I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 06: To the Duke's Residence

Chapter 06: To the Grand Duke’s Residence

“Sir, I have brought Lord Hugo with me.”

“Excuse me.”

Without waiting for my father’s response, I was led into the room.

“Hugo, you understand, don’t you? This agreement to join the Grand Duke’s family carries the future of the Marquis of Glenville as well.” 

“I am aware.”

Kneeling down and bowing my head, I replied. 

But… heh, what is he trying to make a fuss about? To him, it must be an unexpected turn of events.

“If you understand, that’s good. Also, today is merely a formal introduction to Woodstock Grand Duke’s heir. As for the official time to enter the Grand Duke’s family, His Grace and I will coordinate.” 

“Understood.” 

“Hmm… Well then, proceed.”

“Excuse me.”

After a respectful bow, I left the mansion and boarded the prepared carriage.

Heh… despite being aware of the rumors surrounding the Grand Duke’s family, they chose to send only Ellen to bid me farewell.

In the end, it just proves that my existence is nothing but a nuisance. 

Well… Thanks to that, I won’t have to hold back at all.

“Hugo-sama. When you safely enter the Grand Duke’s family, I, Ellen, will accompany you!”

“Haha… Right.”

That’s how it seems they intend to keep monitoring me even in the Grand Duke’s family. To see if I can truly manipulate the Grand Duke’s family.

“Well then, I’m off.” 

“Please take care.”

Giving directions to the coachman, I set course for Woodstock Ducal Family in the heart of the capital.

Even if we move slowly, we should arrive in about thirty minutes.

“Heh…!”

I involuntarily chuckle, clutching my slightly sweaty hand. 

Finally, I’ve managed to escape from the Glenville Marquis’s household…!

All that’s left is to take control of everything within the Grand Duke’s family as planned and erase the Marquis’s family from this country entirely.

Until that moment comes, farewell.

I continued to gaze at the receding Glenville estate, even as it disappeared from view.

◇

“Hugo-kun, you’ve done well to come!”

As soon as I arrived at the Woodstock Ducal Family, the Grand Duke greeted me with a beaming smile, leaving me momentarily stunned.

“I-I’m deeply honored to receive such a welcoming reception.”

“Haha, no need for such formal greetings when we’re about to become family!”

The Grand Duke laughed heartily and patted me on the back. 

Somehow, he seems much more casual than when we last met…

“Well then, she must be eagerly waiting. Let’s get going right away.”

“Yes.”

I followed the Grand Duke into the mansion, and we were led straight to the innermost room.

And there…

“So this is…”

“Yes, it’s a gateway connected to the main residence of our Grand Duchy.”

In the center of the room’s floor, a teleportation magic circle with a radius of about three meters was drawn, surrounded by four magic stones the size of a human head placed on pedestals.

I wonder how much those magic stones would cost… at that size.

“Haha, surprised?”

“W-Well… yes, it’s truly remarkable.”

“I see, I see. But once you become a part of our family, all of this will be yours, Hugo-kun.”

With gentle eyes fixed upon me, the Grand Duke conveyed his words. 

It was as if he could see through my intentions… no, the Marquis of Glenville’s intentions.

“Now, step onto this magic circle.”

“Yes.”

“Take care on your journey, Sir Duke and Hugo-sama.”

As the Grand Duke and I stood together on the magic circle, the butlers and maids lowered their heads respectfully.

In an instant, the magic circle emitted a blinding light, enveloping the entire room, and the surroundings changed into a different room.

“Welcome back, Sir Duke. And Hugo-sama, welcome to our abode.”

Different from the servants I saw at the mansion in the capital, a new set of servants simultaneously lowered their heads.

“Hmm. And… Is ‘Mel’ still the same?”

“Yes, she’s been well.”

“I see, I see.”

Upon hearing the butler’s response, the Grand Duke nodded in satisfaction.

“Your Grace… if I may ask, about her, ‘Mel’?”

Although almost certain, I asked just to be sure.

“Oh, I suppose Lord Glenville has not informed you. ‘Meltreza of Woodstock,’ is in fact my granddaughter.”

“I see… I apologize for my impertinence…”

“Oh no, you couldn’t have known without being told.”

In response to my apology, the Grand Duke laughed it off as if it were nothing at all. Observing his demeanor, I… for some reason, turned my gaze away.

“Well then, it’s finally time for you to meet Mel.”

With those words, the Grand Duke left the room with the gate and ascended the mansion’s staircase. 

Finally, the time had come to meet the Grand Duke’s granddaughter, Miss Meltreza.

I tightened my grip on my hand and followed behind the Grand Duke, arriving at the door of the room located at the highest point of the mansion.

“Here is where my granddaughter ‘Mel’ resides.”

His demeanor underwent a complete transformation from the soft atmosphere just moments ago, emanating an unprecedented sense of pressure.

—After meeting Miss Meltreza, I must enter the Grand Duke’s family. It was as if he was conveying this message implicitly.

And so…

“Then, I shall meet Miss Meltreza now.”

I relaxed my expression and conveyed this to the Grand Duke.

Perhaps surprised by my demeanor, the Grand Duke momentarily had a puzzled expression on his face…

“Fuhahaha! I see, I see! Enjoy your conversation to your heart’s content!”

With hearty laughter, he patted my back joyously multiple times. 

It seemed he understood that I was serious about this.

As the Grand Duke saw me off, I placed my hand on the doorknob.