I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 265

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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

The next day, early morning.

“Countess. Countess Cloud has urgently sent you a letter.”

Upon hearing the unexpected news while having breakfast, I immediately opened the letter envelope that was delivered to me.

Sending a letter urgently at such an early hour meant it was something important.

I just hoped no problems had erupted.

With a heart full of worry, I quickly read the letter.

“What did Esramel send?”

Kalian, who was feeding Leo baby food beside me, asked. Seeing his expression wasn’t very good, he seemed worried about Esramel too.

“She caught a severe cold and flu, so she won’t be able to prepare for the New Year festival for a while. So she’s sorry, but she’s asking me to take over her work for just a few days.”

“Refuse.”

Kalian said without a moment’s hesitation.

“How can I do that? The Duchess personally sent me a letter asking for help.”

“The Former Emperor’s words take priority over the Imperial Princess’s request.”

Usually he tells me not to treat him like the Former Emperor, but only at times like this does he emphasize being the Former Emperor.

I sighed slightly at Kalian’s childish behavior, but it wasn’t that I didn’t understand his feelings.

Even with just the existing work, there was more than enough, and if I took on New Year festival preparations too, I’d be frantically busy.

I might have to work overtime continuously until the Duchess recovered.

Kalian was telling me not to do it because he disliked that.

I too didn’t want to do things he disliked, and with Diane here, I wanted to avoid working overtime if possible, but I had no choice.

Excluding Countess Cloud, I was the only woman belonging to the Imperial Court.

If I didn’t do it, there was no one else to take over the New Year festival preparations.

With the New Year festival not far away, it was nonsensical to just sit idle waiting for the Duchess to recover.

“I’ll do it.”

Kalian sighed.

“It would be useless to stop you anyway.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be sorry, it should be Esramel for not taking better care of her health.”

I knew better than anyone that even though Kalian grumbled outwardly, he was deeply worried about the Duchess inside.

“I’ll have to tell Diane that I can’t go see the circus with her tonight.”

The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

“It’s because of work, so it can’t be helped.”

I was worried about how to comfort Diane if she was disappointed, but surprisingly, she was calm.

“I’m sorry, Diane.”

“No, you don’t need to be sorry. Actually, I was going to ask if we could see it next time instead of today.”

“Is something wrong?”

Could it be because things weren’t going well with Baron Delonde?

I asked carefully out of concern. Then Diane glanced around and whispered.

“Actually… I’m supposed to meet Baron Delonde today.”

She’s supposed to meet Baron Delonde?

It looked like they were going on a date, so fortunately things seemed to be going well.

But then why was she depressed yesterday?

“Really?”

When I asked again in disbelief, she nodded awkwardly with a smile.

“Well, rather than making an appointment, I unilaterally sent Baron Delonde a threatening letter telling him to come out.”

A threatening letter? When I looked at her in surprise, Diane smiled awkwardly and scratched her cheek.

“Baron Delonde kept avoiding me, so I had no choice. If he saw the letter, he’ll definitely come to the meeting place. I wrote it so he’d have no choice.”

“What did you write?”

“Um, I can’t tell you the details, but I did write that I’d wait until he came out.”

“What if Baron Delonde doesn’t come out?”

“I told you. I wrote it so he’d have no choice. He’ll definitely come out.”

It was tremendous confidence. I was very curious about what she could have written to be so confident.

“But Leilah.”

Diane spoke while fidgeting, unlike her usual self.

“I know it’s shameless, but… could I ask you for a few favors?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Could you give me those circus tickets? I went to buy some separately yesterday, but they were sold out.”

“Sure.”

They were tickets I’d have to throw away if I didn’t use them today anyway.

“Thank you, Leilah. And um, could I borrow some of your clothes?”

“My clothes?”

“Yes. I want to show Baron Delonde my pretty side, but… among the clothes I have, the only pretty and feminine clothes are dresses suitable for the New Year festival.”

True to her lively personality, Diane preferred pants or active clothing over dresses.

Even the clothes she was wearing now were pants and a vest, not a dress.

“Getting new ones made would take too long, and I don’t see any particularly pretty ready-made clothes… could I borrow some of your clothes?”

“Of course you can.”

I completely understood wanting to look pretty for someone you love.

“I’ll lend you not just dresses, but accessories and shoes too.”

“Really? Thank you, Leilah!”

Seeing Diane smile brightly with joy made me feel good too, but also worried on one hand.

Because Diane’s feelings for Baron Delonde seemed deeper than I had thought.

Should I have stopped her from the beginning after all?

No. Given Diane’s personality, that would have made her burn even more passionately.

