That night.
Nevernight Castle was bright as day.
In the castle study, cigar smoke curled through the air, yet Swan Baron Kunbif Shadowflame still smoked his own pipe.
Tapping the table with his pipe, he asked irritably, "Marquis Arno, what exactly is His Majesty the King considering? Supporting my Sunflower Family to replace the Shadowflame Dragonblood Family as the main branch—isn't that the best choice?"
Behind the haze of smoke, Marquis Arno reclined comfortably in a rocking chair.
He replied casually, "His Majesty has his own considerations. How could I presume to guess at his careful deliberations? Still, there is no need for the Sunflower Family to worry. The Blazing Sun Royal Family is very willing to remain friendly with the Sunflower Family for generations."
"How can I not worry? If we do not act quickly, the dragon will be in bed with Russell!"
"Haha, that is an amusing way to put it, though rather disrespectful toward the dragon," Marquis Arno said with a laugh.
"If my grandson becomes Grand Duke, I would gladly kneel and kowtow before the dragon's statue every day, devout enough that no one could criticize me!" Baron Kunbif snapped. "But if that brat Russell becomes Grand Duke, I will never set foot in Red Castle for the rest of my life!"
"Calm down, calm down."
"I cannot calm down! Marquis Arno, please give me an answer as soon as possible! Your country created the system of Selecting the Young Master—are you really going to watch it become a hollow name?"
Everything changes. The circumstances had changed, so naturally corresponding changes had to be made.
"What changes? I have not seen any. On the contrary, Marquis Arno, your changes have been growing day and night!" Baron Kunbif glanced at Marquis Arno's increasingly bulging belly. "Arno, give