I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Sense of Propriety

“Next week is your Uncle Raymond’s birthday; it’s about time you showed your face again,” Karl said cheerfully, his tone full of anticipation.

Roy understood the implication without needing much explanation.

Just like in my previous life when “real business happens at the dinner table,” aristocratic banquets are never just about eating and drinking.

In a society where information exchange is tricky, banquets are the most crucial social events for nobles.

At these gatherings, nobles get to know each other, assess various factions, and gather all kinds of intel. For young people like Roy, it’s not just a chance to mingle with peers and build influence, but also to connect with older, influential nobles and plan for the future.

Whether it’s accumulating political resources, clarifying friend-foe relationships, or simply recognizing who’s who in the circle, it’s all worthwhile.

But “Rascal Roy” is not just incompetent; he also loves to stir trouble. The last time Karl took him to a banquet, Roy ended up harassing someone’s maid, leading to a year of ridicule for Karl from his colleagues.

The aristocrats of the Lionheart Kingdom may appear glamorous on the surface, but causing a scene like “Rascal Roy” among everyone can really disgrace the family.

Since then, Karl has never taken his genius son to a banquet again, leaving Roy with almost no information about the kingdom’s aristocracy other than from “Angel’s Waltz.”

To put it plainly, Roy hardly knows anyone except for Charlotte and his ragtag friends!

Seeing Roy’s stiff expression, Karl mistakenly thought he was nervous and offered some comfort: “I know you haven’t been to such events in a long time, but don’t worry. Uncle Raymond and I have a pretty good relationship; he’ll arrange for someone to look out for you.”

Given Roy’s reputation, attending the banquet would undoubtedly invite criticism and laughter, but no one would dare cause trouble on the host’s turf.

“It’s just a regular banquet. Father, there’s no need to worry too much. I can handle it,” Roy shrugged.

He had already fully replaced “Rascal Roy,” so he might as well take over his mess.

As a noble, sooner or later, one must engage in politics. And Roy wanted to clean up his act and turn his bad reputation around as soon as possible.

This wasn’t as urgent as reverse fate events, but it was also part of Roy’s plans.

After all, who wants to be the despised rascal?

Moreover, he had an agreement with that princess, after all.

Turning over a new leaf isn’t just talk; this banquet is a golden opportunity to prove himself through action!

Whether to avoid sinking into infamy or to uphold his promise to the princess, or even just to live up to Karl’s trust in him, Roy had more than enough reasons to shake off his bad reputation.

“I believe you’ll be fine,” Karl looked at him with confidence in his eyes.

“So, there’s no need to overthink it; just treat it as an ordinary banquet and meet some new friends.”

“Oh, by the way, royal family members will send representatives too. If luck’s on your side, you might even run into the princess,” Karl said, his tone suddenly turning teasing.

Once that topic started, it wouldn’t stop.

“You know, you’re not that young anymore; you should seize such a great opportunity. The princess is incredibly talented; marrying her might come with some challenges, but I’m not asking you to become famous overnight…”

Wait, why are we suddenly talking about marriage?!

And even implying that I’d be living off her?!

Come on, Dad, you used to be a fearless knight who took on dragons—why are your standards for your son so low now?!

“Um, didn’t I mention that she doesn’t see me that way?” Roy awkwardly explained, trying to cool down his dad’s mysterious enthusiasm.

The fact that Charlotte didn’t invite him to the dinner party made her feelings pretty clear.

To call them friends would be a stretch; it was more of a simple lord-subject relationship.

Plus, “Angel’s Waltz” is a yuri game.

Logically speaking, aside from Alice being a hardcore straight girl at the beginning, the rest of the harem should be yuri too!

Even if I were to strip down and deliver myself to her, she wouldn’t even bat an eye!

Yet, Karl kept shaking his head: “Kid, you don’t understand women.”

“???”

“Even if she doesn’t feel that way now, in the future…”

Just as Karl was about to launch into a lengthy lecture on dating, Anya suddenly interrupted: “Sir, your soup is getting cold.”

“Besides, the young master isn’t that young anymore; he has his own ideas.” Anya’s smile was warm, but her eyes had a chilling and ominous glint.

Roy felt inexplicably scared.

Wait, is this your real personality?!

Not just Roy, even Karl, the head of the family, seemed to shrink in front of her: “Uh, um, anyway, what I’m saying is there’s no harm in getting along with the princess.”

“Sir!”

“Cough, cough, let’s drop this topic for now,” Karl chuckled nervously, touching his cheek.

Roy had no idea that Karl back in the day was far from capable compared to Anya.

The so-called “Iron-Blood” Marquis was trained by Anya—she could take him down with just a single punch back then. Even now as the head of the family, the fear etched into his bones wouldn’t so easily disappear.

Seeing his dad floundering in front of the head maid, Roy wanted to laugh but held it back, his mouth twitching.

Way to go, head maid!

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Anya looked at him and said, “Young master, there are plenty of good girls around. Don’t just focus on the princess.”

“If you really want to date, you might want to start noticing the people nearby.” The head maid subtly glanced over to the blonde maid standing aside.

“I will.”

Though he agreed verbally, Roy was internally shaking his head.

The “reverse fate nodes” are no joke. There’s only one life, and he doesn’t want to test what happens if he fails.

Before nurturing Alice and fully hugging the thigh of the Destined Saintess, he wasn’t planning on thinking about marriage.

But Dad was right; getting along with Charlotte definitely isn’t a bad idea.

Since “Rascal Roy” had repeatedly annoyed Charlotte, ultimately attracting the wrath of royal influence.

Why can’t I flip the script, get cozy with Charlotte, and lean against the royal tree?

Building relationships is an art; although he has no dating experience, Roy understands the delicacies involved.

Stay pure, maintain distance, build a relationship, and know when to stop.

That’s called propriety.

————————————————————

The Duke Raymond’s birthday party isn’t a big deal, but it’s not small either.

The Raymond family and the Ainbrad family have been blood brothers that fought alongside the royal family, so it’s only natural to give them face.

But for Princess Charlotte, this is a hassle.

As a single princess, attending any banquet always means endless harassment from common nobles while she can’t even leave her seat.

So, when Lisa informed her about this, Charlotte’s first reaction was to refuse.