With her personality of sending threatening letters when Baron Delonde wouldn’t meet her, it was certain.

If Diane and Baron Delonde meet today, their relationship will definitely be settled one way or another.

“Good luck, Diane.”

Hoping that Diane wouldn’t lose her smile even if the results were bad, I held her hand tightly.

* * *

A disaster occurred when the accountant manager made an error in the numerical notation of documents, requiring all related documents to be rewritten.

And it wasn’t just rewriting. We had to get new reviews from each department too.

Of all times for this to happen, when I had a lot to do taking over the Duchess’s work as well.

I couldn’t help but sigh, but even that time was precious now.

“We need to report to His Majesty by tomorrow morning, so let’s rewrite them immediately.”

“Yes, Countess.”

The attendants and administrators, each assigned their tasks, moved quickly.

The face of the accountant manager who caused the problem was pale. He bowed deeply and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Countess.”

“It’s fine. And if you have time to apologize, hurry and go rewrite the documents. Don’t make mistakes this time.”

“Yes. I’ll be very careful this time.”

While handling existing work in parallel, I reviewed the documents that the administrators and attendants rewrote.

At the same time, I didn’t forget to check intermittently whether the New Year festival preparations were going well.

I confirmed the list of foreign dignitaries attending and organized the palaces where they would stay.

I also had to do interim checks on whether the orchestra and other event preparations were going well… I’d have to do that at night.

That would mean the Royal Department and Palace Department administrators would have to work overtime, but I had no choice since I simply didn’t have time now.

As I was handling work in order like this, a loud rumbling crash was heard.

“…!”

It was thunder. It wasn’t that I was scared of thunder like before, but hearing it suddenly made my heart skip a beat.

I was startled and looked toward the window when an aide who was helping organize documents asked with a smile.

“Are you afraid of thunder, Count?”

“No. I used to be terribly afraid of it because of trauma, but I’m fine now.”

Another aide expressed admiration.

“Oh, overcoming trauma is very difficult. That’s amazing. How did you overcome it?”

“Hmm, well. The power of love?”

“Ugh.”

My answer was met with jeers. They didn’t believe me, saying things like don’t joke around.

It was a bit awkward that they wouldn’t believe me even when I told the truth, but it wasn’t bad since it brought smiles to the faces of the aides who were tired from hard work.

I rubbed my neck, which was a bit stiff from bending over continuously, and looked out the window.

Heavy rain was pouring down as if it would soak the entire world. The sky was dark and gloomy, filled with black clouds.

Looking at the pouring rain, I had an ominous feeling that something bad was going to happen.

For instance, Diane returning after being deeply hurt by Baron Delonde.

The possibility was quite high, making me even more anxious.

If Diane comes back hurt, I’ll have to comfort her.

“Come on, let’s work hard and finish quickly.”

For that, I needed to get off work first, so I put more effort into my tasks.

* * *

There were quite a few new documents to write, so I was worried whether we could finish everything today, but thanks to the hard work of the aides and administrators, we finished earlier than expected.

“Everyone worked hard. You can go home now.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Count.”

“See you tomorrow!”

Bright smiles bloomed on the faces of the tired aides.

The aides’ work for today was finished, but my work wasn’t over yet. I had to do a mid-term check on the New Year festival.

After organizing the documents, I left the study.

Even though it was late at night, the rain was still pouring heavily.

I wonder if Diane is having a good conversation with Baron Delonde.

She said they would have dinner together before going to see the circus, so they’re probably having dinner and talking right now.

…Or maybe they had a falling out and parted ways before even going to dinner.

“Count Aster?”

I was trudging toward the Imperial Household Department while thinking about Diane and Baron Delonde when someone called me.

When I turned in that direction, I saw the Emperor approaching with court officials in tow.

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

“What brings Count Aster here at this hour?”

“I came because of New Year festival preparations.”

“Ah, right. I heard that my sister is sick, so she temporarily entrusted the New Year festival preparations to you, Count.”

The Emperor said with a quiet sigh.

“You’re going through a lot of trouble because of my sister, Count. Let me apologize on her behalf.”

“It’s fine.”

“I’m grateful if you think that way.”

The Emperor smiled broadly.

“If it’s New Year festival preparations, you’re going to the Imperial Household Department, right? I was also heading to the Imperial Household Department, so let’s go together.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When I stood beside the Emperor, one of the attendants following him extended his hand.

“I’ll carry that for you, Count.”

“Thank you.”

When I handed the documents I was carrying to the attendant, the Emperor smiled.

“You’ve changed a lot, Count.”

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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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