I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 256

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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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#7

“I think I… did my best. No, I did do my best.”

It had been a full 10 years. The years she had spent engaged to Fillen, entering the Williot Duchy, and working devotedly for the ducal family and the domain.

Though she had fled, unable to overcome Fillen’s tyranny, until then she had done her best to keep her promise to the previous Duke and Duchess Williot.

“Then that’s enough.”

Kalian embraced Leilah from behind and kissed her wet hair.

“If that person thought so, then you’ve repaid the debt sufficiently. You don’t need to feel guilty anymore.”

“I didn’t repay the debt. I ran away in the middle.”

“That person didn’t run away because she wanted to, did she?”

“That’s… true.”

If Fillen hadn’t brought Sisly.

No, even if he had brought that woman, if he had given her faith and confidence, she wouldn’t have run away.

Then there would have been no need to break her promise to the previous Duke and Duchess, and Fillen wouldn’t have made such an absurd choice either.

…And I wouldn’t have met Kalian either.

Suddenly having that thought, Leilah looked up at Kalian.

His deep blue eyes, like they contained the depths of the ocean, were captivating.

The straight nose bridge and thin red lips visible below were also beautiful, and the voice that flowed from those lips always pleased her ears and comforted her heart.

But to think she might not have met this man? The mere thought was horrifying.

“…That person.”

Leilah gently leaned her cheek against Kalian’s hand that was softly holding her shoulder.

“She was very concerned about not being able to repay her debt to that couple, but she never regretted running away or thought she was unhappy.”

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t difficult, but she truly had never regretted it or thought she was unhappy.

She had met many good people including Kalian, Ber, and Diane, found true love, and built a harmonious family with that person – how could she think such thoughts?

“I was very happy.”

So happy that she had completely forgotten about that matter until Wizard Baron came looking for her.

That’s why Leilah felt even more sorry toward the previous Duke and Duchess Williot.

If the 17th Domain, the former Williot Domain, had been running properly, she would have felt less guilty, but since that wasn’t the case, her heart felt even heavier.

At Leilah’s honest answer, Kalian’s slightly stiff lips softened.

Kalian wanted to say that he too was very happy to have met Leilah.

But doing so would reveal that he had noticed, so he couldn’t, and instead kissed Leilah’s face countless times.

Kalian’s lips gradually moved downward following the water droplets.

They passed her flushed cheeks and settled on her redder, fuller lips.

He wanted to greedily explore her lips, but the conditions weren’t right for that.

The bathwater had cooled, and Leilah wouldn’t be in the mood for it, so Kalian forcibly suppressed his rising desire and stood up.

Then he went to get a large body towel from the storage cabinet.

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay in the cold water any longer, so come out now.”

Leilah’s cheeks became even redder.

“You seem embarrassed?”

“A little…”

“I’ve already seen everything there is to see, so what’s so embarrassing?”

“Wouldn’t you be embarrassed to be naked in front of me?”

“Not at all.”

“Liar.”

“Should I show you?”

When Kalian actually placed his hands on his waistband as if he would really undress, Leilah gasped and covered her eyes with both hands.

“D-don’t do that!”

“Why? You said you wanted to see.”

“When did I ever! I never said that!”

“Too bad.”

Too bad indeed. Leilah pouted and spread her fingers to check on Kalian through the gaps.

Seeing this, Kalian asked with a mischievous smile.

“Why are you peeking through your fingers? Did you really want to see?”

“No! I was just checking to see if you really undressed!”

“They say strong denial is strong affirmation.”

“It really isn’t!”

* * *

The atmosphere that had become gloomily subdued while discussing the 17th Domain’s affairs became lively again thanks to Kalian’s teasing.

Accordingly, Leilah’s mood, which had been purely melancholy, improved considerably.

Leilah thought she had done well to consult with Kalian and stole glances at him reflected in the vanity mirror.

He was sitting on the sofa, watching Leo.

Originally, Kalian had tried to dry Leilah’s wet hair, but Sara had firmly stopped him, saying that was a maid’s job.

It was also because Leo, who had just woken up, was looking for Kalian.

Leilah gazed quietly at Kalian, who was focused on putting Leo to sleep, then remembered the conversation they hadn’t finished in the bathroom and asked.

“Earlier you said you knew what that person should do.”

“I did.”

“Please tell me. What should that person do?”

Though she asked him to tell her, Kalian didn’t say anything and just stared intently at Leilah.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

“There’s always something on it.”

“What? What is it?”

But there’s nothing on it?

When Leilah tilted her head in confusion after checking her face in the mirror, Kalian smiled and said.

“Loveliness?”

