It did not take too long for Lily and Eliza to finish their conversation and go to the hall to attend the dinner with everyone else. Lily came with Eliza while Zhou Jingren and the Duke arrived together. Everything about the dinner was perfect, except Mikaela was not able to join them as she was currently sick. And so was her children.

This made Pierre fumed with pure rage. Did the Duke figure out his plan after all? No, it was not the Duke. It should be Lily! In his mind, only Lily and that husband of hers was capable of doing this! With the current plan hindered because of Mikaela's absence, Pierre was left angry, confused with no back up plan.

That plan was already the 'backup' plan he was forced to use because of Lily and Zhou Jingren's appearance. However, now that his wife is no longer available for the plan, he is left with nothing. Not an idea or any resources that he could use against the Duke! He gritted his teeth as he watched the vast cake that Leandro and The Knight Commander was holding as they marched towards Eliza and Levi. If only he could poison himself in this party, then he would have!

Pierre had no problems sacrificing himself for something that he believed in. He frowned as everyone started singing The 'Happy Birthday' song in the air only made him more and more irritated. He sighed inwardly before he felt that someone was staring at him. He turned to his right, and as expected, Lily was smiling on his way.

'Just what is wrong with this woman?' he closed his eyes and bit his tongue to stop himself from lashing out at Lily. He knew that lashing out would make him look bad. He could not afford this. Not in front of Mr. Neeson and His Highness Harringfort and some other essential individuals. While this was not as big as the previous banquet, Pierre still did not dare show his real colours.

Endure.

He could only endure right now.

Finally, the song ended. Levi and Eliza immediately went forward to blow the cake and soon after, everyone's applause echoed inside the hall. The atmosphere was light, the sound of jazz in the background lingered as they started eating. The food was, of course, chosen explicitly by the twins. This was their birthday after all, and the Duke believed that they should have the right to select the type of food for the banquet.

Of course, the atmosphere only made Pierre feel worse. This was supposed to be the night the beginning of the end of this Grand Ducal. How did it become like this? He held the glass of wine tighter before he drank it in one go. He then asked the attendant to give him another glass.

"Don't you think you already had a lot of wine?" Leandro, who stood next to him said. Everyone around them was happily talking and joking around, while Pierre was drowning himself with alcohol. As the Crowned Prince Leandro felt obligated to stop this man from ruining his siblings' birthday.

"Hmp!" Pierre said before downing another glass of wine. "I am fine. This is not enough to affect me."What could a mere red wine do? To a person who loves his whiskey, this is nothing! Pierre sneered as he watched Lily laugh while talking to Eliza and Levi.

How could she laugh after ruining his plans? Was she mocking him? She must be flaunting her win right now! In Pierre's mind, Lily was provoking him!

"Whatever it is that is in your mind. You you should stop it." Leandro said. "They are not people that you wanted to offend."

"Coward!" In his eyes, Leandro is nothing but a coward who is afraid of confrontations. He is weak, dumb and easily manipulated. This man is the kind of man that would first run away if their friends were stabbed. The cowardly type that would pretend they hated arguments and fight, so they have reason to leave their friend behind! "Leave me alone!" Disgust glinted in Pierre's eyes.

"Earl Weber you must have forgotten "

"Dog!" Pierre said. He was already in a terrible mood, and this man dared to remind him his status? "Aren't you only your father's dog?" Pierre raised an eyebrow as if challenging him to refute his words. "You always follow whatever he tells you to do. You are his dog! Now now be a good dog and stand next to your father."

A sigh escaped Leandro's lips. "It seems that my sister getting sick is affecting your mental health. Don't worry, we are doing our best to keep her safe. I believe it is time for you to go home now. I will ask the guards to escort you."

"And if I say no?"

"Earl Weber this is not the right time to act like this. It is my siblings' birthday. I am sure my sister, your beloved wife would appreciate it if you leave now and rest in your castle." He forced a smile out of his lips. "We don't want to anger the Duke right now." He said calmly. As someone who is almost always around his father, Leandro sensed that his father is angry about something.

He tried to ask him about it and even assured his father that he would support him no matter what. However, the latter refused to talk and would only say that he was worried about the country. Leandro thought that the reason his father was worried was because of Lily and Qin Yuanfeng. However, this is only his assumption. "I will ask the guards to escort you " And that's when Leandro noticed the increase in security inside the hall.

He turned silent and roamed his eyes around him. Every meter stood one guard wearing their military uniform. While they don't have guns, he knew that these people were a part of his father's personal trained guard that were experts in combat and silent killing. He frowned as his gaze turned towards his father. Something is wrong.

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