I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 260

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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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#2

Even though it was late, the port bustling with people was as bright as broad daylight.

Large and magnificent ships were docked at the harbor, with the vast sea stretching out behind them.

This was the second time in my life seeing the sea.

The first time was when I went to Hutton as part of a diplomatic mission.

That’s when I met Diane.

My encounter with Diane was intense from the very beginning.

Unlike me, who always watched others’ reactions and couldn’t properly say what I wanted to say, Diane was bold and overflowing with confidence.

That didn’t mean she was rude or anything like that.

Sometimes she did act rudely, but that was only when the other party was in the wrong.

For example, Baron Hutton.

Suddenly remembering the terrible incident with Baron Hutton made my head throb.

When I pressed my hand to my head, Sara, who had followed me, asked worriedly.

“Are you alright, Count?”

“I’m fine.”

“Your complexion looks a bit pale. I think it’s because you’ve been exposed to the cold wind for too long. Would you like to go into the inn and rest for a moment?”

“No. A ship from the Kingdom of Natsha should arrive soon, so I’ll wait here.”

I wanted to welcome Diane right away when she got off the ship.

“Then I’ll go buy some hot coffee. That should warm you up a bit.”

“Then go get some for yourself, Count Roy, and Count Malmon too.”

Count Roy and Count Malmon were the guards who had followed me.

Everyone was suffering in the cold at this late hour because of me, unable to rest, so it would weigh on my conscience to drink something warm alone.

That’s why I made the request, and not only Sara but also the guards looked at me with deeply moved eyes.

That gaze was a bit burdensome, so I smiled awkwardly and looked back at the sea.

Looking at the wide, blue sea made me feel like my mind was clearing.

“Here’s the coffee, Count.”

“Thank you.”

While I was drinking the coffee Sara had bought and looking at the sea, a large ship happened to enter the harbor.

The crest drawn on the ship’s sail belonged to the Kingdom of Natsha.

In other words, it meant Diane was on that ship.

My heart pounded at the thought of seeing Diane soon.

While suppressing my excited feelings and watching the people getting off the ship, I saw a familiar face.

“Diane!”

I was so happy that I forgot there were many people around and raised my hand high while shouting.

Then everyone turned to look at me at once.

“Leilah!”

Diane was among them. The pouring gazes were embarrassing, but I was satisfied since Diane could easily find me because of it.

Diane ran to me in a few strides. Behind her, I could see the servants Diane had brought with her.

The servants were each carrying Diane’s luggage.

I should load that luggage into the carriage first.

“Sara.”

“Understood, Count.”

I had only called her name, but Sara, who perceptively understood what I wanted, guided the servants Diane had brought to the carriage.

“It’s been a while, Leilah. Oh, should I call you Count now?”

“It’s fine. You can call me by my name comfortably.”

“Then I won’t be modest about it.”

Diane grinned and looked around widely.

“What’s wrong? Are you looking for someone?”

“Oh, I was just surprised that Leilah came alone. I thought His Majesty would come with you.”

The His Majesty Diane was referring to was Kalian.

“His Majesty wanted to come with me too, but it was too far, so I had no choice but to come alone.”

“Ah, it takes about half a day from here to the capital, right?”

“Yes. It’s a day’s round trip, and since carriage travel is dangerous at night, I plan to stay here one night before going. That’s why I had no choice but to come alone. I couldn’t leave young Leo alone at the manor for two days.”

“Alone? There’s the wet nurse and servants too.”

“Still, parents should be by their child’s side. Leo also prefers His Majesty’s touch over the wet nurse’s.”

Diane’s eyes widened.

“Does that mean His Majesty personally takes care of the child? Not leaving it to the wet nurse?”

“Yes. Feeding baby food, bathing, putting him to sleep – His Majesty does everything himself.”

“My goodness!”

Diane couldn’t contain her shock and opened her mouth wide.

“Is it that surprising?”

“Of course! To think that His Majesty, the Former Emperor no less, personally takes care of a child! It’s not a common thing.”

“That’s true.”

Usually nobles and royalty completely left childcare to wet nurses.

“Besides, from what I hear, it seems like Leilah handles outside affairs while His Majesty takes care of the count’s household matters, and that’s not common either. It’s usually the opposite.”

This was also true. Even the administrators currently working in the Outer Palace were mostly men.

Though women were rarely seen, they were all unmarried.

“I’m envious, Leilah. I want to meet a man who supports me well like His Majesty does.”

“You can meet one.”

“If only it were that easy.”

Diane crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh.

“Father keeps nagging me to go on blind dates, so I’ve been on a few, but they all ask the same thing.”

“What do they ask?”

“Whether I’ll quit my job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and devote myself to the family after marriage.”

“Oh dear.”

They said something Diane hates to hear.

