Chapter 31

Today, I have also posted two episodes.

Thank you for reporting the typos; I have made the corrections.

The doorbell of the Granville Marquess family rang, and a servant hurriedly came to call the Granville Marquess.

"Lord and Lady Spencer are here. Lady Eugenie is with them."

The Granville Marquess tilted his head in puzzlement at the sudden visit by the Spencers.

"I wonder what business they have. I don't recall making any specific arrangements... Since Lady Eugenie is here, please also call Craig."

"Yes, I understand."

In the reception room, Lord Spencer, sitting on the sofa with a calm smile, handed the wine he had brought as a gift to the Granville Marquess.

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit, Lord Granville. I happened to be in the area and thought I should at least bring you this gift."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Oh, this is wine from the Alsace region, isn't it? Were you at your villa?"

After confirming the label on the wine bottle, which was from the Alsace region where both families had villas, the Granville Marquess spoke, and Lord Spencer nodded.

"Yes. It had been quite hot, so we went to the villa with the family a few days ago."

(That's when Lionel and the others were also at the villa, I believe...)

While thinking this to himself, the Granville Marquess casually asked Lord Spencer.

"That sounds enviable. Did you have a good holiday?"

"Yes, it was very relaxing. ...Oh, Lord Craig is here as well."

At that moment, Craig knocked on the door of the reception room and entered.

"Hello, Lord Spencer. ...How is Eugenie doing?"

"Yes, Lord Craig."

Craig敏锐地察觉到，回答的尤金妮脸上带着阴霾。尤金妮随后一直低着头，沉默不语。

After surveying the gathered group, Lord Spencer slowly began to speak.

"At the villa, I happened to see Lord Lionel and his fiancée, as well as Lord Archer, in the garden. ...Lord Lionel seemed to be practicing walking, getting up from his wheelchair multiple times."

The Granville Marquess's face lit up with joy at Lord Spencer's words.

"Yes, that's right. At the villa, Lionel seemed to have done a lot of walking practice. For the first time in a long while, he stood on his own two feet, his pale skin had tanned, and his legs had become much stronger. He returned in much better health. I can't thank his fiancée, Edith, enough for her unwavering support."

Lord Spencer's smile remained, but his eyes narrowed sharply.

"That's wonderful news. ...Actually, I have something I need to confirm."

Sensing that the true purpose of the visit had been reached, the Granville Marquess folded his hands on his knees.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Although Lord Lionel is showing signs of gradual recovery, he is still suffering from a serious illness that could be life-threatening and is still in the process of convalescence. There might be some concerns about entrusting the Granville Marquessate to him. ...I understand that Lord Craig here is set to inherit the Granville Marquessate. Is that correct?"

"Father! Why would you say such a thing..."

Eugenie's eyes wavered with distress, and Lord Spencer held her back with one hand as he looked at the Granville Marquess. The Granville Marquess, with a stern expression, asked Lord Spencer.

"Why are you asking me this? I intend to have my eldest son, Lionel, inherit the family."

"…What did you say?"

Lord Spencer's face paled, and the Granville Marquess answered without changing his expression.

"It is only natural for the eldest son to inherit the family. Moreover, Lionel's recovery has been remarkable. I still have the same high expectations for him as I always have. Is there a problem with that?"

"…If that's the case, could you reconsider Eugenie's engagement to Lord Craig? Initially, the marriage was intended for Lionel, and only because of his illness and the difficulty of him inheriting the family, did we consider Eugenie and Lord Craig..."

"Father! Please wait!!"

Eugenie's voice, mixed with a scream, echoed from the reception room into the hallway.

"Oh? Is that Lady Eugenie's voice...?"

Edith, who was about to go out into the garden and was pushing Lionel's wheelchair, stopped in her tracks upon hearing Eugenie's voice. Lionel and Archer, who was following closely beside him, exchanged glances with Edith.

"It seems so. What could they be talking about?"

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Lionel tilted his head. Archer, who looked suspicious, also stopped, and the three of them involuntarily listened to the voices leaking from the reception room.