I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 203

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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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#203

When considering legitimacy and everything else, the Emperor’s throne rightfully belonged to Prince Hes, the legitimate heir.

But he told Kalian to become Emperor?

Duke Giltian, who was none other than Prince Hes’s maternal grandfather?

“You made a deal with Duke Giltian.”

Otherwise, there was no way that cunning snake Duke Giltian would have willingly handed over the Emperor’s throne to Kalian.

“That’s right. Duke Giltian proposed a deal to me.”

As expected, my guess was correct.

“At the time, the Empire was in chaos due to a long war and various other problems.

Kalian continued while fidgeting with his wine glass.

“But if young Hes became Emperor, there would certainly be nobles who would try to manipulate Hes as they pleased, and other countries would look down on the Empire too, Duke Giltian expressed his concerns.”

That made sense. Prince Hes was only 13 years old at the time.

If his mother, Empress Solia, had been alive, she could have served as regent.

But since that wasn’t possible, there were various risks involved in Prince Hes becoming Emperor at that time.

“So he asked me to take on the role of Emperor until Hes came of age, until he could properly fulfill his role as Emperor.”

“Does that mean… you will abdicate and step down when His Highness the Prince comes of age?”

“That’s right.”

“Ah…”

When I sighed, Kalian laughed.

“You seem quite surprised.”

“…Yes.”

All the stories Kalian had told so far were shocking, but this was definitely the most shocking of all.

It was also bewildering.

Abdication wasn’t something an Emperor could do simply because he wanted to.

The interests of various people had to align, and the most important person in this was the Empress.

“So that’s why you haven’t taken an Empress all this time.”

“Right. If I take an Empress, it could complicate things later when I try to abdicate in favor of Hes, so I promised Duke Giltian not to take an Empress.”

“…”

“The same goes for Imperial Consorts. If there were to be an heir, the succession rights would pass to that child.”

So that’s why Baron Delrond had said in the past that His Majesty the Emperor wasn’t choosing not to take an Empress or Imperial Consort, but couldn’t take one.

Prince Hes learning imperial studies was also because of this.

Finally, it felt like the scattered puzzle pieces were fitting together one by one.

“Then I’ll never become Empress or Imperial Consort.”

“That’s right.”

Kalian smiled bitterly.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all. Rather, I feel at ease.”

“Did you dislike the idea of becoming Empress that much?”

“It’s not that, it was just burdensome.”

I also had doubts about whether I could become Empress.

“And I don’t know if I should say this, but…”

“What is it? You can say anything. I can listen to it all.”

“…Honestly, I’m happy.”

Kalian looked puzzled.

“Happy? About what? Are you happy that I’m abdicating and stepping down from the Emperor’s throne?”

I nodded, then immediately added an explanation in case Kalian misunderstood.

“Because I no longer have to worry constantly about Your Majesty taking other women as Empress or Imperial Consorts.”

The strange things I had said during the day were also because of this anxious feeling.

But thinking that I no longer had to do that, I felt relieved as if a ten-year-old burden had been lifted from my chest.

At my answer, Kalian’s eyes widened for a moment.

His deep blue eyes, expanded to their limit, trembled.

Why is he acting like that?

Did I say something wrong?

I did say something strange, but he had said I could say anything…

Should I have been more restrained?

“Haha.”

While I was worrying about this and that, Kalian suddenly burst into laughter.

Not only that, he suddenly stood up from his seat and embraced me tightly from behind as I sat still.

“Your, Your Majesty?”

I called out to him in confusion, but there was no response.

He just held me and laughed for a long time.

“Leilah.”

Then he suddenly stopped laughing and gently cupped my cheek.

“I’m glad that the woman I love is you.”

Our eyes met with his unusually sparkling gaze. The smile on his lips looked very happy.

“I’m also glad that you accepted me.”

It was a sudden statement, but since I felt the same way, I nodded with a smile.

“I think so too, Your Majesty.”

Soon our lips touched. It was a light kiss with just our lips touching, but it contained our sincere feelings for each other.

“When I abdicate in favor of Hes and step down from the Emperor’s throne… may I propose to you then?”

Kalian’s hand intertwined between my fingers like a snare.

Kalian kissed my entwined fingers and whispered.

“Even if I can’t make you the woman with the highest status in the Empire, I’ll make you the happiest person in the Empire, no, on the continent.”

His words were also filled with sincerity. Just hearing them made my heart swell with joy.

“Yes.”

So this is what true happiness feels like.

I smiled, resting my forehead against our tightly clasped hands.

