I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 19

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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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#19

Fillen Williot’s fiancée.

The treasure that the previous Williot Duke and Duchess cherished like their own daughter.

All of these referred to Leilah Tebesa.

When Kalian first learned this fact, he didn’t believe it, and when he confirmed that it was all true, he became curious.

It was pure curiosity about the person called Leilah Tebesa.

He was extremely curious about how a young girl could accomplish what even grown adults would find difficult.

If possible, he wanted to meet her and have a serious conversation.

But as he went off to the battlefield, Kalian’s curiosity about Leilah was folded away and tucked into a corner.

That curiosity suddenly popped up again recently when he met her dealing with a ruffian.

Kalian had secretly slipped out of the Imperial Palace looking for something and was wandering the streets when he happened to witness that scene.

At first he didn’t know who she was, but he recognized her from the Williot Duchy’s crest drawn on the fan she was holding.

So that woman is Leilah Tebesa.

His folded curiosity popped up again and he became interested.

The interest grew as he conversed with her, and turned into desire.

It wasn’t desire for her as a woman. It was desire as an emperor, wanting to keep such a capable person by his side.

Leilah was too precious to be kept beside an idiot like Fillen Williot.

Far too precious.

He wanted to let Leilah swim freely in much larger waters.

“Your Majesty.”

Awakened from his thoughts by Ber’s call, Kalian looked at him with hazy eyes.

“It’s time for you to go to the banquet hall.”

“Is Duke Williot still alone?”

“If you’re asking whether his fiancée Miss Leilah Tebesa has come… Yes. Miss Leilah Tebesa hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Is that so?”

There’s no way she would miss such an important day.

Could something have happened on her way here?

He was worried. He was seriously considering whether he should look into it when Ber spoke again.

“Your Majesty, you must go to the banquet hall now.”

“Delay it.”

“Pardon?”

Delay it? What kind of nonsense is that?

Unable to voice these words aloud, Ber muttered them internally as he looked at Kalian.

Whether he knew Ber’s feelings or not, Kalian leaned back deeply against his chair and continued.

“The person I’m waiting for hasn’t arrived yet, so let’s wait a bit longer before going out.”

* * *

I changed into an ivory dress that was at least similar to the silver dress and hurried to the banquet hall.

Still, I was much later than expected. It was already time for the banquet to have started.

Arriving later than the Emperor was a great discourtesy. Even if the Emperor criticized me for this, I would have nothing to say.

When that happens, I’ll have to handle it myself to minimize any harm to Fillen.

I steeled my resolve and entered the banquet hall.

Usually when a banquet starts, the banquet hall doors are closed, but strangely they were still open.

Could it be that the banquet hasn’t started yet?

With half hope and half worry, I carefully entered the banquet hall.

Indeed, the banquet hadn’t started yet – the Emperor’s seat was empty and no one was dancing.

People were gathered in small groups having conversations.

I had prepared myself for great embarrassment, but the banquet hadn’t started yet.

The tight string of tension loosened.

I truly felt relieved and patted my chest.

“Thank goodness…”

“What’s fortunate?”

Hearing Fillen’s voice beside me, I turned my head.

Fillen had approached at some point and was looking down at me with a sullen expression.

The silver formal wear that matched the silver dress I had originally worn suited him as if it were part of his body.

Thanks to the formal wear, his deep blonde hair stood out even more.

It would have been nice if I had worn the silver dress too. I felt regret anew.

“Do you know how much trouble I went through because you came late, Princess Tebesa?”

Whatever the reason, it was true that I was late.

So I was about to apologize when the handkerchief he was wearing caught my eye.

The handkerchief had the Williot Duchy’s crest embroidered on it with exquisite detail.

Could it be that he came wearing a handkerchief embroidered by Sisly?

No, that didn’t seem right. The handkerchief was more worn than I would have expected for that to be the case.

Then what is that? Who made it for him?

Could it be… does he have another lover?

All sorts of bizarre thoughts occurred to me.

Seeing me staring intently at the handkerchief, Fillen made a bitter expression and fiddled with it.

“My mother made this for me long ago. If I came with nothing, not only I but you too would become the subject of their gossip.”

“Ah.”

My goodness. What was I thinking just now?

How dare I doubt something made by the Duchess?

I felt ashamed and embarrassed. And suddenly missing the Duchess anew, I stared intently at the handkerchief.

“Why do you have that expression?”

Fillen looked at me and tilted his head slightly.

“Are you displeased that I wore this?”

“No. How could I be?”

I hastily added words, worried that Fillen might misunderstand.

“I was just thinking of the Dowager Duchess…”

I tried my best to suppress the surging emotions, but the feelings I couldn’t contain leaked out.

