I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 159
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
#159
The grand foyer bustled with people dressed in splendid attire.
On one side were appetizing finger foods, and on the other side was a small rest area for weary guests.
In the center of the foyer, an orchestra played beautiful music, with couples dancing around them.
“The chandeliers are too bright.”
Baron Delonde frowned slightly as he surveyed the ballroom.
“There are fewer types of finger foods than I expected too. And why does the champagne have alcohol content? What if someone gets drunk?”
Baron Delonde, who had been muttering complaints, let out a short exclamation and bowed his head toward me.
“I apologize, Baron Aster. My occupational habits came out without me realizing.”
“It’s fine. I was thinking the same thing.”
“That’s reassuring to hear.”
Perhaps because we did the same work, Baron Delonde and I had so much to talk about.
Baron Delonde was so cheerful that I enjoyed conversing with him.
As we chatted and laughed, I felt a piercing gaze from behind.
When I turned around, I saw Fillen staring intently in this direction.
As soon as my eyes met Fillen’s, I quickly turned my head away.
It wasn’t because I was scared or afraid of Fillen, but because I didn’t want to be associated with him in even the smallest way.
So I wanted to ignore Fillen as if he didn’t exist, but he was staring too persistently for that.
Not only that, but people around us were whispering about Fillen and me.
“Duke Williot has been looking only at Baron Aster this whole time.”
“She was his former fiancée. And I heard that His Grace still has feelings for Baron Aster?”
“Oh my, really? Duke Williot is more of a devoted lover than he appears.”
Fillen, a devoted lover?
The meaning of devoted love couldn’t have changed while I wasn’t looking.
It was absurd that they were saying such things when they knew full well what Fillen had done.
Moreover, I was very displeased to keep being linked with Fillen.
His gaze piercing into my back was also unpleasant.
In times like this, it would be best to leave, but I couldn’t exit the foyer since Kalian hadn’t arrived yet.
And it hurt my pride to leave because of Fillen.
So let’s endure it. No matter how much they whisper, no matter how much Fillen keeps staring, I’ll ignore it and endure.
Though I made up my mind, it wasn’t an easy task.
I could let the people’s whispers go in one ear and out the other, but the problem was Fillen’s persistent gaze.
I wish I could do something about that stare.
Should I go tell him to stop staring?
I didn’t want to exchange words with Fillen if possible, but I was thinking I might have to if it came to that, when Baron Delonde smoothly moved positions.
“Huh…?”
The spot where Baron Delonde was now standing cleverly blocked Fillen’s line of sight.
Don’t tell me he noticed I was uncomfortable…?
When I looked at Baron Delonde, he smiled faintly.
“It seemed like a tick kept clinging, so I thought I’d block it.”
Ah, my guess was right.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. His Majesty seems to be running late, shall we go over there and chat while having something light to eat?”
“Sure.”
“Leilah!”
Just as we were about to move, someone embraced me from behind.
“Diane!”
I smiled happily and greeted Diane.
“As expected of the Empire, this party is really splendid! It doesn’t even compare to our Kingdom of Natsha!”
“Thank you for viewing it so favorably.”
“I’m not viewing it favorably, it really is good. It’s truly wonderful!”
Diane showed off her characteristic cheerfulness and linked arms with me.
Baron Delonde looked at Diane and me with bewilderment.
Ah, Baron Delonde must be seeing Diane for the first time.
“Who is this wonderful person?”
The same was true for Diane.
I smiled and introduced Baron Delonde to Diane.
“This is Baron Ber Delonde, who serves His Majesty the Emperor as an aide like me.”
“Pleased to meet you, I am Baron Ber Delonde.”
“Ah, so you’re His Majesty the Emperor’s aide.”
Diane extended her hand to Baron Delonde.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Diane Andrina. I work as a diplomat for the Kingdom of Natsha.”
It was a gesture requesting a handshake, not a hand kiss.
In the Empire, it was extremely rare for a woman to request a handshake first. It was safe to say it never happened.
But to request a handshake first.
Everyone around looked at Diane in surprise.
“I’m pleased to meet you too.”
In contrast, Baron Delonde didn’t mind at all and smiled as he took her hand.
Diane’s eyes sparkled slightly as she looked at Baron Delonde.
“Both aides are so handsome and beautiful. His Majesty the Emperor must consider looks when selecting aides.”
At first glance it sounded sarcastic, but it wasn’t. Diane was genuinely admiring.
But handsome and beautiful?
“Baron Delonde being handsome is true, but I’m not, Diane.”
“That’s not true. I’ve thought this before, but Leilah, you’re too modest.”
“That’s right.”