I finally understood why Diane had complained so much in her letters.

“I mean, it’s not like there’s a law stating that women must handle household affairs and men must handle outside work, so I don’t understand why everyone thinks that way.”

“It can’t be helped. That’s what’s normal.”

“Just because that’s normal doesn’t mean they should try to fit me into that mold too. They are them, and I am me.”

“You’re right, Diane.”

I agreed with her words and took her hand.

Perhaps because we had been talking continuously while facing the harsh winter sea breeze, her hand was cold as ice. Her cheeks were also slightly red.

“Let’s continue our conversation at the inn. We’ll catch cold at this rate.”

“Wait a moment.”

Diane urgently looked around again. Her rapidly moving eyes were desperately searching for something.

Could it be?

“Are you perhaps looking for Count Delonde?”

“What? No! Why would I be looking for that man! What kind of relationship do I have with that man, haha.”

Since ancient times, strong denial has meant strong affirmation.

Moreover, seeing her staccato-like broken speech and trembling eyes, the person she was looking for was definitely Count Delonde.

“I see.”

It seemed obvious no matter how I looked at it, but since Diane vehemently denied it, I didn’t ask further and pulled her along.

“Let’s go to the carriage first and continue our conversation.”

As Diane followed where I led her to the carriage, she kept watching my reactions.

She looked like a child who had done something wrong and was anxious about being caught by their mother, which was amusing.

Still, I didn’t tease her or anything, but perhaps feeling guilty on her own, as soon as Diane got into the carriage, she let out a deep sigh and said.

“Since Leilah already knows my feelings anyway, I’ll just say it. You’re right. The person I was looking for was Count Delonde. He sent a letter saying he would arrive today, so I was looking to see if he had come.”

“I see.”

When I answered calmly, Diane tilted her head curiously.

“You’re not very surprised? Is it because you already knew I liked Count Delonde?”

“That’s part of it… I already knew you two were exchanging letters.”

Once again, Diane’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes. To be honest, Count Delonde got caught by me first. A month ago.”

“Oh, what the heck.”

Only then did Diane seem relieved as she relaxed her slightly tense expression.

“He kept begging me to keep it secret from everyone around us, so I was worried, but he got caught first. And yet he didn’t even tell me about it, how annoying.”

“He asked me to keep it secret too. Especially from His Majesty.”

“Oh, I heard about that too. He emphasized several times that His Majesty must never find out because he would definitely tease him about it.”

“Really? Oh, cover yourself with this, Diane.”

I handed Diane the blanket, then knocked on the window.

Soon the carriage began moving with the sound of horses trotting.

Sara and the other servants Diane had brought were scheduled to come to the inn in a separately prepared carriage.

“How long are you planning to stay in the Empire?”

“About a month. I’d like to stay longer, but Father said that wouldn’t be allowed.”

“A month is already a long stay. So you’ll be watching the New Year festival again this time?”

“Yes. Actually, because of that, His Majesty the King told me to become Natsha Kingdom’s representative and attend the Empire’s New Year festival.”

Diane grumbled.

“Really, trying to make me work even during vacation. That’s too much.”

“It’s because he trusts you that much that he’s entrusting it to you.”

“Well, I am quite trustworthy.”

Diane laughed playfully as she adjusted the blanket that had slipped down her thigh.

“By the way, when are we going to the hot springs? I came here really looking forward to it.”

“Actually, I’ve already booked a hot spring inn for next week. I can only stay two days because of my schedule, but you can stay longer if you want, Diane.”

“Hmm, I’ll decide after experiencing it. And if you’re too busy, I can go to the hot springs by myself.”

“No way. Diane came all this way to see me, so of course I should take you there.”

“I’d really like that, but I feel bad about taking up Leilah’s time.”

“It’s fine. Thanks to His Majesty’s help, I finished most of the urgent work before coming.”

If Kalian hadn’t helped me, I probably would have been half-asleep from lack of sleep and unable to have a proper conversation with Diane.

When I return, I must hug him tight and thank him for his help.

I was already missing Kalian. My lovely son Leo too.

“It seems like you love His Majesty very much, Leilah.”

At the sudden question with unclear intent, I looked at her silently, and Diane smiled warmly.

“Your complexion has improved compared to before. Your expression has brightened too.”

“Has it?”

“Yes. Before, even when you were smiling, sadness would show through your expression, but now it’s not like that at all. It’s proof that you’re that happy.”

Hearing this for the first time felt a bit embarrassing, so I awkwardly touched my cheek.

“Actually, I was thinking I’d have to scold His Majesty severely if he made you suffer.”

Diane suddenly moved to sit next to me, took my hand firmly, and spoke affectionately.

“But I don’t have to do that, and I’m really glad you’re happy, Leilah.”

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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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