"So you're the heir of Rotwald?"
The elderly lynx Beastwoman stopped directly in front of Lucien.
"Yes, Matriarch."
The fox Beastman lowered his head, using the respectful form of address without a second thought.
And although the Duchess was the rightful ruler of Luchsenstein, the moment the old lynx woman had arrived, it had become unmistakably clear who truly stood at the head of this bloodline.
No one corrected him.
A faint, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Mirabelle's grandmother's mouth. Or perhaps Mirabelle had only imagined it.
The woman's ice-gray eyes bored into Lucien's.
"Hmm. You won't be bringing any bad habits with you, I trust?"
Mirabelle nearly choked on air. She knew exactly what her grandmother meant.
Images of a room filled with naked Beastmen instantly flooded her mind.
Her mother let out a strangled sound. Mirabelle glanced sideways.
The Duchess's cheeks had turned a distinct shade of pink.
