I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 164
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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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#164
As Diane had said, the path to the town square was full of sights to see.
From street vendors to traveling troupes and wandering minstrels, it was a feast for both eyes and ears.
“Leilah, look at this!”
Everything was enjoyable, but the most enjoyable thing was being together with Diane.
I never knew that playing with a friend my age could be this fun. It was my first time realizing it.
My legs hurt from walking so much and it was tiring getting jostled around by people.
“Let’s go together, Diane!”
But the smile never left my face. Everything was fun no matter what we did.
The town square wasn’t that far, but it took a long time because we looked at this and that along the way.
“Diane, this is a bit embarrassing to wear.”
I smiled awkwardly while fidgeting with the large red ribbon headband that Diane had bought for me.
Diane was wearing a headband with a golden, sparkling ribbon.
“What’s embarrassing about it? Everyone wears them during festivals.”
“That’s because they’re children…”
“My dear, you look really pretty.”
“Really? Thank you.”
I was about to say that children wear them, but just then a woman wearing a red ribbon headband similar to this one passed by us.
“What about children?”
Diane asked with a triumphant smile.
Having nothing left to say, I let out a deep sigh and stared at the red ribbon.
“Do I really have to wear it?”
“Yes. I’m asking as your friend.”
Asking as a friend…
“Alright.”
I had no choice but to put on the headband. My reflection appeared in a shop window, but I didn’t have the courage to look.
“Now, let’s go!”
Diane smiled with great satisfaction and pulled my arm along.
That’s when we arrived at the town square.
“Hello there.”
Some well-dressed men approached us and struck up a conversation.
“Did you two come alone?”
What kind of situation is this?
“So what if we did?”
Unlike me who was flustered, Diane responded leisurely.
She even used formal speech to hide the fact that she was a noble.
“We came as a pair too.”
“You look like you’re from abroad, so let’s hang out together. We’ll show you around the capital.”
Ah, so this is what they call hitting on someone that I’ve only heard about.
It was my first time experiencing something like this.
It was interesting, but that was all. The thought of hanging out with these people…
“Sure.”
…was nonexistent, but she said sure!
“D-Diane!”
I called out to Diane in panic.
“You’re going to do that? What are you saying!”
“Why? Don’t you want to?”
“Of course…!”
I was about to answer that I didn’t want to, but then I remembered the men were right in front of us and closed my mouth.
No matter how much I disliked it, it wasn’t polite to say such things when the other party was right there.
“What should we do? My friend says she doesn’t want to.”
“D-Diane.”
How could she say that so bluntly!
When I called her name even more flustered than before, Diane tilted her head.
“Why? Did you suddenly change your mind?”
“It’s not that…”
How should I explain this to her?
I quickly racked my brain, but only one answer came to mind.
“We’re sorry.”
Let’s apologize for being rude and quickly escape.
It would have been difficult if Diane had resisted, but fortunately she followed along obediently.
I didn’t stop until we were far enough away that the men were out of sight.
“How could you say something like that? It was rude!”
When I quickly snapped at her, Diane tilted her head.
“How was that rude? I just said I didn’t like something I didn’t like.”
“There were ways to say it indirectly so the other party wouldn’t feel bad.”
“I think that would be even ruder to the other party.”
Diane spoke with a rarely serious expression.
“If you don’t like something, say you don’t like it. If you like something, say you like it. You should say it clearly instead of beating around the bush in the name of consideration, which only gives the other party false hope.”
“That’s…”
“Leilah, you’ve had that kind of experience too, haven’t you?”
The confident question pierced sharply into my heart.
Memories of my past ambiguous responses to Fillen’s actions came flooding back, and painful memories swirled through my mind.
The feeling of floating like I was walking on clouds instantly sank.
“Oh dear. I guess I spoke too harshly.”
Diane let out a short sigh and patted my shoulder.
“I didn’t mean to say this much, but I got frustrated for a moment and spoke impulsively. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s okay.”
Because everything she said was right.
Thanks to Diane’s sharp words, I clearly realized once again how foolish I had been all this time.
“You said it because you genuinely care about me. Thank you, Diane.”
“Ugh…”
Why is she suddenly making groaning sounds?
“Are you okay, Di…!”
I was about to ask if she was okay out of concern, but Diane suddenly hugged me tightly.
“What should I do?”
“D-Diane?”
“I like you so much, Leilah. I want to kidnap you to the Kingdom of Natsha.”
It was a sudden statement that I couldn’t quite understand, but I could clearly tell that she liked me.
I also smiled and hugged Diane’s back tightly.
“I like you too, Diane.”
* * *
After that, we were hit on several more times, but we rejected them all.
Some were rejected by Diane, and some were rejected by me.
When I used to work at the Williot Duchy, I had heard some unpleasant stories about being hit on.
One of them was that if you hit on someone and they didn’t accept, they would pick fights and cause trouble because their pride was hurt.
