I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 155
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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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#155
“After investigating 10 black markets operating throughout the Empire, we found that 3 of them were selling Mollence fruit.”
Kalian asked in response to Hilltain’s report.
“That means the Mollence fruit hasn’t been fully distributed yet.”
“Yes. The Imperial Court already uprooted them once, and the cold weather makes cultivation difficult.”
Indeed, when I saw Mollence fruit at the black market before, the quantity was extremely small.
It seemed like they were testing the reaction rather than seriously putting it up for sale.
“Since their forces don’t seem to have expanded yet, we should be able to uproot them completely now.”
“Conversely, their forces might be too small to find easily.”
It would be troublesome if we acted rashly and the leader of the organization went into hiding.
And there was one more troublesome issue.
Diplomatic missions from other countries were steadily gathering in the Empire to attend the New Year Festival.
In this situation, bringing the Mollence fruit matter to the surface wouldn’t be good.
It would unnecessarily draw attention.
It was even more so because this involved Mollence fruit of all things.
Mollence fruit was a drug strictly prohibited not only in the Empire but throughout the entire continent.
If we succeeded, it would be fine, but if we failed, we would certainly become the laughingstock of the continent.
Even so, if their forces had grown too large, I would have thought about capturing them, but from the report, it didn’t seem necessary yet.
“For now, keep watching those three black markets where Mollence fruit was discovered. Find out if anyone bought it.”
“Yes.”
“If you can capture them with certainty, go ahead, but if not, just observe for now. At least until the New Year Festival ends and the diplomatic missions return.”
“Understood.”
Hilltain left and Leilah took his place.
“Leilah.”
Kalian smiled brightly when he saw Leilah, but Leilah’s expression was serious.
Was something wrong?
Kalian, who had become serious as well, asked urgently.
“What’s the matter?”
“A reply to the invitation has arrived from the Holy Kingdom.”
A month ago, we had sent invitations to other countries including the Holy Kingdom, inviting them to the New Year Festival held in the Empire.
Other countries sent their responses about attendance immediately after receiving the invitations, but the Holy Kingdom didn’t.
There had been no answer until now, with the New Year Festival just two weeks away.
Still, I hadn’t been concerned.
The Holy Kingdom’s attendance at the Empire’s New Year Festival could be counted on one hand in the Empire’s long history.
So I had ignored it, naturally assuming they wouldn’t attend this time either, but now a reply had come.
‘Are they finally going to show some courtesy?’
It was ridiculous. Kalian openly sneered and asked Leilah.
“Obviously they’re saying they won’t attend.”
“No.”
Leilah placed the reply from the Holy Kingdom on Kalian’s desk.
“They say they will attend.”
“What?”
The Holy Kingdom said they would attend the New Year Festival?
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Leilah, but this was so unbelievable that Kalian checked the reply himself.
“…It’s really true.”
The reply clearly stated their intention to attend the New Year Festival.
Though sudden, I could roughly guess why the Holy Kingdom wanted to participate.
“They’re probably coming because of what happened at our temple recently.”
“I think so too.”
Leilah briefly agreed with Kalian’s opinion.
“What will you do?”
“What is there to do? We can’t stop them from coming.”
Kalian tilted his lips sideways and rested his chin on his hand.
“Since they’re coming anyway, we should welcome them grandly.”
He planned to welcome them very grandly, so they would never dare to ignore the Empire again.
* * *
As the New Year Festival approached, I also intensified my horseback riding practice.
Rather than taking Ilena home, it was better to keep her at the Imperial Palace since I could bring her directly to the equestrian training ground for practice.
When I absolutely couldn’t find time during the day, I practiced after work.
Previously, either Kalian or Baron Delrond had to supervise, but now I could ride to some extent on my own.
Even the stable managers praised me, saying this level was excellent.
“I can ride by myself now!”
I was so happy about this fact that I bragged to Kalian.
“I see.”
But Kalian’s reaction was lukewarm.
From his reaction, it seemed like he was unhappy that I had gotten good at horseback riding.
‘That can’t be right.’
His Majesty had taught me horseback riding so diligently.
His poor reaction was probably because he had a lot on his mind.
From hosting the New Year Festival to the Holy Kingdom participating in it, there were many troublesome issues.
I understood why Kalian was troubled.
“Then I’ll be leaving work now.”
I shouldn’t disturb him unnecessarily and should quietly withdraw.
I greeted Kalian and left work.
The New Year Festival wasn’t just an event for aristocrats. It was an event for all citizens of the Empire that commoners enjoyed too.
Accordingly, the streets were busy preparing for the New Year Festival. Flags with the Blue Dragon that protects the Empire could be seen everywhere.
‘I should buy New Year gifts for Sara and the others.’
It would be good to give them something that conveyed gratitude for this year and asking for their continued support next year.
