Chapter 222 Banquet Incident

Duke Ferdinand, are you going to announce the successor?

Everyone was quite surprised when they heard this, but after thinking about it carefully, it was indeed the right time. Originally, the successor of a noble was his eldest son by default, and there was no need to announce it deliberately unless there was any change.

But the Duke was different. He didn't have a son, and now his body seemed to be a little weak. So it was reasonable for him to take advantage of this occasion to announce the successor.

Who would be the lucky one?

The most likely one was Viscount Henry, after all, he was the Duke's eldest brother.

Viscount Henry had recently settled down in Sent City, serving the Duke inside and out, and frequently communicating with a group of lords. It seemed that he was determined to get the position of Duke.

However, it was not 100% certain that this position belonged to him. Speaking of which, Viscount Henry and the Duke could not be said to be brothers, because they were not born of the same mother.

When the Duke was just the heir to the Duke, the position should have belonged to him, but this Viscount Henry was not a very honest person since he was a child. After the death of the previous generation Duke Ferdinand, some unpleasant things happened to the brothers.

Although there were many twists and turns, the Duke still inherited the title. I don’t know whether it was because of the brotherhood or because he wanted to show his magnanimity to the outside world, Duke Ferdinand did not pursue his brother and gave him a viscountship.

Viscount Henry has become honest since then, but recently his mind has obviously become active again.

But who knows if Duke Ferdinand still minds what he did back then? The title may also fall into the hands of his collateral line.

While thinking about it, everyone held their breath and waited quietly for the Duke’s next words.

No matter who the Duke chose as the heir, he had to flatter him after the banquet. No, I have to go over to toast him later.

At this time, only Maltz Kent was extremely calm. He held a glass of wine and sipped it slowly, with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.

The wine that usually tasted bland suddenly tasted mellow again today.

The "boy" beside the earl stared at the Duke in the main seat without blinking.

"I... I... decided..."

Who? Is it Viscount Henry? Most people are guessing it's him.

"The heir is..."

Henry himself also opened his eyes wide, anxiously waiting for his brother to say his name.

In his opinion, he was nine out of ten... no, it was 100% certain. After all, he had been cautious for so many years, repairing the relationship between the two brothers bit by bit, and judging from his elder brother's attitude towards him, he did not show any concern for the past. As long as his elder brother didn't mind, then from the traditional point of view, he would definitely be his heir.

"Maltz Kent!"

In an instant, all the sounds in the hall stopped abruptly, even the breathing of the crowd was gone.

After a few seconds of silence, the guests all burst into laughter.

"The Earl of Kent... is the Duke's heir?"

"I didn't expect it, it's the Earl of Kent."

Discussions were everywhere, and everyone was amazed at the Duke's choice.

Especially the members of the Ferdinand family, their faces were dumbfounded. Even if the Duke's position was not theirs, it wouldn't be thrown so far away, right?

Speaking of which, the Kent family and the Ferdinand family do have some bloodline, and they can be regarded as the same lineage, but which generation was that?

"Viscount Henry? Viscount Henry?"

The people around Henry found that the Viscount was motionless, and they patted him on the back.

Alas, I'm afraid the Duke's eldest brother was the one who suffered the most, and everyone was full of sympathy for him.

Henry reacted, but his expression was still stunned. He turned his head and asked the people around him: "What did my brother say just now?"

Although Duke Ferdinand spoke intermittently just now, he spoke very clearly, ensuring that everyone in the hall could hear it.

Viscount Henry obviously didn't hear it, but he didn't dare to believe what his brother said.

"Uh... Viscount, your brother..."

The person being asked was embarrassed. How should he answer?

"My brother... what did he say just now?"

The Viscount asked again, but his tone had become unfriendly, and veins appeared on his temples.

The person being asked was frightened and quickly answered: "The Duke said... The Duke said that he decided to make Count Martz Kent the heir."

"No!"

A loud roar sounded in the hall, attracting the guests to look over here.

"No! This is not true!"

Viscount Henry's face was full of madness. After confirming the cruel reality from others, he really couldn't accept it and roared.

He pushed down the table in front of him, and the food and drinks were scattered all over the floor.

Henry rushed to the main seat, holding his brother's left and right shoulders with both hands and shaking them hard.

"Brother! My brother! Tell me this is not true. How could you choose a person with a different surname as the heir?"

Seeing his brother in a daze, he shook even harder.

"Speak up! Speak up!"

No mistake! Take a look at the book!

With Henry taking the lead, other members of Ferdinand's family also gathered around and raised their own doubts.

"Yes, Duke, even if you don't choose Viscount Henry, you can't pass it on to outsiders!"

"Take back your order just now. You are the patriarch and you have to consider the family."

"You have to think carefully. This title is passed down by our ancestors."

The guests in the room were at a loss. They looked at this family infighting and didn't know whether they should get involved.

"Enough!"

Duke Ferdinand suddenly exploded. He was sick and didn't know where he got the strength. He pushed his brother away.

Viscount Henry stepped back. There was a table behind him. He tripped and the table fell. The utensils and food on it were scattered all over the floor.

The Duke pointed at him and said with a ferocious face: "Do you think I have forgotten all the bad things you did back then? Want to write it off? Humph, wishful thinking!"

"I...I..."

Viscount Henry was speechless. His hand was stabbed hard by the broken glass fragments. The severe pain woke him up from his madness.

After so many years, I didn't expect that my brother still didn't forgive him in his heart. Was the brotherhood they usually showed just pretending?

This was the second blow he suffered today.

Duke Ferdinand suddenly regained his former majesty and momentum, and shouted: "Come here!"

Footsteps sounded, and a large group of fully armed guards ran into the hall.

"Lock this bastard in the dungeon! Lock him up... Yes, lock him up in the deepest and darkest cell for me."

"Yes!"

Viscount Henry's face was ashen, and he didn't resist, letting the guards drag him out.

Duke Ferdinand spat at him: "Humph! You don't know how to be grateful, and you still have wishful thinking, go to hell!"

Then, he looked around and focused on the few tribesmen who had gathered around.

"Now, does anyone have any objections?"