I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 158
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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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#158
The king of the Holy Kingdom also served as the pope.
Therefore, the king of the Holy Kingdom did not pass the throne to his children, but rather the person chosen by God inherited the throne.
Even if the chosen person was a newborn baby, if someone newly chosen by God appeared, the principle was to immediately transfer the throne.
Of course, cases where newborn babies inherited were not common.
However, the current king and pope of the Holy Kingdom, Mystiodisc III, was precisely someone who had that uncommon throne succession.
As a result, although he was only 20 years old, his reign had lasted over 20 years.
This was why Mystiodisc III looked young compared to his long reign.
Mystiodisc III had two younger sisters, one of whom had already married a nobleman of the Holy Kingdom early on.
Surely they wouldn’t have proposed a royal marriage to a princess who had already married once.
That meant the remaining princess was the marriage partner, but the problem was that this princess was only 10 years old this year.
Kalian was 27 years old.
The two had an age difference of a whopping 17 years.
It wasn’t that there were no couples with a 17-year age difference. It wasn’t common, but it wasn’t unheard of either.
‘Still, it’s a bit much when the other party is a child who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony.’
If their ages were similar it would be one thing, but there was a big difference.
I was curious about what Mystiodisc III was thinking when he requested this royal marriage.
I was also curious whether Kalian would accept this royal marriage.
The Holy Kingdom was a small kingdom, but it was extremely prosperous as it received God’s blessing.
Not only that. Through the temples, it could exert influence on other countries as well.
So diplomatically speaking, it would be good to accept the royal marriage, but still, the princess’s age was problematic.
If she had at least had her coming-of-age ceremony, it wouldn’t have bothered me this much.
I was very concerned, but there was nothing I could do.
Even if it was a royal marriage involving diplomatic issues, since it was a marriage, this matter was deeply connected to the Emperor’s private life.
It wasn’t something for a mere aide like me to interfere with.
Unless Kalian asked me what he should do.
I secretly hoped Kalian would ask, but he didn’t say a word about the royal marriage.
I was very disappointed by this fact. My heart felt heavy too.
Should I just ask directly?
I agonized over it countless times but ultimately couldn’t ask.
Time passed like this and the New Year Festival began.
On the first day, there was a street parade to announce the start of the New Year Festival and show the Emperor’s good health.
The reason I had been diligently practicing horseback riding was precisely for today.
“The riding outfit suits you well.”
Kalian smiled and complimented me.
“Thank you.”
It was just a trivial ceremonial compliment, but I felt good.
“Today’s event, you’ll be able to do well, right?”
“Of course. I’ll do my best not to be a burden to Your Majesty.”
“What do you mean?”
Kalian tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.
“What I was worried about wasn’t you, but myself.”
“Pardon?”
“This is my first time officially parading. So I was worried whether I’d do well.”
Ah, so that’s what it was.
Embarrassed by my unnecessary excitement, I hung my head low.
I heard Kalian’s low laughter from above my head.
“By the way, after the parade, I won’t be able to go out and about like before. Everyone will recognize me.”
“What if you dye your hair and wear glasses? Wouldn’t they not recognize you?”
“It’s a decent idea, but I can’t dye my hair.”
Kalian touched his neatly styled hair.
“This hair is proof of receiving the Blue Dragon’s blessing, so hair dye doesn’t take. Magic hair dye is the same.”
Ah, so that’s why His Majesty went on secret outings without dyeing his hair all this time.
“Then you’ll have no choice but to wear a hood.”
“It’s winter now so I can do that, but I don’t know what to do in summer.”
Knock knock-
“Your Majesty, all preparations are complete.”
“Let’s go right away.”
At Baron Delrond’s report, Kalian immediately left the palace and mounted his horse.
Baron Delrond and I also mounted our horses.
“Please take care of me, Ilena.”
When I spoke while stroking her mane, Ilena snorted softly as if she understood.
“Let’s depart.”
Creak, the palace gates opened. Led by Kalian, the nobles set out in procession.
On the streets filled with New Year Festival atmosphere, countless people had gathered.
It was incomparable to the orphanage opening ceremony.
“Waaaah!”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Long live the Cardin Empire!”
The people’s cheers echoed grandly through the streets. Occasionally when Kalian waved his hand, their enthusiastic sounds grew even louder.
It meant that the imperial citizens trusted the Imperial Court that much.
This fact made my heart proud and I couldn’t help but smile.
I even felt greedy to receive even bigger cheers at the next parade.
‘I must do my best to assist him so that can happen.’
Because that’s my role as an aide.
I looked at Kalian’s broad back and made a firm resolution.
* * *
The New Year Festival commemorative party was held for a total of 3 days.
The party held on the first day could only be attended by foreign diplomatic missions, imperial family, and high-ranking nobles of marquis rank or above.