“Should I buy something for His Majesty and Baron Delrond too?”
I had received so much help from them.
It seemed like a good idea to buy something for them too.
While pondering what to buy as gifts, I arrived at the manor.
“Miss…”
Sara approached me with a face that looked like she was about to cry. Nes and Paul’s expressions weren’t good either.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Well…”
“You’re just getting home now?”
This voice is…
“My, what kind of manor is so small and shabby?”
I hurriedly turned around.
“I thought you’d be living in a bigger and more splendid manor, but this is disappointing.
Then I saw Countess Tebesa, dressed as splendidly as if attending a party.
“Hello, Leilah.”
Behind her, Andante shamelessly greeted me as he appeared.
These were people who absolutely should not be in my manor.
I stared at them with strength in my eyes.
“Why are you here?”
“Calling your mother and brother ‘you people.'”
Countess Tebesa clicked her tongue in disapproval.
“You’ve become quite vulgar while we haven’t seen each other, Leilah. I never taught you to be like that.”
“That’s right. You never taught me anything at all.”
When I chuckled and retorted, Countess Tebesa’s brow furrowed.
“Now you’re even talking back. I suppose becoming the Emperor’s mistress has made you think you’re untouchable?”
The Emperor’s mistress. It had been quite a while since someone had said that to my face.
“The fact that I’m simply His Majesty the Emperor’s aide, not his mistress, was clearly established long ago, yet you still don’t know?”
I chuckled and crossed my arms.
“No matter how much you live in the countryside, as a noblewoman, shouldn’t you keep your ears open to news from the social circles, Countess?”
The muscles around Countess Tebesa’s mouth tensed up.
“How dare you try to lecture me?”
“Lecture you? Why would I do such a thing to the Countess? It’s not like the Countess would listen to what I say anyway…”
When I trailed off and let out a deep sigh, Countess Tebesa trembled like an aspen tree.
The hand gripping her fan was so tense that I could see the veins bulging.
“Mother, please calm down.”
Andante smiled kindly and gently grasped the Countess’s shoulder.
“Perhaps because it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, your emotions have become too heated. Please calm down first, and let’s talk slowly.”
Disgusting, and disgusting again.
Because I had once been fooled by that affection, Andante’s attitude was all the more irritating and detestable.
“Leilah, you stop too. No matter how much you hate us, we’re still family.”
“You call us family even after doing such things to me?”
If what Fillen did to me remained in my heart, what these people did had become permanent scars that would never fade, remaining on my body and in my heart.
“That’s nonsense that even a passing dog wouldn’t laugh at.”
“Just like someone from vulgar bloodline would say. There’s nothing good about having a long conversation with such a thing.”
“How nice that our thoughts align in an unexpected place.”
When I continued to talk back, Countess Tebesa and Andante looked at me with great surprise.
In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to make a peep and would have only teared up, but now I was talking back, so they were shocked.
‘If you think I’ll stay quiet forever, you’re mistaken.’
In the past, I thought that was the right thing to do.
Because I was a half-wit.
Because I couldn’t do anything without their help.
So I thought it was right to keep my head down and live like a dead mouse, but not anymore.
I had no intention of living like that any longer.
“Then please leave my manor immediately.”
“I have no intention of staying long in such a shabby manor either!”
“If you have no intention, then why aren’t you leaving and continuing to stay here?”
Countess Tebesa hesitated. From her expression, it seemed she still had something to say to me.
Whatever it was, I had no intention of listening.
“If perhaps your eyes are dim and you can’t find the door to leave, I’ll kindly guide you. Sara.”
“Yes, Miss!”
As if she had been waiting, Sara stepped forward.
“Then farewell.”
I had even provided someone to kindly guide them, so I was about to return to my room to rest.
“Ah, Andante is 25 years old this year!”
Countess Tebesa shouted at my back.
“He’s now at the age to become an administrator and be active. So I want you to find Andante a position in the Outer Palace…”
“I refuse.”
I only turned my head to look at Countess Tebesa.
“Why should I find that person a government position?”
I didn’t even want to say his filthy name, so I referred to him as ‘that person.’
“Besides, do you think I, who am merely the Emperor’s aide, have such ability?”
“You could just ask His Majesty the Emperor!”
The nerve of her thinking.
“I don’t understand why I should do that.”
“We’re family!”
“You only call us family when you need something.”
It feels like just yesterday when she pointed fingers at me, calling me a worthless wretch, saying someone like me wasn’t even family.
“You said before that you wanted to remove me from the family register.”
In the past, I had begged her not to do that.
“Go ahead and do it.”
Looking back now, I felt like such a fool for acting that way.
Rolling around in a gutter would have been happier than staying at Tebesa County while abandoning my self-respect.
Why was I such a fool back then?
“Go back to Tebesa County immediately, remove my name from the family register, and never come looking for me again.”
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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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