I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Brother’s Doubts

“So, who’s going to attend Uncle Raymond’s birthday party?”

Lionheart King Robrecht Reinhardt didn’t expect his offhand comment at the dining table would spark a debate between the siblings.

“Isn’t this kind of occasion better suited for the Second Prince?” Charlotte pouted while cutting her steak, clearly impatient.

“I don’t mind representing you at the banquet. But Charlotte, you’re not a kid anymore; you should fulfill your royal duties.” The suave red-haired man sitting across from her, Leo Reinhardt, said with a subtle smile.

His hint ignited Charlotte’s emotions completely.

The red-haired princess put down her utensils, looked him straight in the eyes without a hint of fear, and proudly declared, “What do you mean by that?”

“I’ve put in the effort in training my Extraordinary Power, managing the territory, and hunting magical beasts. Does fulfilling a princess’s duties really mean marrying a man you don’t like?”

Charlotte had her reasons for confidence.

Though she was young, she was just a step away from reaching Rank 8, her territory was well governed, and not long ago she led her knights in a successful hunt against magical beasts, achieving notable merits.

The Lionheart Kingdom didn’t subscribe to male superiority; if anything, they valued martial prowess.

Charlotte had proven with her actions that the Lionhearts were not just for show.

Faced with Charlotte’s assertive attitude, Leo leaned in closer: “I’m not saying you’re doing a bad job.”

“But the royal family ultimately must bear the responsibility of passing on the bloodline.”

Upon saying this, Leo let out a long sigh, speaking gravely, “Your eldest brother is stationed at the border and remains unmarried due to his circumstances. Although I’m already married, I also bear the responsibility of hunting cults.”

Then Leo’s tone shifted, turning back to Charlotte with expectation: “You, however, are different; you’re still young and haven’t taken on heavy responsibilities. This is the perfect time for you to consider marriage.”

As Charlotte pondered how to retort, Leo shifted his gaze away.

A shadow passed over the Second Prince’s face, filled with guilt and sadness.

“I’m sorry to put this responsibility on you, but I don’t mean for you to marry right now. However, you should at least interact more with men your age.”

“I…”

Charlotte’s fierce demeanor softened at her brother’s sincere attitude, and her frustration vanished in an instant.

The proud princess had a weakness for gentleness.

In truth, she also knew he had a point. She just really didn’t want to deal with those unworthy young nobles.

Every time she attended a banquet, she was harassed by various mediocre men and sycophants, but she couldn’t reject them too harshly in public without embarrassing their families.

Nobles could be reckless in private, but their public image couldn’t be tarnished.

She could act spoiled privately, but in those situations, firmly refusing would severely damage the other family’s reputation and sour their relations with the royal family.

The tense atmosphere dissipated, replaced by a heavy, oppressive air like a damp mist.

It wasn’t until now that their father finally spoke up.

The robust king, sporting a fire-like thick beard, waved his hand with a hearty laugh that echoed like thunder: “Ah, it’s fine! If Charlotte doesn’t want to go, then she doesn’t have to! That old Raymond will understand!”

He then glanced at Leo, disdainfully saying, “I’m not worried; why are you in such a hurry? Your sister’s marriage is not something you need to bother with!”

Leo tried to protest, “But…”

“But nothing!”

Even without using his Extraordinary Power, Robrecht’s booming voice shook the dining table.

“Those little boys aren’t worthy of my Charlotte! It’d be better if she never marries!”

“Uh…”

“Ugh…”

Their father’s unexpected words left both siblings simultaneously speechless and scornful.

But Charlotte knew her father was feigning ignorance, giving her an escape route.

In Veszyra, failing to pass on Extraordinary bloodlines was a massive crisis for any noble, especially royal family members.

However, the stronger the Extraordinary blood, the smaller the chance of having offspring. The Reinhardt family, blessed with golden blood, was quite rare with three heirs in this generation.

Now that both her elder and second brothers had their own challenges, this responsibility fell solely on her.

Even if her father doted on her, there were limits to that affection.

Charlotte cupped her chin in thought, rubbing her hair ends, gazing out at the night sky.

Under the orange candlelight, the girl’s enchanting red eyes were tinged with a hint of sadness, her mood becoming gloomy.

She couldn’t procrastinate like this forever…

“By the way, I heard you’ve been getting along well with that boy from the Karl family?”

“Huh?”

Robrecht’s sudden question threw Charlotte into a panic.

But he was lost in old memories and didn’t notice her reaction, reminiscing, “I had originally planned to arrange a marriage between you two, but who knew that boy from Karl would turn out to be so useless…”

“Who says he’s useless?!”

By the time Charlotte realized, she had slammed her hands on the table and stood up abruptly.

Both Robrecht and Leo turned their puzzled gazes toward her.

Charlotte’s face flushed, and she quickly sat back down, pretending to cough before casually saying, “I… I just think rumors aren’t always true.”

“Hmm? Didn’t you meet that boy a few days ago? What did you think?” Robrecht squinted, inquiring.

Charlotte felt a wave of guilt wash over her from his stare: “It was, um, not bad…”

That simple admission made both Robrecht and Leo raise their brows in suspicion.

“Not bad” coming from an ordinary noble’s daughter usually meant a rejection.

But coming from this proud girl, it meant something entirely different!

It’s worth noting that every time Charlotte mentioned potential suitors before, she had a murderous gleam in her eyes! This shift in attitude was positively magical!

Unbeknownst to Charlotte, her father and brother were flying through many thoughts, and she suddenly realized something.

The last time she couldn’t stay for the dinner, she thought she had missed her chance with Roy forever.

But if Roy were to attend Duke Raymond’s birthday banquet, wouldn’t that provide her with an excellent opportunity to see him again, maybe even dance with him…?

Ah, but I remember Roy doesn’t attend parties much, does he?

“Karl said he intends to bring that boy to the banquet,” Robrecht said, stroking his beard with significance.

Charlotte immediately straightened her posture, her face glowing, revealing an elegant and graceful smile, her ruby-like eyes brimming with joy: “You know what? After thinking it over, it wouldn’t be right to keep troubling my brother to attend parties. I’ll take his place this time!”

Robrecht didn’t call out his daughter’s grand scheme and felt a mix of emotions, reluctant to let go.

But Leo’s expression grew peculiar.

The boy from the Karl family, Roy Ainbrad?

Wasn’t that guy just a good-for-nothing scoundrel?