I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 238

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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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#238

“That’s a good idea.”

Kalian thought for a moment before answering.

“If we do that, even if we can’t catch Duke Giltian, we can definitely catch Count Bachelo.”

“There is a way to catch Duke Giltian too.”

“Oh? How?”

“That’s…”

The reason I couldn’t readily answer Kalian’s question was because that method involved touching something precious to Kalian.

So I was hesitating when Kalian took my hand.

“You can tell me anything.”

“…You might get angry.”

“Me, angry at you?”

Kalian chuckled softly.

“If that were the case, it would be something that harms your health.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then there’s nothing to be angry about. So don’t worry and tell me.”

Hmm, it should be fine.

I nodded and slowly opened my mouth.

“The reason Duke Giltian or Count Bachelo did such a thing is because they thought this child would become an obstacle to Prince Hes’s future.”

Kalian nodded as if he agreed.

“So if His Majesty shows movements to check Prince Hes and make this child emperor, they will be anxious and try to eliminate this child somehow.”

“Don’t tell me you want to target that moment?”

“Yes, that’s right. Especially since they failed once, Duke Giltian might move directly this time.”

“No. That’s too dangerous.”

Kalian flatly refused.

“No matter how much we want to catch them, I can’t put you and our child in danger.”

“Is that all?”

“What do you mean?”

“If His Majesty checks Prince Hes, His Highness might be emotionally hurt. Is that okay with you?”

This was exactly the part I was worried about.

For Kalian, Prince Hes was a precious existence who should ascend to the emperor’s throne in his place and be protected enough to bear that weight.

So I thought he would be reluctant or angry if I suggested mistreating Prince Hes or doing something similar, but he wasn’t.

“It’s not like we’re really going to do it, it’s just acting. What’s wrong with that? Hes will understand too.”

Would he really? My thoughts are different.

“What about Duke Giltian then? His Majesty is also close to Duke Giltian.”

Even if not as much as Prince Hes, I thought Kalian also had some friendship with Duke Giltian.

“Me, close to him? That’s ridiculous.”

Kalian immediately denied it.

“I thought you were close since you often talk with Duke Giltian and even made such a contract.”

“That’s purely because of Hes. For everything else, we’re like enemies who clash at every turn. You should know. When I tried to ennoble you as a baron, Duke Giltian opposed it the most.”

Ah, come to think of it, that was true.

“And honestly, I don’t like Duke Giltian.”

Kalian frowned.

“He has too strong a desire for power. At least he knows his place and doesn’t aim for the emperor’s throne, but instead he tries to set up Hes as a puppet and manipulate him.”

That’s true.

Having clearly realized that fact while Kalian was in a coma, I nodded in agreement with his words.

“So I want to take this opportunity to definitively break Duke Giltian.”

“Then after all…”

“That doesn’t mean I intend to execute the plan you mentioned.”

Kalian continued firmly.

“I’ll say it again, but under no circumstances will I put you and our child in danger.”

“Then is there another way?”

I gently placed my hand on his and continued.

“When His Majesty goes on the expedition next month, I’ll have to protect this child alone again.”

“Alone?”

Kalian grasped my hand in return.

“Hilltain will come soon and I’ll assign Esramel too. Other Crowd Knights will always be with you.”

“Still, incidents can happen.”

Like in Rahalbah.

I deliberately didn’t mention the rest, but Kalian’s brow furrowed as if he too recalled that incident.

“Leilah, this matter…”

“I know.”

I smiled and smoothed the wrinkles from Kalian’s brow.

“I know that Your Majesty has no choice but to go, that you’re going because if you don’t resolve the issue with the Kingdom of Stella quickly, various problems will arise.”

If Kalian didn’t go, the world would point fingers at him.

He was the Emperor of the Empire before being my lover and my child’s father.

And that finger-pointing would also reach me by his side and my child who would be born in the future.

I didn’t want that to happen either.

“Just as I understand Your Majesty’s feelings and send you off, please understand my feelings too and follow my opinion.”

If Duke Giltian was really the culprit, it would be difficult to catch him without Kalian.

So while Kalian was here, we absolutely had to clearly reveal who the culprit was and punish them severely.

Only then would others not dare to think of doing such things.

“Please, Your Majesty.”

At my plea, Kalian thought with a serious face for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and ran his hand through his hair.

“Your persuasive skills have definitely improved while I was away.”

“Do you dislike that?”

“How could I dislike it? I’m rather happy.”