I was worried that such a situation might arise.
“What are we lacking that you’re rejecting us!”
As soon as he said that, a fight broke out. I let out a deep sigh inwardly.
“What are you lacking?!”
Diane put her hands on her hips and shouted fiercely.
“You’re lacking everything from head to toe! Especially your face is the most lacking!”
“What?!”
“Wow, even raising your voice. Your personality is severely lacking too.”
Everything she said was true, but is it okay to say this…
“What’s wrong with my face!”
“What’s wrong?! You’re completely ugly!”
“Ug-ugly? Me? Don’t say such ridiculous things!”
“Ridiculous things?! Don’t you look in mirrors? Or do you have absolutely no aesthetic sense?”
“Stop it, Diane.”
It seemed like they might really fight, so I stopped Diane.
“Why? These kinds of guys need to be made to face reality!”
But Diane didn’t stop and continued pouring out words.
“If we’re scoring out of 10 points, you 1-point guys dare to look at someone? At least you have eyes to see with!”
“This woman really…!”
The man raised his hand high.
No. Diane is going to get hit!
“Stop it!”
I tried to stop the man, but someone suddenly popped out from behind and grabbed the man’s hand.
Silver hair fluttered in the wind. Similarly, his cold silver eyes were very attractive.
“Count Hiltain?”
Why is he here?
I was looking at him with slight surprise when someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.
When I turned around, I saw a man wearing a deeply pulled hood.
I couldn’t see his face because of the pulled-down hood, but I could tell who it was right away.
“Your Majesty…?”
“Shh.”
Kalian brought his index finger to my lips.
“Outside, you should call me Kal.”
Ah, right. That’s how it was.
“Yes, Lord Kal.”
When I immediately changed the title, Kalian smiled softly.
“But you recognized me right away. You couldn’t have seen my face, so how did you know?”
That’s right. How did I recognize him?
“I just had a feeling it would be you, Lord Kal.”
“Really? How interesting.”
“Aaaahhh-!”
Suddenly, the man’s scream was heard. When I turned around, I saw Count Hiltain subduing the man by pinning him to the ground.
“I’m sorry! I was wrong! I’ll never do it again, so please let me go!”
“Your speech is too casual.”
At Kalian’s words, the man immediately spoke more politely.
“I was wrong! I’ll never do it again, so please let me go!”
Count Hiltain silently looked at Kalian. It seemed like he was asking what to do.
“You can let him go. There’s nothing good about seeing blood at a joyful festival.”
Hiltain immediately released the man.
The man who awkwardly got up from his spot ran away without looking back.
“Are you alright, Viscount Andrian?”
“I’m fine. But who might you be…”
Kalian slightly lifted his hood to show his face.
Diane, who belatedly recognized it was Kalian, hurriedly bowed.
“Diane Andrian greets the noble one blessed by the Blue Dragon.”
“You can call me Kal.”
“Lord Kal!”
Before Diane could answer, someone loudly called Kalian’s name and came running.
“How could you leave me behind, Lord Kal!”
It was Baron Delrond.
Diane’s eyes began to sparkle when she saw him.
Come to think of it, Diane said she was interested in Baron Delrond.
“Oh, Baron Aster?”
“Hello, Baron Delrond.”
“Yes, hello. Viscount Andrian is here too.”
“Viscount Andrian is too formal.”
Diane clapped her hands together and spoke cutely.
“Since we’re outside and there are many eyes watching, instead of Viscount, you can call me Diane.”
Diane, you’re being very proactive.
“How could I call the Viscount by name?”
Baron Delrond was noticeably flustered and waved his hands.
“It’s okay. This is a private occasion, not an official one.”
But Diane didn’t give up and continued being boldly forward.
“I’ll call Baron Delrond by his name too, so comfortably call me Diane.”
“…”
“Come on? Don’t be shy and try calling me.”
Since Diane kept urging him, Baron Delrond reluctantly called Diane’s name.
“D-Diane.”
“Yes, Ber.”
Diane smiled brightly and called Baron Delrond’s name.
Kalian, who had been quietly watching this scene, spoke in a voice small enough for me to hear.
“Is Viscount Andrian interested in Ber?”
Did Kalian notice it too?
“Yes, that’s right.”
Since Diane was being so obvious about it, there seemed no reason to hide it, so I answered immediately.
“Really?”
Kalian stroked his chin and quietly watched Baron Delrond and Diane, then muttered as if talking to himself.
“Then shall I try being a bridge between those two?”
A bridge. I was slightly surprised by the unexpected words and asked Kalian.
“You’re going to connect Baron Delrond and Diane?”
“Yes. They’re both past marriageable age anyway. It seems like it could work out well. What do you think, Leilah?”
“As for me, I don’t mind as long as their hearts match.”
“Then it’s decided.”
Kalian spoke in a very pleased voice.
“Let’s tour the festival together and connect those two.”
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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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