I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 212

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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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#212

I thought Leilah would do that, but I never expected her to actually say she’d go.

I wasn’t feeling very good about it. Kalian leaned his head against the clean window and fell deep into thought.

If it were up to him, he wanted to prevent Leilah from going to Casiwood, but he couldn’t do that.

Because Leilah would hate it.

He didn’t want to do anything she would dislike.

Moreover, there was nothing problematic about this matter except for having to be separated from her for a long time and Fillen being there.

…Though that was the biggest problem.

Anyway, since he couldn’t stop Leilah from going to Casiwood, he thought about other things he could do.

First, he should provide the best carriage so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable during the journey.

He should send geologists and other related scholars along so she could solve the problem quickly, and attach plenty of guard knights for safety.

…But then the party would be too large and the journey might take longer.

To reduce time wasted unnecessarily on the road, it was best to keep the party simple.

“Should I just take her myself?”

If I use my power, we could reach Casiwood in a week.

But then I’d have to leave the Imperial Palace for too long, so that won’t work.

Damn it, why is Casiwood so far away?

Why did news of Leilah solving the flood problem in Williot Estate reach the lord of Casiwood’s ears?

I don’t like it. I don’t like any of it at all.

“Damn it.”

Kalian muttered a curse under his breath and banged his forehead against the window.

His reddened, swollen forehead cried out in pain, but his head was so full of thoughts about Leilah that he had no room to feel the pain.

“I should give her the Emperor’s proxy authority first.”

That way Fillen, acting all high and mighty as a duke, won’t be able to do anything strange to Leilah.

People around would think it strange to give Emperor’s proxy authority for something like this, but he didn’t care.

Leilah returning to his side safely and without incident was more important than others’ opinions.

‘Hiltain should go with her too.’

Not just Hiltain, but other Crowd Knights should be attached as well.

And what else could he do? What could he do for Leilah?

Flutter—

A breeze coming through the slightly open window blew away several documents that had been carelessly stacked on the desk.

But Kalian didn’t even glance at them and continued thinking deeply.

* * *

“Count Aster has decided to depart for Casiwood this coming Wednesday.”

Count Grace reported to Fillen in Casiwood through a magical messenger bird.

“Since the rainy season is approaching, everyone has been hurrying in various ways.”

[…That’s rather late for being in a hurry.]

“Pardon?”

[No, it’s nothing. So what’s the composition of those coming to Casiwood?]

“Count Aster and two maids to attend to her will accompany her. And a geologist and…”

Count Grace read through the contents written in the documents. Fillen, who had been quietly listening to his story, asked back with puzzlement.

[Only twenty guards are attached? And only five dedicated to Leilah?]

She was once his fiancée, but now they have no relationship at all, yet he calls Count Aster’s name so casually.

‘The rumors that His Grace can’t forget Count Aster and is being clingy must be true.’

That’s what you get for not treating her well when you had the chance.

Count Grace openly frowned and clicked his tongue. Since it wasn’t a magical device that showed faces, this was fine.

“If too many guards are attached, the party becomes large and the journey might take longer, so we simplified it somewhat.”

[Hmm, is that so?]

“Yes. And all the guards in charge of Count Aster are from the Crowd Knights, plus Count Hiltain himself is personally taking charge, so there should be absolutely no need to worry. Haha.”

Since Fillen seemed very worried, he deliberately laughed heartily as he spoke, but there was no response at all.

Feeling awkward, Count Grace cleared his throat and swallowed his laughter.

“Your, Your Grace?”

[…Yes, if it’s as you say, there would be absolutely no need to worry.]

“R-right?”

[But the area around Casiwood is teeming with bandits and monsters. Moreover, the terrain is rough, so if they come pressing in with numbers, even the Crowd Knights would be helplessly overwhelmed.]

That was true. The Crowd Knights’ skills were certain, but winning against opponents with numerical superiority wouldn’t be easy.

[So report their schedule to me regularly. That way I can go immediately if something happens to Leilah.]

* * *

“I just received the documents. You must have been flustered by my sudden request, but thank you for sending them quickly, Wizard Baron.”

At my words, Wizard Baron lifted his wrinkled lips and smiled.

[Not at all. I’m rather happy to be of help to you, Count. Is there anything else you’d like to request?]

Something to request. I suddenly thought of the Tebesa couple staying at Williot Estate, but I didn’t bother asking.

Asking about such things would mean I was concerned about them.

“Nothing. I’ll contact you again next time.”

When Wizard Baron’s image in the magical communication device disappeared, I greeted the communication administrator and returned to my study.