Baron Delonde agreed with Diane’s words.
“I’ve repeatedly told Baron Aster she’s pretty, but she always treats it as a joke and doesn’t believe me.”
“Even Baron Delonde… Please stop joking.”
“See? She always does this.”
“Oh my, you must have been quite disappointed.”
Though they had just met today, Baron Delonde and Diane got along as if they had known each other for a long time.
Conversing with the two of them was somewhat hectic but very enjoyable. The laughter never stopped.
I had completely forgotten about Fillen’s presence.
“Baron Delonde.”
As we were having a pleasant conversation, a servant approached with a serious expression.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well…”
The servant whispered in Baron Delonde’s ear.
After hearing the servant’s story, Baron Delonde sighed in annoyance and spoke to Diane and me.
“There’s been a problem, so I’ll be back shortly. Please continue your conversation.”
“Yes, take care.”
After Baron Delonde left, I asked a servant to bring two glasses of champagne to wet my dry throat.
Since I have a low tolerance for alcohol, the weakest possible.
“Diane, have some too.”
“Thank you.”
Diane must have been very thirsty as she downed the champagne in one shot.
I should get another glass.
I was about to call a servant when Diane waved her hand.
“Not champagne, I have something I’m curious about. Can I ask you?”
“Of course.”
“Baron Delrond, how old is he?”
Why is she suddenly asking about Baron Delrond’s age?
Oh, could it be?
“Diane, are you interested in Baron Delrond?”
“Yes, I am.”
I was surprised once by the fact that Diane was interested in Baron Delrond, and once more by how boldly she spoke about it.
“You look very surprised. Is it strange that I’m interested in Baron Delrond?”
“No. It’s not strange, I’m just surprised. There haven’t been many people who speak so boldly even when they’re interested in someone.”
“Liking someone isn’t wrong, so what’s there to be ashamed of talking about it boldly?”
Diane handed her empty champagne glass to a passing servant.
“So how old is Baron Delrond?”
“I only know he’s around my age, but I don’t know his exact age.”
“Then what about whether he has a lover?”
I don’t really know that either…
“Probably not.”
“‘Probably’ is a vague answer. Don’t you know anything about Baron Delrond?”
“I know he’s very good at his work. Oh, and he’s a cheerful and kind person.”
“So you’re saying you two have a strictly business relationship.”
Is that how the conversation is going?
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”
“It’s fine. Actually, I liked it better that Leilah doesn’t know anything.”
She liked this? Why?
“Since you mentioned being interested, I suddenly became curious—Leilah, don’t you have any man you like?”
“Pardon?”
What is she suddenly talking about?
When I looked at Diane in confusion, she giggled and waved her hand.
“Don’t be so surprised. I just asked because it seems like Leilah is at an age to think about marriage.”
It’s not an age to think about marriage—I’m past marriageable age.
“So don’t you have any man you like?”
“Not particularly.”
“Huh? Really? No man who makes your heart flutter when you look at him?”
“No…”
“Leilah.”
Suddenly, a low voice brushed past my ear.
Deep blue eyes looking at me and a gentle smile.
And even the affectionate, tender touch that always comforted me came to mind, leaving me speechless.
When I hesitated, Diane clapped her hands.
“There is someone!”
“No, there isn’t!”
I answered hastily.
“I don’t have any man who makes my heart flutter, so don’t ask such questions. Even if there were, I can’t get married anyway.”
“You can’t, not that you won’t?”
Diane brought her index finger to her cheek and tilted her head slightly.
“Why do you think you can’t? If a charming woman like Leilah can’t get married, there wouldn’t be any woman in the world who could.”
“That’s only because Diane sees me favorably.”
The reason I can’t get married.
There were several reasons, but the biggest one was my broken engagement with Fillen.
Even though the engagement was broken because of Fillen’s wrongdoing, would there really be a man willing to marry me after I had been his fiancée for such a long time?
I could guarantee there wouldn’t be.
Not wanting to explain all this to Diane in detail, I just smiled silently.
Diane perceptively realized it was an unpleasant topic and shrugged her shoulders.
“Ah, all the men in the Empire must be blind.”
Then she spoke loudly enough for everyone around to hear.
“Not recognizing such a wonderful person. They all need to get their eyes checked.”
“Stop it, Diane.”
I hastily stopped Diane.
I knew Diane thought well of me, but this was still embarrassing.
“Why? It’s not like I said anything wrong.”
“Diane…”
As I was trying to stop Diane, I suddenly had a bad feeling and got goosebumps down my back.
No way. I quickly turned around.
“…”
Then I saw Fillen approaching with an expressionless face.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