“…”

“Prettiness? Cuteness?”

At the slightly excessive teasing, the bedroom froze as cold as if a blizzard had swept through.

Not only Leilah but also Sara, who had been drying Leilah’s hair, froze in place.

“…”

The same went for Leo, who had been fussing and whimpering.

Seeing Leo’s clearly changed expression, Kalian chuckled and lightly poked Leo’s chubby cheek.

“You don’t even understand, so why do you look like that?”

“…”

“It’s a joke, so smile.”

“Why are you doing that to the baby?”

Leilah strode over and took Leo away. Leo, now in Leilah’s arms, let out a big breath as if relieved.

“Oh my, the little one is even sighing.”

“He was just breathing. What would a baby who’s not even a year old know? Why do you keep doing that?”

“Aboo aboo.”

As if agreeing with Leilah’s words, Leo wiggled his hands and babbled, making Kalian’s eyes narrow like a flounder’s.

“He seems to understand.”

“That can’t be. And stop avoiding answering with weird jokes and tell me properly. What should that person do?”

“Well. It seems like an answer to that question is no longer necessary.”

“What does that mean?”

“Exactly what I said. That person already knows the answer. So there’s no need to ask me for answers anymore.”

That person already knows the answer?

Still not understanding, Leilah asked for a simpler explanation, but Kalian only smiled and didn’t give a clear answer.

* * *

After Leilah left for work, Kalian for some reason entrusted Leo to the wet nurse and left the manor.

The place he headed to was the Imperial Palace. Kalian used his water manipulation ability to secretly enter the palace through the waterway instead of the main gate.

The skill he had developed during his days as emperor, entering and leaving the palace secretly without telling anyone, was displayed flawlessly even now.

Kalian, who arrived smoothly at his destination without encountering anyone, opened the door wide without even knocking.

“Who…!”

Ber, who was sitting at his desk working, was about to scold the rude intruder who entered without knocking, but stopped short when he saw Kalian.

The other attendants were the same. Their common thought was visible in their rolling eyes.

Why is the Former Emperor here instead of at the Aster Estate?

Kalian strode in as if it were his own house and sat down on the sofa.

Ber, who had been standing awkwardly, quickly approached Kalian and asked.

“What brings you here? Does His Majesty know that you’ve come?”

“Probably not. I came secretly without telling anyone.”

“You came secretly… Don’t tell me you came through the waterway again?”

When Kalian nodded, Ber squeezed his eyes shut and grabbed his throbbing head.

The other attendants, who didn’t know about Kalian’s ability, looked at each other in bewilderment.

“So what business brings you here? Since you came here, it seems you have something to discuss with me.”

“Correct.”

Correct my ass. Ber let out a silent scream and rubbed his face vigorously.

He had just sent the youngest guard on an errand to the outer palace, but he should have gone himself instead of sending the youngest.

Then he wouldn’t have had to encounter Kalian!

“As you know, I’m really busy, so I’d appreciate it if you could briefly tell me what this is about and then leave.”

“Your attitude has become quite insolent since we last met.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“Your sarcasm has increased too.”

Kalian chuckled and looked at the attendants who were watching them with very curious eyes.

Having served Kalian closely for a long time, Ber immediately understood what Kalian wanted and gestured to the attendants.

“Go outside for a bit to clear your heads. About 30 minutes should do.”

“Yes, Baron.”

The attendants left and the door closed. Kalian moved his head left and right as if doing neck exercises, then spoke.

“Have you met Leilah recently?”

“Yes. I met her just yesterday in the document storage room of the outer palace.”

“Did you have any special conversation with her?”

“Not particularly. She was just wondering what kind of domain would be good to receive from His Majesty, so I gave her a little help.”

“Did you perhaps tell her that the 17th Domain would be good? Or about the situation of the 17th Domain?”

Ber frowned deeply.

“I’m not that tactless.”

“I know.”

Kalian crossed his arms and leaned back against the backrest.

“Leilah suddenly brought up something strange, so I thought I’d ask just in case.”

“Something strange? What happened?”

“She’s considering whether or not to choose the 17th Domain.”

“That’s ridiculous…!”

As Ber gasped and opened his mouth wide, Kalian shrugged.

“It’s not unreasonable. She thinks she owes a debt of gratitude to the Dowager Duke and Duchess Williot.”

“There are different kinds of gratitude.”

Ber clicked his tongue in disgust.

“That couple knew from the beginning that their son wasn’t cut out to be a duke, yet in order to pass on the ducal title to him, they simply chose the Count as an obedient puppet who would act as their son’s shadow and substitute for his role behind the scenes.”

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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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