And I looked through the documents Wizard Baron had sent.

These were materials I had investigated to prevent floods when I was at Williot Estate.

Since I was going to Casiwood for flood problems this time, I thought I’d need materials about it, so I urgently requested them from Wizard Baron.

I was worried they might be late since I requested them suddenly, but fortunately the materials arrived two days before departure.

“No missing materials.”

As expected of Wizard Baron, he’s meticulous about these things.

I put the materials Wizard Baron sent into a document file and studied about Casiwood.

I was carefully examining the climate, soil, and even the lives of the landfolk, when suddenly a large hand appeared over the documents.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

Startled, I looked up to see Kalian.

I stood up from my seat to greet him.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

Kalian sat lightly on the edge of the desk and took my hand.

“My heartless lover is leaving soon but doesn’t even come to see me, so I got a bit sulky.”

As if to show his sulkiness, Kalian lightly pinched the back of my hand.

He pinched so lightly that rather than hurting, it made me laugh. I felt sorry too.

“I’m sorry. I was so busy studying Casiwood’s flood problem that I couldn’t pay attention.”

“I know.”

Kalian glanced at the documents I had been reading just moments ago.

“I know very well that once my lover gets absorbed in work, she doesn’t see anything else.”

“That’s not true. I thought about His Majesty a lot too.”

I took Kalian’s hand in return.

“So much that I couldn’t concentrate on work.”

“Even if it’s just empty words, I’m happy.”

“It’s true. I really thought about you a lot.”

That’s why I had been struggling with materials that I would normally have finished reading long ago.

Kalian smiled brightly, apparently pleased by what was a somewhat embarrassing confession for me.

Smooch—

Then he lightly kissed me. I felt even more embarrassed than before and leaned my forehead against his shoulder.

“How could I endure not seeing someone this beautiful for over three months?”

Kalian let out a small sigh as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to endure missing you.”

“Me too.”

I also wrapped my arms around Kalian’s waist.

“I’m also worried about how I’ll endure not seeing His Majesty for over three months.”

To think the day would come when I’d say such things.

It was surprising, embarrassing, and joyful. I didn’t know why I felt joy, but my heart simply overflowed.

I lifted my head to look at him.

“….”

Since he was also looking at me, our gazes collided. My reflection filled his eyes, which had darkened more than usual.

When I lowered my gaze a bit more, his thin, red lips tempted me.

“…May I kiss you?”

Kalian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he laughed lowly.

“As I’ve said before, you can do whatever you want. I’m yours.”

Now that I had permission, there was no reason to hesitate further. I rose slightly on my tiptoes and gently pressed my lips to Kalian’s before pulling away.

We were close enough that our eyelashes could touch.

“…Are you satisfied with that?”

His eyes had darkened even more than before. His voice was also slightly hoarse.

Instead of answering, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his again.

Kalian didn’t remain still like before, but welcomed my kiss passionately.

Shivers spread throughout my body, and my hands naturally tightened their grip. My legs gave out, and I couldn’t stand properly, so I sat on Kalian’s knee.

This was the aide’s office. It was a space where other people could come and go at any time, but I didn’t care.

The fact that I wouldn’t be able to see this person, the one I loved so deeply, for a long time pierced my heart, and I focused only on savoring him.

The light kiss turned persistent and continued for a long time.

“Hah….”

It was Kalian, not me, who first ended this time that seemed like it would never end.

Kalian’s eyes, as he gently pushed me away, were filled with burning heat. It seemed like I’d get burned if I touched them.

“Sorry.”

Kalian rarely avoided my eyes as he lowered his head.

“I want to do more, but I don’t think I should. I don’t think I can endure it.”

“….”

“I should cherish you, but I don’t think I’ll be able to… Sorry.”

Though his words were disjointed, I immediately understood what he wanted.

…Because I wanted it too.

It’s just that I was too embarrassed to say that fact with my own mouth, so I couldn’t speak.

But I should say it. If I want to make him completely mine, I have to say it.

“Tonight… shall I stay and sleep at the Imperial Palace?”

Kalian’s eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed sharply.

Kalian stiffened his lips and smiled awkwardly.

“I don’t mind, but I’m not confident I can just sing you a lullaby and end it like that time.”

“You don’t… have to end it.”

Heat rushed to my face, making it burn. In the midst of that, my lips barely moved as if they were frozen, but I managed to part them and continue speaking.

“You can continue.”

Kalian’s gaze wavered.

“Because I want it too.”

To show my resolve to him, who was looking at me as if he couldn’t believe it, I wrapped my arms around his neck again and kissed 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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