I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 140
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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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#140
“It’s still too early.”
Yes, this was why.
It really didn’t matter that Leilah was dating, but now wasn’t the right timing.
That was because it hadn’t even been a full year since Leilah officially broke off her engagement with Fillen.
Not only that. The rumors about her being Kalian’s mistress hadn’t completely disappeared either, and until just recently, there had even been talk about how nice it would be if she became empress.
But if Leilah started dating now, people would surely look at her with unfavorable eyes.
There was no other reason. It was for Leilah’s sake.
“So postpone it a bit longer.”
“Pardon?”
Leilah, who had come to give Kalian his morning report, looked at him in confusion.
Hmm, did I say that too out of the blue?
But telling her outright not to date seemed too meddlesome.
Then how should I put it?
While Kalian was pondering, Leilah asked cautiously.
“Did I do something wrong?”
What does she mean by that?
“Why would you think that?”
“Your expression looks troubled, Your Majesty.”
My expression looks troubled?
Kalian checked his face in the mirror on his desk.
In the mirror was the same handsome face he always saw. It didn’t particularly look troubled.
“Nothing. I’m just worried about you.”
“Worried about me?”
“Yes. You’re…”
Dating, from what I heard.
He wanted to say that, but the words wouldn’t come out.
He’d hardly ever watched his words around others in his life, but he found himself constantly being mindful around Leilah.
It was all because he knew about her painful past.
He’d seen her cry desperately several times too.
He was cautious about bringing it up, afraid she might get hurt again and cry like that once more.
Still, he should say it. It was for her own good.
“I have something I want to say about dating.”
“Dating?”
Leilah tilted her head.
“Who’s dating? Oh, could it be?”
Leilah’s eyes sparkled.
“Your Majesty, are you dating someone?”
Why is the arrow turning back to me?
No, more than that, why does she look so happy about it?
Kalian frowned.
“It’s not me who’s dating, it’s you.”
“Pardon?”
Leilah said with a bewildered expression.
“I’m dating?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I’m not.”
Leilah even shook her head vigorously as she muttered.
“I wonder where on earth such talk is coming from…”
“It’s some fool’s misunderstanding.”
He didn’t bother mentioning that the fool in question was Ber.
“So you don’t need to worry about it.”
His mood, which had sunk to rock bottom, instantly improved.
Kalian smiled brightly and said.
“Go ahead with your report.”
Leilah began her report with a subtle expression.
“A few days ago, there was an avalanche in the Vera Estate in the northern region.”
These were reports that had come in overnight.
Leilah placed the report on the desk.
“Fortunately, there weren’t many casualties, but the property damage is significant.”
Kalian listened attentively to Leilah’s words while looking at the report.
“Particularly, the storage warehouse where they kept grain to eat through winter was buried in snow, so they’re having immediate difficulties with food supply.”
“Send a support request to the nearest domain. Just in case, send mage support as well.”
“Understood.”
Leilah immediately presented another report.
After finishing all the reports, it was time for the morning meeting.
Before going to the meeting room, Kalian handed Leilah the documents that had been piled on one side of his desk.
“Please organize these documents by date and category.”
“Yes.”
Leilah moved closer to the desk to receive the documents.
Thud-
In doing so, her thigh bumped into the corner of the desk.
“Ugh!”
Even though she hadn’t hit it that hard, Leilah seemed to be in great pain and crouched down.
Her face contorted with pain.
“Leilah!”
Kalian stood up abruptly in panic. The pushed chair fell over with a thud.
But Kalian paid no attention and immediately approached Leilah.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Fine, my foot. Your face is pale.”
It didn’t seem to be simply because she bumped into the desk.
Was she sick somewhere?
Kalian placed his hand on Leilah’s forehead.
“You don’t have a fever.”
“I’m really fine.”
Leilah pulled back slightly and stood up from her spot.
“Ugh.”
But only for a moment – Leilah couldn’t stand properly and crouched down again.
Kalian hurriedly reached out to support Leilah.
Kalian’s expression became serious.
“You came to work while feeling this unwell?”
“I’m fin…”
“From today, saying ‘I’m fine’ is forbidden.”
At the absurd command that came out of nowhere, Leilah’s mouth closed.
Kalian seated Leilah on the sofa and then rang the bell.
When the attendant entered, he gave an order while keeping his gaze fixed on Leilah.
“Call the court physician immediately.”
Leilah’s eyes widened.
“A court physician? I’m fine, Your Majesty.”
Kalian snorted.
“You show me that state and say you’re fine? Do you think I’d believe that?”
“There are circumstances…”
“What circumstances.”