“I’ll be counting the days until that time comes.”

* * *

We continued talking while having our meal.

It was an extension of the conversation we’d been having, but the content wasn’t serious.

“I was thinking of running an orchard when I leave the Imperial Palace.

“An orchard?”

“Yes. My dream was to run a very large orchard.”

An orchard.

Suddenly, the image of Kalian wearing a straw hat and picking fruit came to mind, making me laugh.

It was really an ill-fitting combination.

“You just thought that an orchard doesn’t suit me, didn’t you?”

“Can you read minds too?”

“It’s written on your face.”

Kalian laughed and picked up his wine glass.

“I’ll show you later what I look like working in an orchard. You’ll change your mind when you see it.”

“You mean you’ll actually do the farming yourself, not just run the orchard?”

“Yes. If it were just running it, I could do that anytime even now. It’s only fun if you do it yourself.”

While there were nobles who operated farms, there were no nobles who actually did the farming themselves.

Occasionally, very occasionally there were some, but they were nobles in name only who had financial difficulties.

But a member of the Imperial Family, moreover Kalian who would become the Former Emperor, doing farming himself?

“Other people will think it’s strange.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

Kalian thought for a moment, then asked me.

“What do you think? Do you also find it strange?”

“A little.”

It wasn’t exactly ordinary. Kalian nodded at my honest answer.

“Then I’ll put the orchard idea aside for now.”

“But you said having an orchard was your dream.”

“It was my dream. But it’s fine. I have a bigger dream now.”

“A bigger dream?”

“The dream of making you happy. For that, I can give up anything else.”

Did he coat his mouth with honey?

Everything he said was so sweet it was embarrassing to listen to.

I blushed and focused on eating my innocent salad.

Having conversation during our meal made dinner last longer than usual.

When we entered the dining hall, the sky was reddish, but when we came out, it had already turned pitch black. Neither moon nor stars were visible.

As the sun had set, the temperature dropped slightly and I shivered. Coming outside after being in the warm interior made it feel even colder.

When I shivered slightly, Kalian took off the coat he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders.

I sent him a grateful look with my eyes.

“Time passed much later than I thought.”

“It really did.”

Kalian looked down at me silently. His eyes seemed to have much to say.

“If you have something to say, please speak comfortably, Your Majesty.”

“Mm.”

Kalian thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“…It’s nothing. I should head back now.”

“Yes.”

Parting like this was truly regrettable, but since we’d see each other again tomorrow, I swallowed my disappointment and smiled.

When Kalian gestured, an attendant approached respectfully.

“Escort Count Aster.”

“Should I escort her to the Imperial Palace?”

What did the attendant just say?

The Imperial Palace?

Simply being escorted to the palace versus being escorted to the Imperial Palace had completely different meanings.

Staying overnight in the Imperial Palace came with implications of ‘sharing a bed,’ so I looked at the attendant in surprise.

Kalian was the same.

When Kalian glared at him piercingly, the attendant panicked and added hastily.

“Th-the Head Servant told me to prepare because Count Aster would be staying in the Imperial Palace tonight…”

The Head Servant wouldn’t have made such preparations on his own.

This must have certainly been under Kalian’s orders.

I glanced at Kalian.

“Ah.”

Meeting my eyes, Kalian let out a short exclamation and scratched his head.

“Well, it seemed like our conversation might go long, and if it got too late, it would be better to sleep at the palace rather than go back…”

His flustered excuses were cute, so unlike him.

Though I was surprised by the attendant’s words, I wasn’t upset or anything.

Rather, I was happy enough that my heart was pounding.

The emotion of happiness spread pleasantly throughout my body, centered on my heart.

Kalian had said he wanted to do everything I desired.

When I first heard those words, I wondered why he’d make promises he couldn’t keep, but now I understood.

I too wanted to do everything he desired.

Whatever that might be.

“I just meant sleeping and leaving, so don’t get any strange ideas…”

“Then shall I stay the night?”

“…!”

For a moment, Kalian’s eyes widened. It was the most surprised expression I’d ever seen from him.

Seeing Kalian like that made me feel a bit mischievous.

“If you don’t want me to, I’ll just go back.”

“No, there’s no way I wouldn’t want that.”

Kalian shook his head rather vigorously and grasped my hand tightly.

“Stay the night. Please, I really hope you’ll stay.”

“I will.”

Only then did Kalian smile brightly.

I also responded with a smile and asked him.

“But Your Majesty, do you really mean just ‘sleeping’ and leaving?”

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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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