Kalian smiled faintly and kissed my cheek.

“I’m happy that you finally seem to have learned how to wield the weapons you possess.”

“Then will you follow my opinion?”

“Yes. However, if I think you’re in danger, I’ll immediately cancel the entire plan.”

“Yes.”

Since I didn’t want my child to get hurt either, I obediently nodded.

“Then I should tell Hes about the plan and ask for his help.”

“No. I’d prefer not to inform His Highness.”

“Why?”

“Because to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies.”

Moreover, Prince Hes cherished Duke Giltian.

But would he readily participate in this plan that might cut off Duke Giltian’s arms and legs?

He might reluctantly do it if Kalian asked, but the possibility of the perceptive Duke Giltian finding out was too great.

Prince Hes’s acting skills were also terrible.

“The fewer people who know about this plan, the less likely Duke Giltian’s side will find out, so let’s proceed keeping it a secret between just the two of us.”

“So that’s why you said Hes would be hurt.”

Kalian’s expression became serious.

Is he now having second thoughts about Prince Hes?

Well, he seemed to intend to tell Prince Hes everything from the beginning.

“If you’re really concerned about Prince Hes, you can tell him.”

“No, let’s proceed keeping it secret from Hes as you said.”

“Will you be okay? Prince Hes might be very hurt.”

When I asked worriedly, Kalian smiled bitterly.

“It would be a lie to say I’m not worried at all, but I want to use this opportunity to confirm Hes’s feelings too.”

“His feelings?”

“Yes. That way I can decide whether to carry out my plan or not.”

Those words meant he was also making some kind of plan.

“What kind of plan?”

I asked out of curiosity, but whether he had no intention of telling me, Kalian smiled and popped a fresh strawberry into my mouth.

* * *

As soon as Kalian went to his study, he made public the attack on Leilah and Esramel and officially began hunting for the culprit.

Artists drew composite sketches of the criminal and spread them throughout the Empire, while guards searched every corner.

With the enormous bounty of a thousand gold offered, even mercenaries joined the hunt for the criminal.

With war against the Kingdom of Stella approaching, the Empire was stirring in a different sense.

While people chattered about this and that, the atmosphere among the nobles was far from calm.

Especially the atmosphere around Duke Giltian and the nobles who followed him was far from calm.

The reason was partly because Kalian had made such a grand show of finding the criminal who attacked Leilah and Esramel.

But after that, it was because Kalian had assigned Leilah the exact same curriculum that past empresses had received.

Though no official position had been announced, assigning her the same curriculum as past empresses was tantamount to welcoming Leilah as empress.

Moreover, he was said to keep Hes in the aide’s office, only having him organize documents.

“This is surely meant to keep Prince Hes in check!”

The nobles who sided with Duke Giltian’s faction exploded with indignation upon hearing all this news.

They gathered at the Giltian Duchy to discuss what should be done about this situation.

“The Emperor must be trying to make the child born between him and Count Aster the next emperor!”

“Exactly! There’s no other reason he would do such a thing!”

While the nobles chattered noisily with veins bulging in their necks, Duke Giltian remained silent with his arms crossed.

“Your Grace, please say something.”

Count Bachelo, who was sitting near Duke Giltian, asked pleadingly.

“Please give us your opinion on what should be done about this situation, Your Grace.”

“That’s right. If this continues, Prince Hes will end up like a dog that lost the chicken it was chasing.”

“Now really, calling His Highness a dog. What nonsense is that.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

At Count Bachelo’s plea, the attention that had briefly focused on Duke Giltian scattered and became noisy again.

Thud, tap-

But only for a moment, as Duke Giltian stood up, everyone fell silent as if they had swallowed honey and looked at Duke Giltian again.

His snake-like slitted eyes flashed menacingly.

Duke Giltian swept his gaze over them once, then fixed his eyes on Count Bachelo.

“What happened to that bastard?”

He was referring to the soldier who had attacked Leilah and Esramel.

“We’re looking for him now. He’s hidden himself so well that it’s not easy to find him.”

“Tsk. That’s why you should have eliminated him right after the job was done. Why leave such future trouble?”

“I apologize. My son is still inexperienced…”

Count Bachelo broke out in a cold sweat and apologized, knowing it would be terrible to displease Duke Giltian.

“Find him quickly and eliminate him.”

“Understood.”

“And…”

Just as he was about to say what should be done going forward, a servant came with strange news.

“Your Grace, Prince Hes has come to see you.”

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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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