From the party held on the second day, any noble who received an invitation could participate.
In other words, it meant I could only participate in two parties.
But Kalian sent me as many as 4 dresses.
Could it be that he wanted me to wear them at next year’s New Year Festival too?
Since they weren’t trendy styles, it seemed possible, but it was still bewildering.
“Which one should I choose?”
“I know, right. All four are so pretty.”
On the other hand, Sara and Nes examined the dresses with thoroughly excited faces.
“Since this is the first party Baron is attending after becoming a baron, should we dress you up flashily to catch everyone’s attention?”
At Nes’s words, Sara shook her head.
“This girl doesn’t know anything. Baron isn’t just any ordinary noble lady, but a baron! So at times like this, you should dress modestly!”
“Still, I think flashy would be better. What do you think, Baron?”
“I agree with Sara.”
At my answer, Sara’s face bloomed like a flower, while Nes looked dejected.
Sorry, Nes. But I prefer something modest over flashy.
“Then this dress would be good.”
What Sara chose was the most modest-looking dress among the four.
It was relatively modest among them, but even that dress was studded with gems and frills, making it perfectly suitable as party wear.
The voluminous frilled dress was layered with a shawl-type coat to enhance warmth while emphasizing the dress’s three-dimensional effect.
With help from Nes and Sara, I put on the dress, then pinned my hair up high and secured it with pins.
“Since the dress is modest, how about making the accessories more glamorous, Baron?”
“Then the accessories would stand out too much, which wouldn’t be good.”
“Ah, I see.”
When Nes looked dejected, I smiled and added.
“Still, one piece should be fine.”
“Right?”
As if she had never been dejected, Nes smiled brightly and quickly brought over the accessory case.
“Earrings would be nice too, but I think a necklace would be best. Since it’s off-shoulder, a necklace would catch the eye well.”
“Sorry, but I already have a necklace picked out.”
“What kind?”
I opened the vanity drawer and took out the necklace Kalian had given me as a birthday present long ago.
I had received it as a gift, but since I never had occasions to wear party dresses, I hadn’t worn it even once.
It was too glamorous to wear with everyday clothes.
“Wow, that’s a pretty necklace. Was it a gift?”
“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor gave it to me as a birthday present.”
“Oh my, His Majesty the Emperor gave you a birthday present, Baron?”
Nes’s eyes turned triangular. Sara was also biting her lips, trying to hold back laughter.
Why is everyone acting like this?
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Right, Sara?”
“Right. It’s nothing.”
It seems like there’s something…
“Oh my, look at the time already. We can’t be late to the party, so let’s hurry and finish up, Baron.”
After hurriedly finishing up, I took my reticule and fan and boarded the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace.
Countless carriages were parked at the Imperial Palace entrance. They all belonged to nobles attending the party.
Since we had to walk from here, I got out of the carriage.
‘Where is he?’
We agreed to meet here.
“Baron Aster?”
As I was looking around widely for someone, a man approached me.
It was a man I had seen several times while working as an aide.
So his name was…
“Lord Milleno.”
It was Elfen Milleno, the administrator of the accounting department.
“May the Blue Dragon’s blessing be with you this year as well, Baron.”
“May the Blue Dragon’s blessing be with you too, Lord.”
It was a customary greeting exchanged when meeting for the first time in the new year.
“It seems you’re attending the New Year’s party.”
“Yes. It seems you’re attending the party too, Lord.”
“That’s right.”
Elfen Milleno fidgeted while gauging my reaction.
“If you have something to say, please say it.”
“Well, I ended up attending the party alone today. So…”
After hesitating for a long time, Elfen Milleno squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.
“W-would you attend the party with me?”
“That won’t be possible.”
The answer came not from me but from someone else.
Elfen Milleno turned around in surprise.
There stood Baron Delrond, looking at this scene with displeasure.
Baron Delrond approached right behind Elfen Milleno and said.
“Baron Aster has already agreed to attend the party with me.”
“I-is that so.”
Elfen Milleno backed away with visible disappointment.
Baron Delrond crossed his arms and snorted.
“At least he has good taste.”
“Baron?”
When I called him, Baron Delrond smiled and looked at me.
“The road was a bit congested on the way. Did you wait long?”
“I just arrived too.”
“That’s good. But, Baron Aster. Why did you dress up so prettily? You’re shining so brightly I can barely keep my eyes open.”
My cheeks flushed at the excessive compliment.
“Don’t tease me.”
“Tease you? I’m being completely sincere.”
Baron Delrond smiled brightly, placing one hand on his chest and extending the other to me.
“Baron Aster, would you grant me the honor of escorting you?”
I smiled and gently placed my hand on Baron Delrond’s.
“The honor is mine.”
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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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