I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 27

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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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Chapter 2. Trash Doesn’t Change.

#27

Fillen said he didn’t want to discuss work with me, but if he didn’t send the documents by the end of the day, I was planning to visit him again.

I had no choice. Otherwise, preparations for the rainy season would be delayed and the domain residents would suffer.

I couldn’t let the domain residents suffer because of a personal quarrel between Fillen and me.

Fortunately, Fillen sent the documents to the domain late in the afternoon.

When the butler informed me of this fact, I finally felt relieved and at ease.

There was nothing else urgent besides that.

Of course, there was always a mountain of work to be done, but I decided not to worry about whether Fillen was handling it or fooling around with Sisly.

It seemed best to truly let go now.

Duchess duties were one thing, but now that Fillen had returned, I judged it would be better in many ways not to interfere with the Duke’s work anymore.

It was that evening when Fillen returned the study key to the butler.

The butler remembered that I had been looking for the study key and brought it to me right away.

Thanks to that, I was able to spend my leisure time reading books.

What I read were books like [Continental Welfare Trends] and [Seshtain’s Philosophy] – books that young ladies typically didn’t read.

Sara initially showed interest in the books I was reading, but after reading the first page, she was horrified.

“How can you read something so boring, Miss?”

“Boring? I find it interesting.”

“You find this interesting? That’s impossible!”

Sara let out a shriek and brought a thin book from somewhere.

“This is what you call an interesting book!”

The book cover had a meaningful title written on it: [Don’t Pluck the Red Rose].

What kind of book is this? Curious, I opened the book only to hastily close it after reading an embarrassing love scene.

I had only read a few sentences, but my face flushed hot. Sara looked at me and laughed loudly.

“You’re a grown adult, yet what are you being so embarrassed about, Miss?”

“No, well…”

I was so flustered that words wouldn’t come out properly. I hastily returned the book to Sara.

“I’m not interested in books like this, so take it back.”

“Oh come on, if you keep reading, you’ll change your mind.”

“No, no. I won’t read it. Take it away quickly.”

Sara clicked her tongue regretfully and took the book away.

I tried to calm my flushed face and opened the book I had been reading.

The thick book contained the philosophy of the famous philosopher Seshtain, written in an easy-to-understand manner.

They were all wise sayings that could serve as foundation for life.

I wanted to engrave them deeply in my mind, but I couldn’t because of that wicked book Sara had brought.

The sentences I had briefly read kept floating hazily in my mind.

[Sesi kissed the lips of her beloved lover. The hand that had been caressing her chest moved further down…]

Thud-

I slammed the book shut with a loud noise. Not seeing the words made the distracting thoughts in my head disappear.

I guess I’ll have to give up on reading books here.

Then what should I do? It was too early to sleep. It was only noon.

While pondering what to do, my eyes fell on the tea party invitations on the table.

After the banquet ended, the aristocrats sent me invitations every day.

Even though I had refused several times saying I didn’t want to go, they were persistent. Some even came to visit personally, begging me to come just once.

Even so, there was nothing they could gain from me.

Sighing deeply as I looked through the invitations, I paused when I found one with a blue violet crest drawn on it.

Blue violet. It was the crest of the Byzantium County.

Count Byzantium couldn’t possibly have invited me, which meant Sophia, that woman, had invited me.

Why would this woman invite me?

I stared at the invitation and thought carefully, but no matter how much I thought about it, only one thing came to mind.

‘She wants to get revenge for what happened at the banquet.’

There was no other reason this woman would invite me.

What a ridiculous thing to do, Sophia. I let out a slight laugh and tore the invitation in half.

Since I was at it, I was checking other invitations when Sara, who had gone out, entered the room with a slightly flushed face.

“Miss, have you heard the news?”

I answered while keeping my eyes fixed on the invitations.

“What news?”

“His Majesty the Emperor is recruiting new advisors!”

At those words, I suddenly recalled the conversation I had with Kalian before.

“Have you ever thought about becoming a government official?”

“If an opportunity to become a government official came to you, Princess, would you seize that opportunity?”

“Never forget that answer, Princess Leilah Tebesa.”

“Could it be because of me…”

“Pardon? What did you say, Miss?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I put down the invitation I was looking at and looked at Sara.

“So, has an announcement been posted about recruiting advisors?”

“Yes! And this time they wrote in big letters in the official document that they’re also recruiting women! Everyone’s going crazy over it!”

The Empire had never explicitly stated that women couldn’t take official examinations, but this was the first time it had been clearly specified like this.

…It really does seem like it’s because of me.

Even if it wasn’t because of me, it didn’t matter. What was important was that an opportunity for me to become a government official had arisen.

Moreover, I liked that it was through an examination rather than special recruitment.