Leilah clasped her hands together and hesitated.
“If you don’t answer, I’ll just call the court physician anyway.”
When Kalian was about to give the order to the attendant again, Leilah squeezed her eyes shut and spoke.
“H-horseback riding!”
Kalian looked at Leilah again.
Leilah couldn’t look directly at Kalian and continued speaking.
“I’ve been learning horseback riding lately… I’m still inexperienced so my legs are bruised.”
Her entire thighs were completely bruised.
“On top of that, I have muscle pain…”
Simply walking was fine, but when she bumped into something like earlier, she felt indescribable pain.
Even though she tried to endure it, she couldn’t help but let out a groan.
“I’ll be more careful from now on, Your Majesty.”
“…What’s there to be careful about. It’s not like you did it on purpose.”
Kalian replied with a much improved expression.
“Still, get examined. They might be able to give you medicine that helps with bruises and muscle pain.”
“Yes, I will.”
Though it didn’t seem particularly necessary, Leilah nodded, thinking it would ease Kalian’s worries.
The attendant left to call the court physician, and Head Maid Rachel entered.
“Your Majesty, it’s time for you to attend the morning meeting.”
Kalian’s brow furrowed. What had seemed like something he naturally had to attend just moments ago now felt trivial.
He wanted to stay and watch Leilah get examined.
“I’ll definitely get examined, so don’t worry and go ahead.”
As if sensing Kalian’s feelings, Leilah spoke.
Kalian let out a small sigh and nodded.
“I’ll check when I get back.”
“Yes.”
“If anything hurts, don’t hide it and get everything examined. Don’t make me worry.”
“Understood.”
The words exchanged between them were hardly what you’d expect between a superior and assistant.
The attendants exchanged meaningful glances at this.
Rachel’s expression watching them was also subtle.
The parties involved didn’t notice this fact.
Kalian, who was about to leave after putting on his coat, asked Leilah as if something had occurred to him.
“Is leaving on time lately also because of horseback riding?”
Leilah nodded, her cheeks slightly reddening as if embarrassed.
“Yes.”
“I see.”
So the one she had to show affection to and bond with wasn’t a man.
His doubts were completely resolved. Kalian smiled contentedly and turned around.
* * *
This morning’s meeting also included Ber.
It was because they discussed matters he was in charge of.
That didn’t mean Ber voiced his opinions during the meeting.
He simply wrote down what the nobles and Kalian said, like a secretary.
The meeting lasted exactly 2 hours but reached no conclusions.
“What a waste of time.”
After all meetings ended, on the way back to the Imperial Palace.
“If I’d known we’d just exchange such useless talk, I wouldn’t have participated.”
When Ber sighed and complained, Kalian asked.
“Why do you think it was useless talk?”
“Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”
“Right. I learned how useless those guys are.”
“That’s true.”
Ber nodded in agreement.
“So don’t you plan to replace the administrators, Your Majesty?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t want to waste taxes on incompetent fools either.”
“Fire them one by one starting from the bottom, Your Majesty.”
Ber advised loyally.
“That way there’ll be less noise.”
“I know that.”
“And please hire one more assistant.”
When he subtly expressed his desire, Kalian’s lips curved up.
“So that’s what you wanted.”
“I’ve always wanted it.”
Though Leilah had joined, they were still short-handed.
They needed more people.
“The management exam is fine, or you could bring someone from the Academy. Just hire one more person.”
“What about guys like the ones we saw in the meeting room?”
“Ah, I’ll pass on that. Those guys don’t help—they create work.”
When Ber refused with a serious expression, Kalian laughed out loud.
“I’ll think about it. Academy students will graduate soon, so we could bring one of the decent ones.”
“I’ll prepare the graduation list.”
“I only said I’d think about it, not that I’d hire anyone.”
“I trust you’ll hire someone.”
At Ber’s shameless answer, Kalian shrugged his shoulders.
“More importantly, Ber.”
“Yes.”
“Your guess was wrong.”
“What guess?”
“About Leilah dating someone.”
Ah, that.
“I asked and she said no.”
“You… asked directly?”
When Ber asked in a bewildered tone, Kalian raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Is there a problem?”
“Not a problem exactly… but did she say it wasn’t Baron Aster?”
“Yeah. She said leaving on time wasn’t because of dating but for another reason.”
“What reason?”
Kalian’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“Well. What reason could it be.”
“You know but won’t tell me, right?”
Kalian walked on, smiling silently.
“Please tell me, Your Majesty.”
Ber hurried after him, asking.
“What is it? What’s the reason?!”
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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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