Chapter 157
* * *
The duke’s castle was in an uproar.
“Did you hear about Lady Erylotte?”
“She’s manifested a new blessing, hasn’t she?”
“What kind of luck does she have?”
“Even her second blessing manifested after her fonticulus anterior has closed a long time ago!”
While the servants and retainers gossiped…
The direct descendants gathered in the main hall.
Hernan, the duke’s youngest son and seventh child, burst into the hall with a bang.
“Is it true that Erylotte manifested a new blessing?!”
Grimier smiled warmly.
“It’s called <Monster Taming>. It’s an unprecedented ability.”
He looked kindly, sharing in his niece’s good fortune.
“What’s so great about that! My Loreina almost died because of that monster!”
Valdrich grumbled angrily.
“Balzac sent Geoffrey to the infirmary, and Erylotte almost killed Loreina. Does Brother Daymond have a vendetta against us?!”
He directed his ire at Daymond.
Daymond responded nonchalantly to Valdrich’s furious accusations.
“What am I supposed to do if my children are exceptional?”
The epitome of shamelessness.
Yet, he didn’t miss an opportunity to brag about his children.
Valdrich’s face turned as red as a boiled octopus.
He looked like he might collapse from a stroke.
Viscount Debussy, standing behind the duke, glanced at Duke Astra.
‘He’s working hard to keep a straight face.’
Though Duke Astra tried to appear unaffected, his lips twitched slightly.
As someone who deeply cherished Erylotte, this news was delightful for him.
“Hmph. Erylotte has been extraordinary since she was three.”
“Indeed.”
With that conclusion from Duke Astra, Valdrich had no grounds for further complaints.
Of course, the matter had already been settled by Daymond.
The topic soon shifted to other matters.
“By the way, what’s the news about Brother Grimier’s official position?”
Duke Astra was now considering advancing his children into central politics.
The first candidate was, naturally, his eldest son from the second generation, Grimier Astra.
Grimier scratched his cheek as he answered.
“Well, I haven’t received any notification from the palace yet.”
Knock, knock.
Just then, Conrad entered the hall.
“What is it?”
At Duke Astra’s question, Conrad bowed politely.
“There’s a message from the palace. An imperial decree has been issued appointing Grimier Astra as Ambassador for Foreign Affairs.”
“Ohh!”
Hernan jumped up and clapped.
“Congratulations, Brother!”
“An ambassador for foreign affairs? That’s a great position, isn’t it?”
Knowing that the duke aimed to advance centrally, the second generation all congratulated Grimier on his appointment.
“…….”
However.
Amid the cheerful atmosphere, no one noticed something crucial.
Duke Astra’s expression was as cold as winter frost.
* * *
A celebration banquet for Grimier’s appointment as Ambassador for Foreign Affairs was held.
The banquet hall in the duke’s castle.
With so many members of the second generation and their numerous children from the third generation, the atmosphere was lively and noisy.
Hernan grabbed a champagne glass from a silver tray and raised it high.
“To celebrate Brother Grimier’s appointment as Ambassador for Foreign Affairs!”
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Clink!
The champagne glasses raised high clinked with a clear sound.
Golden champagne overflowed from the glasses, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Grimier smiled kindly as he accepted the congratulations and drank his champagne.
“…….”
Erylotte quietly watched the scene.
When their eyes met, Grimier smiled warmly.
“Erylotte, you grow taller every time I see you. Your fame has even reached the capital. I heard you’ve manifested a second blessing?”
“Yes, I was lucky.”
“They say the first head of our house also had three blessings.”
Grimier smiled broadly, praising Erylotte.
Only Valdrich frowned deeply.
He was still resentful about losing half of his prime territory to Daymond.
It wasn’t just that.
‘Why do my children always…!’
It infuriated him that no matter how much he supported Geoffrey, he couldn’t surpass Erylotte in rank.
Even though Geoffrey was his son, it seemed like he was getting dumber as he grew.
As he gulped down champagne like water, a rumor he had heard recently came to mind.
Valdrich’s lips curled into a crooked smile.
“I heard a rumor that those who can control monsters are cursed.”
Daymond, Balzac, and Joshua were sensitive to curses.
Daymond had lost his twin brother to a curse, and Balzac had almost lost Joshua to one as well.
The faces of the three, overcome with rage, twisted fiercely.
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