I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 135

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#135

 

Aster Orphanage. I was bewildered.

 

Is this why he kept it hidden from me?

 

I stared blankly at the sign before looking at Kalian.

 

While everyone was flustered, he alone was smiling with satisfaction.

 

‘What on earth is he thinking by doing this?’

 

I couldn’t gauge his intentions. One thing was certain though – I had to stop this.

 

Since the sign wasn’t hung yet, I could still stop it now.

 

“Your Maj…”

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Just as I was about to speak, Duke Giltian spoke first.

 

“May I ask why you’ve attached Baron Aster’s surname to the name of the first orphanage operated under imperial patronage?”

 

The murmuring nobles all fell silent at once and looked at Kalian.

 

The crowd outside the main gate was still chattering, but inside the main gate it was as quiet as a tomb.

 

I too looked at Kalian, waiting for his answer.

 

“You’re asking for such an obvious answer.”

 

While everyone was tense, Kalian answered with a bright smile.

 

“Because Baron Aster contributed the most to making this childcare project successful.”

 

Kalian swept his gaze over the still disgruntled nobles and tilted his head slightly.

 

“Originally, I understand that such things are named after the person who contributed the most. Am I mistaken about this?”

 

“…”

 

“Count Kewin, am I mistaken about this?”

 

“Yes, yes?”

 

Count Kewin, suddenly called out, stammered before answering.

 

“Of, of course Your Majesty is correct. However, since this is the first childcare institution, I think it would be appropriate to name this place after the imperial family or the Empire.”

 

Unlike his initial bewilderment, Count Kewin expressed his opinion quite well in a gentle manner.

 

“That’s right. I think Baron Aster’s surname could be given when we establish the next childcare institution.”

 

“While Baron Aster’s contribution to this childcare project is great, when you think about it, it was possible because of Emperor’s help. So…”

 

“No.”

 

Kalian answered curtly.

 

“This childcare project is purely Baron Aster’s achievement. Baron Aster was the one who first thought of this, and Baron Aster was the one who exposed the temple’s shame and brought the childcare project.”

 

Kalian looked at me as he spoke.

 

His deep blue eyes sparkled slightly. It seemed as if he was telling me not to worry about anything.

 

“So it’s right to attach Baron Aster’s name.”

 

At his repeated words, the nobles fell silent like mutes who had eaten honey.

 

“Everyone’s expressions don’t look good. Why is that?”

 

Kalian’s gaze, which swept over the nobles once more, stopped at Duke Giltian.

 

“Duke Giltian, would you explain on behalf of the nobles?”

 

Duke Giltian thought for a moment, then soon drew a smile on his wrinkled lips and answered.

 

“Everyone is just surprised by something they never expected, so you don’t need to worry too much about it.”

 

“Ah, was that it?”

 

The corners of Kalian’s mouth curved up smoothly.

 

“I thought you were going to say it wouldn’t work because Baron Aster is a woman, like before.”

 

The already cold atmosphere sank even more chillingly.

 

Deep furrows appeared on Duke Giltian’s brow.

 

‘Weren’t these two on good terms?’

 

Looking at it this way, it seemed like they weren’t. It was an incomprehensible relationship.

 

Kalian’s actions were equally incomprehensible.

 

That didn’t mean Kalian’s words were wrong though. Everything he said was correct.

 

If I hadn’t been a woman, I might have hoped they would name the childcare institution after my surname, but since that wasn’t the case, I hadn’t even thought about it.

 

But to think he would make such a decision. I was bewildered. I didn’t know how to react.

 

It would be right to refuse after all.

 

…But why should I refuse?

 

My mind became complicated with the contradictory thoughts that arose simultaneously.

 

Considering the surrounding attention, it would be right to refuse. Then, even if there would be noise for now, it would quickly die down.

 

But to do so, when I hadn’t done anything wrong, made me feel like a fool for reading their faces.

 

I also felt sorry toward Kalian who had looked after me this much.

 

“Then let’s ask Baron Aster.”

 

When I was suddenly mentioned, I snapped out of my private thoughts and looked at Kalian.

 

“Baron Aster.”

 

Kalian looked at me intently and asked.

 

“Do you want the name of the childcare institution to be changed?”

 

The nobles’ gazes focused on me. They all seemed to hope I would answer yes.

 

Under their gazes, my heart, which had been wavering unable to find direction, gradually hardened toward one side.

 

I clenched my fists tightly, took a deep breath, and answered.

 

“No.”

 

I would no longer foolishly just read others’ faces and let what should be mine be taken away.

 

“I like the name Aster Orphanage.”

 

I answered with such determination.

 

* * *

 

Although the schedule was somewhat delayed due to unexpected events, the sign was safely hung.

 

Aster Orphanage. No matter how many times I looked at it, it was a name that I liked so much it made my heart swell.

 

I looked up at the sign with an extremely proud heart.

 

Although the surrounding gazes were sharp, I didn’t mind.

 

Since I hadn’t obtained this through wrongdoing, there was no need to worry about it at all.

 

While the crowd was noisy, the opening ceremony continued, and now only the press conference remained.

