You’ll Regret Stealing Him from Me — My Sister Who Took My Fiancé and Celebrated Was a Fool - Chapter 44

Duke Vandering had been troubled for days.

The scene from several days ago kept replaying in his mind, his son Roderick and his fiancée Isabella engaged in an utterly disgraceful argument.

“It’s your fault!” “No, it’s yours!”  the shameful spectacle of them shifting blame onto each other. Their childish refusal to admit their own faults while relentlessly accusing the other. Neither behaved as befitting the heir of a ducal house or the daughter of a marquis.

Is that truly my son?

The duke let out a deep sigh.

Sunlight streamed through the study window, illuminating the documents on his desk. Damage reports from the party, letters of complaint from high society, estimates for reparations. Each one forced reality upon him.

He had been too lenient. He should have acted sooner. He never expected the repercussions to spread this far. He had trusted his son’s judgment too much. He had failed to see Isabella’s true nature. As the head of the family, this was his responsibility as well.

If things continued like this, the very survival of the house would be at risk.

Minimize the losses. Recover what could still be salvaged. And prevent any further disgrace. That was his duty as the family head.

After such a public spectacle, some form of punishment was unavoidable. But mere punishment alone would be meaningless.

He had to devise a solution. One that would, at the very least, benefit House Vandering.

The duke continued to agonize over the matter.

Days passed before he finally reached a conclusion.

He summoned his most trusted aides to his study.

Four senior retainers stood before him, their expressions tense. They were all aware of the recent scandal. And they could guess why they had been called here today.

A heavy silence filled the study.

“I assume you are all aware of the recent incident,” the duke began calmly.

“What is the current sentiment in high society?”

One of the retainers hesitantly spoke up.

“…It is far from favorable. Some are even saying, ‘House Vandering is finished.'”

“‘They can no longer be trusted,'” another added grimly.

“The disgrace at the party was bad enough, but the poor handling afterward has also drawn criticism. It was utterly shameful. Particularly among the younger generation of nobles, our reputation has suffered greatly.”

“‘We want nothing to do with such a family’ we’ve heard that sentiment multiple times,” a third retainer reported, driving the point home.

The duke was not well-versed in the affairs of high society. He had dedicated himself to governance, leaving social matters to others. That oversight had led to this disaster. He deeply regretted it.

“I want your honest opinions. What should we do moving forward?”

The retainers exchanged glances. Finally, the eldest among them spoke.

“…We should remove Lord Roderick from the line of succession.”

It was a grave statement. Yet no one objected.

“The engagement should also be annulled.”

“They must be severely punished to draw a clear line.”

“Further disgrace cannot be tolerated.”

“To restore relations with other noble houses, decisive action is necessary.”

One opinion after another was voiced.

The duke listened in silence, carefully considering each one. When all had spoken, he slowly responded.

“I understand your concerns.”

After a pause, he continued.

“But the final decision is mine. Understood?”

“Yes.”

The retainers bowed deeply.

“You may leave.”

As they exited, the door closed, and silence returned. The duke was alone once more.

Removing Roderick from the succession was now unavoidable. His retainers were in agreement. The voices of other nobles demanded it.

But what would be the appropriate punishment?

Simply discarding him would be too great a loss.

The education, time, and resources invested in Roderick. Hiring the finest tutors, providing him with diverse experiences, instilling in him the awareness of an heir. And now, the damage caused by this incident—reparations, lost trust, the tarnished family name.

All of it would be for nothing. The loss was too great.

Was there no better use for him? Could this situation still be turned to their advantage?

The duke’s gaze shifted to another document on his desk, a report on House Altvier. Slowly, he began to think.

Coldly. Rationally.

As a noble, he had to choose the most beneficial path.

Seraphina Altvier.

The truth was, she had been an exceptional young lady. Her reputation in high society was impeccable, and her practical skills were beyond reproach. Reports indicated she was thriving in the Liebenfeld household. His son had foolishly let her slip away and he had allowed it.

Both were grave mistakes.

But dwelling on the past was pointless. Now, he had to look to the future.

The duke turned to another page in the report.

Isabella Altvier.

Seraphina’s younger sister.

This girl was the root of all their troubles.

She had lied, stolen her sister’s ideas, and manipulated his son with tears and theatrics. Calculating, cunning and utterly lacking in substance.

Under normal circumstances, the engagement should be annulled immediately.

But Isabella was Seraphina’s sister. There was a blood connection. Severing all ties with House Altvier would be a waste.

Lady Seraphina was already married into House Liebenfeld. House Altvier had no heir. The marquis had no sons only two daughters. Without intervention, the direct line would end.

But if Roderick and Isabella were to have a child.

That child would be Isabella’s.

Meaning, the grandchild of Marquis Altvier.

Seraphina’s niece or nephew.

By blood, that child would have every right to be considered House Altvier’s heir.

The marquis must also be troubled by the succession issue. What if they offered Roderick and Isabella’s child to House Altvier? Let them fulfill their duty as nobles. Solve the succession crisis.

In doing so, House Vandering’s blood would flow through House Altvier’s heir.

It would solidify the bond between the two houses.

Their influence would remain intact.

As a noble, he had to choose the path of greatest benefit. That was the duty of a family head.

Roderick would be removed from the succession.

But the engagement to Isabella would not be annulled. They would marry formally.

Then, they would be secluded in a countryside estate officially, “for reflection and recuperation.”

Kept away from high society. Hidden from public view. This would maintain appearances for now. The announcement would emphasize that they had been severely punished.

And with time…

Given time, perhaps the two would settle down.

They were still young. Given enough time, they might reflect on their actions. Left alone in the estate, they might come to understand one another. They might remember their duties as nobles. And in time, they might produce a child.

“When that time comes…”

The duke stared at the family tree. Everything hinged on this.

To maintain ties with Lady Seraphina, to preserve relations with House Altvier. If a grandchild were born, they could propose that child as House Altvier’s heir.

It would benefit both houses.

House Vandering would retain its influence. House Altvier would gain an heir.

“Not a bad arrangement.”

The duke murmured quietly.

This was not emotion. It was calculation.

Roderick had brought this upon himself. So had Isabella. Both deserved to pay for their actions. And as the family head, it was his duty to decide how that debt would be paid.

Such was the way of the nobility.

His decision was made.

The duke rang the bell.

“Summon Roderick and Isabella.”

The servant bowed respectfully and left. The duke’s expression returned to impassivity. He straightened his posture, donning the dignity of the family head.

The time had come to deliver their fate.