I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 169

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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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#169

Splash, his footsteps on the wet ground were urgent.

The pouring rain sounded like Leilah’s crying, which irritated him.

Because he knew Leilah’s dark and painful past.

Because he had seen with his own eyes how desperately she had cried upon hearing thunder, it drove him crazy with worry.

‘What if she’s crying like that time again?’

What do you mean what if.

He had to hurry and comfort her.

Kalian’s footsteps grew faster and faster.

The attendants followed behind Kalian in dismay.

“You’re getting rained on, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

The attendants called out desperately, but Kalian paid no attention and quickly entered the Imperial Palace.

The court officials in the Imperial Palace were startled to see Kalian appear soaked like a drowned rat.

“Your Majesty, what is this…”

“Is Leilah in the study?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes. She is there.”

“Good.”

After confirming again, Kalian headed to the aide’s office.

An attendant followed behind him and said.

“How about washing up first and changing out of your wet clothes?”

“Later.”

“But if you stay like this and catch a cold…”

His head already hurt because of Leilah, and the attendant’s constant chattering beside him made his head hurt even more.

“Don’t bother me and go away.”

Kalian shook off the annoying attendant and quickened his pace again.

When Kalian arrived in front of the study.

Crash-!

Thunder and lightning struck fiercely, making the outside the window flash white and his ears ring.

“Sob, sniff…”

In the midst of it all, the sound of someone quietly sobbing pierced his ears.

Kalian flung open the door to the study without knocking.

“…”

“Gasp, ha…”

As soon as he opened the door, what he saw was Ber frantically at a loss for what to do, and Leilah crouched in a corner with both ears covered, trembling violently.

Her already pale face was ghastly white as she continuously shed tears.

Thick blood oozed out where her fingernails had scratched her ears and the surrounding area.

He had to stop her quickly.

When Kalian tried to approach Leilah, Ber blocked his way.

“You must not approach, Your Majesty.”

Kalian’s eyebrow rose at an angle.

“Why?”

“Because if you get close, she has an even worse seizure and attacks wildly.”

Only then did Kalian notice the wounds on Ber’s hands and arms.

It seemed he had been scratched by Leilah’s fingernails while trying to stop her.

“So it would be better for Your Majesty and for Baron Aster if you don’t get close.”

“It might be good for me, but it’s not good for Leilah.”

Kalian lowered Ber’s arm that was still blocking his way.

“Of course, it’s not good for me either.”

Throughout his words, Kalian’s gaze remained fixed on Leilah.

To other people’s eyes, Leilah’s current state might look like she was avoiding contact with others and wanted to be alone, but that’s not how Kalian saw it.

Leilah was desperately hoping for someone to help her.

She desperately wanted someone who would empathize with her pain, grieve with her, embrace her, and comfort her.

‘I’ll be that person.’

It was ridiculous to say this after confessing his feelings, but Kalian had no intention of developing their relationship beyond what it was now.

It was a situation that shouldn’t happen either.

That’s why he had told her not to worry about him, but seeing her in anguish changed his mind.

“Leilah.”

Kalian called Leilah’s name and stepped toward her.

“Your Maj…!”

Ber, who was trying to stop Kalian in panic, hesitated when Leilah showed a reaction.

Having been by her side since Leilah first had her seizure, Ber had made countless efforts to calm her down.

The wounds on his hands and arms were proof of his efforts.

But nothing worked.

Not only could he not have a conversation with her, it was even difficult to make eye contact once, but Kalian was different.

“Leilah.”

He had only called her name twice, yet she, who had been staring into space with unfocused eyes while shedding endless tears, looked at Kalian.

‘This is a bit unfair.’

Ber had also called Leilah’s name several times to comfort her.

Of course, he hadn’t called her “Leilah” affectionately like Kalian, but had called her full name “Leilah Aster,” but he had called her name nonetheless.

She hadn’t shown any reaction then, but she immediately responded to Kalian’s words.

That fact was very absurd and somewhat unfair, so Ber let out an empty sigh.

When Kalian had gotten somewhat closer, he stopped without approaching further.

And he spread both arms toward Leilah and said.

“Come here.”

Leilah’s black pupils shook greatly.

Kalian met those eyes and continued speaking.

“Or should I come to you?”

When Kalian acted as if he would approach further, Leilah flinched and clasped her hands tightly together.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Kalian said with a gentle smile.

“Because I’ll protect you.”

Leilah’s gaze lingered on her hands that were clasped so tightly they turned white, then looked at Kalian again.

“…You’ll protect me?”

“Yes.”

Kalian took another step toward Leilah.

His arms were still spread wide.

“I’ll protect you, so don’t worry and come here.”

