make her lower her status. The various details she had shown during the time she lived in his house were enough to show her feelings for Orson.

This marriage was not only a match of status, but both of them liked each other. There was no sense of accommodating each other. Lucius was satisfied, and the guilt he felt about forcing his children into an arranged marriage was also reduced.

“Um, Uncle Lucius... good... good evening,” Lianca also came to Olivia’s side and greeted Lucius.

“Good evening,” Lucius nodded.

Then, he suddenly felt a moment of distraction, and his eyes became blank for a while.

Fortunately, Vivian noticed this situation in time and lightly patted Lucius’s shoulder.

“Master, it’s getting late. His Majesty will be returning soon. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

Vivian didn’t know when Lucius’s illness would flare up, like a ticking time bomb, but at least she couldn’t let him maintain conversations with others for a long time.

As the saying goes, the more you say, the more mistakes you make. If Lucius were to reveal his illness again, while it wouldn’t threaten the rule of the Stranick family, the reputation that nobles valued most would certainly be gone.

“Mm,” Lucius nodded, then showed a apologetic expression towards Lianca.

For a moment, he suddenly didn’t know what to say, so he could only let out a smile.

Finally, night completely fell. The Duke’s mansion was lit up with various elaborately decorated lamps. Litte also returned to the mansion with Odysseus.

According to custom, the nobles should have been led by the ruler of this place, together welcoming Odysseus at the entrance.

Because Lucius was unwell, Mary should have taken his place in principle.

However, because the relationship between Mary and Litte had suddenly become strained, Litte, after consideration, decided to have a servant inform Odysseus of his arrival in advance, allowing the nobles to wait beforehand, without arranging for a leader.

It should have been like this, but when Litte saw her father standing at the entrance of the mansion, leading a group of nobles, waiting respectfully for Odysseus, she froze.

Hadn’t she told her father not to come out?

Odysseus, seeing Lucius, whom Litte had described as unwell, actually appear at the entrance, was also surprised, and then felt a wave of emotion.

Indeed, he was his beloved subject. Even when he was sick, and his family wouldn’t let him come out, he still came out to see him.

With such loyal subjects in the Empire, how could the Empire not prosper?

Odysseus thought this with emotion, and quickly walked up to Lucius. frёewebnoѵēl.com

“Duke Lucius, you have worked hard,” he said this, helping Lucius, who was kneeling on one knee, stand up.

With this action, the nobles behind them also stood up.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace, to specially visit my duchy. This old servant has been covered by your benevolence for decades, so there is no talk of hardship. On the contrary, Your Majesty has journeyed far and wide, gracing this humble abode with your presence. My preparations were inadequate, I ask for Your Majesty’s understanding.”

Lucius said this, which caused the nobles behind him to sigh with emotion.

Indeed, he was His Majesty’s confidant. To rise from a military official to the position of Duke, such rhetoric was truly pleasing to hear.

“Alright, it’s cold outside. Let’s go inside and catch up,” Saying this, Odysseus was the first to walk into the Duke’s mansion.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand the rules, but in this Empire, he himself was the rule.

If he were to deliberately defer to his subordinates, it would instead make people uneasy, wondering if they had incurred the Emperor’s displeasure.

The banquet was prepared, and everyone took their seats. The Emperor, without question, sat at the head of the table. Next to him sat Duke Lucius and his wife, the hosts of this banquet. Following them were the various Dukes in order, and their families.

Because there were many people attending this victory banquet, only those of Duke rank were seated at the Emperor’s long table.

Other nobles of Count and Baron rank could only sit at other tables.

Dukes had their social circle, and Counts also had their social circle.

As Odysseus’s speech ended, the banquet officially began. Everyone clinked glasses and exchanged drinks.

At this moment, a sinister and malicious gaze fell upon Lucius and Litte...