I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 243

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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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#243

Would Duke Giltian, no, Norbert Giltian really take the poison?

If he did take it, it would likely be not out of consideration for Prince Hes, but because he didn’t want to become a spectacle for others through public execution.

‘Either way, it doesn’t matter.’

What mattered was that Norbert Giltian would take the poison.

As long as Prince Hes wouldn’t be emotionally hurt, I was satisfied with that.

I had openly received the poison from the court physician.

After that, I went to see Norbert Giltian, so there was no way Kalian wouldn’t know that I had given him the poison.

Even though it was for Prince Hes, it was true that I had acted on my own, going against the judgment from the nobility council.

So I expected him to scold me about it, but unexpectedly, Kalian said nothing at all.

After dinner, we talked about various things until the morning sun rose, but he didn’t mention anything about Norbert Giltian.

Could it be that he didn’t know I had given poison to Norbert Giltian?

That couldn’t be possible.

I was having breakfast with half doubt when it happened.

“Your Majesty, Norbert Giltian has taken poison and committed suicide.”

The head servant announced Norbert Giltian’s death.

Though it was the news I had been waiting for, I was more curious about Kalian’s reaction.

I put down my fork and observed Kalian’s expression. He was calm.

That meant he knew about the fact that I had given poison to Norbert Giltian.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

I asked Kalian as soon as the head servant left.

Kalian looked at me as if asking what I meant.

“You know that I gave poison to Norbert Giltian.”

“I knew.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything about it?”

“Because there was no need to.”

Kalian brushed back the hair that had fallen to my chest and continued.

“There’s no reason to scold someone for doing well.”

“You think I did well?”

“Of course? Did you think you were doing something wrong when you did it?”

“That’s not it, but…”

“I’m grateful. For doing what I couldn’t do.”

Ah, so Kalian felt the same way I did.

I was finally relieved and smiling when Kalian lightly pinched the tip of my nose and let go.

“Of course, there are things to scold you for.”

“Things to scold me for?”

“Going to meet Norbert Giltian without proper guards. You didn’t even take a maid with you.”

Ah, that.

“But when I entered the prison, there were soldiers and guards nearby.”

“You sent everyone away when you talked to Norbert Giltian, didn’t you?”

I… did.

“I’ve told you repeatedly to be careful about your safety, but you don’t listen.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll pay attention to safety from now on.”

“Just words?”

“No. I’ll really keep my promise this time.”

“What about not working?”

I was at a loss for words. I carefully answered while watching Kalian’s expression.

“…I won’t overdo it.”

“Meaning you’ll continue working.”

Of course I wanted to continue.

It was boring to do nothing and just stay in my room.

“Please allow it, Your Majesty.”

I held Kalian’s hand tightly and pleaded.

“I’ll eat well, sleep well, and work within reasonable limits.”

“…”

“Yes? Your Majesty. Please.”

Kalian sighed softly and gently touched his forehead to mine.

“I always feel this way, but I’m too weak when it comes to you. To think my heart softens even at such clumsy aegyo.”

“So you’ll allow it?”

“Yes. But if I think you’re overdoing it, I’ll cut it off immediately, so make sure to regulate yourself well.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

I was so happy to have received official permission that I nodded brightly with a smile.

“Thank you for allowing it, Your Majesty.”

“Just words?”

His voice was full of playfulness.

Normally I would have told him to stop joking around, but today I didn’t, and instead played along with his joke.

I cupped Kalian’s cheek and kissed him.

I had no intention of engaging in intimate skinship like a deep kiss.

I just planned to lightly touch lips, like a parent giving a child a reward.

“Hmm.”

Before I knew it, he had taken control and my back touched the soft sofa.

* * *

Having received Kalian’s permission, Leilah began working in earnest.

She not only helped Hes weed out corrupt nobles but also took charge of various matters happening within the imperial palace.

Thanks to this, Ber, who could finally breathe, welcomed it with open arms, but Kalian did not.

He had told her to do things in moderation, but she was taking on even unnecessary work, which was absurd.

He wanted to tell her to stop, but Leilah looked too happy for that.

Moreover, since she was sleeping well and eating well as promised, Kalian let Leilah do as she pleased, even though he didn’t like it.

It was true that he could breathe easier thanks to Leilah’s help.

Furthermore, thanks to Hes also doing his fair share of work, Kalian could focus on war preparations.

Since they had to fight another war not long after the previous one ended, the burden was great in many ways, but they couldn’t just endure the Kingdom of Stella’s declaration of war.

If they just let it pass, other kingdoms would also disrespect the Empire, so they had no choice but to fight a war.