If Kalian had chosen me through special recruitment, I would have hesitated to become a government official. There would have been a lot of talk from others too.

But an examination was different. If it meant competing fairly with others, I was all for it.

So let’s do it. I had made a promise with him, and it wouldn’t be polite to kick away an opportunity he had given me.

“Sara, please investigate that official document in detail for me.”

* * *

The examination date was about a month away.

The subjects were administration, tax law, politics, welfare, and three others – seven subjects in total.

I was a bit surprised that there were more subjects than expected, but I could understand it well enough.

The Emperor’s advisor was an important position that served the Emperor closely and was involved in politics as well as various administrative matters.

Someone capable had to fill that role. It wasn’t a position for just anyone.

Was it okay for me to challenge such a position?

I worried that instead of passing the exam, I might just end up being ridiculed.

But I had no intention of giving up.

“Sara, prepare for an outing.”

I headed to the largest bookstore in the capital with Sara.

Sara, who had been happy to hear about going out, made a sullen expression when she saw the bookstore.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just… I thought it was very much like you, Miss.”

Sara mumbled and then carefully asked me.

“You’re not just going to stop by the bookstore and then return to the manor, are you?”

“Why? Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“Oh, no. Not particularly, but since we’re already out, maybe we could sightsee around the capital…”

The way she rolled her eyes and fidgeted was adorable. If I had a younger sister, would it feel like this?

“Let’s also tour the capital on the way back.”

“Yes, yes!”

Only then did Sara smile brightly and nod her head vigorously.

Perhaps because the official notice about recruiting an aide had been issued, the bookstore was bustling with people.

“Miss, if you tell me what book you want, I’ll bring it to you.”

“No. I’ll choose it myself.”

I squeezed through the crowd and stood in front of the bookshelf displaying books related to politics.

As expected of the Capital Bookstore, there were countless books.

What should I read? I was about to take out the most eye-catching book when.

“If you’re going to study politics, it’s better to read this.”

Someone behind me pulled out a book right next to the one I had chosen.

“This one is better organized than that.”

It was a familiar voice. No way. I turned my head to look behind me.

Blue hair resembling the sea and handsome features.

“Your Maj…!”

“Shh.”

Kalian brought his index finger to my lips.

“That title is forbidden outside.”

Ah, I see. If I called him Your Majesty here, it would draw attention.

That was something I wouldn’t welcome either.

When I nodded to show I understood, he removed his hand and stepped back.

“I was passing by this area and saw you.”

Kalian smiled cheerfully and held out the book he had just pulled out.

[Introduction to Political Science by Coldron]. It was a familiar title.

“I appreciate the recommendation, but I’ve already read this book.”

“Really?”

Kalian tilted his head slightly and pulled out another book from the shelf.

“Have you read this one too?”

“Yes. I’ve read it.”

“Then this one too?”

I began to wonder if he had investigated what I’d read beforehand, as he only pulled out books I had read.

When I answered that I had read even the fifth book he pulled out, he asked me with a deliberately stern expression.

“Tell me about Coldron’s political ideology.”

“What did Plante say?”

“What about Anon?”

I was somewhat bewildered by the barrage of questions, but I answered faithfully with what I knew.

“Well, well.”

After finishing all his questions, Kalian let out a small laugh and ran his hand through his hair.

“I guess I can raise the difficulty of the exam a bit more.”

…Huh? What does he mean?

“From what I can see, you don’t need to study political science anymore. This level is sufficient.”

“But…”

“No need to worry. I guarantee it. You’ll pass the politics section without any problems.”

He spoke as if he knew I was going to take the administrative exam.

It was true, but I was somewhat bewildered that he took it so for granted.

Usually people don’t think that way.

Even if we had made a promise, for a woman to take the administrative exam…

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Ah.”

To be lost in other thoughts with the Emperor right in front of me.

“I’m, I’m sorry. Your Maj…”

Wait, he told me not to call him Your Majesty.

Fortunately, I realized this before making the mistake and closed my mouth.

If I can’t call him Your Majesty, what should I call him?

Should I call him by his name? That’s ridiculous. How dare I call the Emperor by his name.

In my head, I had called his name dozens of times, but that was possible because it was just a thought.

A thought that should never be spoken aloud.

It was the same principle as how I cursed Fillen countless times in my mind while being unable to do so outwardly.

Should I just call him Young Master then?

While I was looking for an appropriate title, perhaps noticing my dilemma, he said.

“You can call me Kal.”

I had been wondering what to call him, so there was no reason to refuse.

“Yes, Lord Kal.”

I accepted, but as if something didn’t please him, he frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong, …sir?”

Thinking that might be it, I trailed off the title ambiguously, and he chuckled.

“You’re removing the unnecessary parts.”

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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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