Leilah hesitated and looked at her hands that were clasped so tightly they turned white.

Her face showed she was wondering if it was really okay to go.

Just then, the outside the window flashed white.

Rumble, crash-!

“…!”

At the thunderous sound that followed, Leilah was startled and stood up, running toward Kalian.

Kalian willingly embraced Leilah as she ran to him driven by fear.

“You can rest now.”

Kalian’s large hand patted her small, delicately trembling back.

“I’ll protect you so no one can hurt you, so don’t worry about anything and rest peacefully.”

Her tear-soaked long eyelashes trembled, then gently settled down.

Kalian soon lost consciousness, and holding her limp body tightly, he wiped away the tears remaining around her eyes.

The touch of his hand stroking down Leilah’s cheek was incredibly tender and affectionate.

The gaze with which he looked at her was the same.

“…You know this isn’t allowed, right?”

Sensing danger, Ber could no longer remain silent and spoke up.

Kalian looked back at Ber.

“You must keep your promise.”

“I will keep it.”

Kalian lifted the unconscious Leilah in his arms and stood up.

Ber held his head and groaned.

“Is this the behavior of someone who says they’ll keep their word?”

“What did I do?”

“That’s…”

Though many thoughts were swirling in his head, when it came to actually speaking, Ber didn’t know what to say and hesitated before closing his mouth.

“Put aside your unnecessary worries.”

Kalian adjusted his hold on Leilah as he added.

“I have my own thoughts about everything.”

Ber replied curtly.

“I hope they’re not the wrong thoughts.”

Kalian answered with a confident smile.

“Of course they’re not.”

* * *

On nights with thunder and lightning, I could hardly sleep at all.

Even if I took sleeping pills and forced myself to sleep, I would have nightmares and wake up quickly.

Even if I miraculously didn’t wake up, I would be terribly tired as if I hadn’t slept at all.

But why do I feel so refreshed today?

“…”

Since this was an uncommon occurrence, I stared blankly at the ornate yet unfamiliar ceiling.

Is this… the Imperial Palace?

I don’t remember going home, so it must be.

More than that, what happened to me?

I clearly remembered working hard on documents, wanting to return home before the thunder and lightning started.

But after that, my memories were fragmented, as if someone had cut them out.

It would have been better if I couldn’t remember anything at all.

[Leilah.]

A gentle voice that shook my heart to its core.

[Come here.]

A caring face.

[You can rest now.]

And remembering the hand that gently patted my back, my face flushed hot.

I covered my burning face with both hands and muttered.

“This is crazy.”

This was the second time I owed Kalian a debt.

The fortunate thing among the misfortunes was that I didn’t have a seizure and injure Kalian’s body like before.

[Let go, I said let go!]

…Did I really not injure anyone?

Suddenly remembering injuring someone’s body, I bit my lips tightly.

That person didn’t seem like Kalian…

Then who was it?

…Could it be Baron Delrond?

When I had a seizure after hearing the thunder, Baron Delrond was the one beside me, so there was a high possibility it was him.

“Ah.”

Really, what kind of trouble is this?

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have been greedy about work and just gone home.

Resenting my past self for not doing so, I buried my face deep in the pillow.

I wanted to faint again, but it was too bright outside the window for that.

What time is it now?

I’m not late, am I?

After making such a scene yesterday, if I was late on top of that, I truly wouldn’t be able to show my face.

I hurriedly got up to check the time first, but no matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t see a clock.

Having no choice, I rang the bell on the table.

Since it’s come to this, I should also ask for water to wash with.

After a moment, I heard a knock.

“Yes.”

I answered, naturally thinking it would be a maid.

“You’re awake.”

But it was Kalian who opened the door and entered. There was a maid behind him though.

His unexpected appearance was confusing, but the fact that I hadn’t even washed, let alone dressed properly, was more embarrassing.

Moreover, after the disgraceful scene I made the night before, I couldn’t look him straight in the face.

“Leave it and go.”

Unlike me standing there dumbfounded, Kalian calmly sat on the sofa.

The maid placed the tray she brought on the table and quietly left.

“Sit.”

Kalian said while personally pouring tea.

I was ashamed to sit face to face with him in such a disheveled state, but I couldn’t dare disobey an imperial command, so I nervously sat across from him.

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

Kalian asked, pushing the teacup toward me.

I couldn’t look at his face and nodded slightly before speaking.

“I apologize. I will be careful to prevent such incidents in the future.”

“There’s no need for that.”

No need for that?

When I looked at him, puzzled by his incomprehensible words, Kalian smiled and added.

“I’ll continue to accept you in the future, so if something like that happens, come to me.”

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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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