And it had to be a war where they could achieve complete victory.

There was that much work to be done. His workload became even heavier without a Marshal’s Office minister.

At least Count Grace, who had been the deputy minister, temporarily returned to duty to help with the work, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to handle everything alone.

He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Leilah since he wouldn’t be able to see her for a while when he went to war, but there was too much work to do.

Even the dinner they had forced themselves to share became impossible as the departure date approached.

Sleeping in the same bed also became difficult.

At least Leilah came to give work reports, otherwise it would have been hard to even see her face once.

In the midst of a daily routine rushing by without a moment to breathe properly, the final nobility council meeting before departure was held.

Hes also attended this meeting.

Hes had been attending all nobility council meetings while earnestly helping with Kalian’s work.

The nobles who had been on the same side as Norbert Giltian and knew about the contract between Kalian and Norbert Giltian found this curious.

“I thought His Majesty would expel Prince Hes from the palace immediately, but instead he’s keeping him close and giving him more work. I wonder what His Majesty is thinking.”

“Maybe he’s just using him temporarily and then discarding him? After all, Prince Hes is supposed to marry the princess of the Holy Kingdom.”

“Come to think of it, there was the royal marriage.”

The issue of the royal marriage, which had been temporarily forgotten due to the successive rebellions of princes and the war with the Kingdom of Stella, surfaced again.

While the nobles gathered in small groups and whispered among themselves, Hes silently read and reread the documents regarding the topics that would be discussed in today’s meeting.

“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”

Then Kalian arrived, and the nobility council began.

Since the departure date was just around the corner, the meeting topic was naturally about the war with the Kingdom of Stella.

Since it was a war where the Empire’s pride was at stake, everyone engaged in heated discussions.

Especially Count Grace and several other Marshal’s Office administrators were passionate.

They were those who had been unjustly accused of treason because of Fillen.

They had no choice but to diligently prepare for war since they needed to perform properly in this war to clear their false accusations.

“Then let’s do that. And.”

As the final meeting was almost coming to an end, Kalian looked around at the nobles and spoke.

“As soon as the war with the Kingdom of Stella ends, I intend to abdicate the throne to Hes.”

“Your, Your Majesty?”

“What do you mean…!”

The nobles gasped and stared at him at this sudden bombshell declaration.

“Your Majesty!”

Hes, also hearing this for the first time, called out to Kalian in surprise, but Kalian didn’t look at Hes.

He looked at Count Aluma and the nobles beside him and asked.

“I can understand the other nobles being surprised, but why are you all so shocked? You should know about the contract I made with Nobert Giltian.”

“That’s…!”

Count Aluma and several nobles’ faces turned white as paper.

The nobles who didn’t know about the contract looked at them in bewilderment.

“Since there are more people who don’t know, I’ll personally explain it.”

Kalian rested his chin on his hand and told them everything about the contract he made with Nobert Giltian.

Everything from the reason why he, who had no interest in the throne, became Emperor, to the agreement to abdicate to Hes when he came of age.

“Good heavens…”

“To think you made such a contract…”

The nobles let out hollow laughs at something they never could have imagined.

Duke Hudlren muttered to himself, “So that’s why that bastard was acting up like that.”

While everyone was surprised and murmuring, Duke Cloud, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“You wouldn’t need to honor that contract anymore, would you?”

“That’s right. That contract was Nobert Giltian forcing his will to fulfill his ambitions, so I believe Your Majesty has no reason to honor it.”

“I think so too.”

Most of the nobles unanimously opposed the abdication.

Hes was about to say he felt the same way when Kalian spoke first.

“I’m quite moved that you all acknowledge me as Emperor like this. I might shed tears.”

“Your Majesty, this is…”

“I know. That it’s sincere. I was speaking sincerely too.”

Kalian showed not the usual sneer he displayed to nobles, but a pure smile.

“Contrary to what you all think, my intention to abdicate to Hes isn’t because of the contract with Nobert Giltian, but purely my own will.”

Kalian rested his chin on his hand and continued speaking.

“This position was originally Hes’s. Between Hes, the legitimate eldest son of the Empress, and me, the son of a lowly maid, you all know well who is more suited for the Emperor’s throne.”

“Your Majesty, that’s…”

When someone tried to say something, Kalian silenced them with a look.

“I would have hesitated if Hes couldn’t properly fulfill his duties, but that’s not the case.”

Hes was doing his role sufficiently well that there was no need to worry at all.

“So as soon as the conflict with the Kingdom of Stella is concluded, I will abdicate to Hes and step down from the Emperor’s throne.”

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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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