I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 218

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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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#218

It was Count Hiltain. He sent me behind his back and spoke to Fillen.

“His Majesty the Emperor has issued an imperial command forbidding Duke Williot from approaching Count Aster within a certain radius. So please do not approach any further.”

To think Kalian would issue such an order.

Since this was the first I’d heard of it, I looked at Count Hiltain with slight surprise.

Fillen was also frowning and glaring at Count Hiltain.

“His Majesty the Emperor issued such an order? Why?”

“Before having such doubts, please put your hand on your conscience and think about it.”

“What?”

“…is also what His Majesty the Emperor said.”

It was clearly a situation where Count Hiltain was toying with Fillen.

People silently laughed while glancing at Fillen. Under the blatantly pouring gazes, Fillen’s face turned red.

Fillen glared as if he would hit Count Hiltain right away, but that was all.

If he resisted by hitting Count Hiltain here, it would mean defying the imperial command, so Fillen could do nothing but tremble with clenched fists.

Fillen spoke through gritted teeth in a hissing voice.

“Let’s see how long you can remain so arrogant.”

Count Hiltain answered indifferently.

“If you challenge me to a sword duel, I will accept anytime.”

Fillen’s lips curved crookedly.

“Would you also accept a real sword duel challenge?”

“Your Grace!”

A real sword duel! That was an implicit expression of intent to harm the opponent.

I urgently called out to Fillen, thinking I should stop this, but Count Hiltain went one step further.

“I don’t mind doing it right now.”

“Count Hiltain!”

Why is this man acting like this too!

I grabbed Count Hiltain’s arm and shook my head vigorously.

“Don’t do that. A real sword duel could result in serious injury!”

“Are you referring to me, or to Duke Williot?”

“I’m talking about both of you! I don’t want to see anyone get hurt!”

“That’s right. There would be nothing sadder than someone getting hurt over something like this. So how about both Your Grace and Count Hiltain calm down.”

Count Rahalbah, who had been watching from among the crowd, waddled over and interjected.

“I’ve prepared plenty of delicious food and drinks for this occasion, so please don’t fight like this and enjoy the party.”

If Fillen had been truly furious to the point of his hair standing on end and thinking of doing something to Count Hiltain, he would never have yielded to those words.

“…”

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case, as Fillen glared at Count Hiltain once more before leaving the foyer.

It was somewhat puzzling that Fillen gave up so easily, but it was fortunate nonetheless.

Only then did I feel relieved and turn to Count Hiltain.

“Why did you say such things? You should have avoided something like a real sword duel.”

“Hey, that would damage a knight’s pride.”

Count Art appeared from somewhere and smoothly joined the conversation.

“Never avoiding a challenge that comes your way. That’s a knight’s pride.”

“But your life could be in danger?”

“We knights value pride more than life.”

How could pride be more precious than life?

“I see.”

I didn’t understand, but it didn’t seem right for me to chatter and lecture about it, so I nodded.

“Then Count, would you dance one song with me?”

Count Art made his characteristic mischievous expression and extended his hand to me.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I have a prior engagement. Let’s dance next time.”

“Oh, who do you have a prior engagement with?”

I smiled and took Count Hiltain’s arm.

“Since Count Hiltain escorted me here, shouldn’t I dance with him first?”

“Ah, now that you mention it, that’s true. Then I’ll go have a drink while waiting for the next turn.”

Count Art cheerfully greeted us and disappeared to where the other knights were.

I looked up at Count Hiltain. He had a troubled expression.

“What’s wrong, Count Hiltain?”

“I came here as your guard, not as your partner.”

“I know. But it’s true that you escorted me here, isn’t it? So dance one song with me.”

“…I can’t dance.”

“It’s fine. It’s not a formal waltz, just a simple dance that you can do too, Count Hiltain.”

When I smiled brightly and pulled his arm, Count Hiltain followed me as if he had no choice.

When we stood in the center of the foyer, people’s attention focused on us somewhat.

Was it surprising that I was dancing with Count Hiltain?

Or was it surprising that Count Hiltain was dancing with me?

I didn’t know which it was, but I didn’t mind and moved my feet to the music.

Judging from Count Hiltain’s awkward footwork and expression, he had definitely never danced before, but he wasn’t bad at it.

“Like this here.”

I only taught him a little, but he picked it up immediately. He had good observation skills and quickly imitated what he saw others doing.

After dancing with Count Hiltain, I danced with Count Art as promised.

When working as an aide, I only wore low-heeled flat shoes, but wearing heels after so long made my feet hurt.

Dancing continuously in that state made my feet hurt even more, so after Count Art, I declined all other requests.

I was sitting in the rest area prepared on one side of the foyer, taking a brief rest, when a servant approached and offered me a champagne glass.