Afraid I might cry if I said more, I held back my words.

Perhaps understanding my feelings, Fillen silently extended his arm. It meant he would escort me.

I wiped my slightly moistened eyes with the back of my hand and gently placed my hand on his arm.

“Why hasn’t the banquet started yet?”

“His Majesty has some circumstances and will be coming out late.”

“Is that so?”

I didn’t know what circumstances, but it was extremely fortunate for me.

Thanks to that, I wasn’t late.

Just as I was feeling relieved again and letting out a big breath.

Blare, bam, bam-!

The trumpets announcing the Emperor’s arrival sounded in succession.

The noisy banquet hall instantly became quiet, and the music disappeared too.

Soon after, the golden door on the opposite side from the banquet hall entrance opened and a man appeared leading countless people.

Neatly swept up blue hair that resembled the sea.

Beautiful enough to be mesmerizing at first sight, with a mystical yet decadent appearance like a fairy.

“…!”

It was that man.

No matter how much I rubbed my eyes and checked again, that fact didn’t change.

I had simply thought he was the son of some high-ranking noble, but who would have thought he was the Emperor?

It was shocking. I stared blankly at the Emperor.

Come to think of it, the royal family’s characteristic features were blue hair and blue eyes.

It was proof of receiving the Blue Dragon’s blessing.

So that’s why that man said back then that his hair was evidence that could reveal his identity.

I let out a hollow laugh, blaming my own stupidity for only realizing this fact now.

An imperial noble failing to recognize the Emperor, their sovereign.

I didn’t dare imagine how much he must have laughed at me inwardly.

How am I supposed to face that man—His Majesty—now?

Since I’ve debuted in the social circle, we’re bound to encounter each other several times.

“Princess Tebesa!”

While I was staring blankly at the Emperor over this unimaginable situation, Fillen grabbed my arm.

When I turned to look at him, Fillen was watching me with a slightly displeased expression.

Why is he acting like this again?

“What’s the matter?”

“Do you know how many times I called you?”

Did he? I didn’t hear him at all.

“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought and didn’t hear you.”

“What were you thinking about so intently?”

“It’s nothing.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I had acted foolishly by not recognizing the Emperor, so I mumbled vaguely.

“So what did you need?”

“It’s nothing on my end either.”

Fillen answered with a sullen expression and turned his head away.

There’s definitely something bothering him.

Fillen’s expression looked so bad that I was about to ask again when the Emperor’s speech began.

“To be together with you all on such a meaningful day as today is truly…”

I couldn’t chat during the Emperor’s speech, so I closed my mouth.

The Emperor delivered what seemed like a pre-memorized speech, then took the champagne glass handed to him by an attendant.

He was about to make a toast.

I and the other nobles also took the champagne glasses distributed by the attendants.

“For the Cardin Empire.”

“For the Empire!”

With a light glass of champagne, the celebration banquet officially began.

Soft waltz music flowed through the hall.

Since the Emperor had no wife, he took the hand of Countess Cloud, his half-sister, and stepped onto the foyer alone.

Once the Emperor took the lead, other nobles also went to the foyer to dance.

“Shall we go too?”

Fillen asked, extending his hand to me.

Though I didn’t particularly enjoy dancing, I gladly took Fillen’s outstretched hand.

Unless there was a special reason, it was proper etiquette to dance at least once.

And I needed to show others that my relationship with Fillen wasn’t bad.

I was fortunate that it was a waltz, the only dance I knew how to do, but I still had a high chance of making mistakes if I didn’t concentrate.

Other young ladies danced leisurely while conversing with their partners, but I was different.

I literally just danced. Fillen occasionally tried to talk to me, but my head was completely filled with the dance steps, leaving no room to respond.

Here I need to step to the right.

Ah, in this part I need to turn my body slightly.

In this section, I turn left and then…

When the waltz passed the middle section and entered the latter half, I finally had some breathing room.

I was able to relax because I hadn’t made a single mistake so far.

As I let out a deep sigh of relief, Fillen chuckled and spoke in a small voice only I could hear.

“I’ve thought this before, but you really can’t dance.”

“…You’re not exactly a great dancer yourself.”

I answered curtly, matching his tone.

Then Fillen laughed a bit louder and pulled me tightly around the waist.

“That’s true, but I’m good enough to lead you.”

“How impressive, really.”

“You finally realized how impressive I am?”

His face was full of mischief, as if he had returned to childhood.

Seeing that expression made me feel like I had returned to childhood too, and I smiled softly.

“I’m just saying this now, but that dress you’re wearing today is pretty.”

But then.

“Your hair accessory is pretty too. You must have prepared a lot since it’s your debut, right?”

At his following words, I stiffened my face and stared at him.

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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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