As a businessman who can still negotiate large deals worth hundreds of millions with Irina, the president of Leinfort, Marquis Balde is not the kind of playboy who has no clues at all.
After all, he is a young man, how could he not know how bad his reputation is and how shady his deeds are.
The reason why he still dares to go against the grain and act arbitrarily is that in addition to always moving closer to the imperial government, his biggest reliance is the "only remaining" direct lineage of Duke Kane.
For nobles, especially those of the "Four Famous Families", bloodline is always the first element in the succession of titles.
As long as the direct bloodline exists, and as long as no unforgivable crime like treason is committed, the title must be passed down in the direct line.
Unless the direct bloodline is completely cut off, the family tree will be opened and the more closely related collateral lines, branches, etc. will be selected.
Otherwise, with the tradition of intermarriage between nobles, and the Kane family controlling Lamar State for so many years, which family in the state would not be related to the Kane family or have some history? Not everyone is a candidate for Duke Kane.
Because I am the chosen one, I am the only one, so I can be promiscuous - such examples are not uncommon in the history of nobility.
Those stupid kings who have been in disgrace for thousands of years can also be classified into this category in a broad sense. Is there anyone in the entire empire who is more "unique" than me? For example, Osborn's father in his previous life, Rean's spiritual grandfather, was Bolius V who was famous for his love of beauty.
It was he who attracted beautiful women, filled his harem, and gave birth to children without restraint, which ultimately led to the largest civil strife in the history of the empire - the "Lion War".
The current Marquis of Balde is a bit like Bolius V back then, sensual and unrestrained. The only difference is that this man's reproductive function seems to have some problems and he has no heirs. Otherwise, the nobles may skip him and replace him. It is also a noble tradition to choose a successor from the next generation and then guide Duke Kane through other means.
I guess this special "oneness" is also one of the factors that brought Marquis Balde to where he is today.
It's a pity that he missed one point, the most crucial point.
After Jusis and Angelica, the most important head of Haynes, Shi Shiran, stood up and said in a deep voice: "Regarding this matter and the repeated embezzlement of public funds, the current heads and acting heads of the four famous families have already Come to a conclusion—the Marquis of Balde will be officially excluded from the selection of candidates for the next Duke!”
"Impossible, besides me, who else -" The old man's plump cheeks and belly shook violently.
Patrick, who had already had enough of him, didn't give him any more time. He coughed hard to attract everyone's attention, and then said, "Then, please come in."
"excuse me."
Accompanied by a melodious voice, a delicate girl with long emerald hair and a dark dress walked into the conference room with elegant little steps.
The girl's face was unfamiliar to most people. Just now, they might have been regarded as an intruder by mistake, but the entourage beside the girl dispelled everyone's thoughts.
She is the most famous warrior in Lamar State, an unparalleled general, the "Golden Rakshasa" Aurelia Le Guin, and the current head of the prestigious Earl Le Guin family.
The two of them stood next to Patrick one after another, accepting everyone's gaze calmly.
The sharpest and most negative gaze among them was of course Balder's, but the more he looked at her, the more familiar the girl felt.
"Why, why... I seem to have seen it somewhere... Could it be... that face..."
Memories of the past gradually emerged with new stimuli. The old man thought of Thorz, who had troubled him many times, and also thought of the more distant past.
At that time, he was not that old and the girl was still very young.
Facing the gaze of Balder and everyone else, the girl lifted up her skirt, performed a standard curtsey, and introduced herself: "I am the niece of the current Duke Coroval de Cain, my name is Mitina... Euclides de Kane, long time no see, uncle!"
The sound of uncle completely destroyed Balder's illusions.
The pair of old men who quietly appeared in the corner of the conference room also awakened the memories of many nobles. A few decades ago, they were also influential figures in the social circles of Lamar State. They were Mitina's maternal grandparents.
Someone exclaimed: "Is he the orphan of Master Alfred?"
"Ah, it's the brother of the current Duke of Kane, the one who died in a shipwreck!"
In Lamar State, older nobles all know that the original heir of Duke Kane should not be the captured Coroval, let alone this Balder, but the eldest son of the former Duke Kane, Alf Red.
Alfred back then was just like the noble son Rufus now (the identity of the iron-blooded son has not been revealed). He was a model of nobility recognized by everyone, without any controversy.
Everyone thought it was natural for Alfred to lead the noble faction.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Alfred and his wife encountered a shipwreck while out at sea, and both died, leaving only a young orphan girl.
Not long after, the former Duke Kane also reached his end and went to see the goddess.
Compared with Koroval, who was still young and had gathered a group of people around him, the young Mitina was uncompetitive, and the position of Duke fell into the hands of Koroval.
Mitina was picked up by her maternal grandparents and kept a low profile until her identity was exposed and she became a blockbuster.
Because he had been low-key for so long and never entered the social world, Balde himself had forgotten about that insignificant little girl in the entire Lamar State.
According to the normal routine of the nobles, the identity of the orphan should have been used to make a fuss. If nothing else, at least he could become a marquis like Balder and get a large amount of assets.
Couldn't all this make her tempted?
Balder found it hard to accept.
What is even more difficult to accept is that her appearance broke Balder's "onlyness".
Although the girl was young and not famous, Alfred's reputation was so good, compared with Balder's own reputation.
Who the princes will choose, you know with your buttocks.
"A farce, this is a farce!"
Marquis Balder exploded, his eyes were bloodshot, he roared at everyone, and he approached the weak Mitina step by step with a ferocious look on his face.
"Do you think I will accept this kind of thing? What a joke! Tell me, what are your intentions?"
Brigadier General Wores, who was standing on the side of the main entrance and responsible for the security of the venue, raised his eyebrows and was about to order the guards to take down Balder. However, before raising his hand, he received a look from Alleria - don't move, just watch the show.
Mitina, who was with Alleria, remained unmoved. She just looked at her "uncle" who wanted to eat people and the ridiculously handsome Rean behind her with a smile.
Rean knew what this little devil was planning. Considering her usual style, the injured instructor sighed.
The princes felt their eyes blurred. Rean had crossed most of the conference room and came from the last seat to the main seat. He put a hand on Balder's shoulder and said in a voice that was not less clear but contained pressure:
"You have gone too far, Marquis Balder."
Just like two years ago in "Huang Mo City", the young hero faced Duke Kane.
PS: This is it. This is what I was waiting for. I made this dumpling just for this dish of vinegar. Lamar is almost over. Next, the female version of Senior Sister Li Enjingnai is coming - Li Enliang There are also benefits to knowing your identity as a sword master.