“This is champagne specially prepared by Count Rahalbah for the welcome party.”

“I see.”

The servant also offered a glass to Count Hiltain standing behind me.

“Would you like some as well, Sir Knight?”

“I’m on duty, so I must decline.”

“But it’s welcome champagne…”

Why was he being so persistent?

While it was proper etiquette to have at least a sip of welcome champagne, it wasn’t such a mandatory courtesy that you’d force it on someone on duty.

But his persistence was puzzling.

Count Hiltain must have found it strange too, as he stared at the servant intently.

The servant smiled awkwardly and made excuses.

“Count Rahalbah instructed me to make sure all guests attending the party receive welcome champagne.”

After hearing the servant’s excuse, I could see Count Rahalbah behind him. He was also holding welcome champagne.

“I’ll speak to Count Rahalbah about it separately.”

“Yes, yes. Then I’ll be going…”

The servant immediately went to other people and distributed welcome champagne.

“That servant isn’t from the Empire.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He’s speaking Ryunt perfectly, but his accent is subtly different.”

Ryunt was the continental common language used not only in the Empire but in most countries. So even in countries with different native languages, nobles and royalty mostly knew how to speak Ryunt.

Still, since their native languages were different, there were differences in accent, and the servant I just met was exactly like that.

If he was a servant in a noble house, he would be a commoner, yet he spoke two languages—Ryunt perfectly except for the accent. This wasn’t ordinary.

Count Hiltain must have thought so too, as he asked me in a serious tone.

“Shall I find out where that servant is from?”

“Hmm, no. It’s fine.”

It certainly wasn’t ordinary, but it wasn’t completely impossible either.

The servant hadn’t done anything strange, so there didn’t seem to be any need to exert force, so I shook my head.

“More importantly, this welcome champagne is delicious.”

It had a fruity taste and was sweet, but since alcohol is still alcohol, the aftertaste was slightly bitter.

I couldn’t drink much. I took just one sip and put the glass down.

Starting with the welcome champagne, the party began in earnest. It was called a welcome party, but it was no different from a drinking party.

There was an enormous amount of alcohol prepared. Not only wine and champagne, but also beer, which was rarely seen at such parties.

They had said they prepared plenty of alcohol, and that turned out to be true.

Perhaps because alcohol was involved, the party atmosphere quickly heated up. Laughter could be heard from here and there.

‘It’s a bit hot.’

It was also stuffy, so I came out to the garden. Suddenly being hit by the cold night wind made my body tremble slightly.

Then Count Hiltain, who had been following behind, took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

“Thank you.”

Count Hiltain silently nodded and stepped back.

My feet still hurt, so I couldn’t walk for long and sat on the fountain in the center of the garden to enjoy the cool breeze.

The music softly flowing from the foyer, people’s laughter, the pouring moonlight, and even the cold wind.

An unwelcome guest appeared even in this place where everything formed perfect harmony.

“So you were here.”

It was Fillen. I frowned as soon as I saw him, but Fillen didn’t care and approached me. Without fail, Count Hiltain blocked Fillen’s path.

“Do not come any closer.”

“…”

Fillen frowned deeply and glared at Count Hiltain, then looked at me.

“Leilah, make this man stand down.”

“I cannot do that.”

“I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead.”

I wanted to say I didn’t want to hear it, but because of that damn status, I couldn’t and told him to go ahead.

Then Fillen frowned and clicked his tongue in frustration.

“You want me to say it where that bastard can hear?”

“If it’s something strange that you can’t say in front of my guard, then I don’t want to hear it.”

Let’s go back inside. It was disappointing since I hadn’t been out long, but it was better than having a quarrel with Fillen.

So I was turning around to go back when I heard a clang from behind. It was the sound of swords clashing.

Don’t tell me the two of them are fighting?

I turned around in panic and haste, and saw Count Hiltain and Fillen looking even more flustered than I was.

The two hadn’t crossed swords.

Then where did this sound come from…?

“Y-Your Excellency! This is terrible!”

A man I’d never seen before came running frantically with a pale face.

Boom, bang-

Before the man even reached us, sounds of something exploding could be heard.

When I looked in that direction, I saw bright red flames that seemed ready to devour everything.

Had a fire broken out?

Judging by how big the flames were, it seemed like quite a large fire, but would it be okay?

I was worried, but it was needless worry.

That was because those bright red flames weren’t simply caused by someone’s mistake starting a fire.

“It’s an invasion! Soldiers from the Stella Kingdom just opened the castle gates and entered the castle, Your Excellency!”

It was a fire caused by soldiers from the Stella Kingdom who had invaded Rahalbha Castle, destroying everything in their path.

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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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