 

The press conference was held in the foyer with just a few reporters.

 

Kalian, Duke Giltian, and the nobles who attended the opening ceremony headed to the director’s office with Adrina.

 

Baron Delrond and I remained in the foyer for the press conference.

 

Baron Delrond could have handled it alone, but wanting to be even a small help to him, I got permission from Kalian and stayed.

 

“You can go.”

 

“I’m also curious about how press conferences are conducted, so I’ll stay by your side.”

 

“Well, if that’s the case…”

 

Baron Delrond spoke as if he had no choice but to accept, but his expression became much more comfortable.

 

Having someone nearby would indeed be helpful.

 

Not wanting to be a hindrance though, I watched Baron Delrond from a slight distance.

 

Baron Delrond took a deep breath and stood in front of the platform.

 

“We will begin the press conference.”

 

“I’m Drock from Jaina Daily.”

 

The reporters asked questions one by one in a predetermined order.

 

Thanks to receiving the questions they wanted to ask in advance a few days ago, answering wasn’t difficult.

 

Most questions were related to temples or the Papacy, such as whether they would take over childcare projects from other temples, or what to do if the Papacy retaliated.

 

Occasionally unexpected follow-up questions came up, but since they were dealing with the imperial court, the intensity wasn’t that high.

 

Time passed smoothly and it was almost time to end the press conference.

 

“If there are no more questions…”

 

“I’d like to ask one more thing lastly.”

 

Someone suddenly raised their hand. It was the man named Drock from Jaina Daily who had asked the first question.

 

“Go ahead and speak.”

 

Baron Delrond answered while flipping through the question sheet.

 

“It’s a question about Baron Aster.”

 

The hand flipping through the question sheet paused. Baron Delrond looked at Drock with a surprised or perhaps displeased expression.

 

I felt the same way. As I recalled, there were no questions about me among the ones we received earlier.

 

So it was absurd that such a question would come up now. I was also anxious because I could predict what they might ask.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor named the first childcare institution after Baron Aster’s surname. Is there a reason for this?”

 

As expected, they’re asking about that.

 

“The reason is simple.”

 

Baron Delrond closed the question sheet and answered.

 

“Because Baron Aster made the greatest contribution to the success of this childcare project. You all already know, don’t you? How Baron Aster performed at the temple.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Originally, names are given that way by custom.”

 

Fortunately, everyone seemed to accept this explanation.

 

“There’s also doubt about that.”

 

Just when I thought we’d get through this safely, Drock raised another objection.

 

“There’s a rumor that His Majesty the Emperor was actually the one who planned that affair. Baron Aster simply did as His Majesty instructed.”

 

“I heard that story too.”

 

“Me too.”

 

The reporters began to stir loudly.

 

‘So such rumors were circulating.’

 

But why hadn’t it been turned into articles?

 

After that day, I had checked everything including cheap gossip newspapers, but I couldn’t find such stories.

 

Had the reporters been unable to write articles because they were being mindful of the Imperial Court?

 

‘That can’t be it.’

 

If that were the case, they wouldn’t be able to ask about it now either.

 

That means there’s another reason, but what could it be?

 

Why has it been quiet until now, and why is such talk being mentioned today of all days?

 

“Is it true?”

 

“No.”

 

Baron Delrond answered curtly, but the doubts didn’t easily disappear.

 

All sorts of speculations ran wild, starting from whether it really wasn’t true, to whether it was actually true but they were trying to hide it.

 

“Quiet. It’s all nonsense, so stop making pointless speculations!”

 

Even when Baron Delrond shouted loudly, the situation didn’t change.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

I was wondering if I should step forward when it happened.

 

“Baron Aster, please answer.”

 

Drock asked me directly instead of Baron Delrond.

 

“Really, Baron Aster, do you have no relationship with His Majesty the Emperor? Are you merely an advisor?”

 

The reporters fell silent for a moment and focused on me.

 

“That’s…!”

 

“It’s alright, Baron.”

 

When Baron Delrond tried to defend me, I waved my hand.

 

“I’ll answer directly.”

 

I approached and stood beside Baron Delrond, then looked at Drock.

 

“First, to answer your question, yes, that’s correct. I am simply an advisor to His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

Then I looked over all the reporters.

 

“Of course, I know there are rumors circulating among people that I’m not His Majesty’s advisor but his mistress.”

 

The reporters’ faces stiffened momentarily, but I continued speaking without concern.

 

“But those are all false rumors. I swear to heaven, I have never once had a relationship with His Majesty beyond that of an advisor.”

 

I wanted to definitively quash the false rumors with this opportunity.

 

“And I have no intention of having a relationship with His Majesty beyond that of an advisor in the future either.”

 

They were looking behind me instead of at me. Their stiff faces had turned somewhat pale.

 

“Baron Aster.”

 

Baron Delrond called me in a small voice and pointed behind me.

 

Why is he doing that? I turned around in puzzlement.

 

“What admirable resolve.”

 

A familiar but cold voice.

 

There stood Kalian and Duke Giltian, along with other nobles, though I couldn’t tell when they had arrived.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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