I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 63

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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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#63

“Today’s banquet is for the heroes who led the war to victory.”

“…!”

The solemn voice digging into cruel memories jolted me awake like a lightning strike.

Only then did I come to my senses and take a deep breath.

Feeling eyes on me, I looked to the side to see Baron Delrond watching me with concern.

He mouthed the words asking if I was okay.

I forced a smile and answered that I was fine, then clenched my hands that were damp with cold sweat.

Pull yourself together, Leilah.

I can’t let the past I don’t want to remember ruin what I need to do.

I took a deep breath and steeled my resolve.

“Duke Williot, Count Asdar, Sandra….”

Meanwhile, Kalian finished his speech and called out the names of the heroes who led the war to victory.

Those whose names were called came forward with their glasses to the front of the stairs.

Because of this, I got to see Fillen up close, and I bit my tongue nervously in a different way than when I saw Andante.

On the other hand, Fillen didn’t even glance at me, as if someone like me wasn’t worth his interest.

This fact made me deeply relieved while also making me anxious on the other hand.

It felt like looking at a dormant volcano about to erupt.

Eventually, Kalian, who had finished calling all the heroes’ names, raised high the glass he received from Rahel.

“For all the other stars who unfortunately died in battle, let us toast in their honor.”

“Cheers!”

All the nobles, including the heroes, emptied their respective glasses.

The banquet began with the emptying of glasses.

Kalian, who came down from the head table, danced first with Countess Cloud as before.

There was nothing for the advisor to do until the middle part. I could just enjoy the party.

…Could I really enjoy it though.

I glanced toward where Andante had been. Andante wasn’t there.

Thinking he might have gone somewhere else, I scanned the banquet hall widely, but he was still nowhere to be seen.

Had he left? That couldn’t be. The banquet had just started, so there was no way he would have left.

More than that, why was Andante Tebesa here in the first place.

Shouldn’t he be at the Academy by now?

Moreover, Tebesa County was fallen nobility and had done nothing during the war, so they weren’t in a position to participate in this banquet.

I understood that they hadn’t even received an invitation.

So how was Andante here?

If it had been Countess Tebesa or the Count, I would have accepted it, but Andante was different.

I was anxious. I had to find him before he did something.

“…!”

While I was anxiously searching for Andante, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

I turned around in shock.

Behind me was Baron Delrond, who looked even more startled than I was.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Baron Delrond raised both hands up to chest level.

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine.”

Being startled was purely because I was being foolish. Baron Delrond had done nothing wrong.

“What’s the matter?”

“The banquet hall feels a bit stuffy, so I was going to go out to the terrace.”

Baron Delrond pointed to the empty terrace with his thumb.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to come out together?”

“That sounds good.”

Getting away from people’s gazes was something I wanted too.

I readily followed Baron Delrond out to the terrace.

“It’s been a while since I wore a uniform, and it feels stuffy.”

As soon as Baron Delrond came out to the terrace, he frowned and unbuttoned the collar that was tightly choking his neck.

Seeing the Baron like this made me relax and laugh.

“Is it funny that I’m uncomfortable?”

“Of course not.”

“You’re not credible when you say that while laughing.”

Baron Delrond grumbled and glared at me.

While talking with Baron Delrond, the first song came to an end.

As if they had been waiting, countless princesses flocked around Kalian, but Kalian himself seemed uninterested.

How interesting. His reaction was quite different from all the men I’d seen so far.

“Don’t you dance?”

At the Baron’s question, I looked back at him.

“I can’t dance well, so I’m just going to rest.”

“But I saw you dance well before.”

Ah, he saw that.

“I can only dance the first waltz well. I’m completely hopeless at other songs. Besides, I can’t dance wearing this outfit.”

When I pointed to my uniform, he nodded in understanding.

“True, it would be a bit awkward for you to dance wearing a men’s uniform when you’re a woman. But it’s ironic how well the uniform suits you.”

“Does it suit me well?”

“Very much.”

That’s a relief. I was worried it wouldn’t suit me.

“Still, I feel a bit awkward. I don’t even know how to greet people.”

“Can’t you just greet them the way male nobles do?”

“Is that okay?”

“I don’t know either, that’s why I’m asking.”

A moment of silence flowed.

The Baron and I looked at each other, then suddenly burst into laughter.

How long had it been since I laughed like this. It felt like it had been a really long time.

I didn’t know why I was laughing though.

“Oh my.”

Baron Delrond, who had been laughing for a while, realized his champagne glass was empty and clicked his tongue briefly.

“I should go get some champagne. Are you going to stay here?”

“Yes.”

The banquet hall inside was stuffy, and if I went in, I might run into Andante or Fillen.

“Then I’ll just get some champagne and come back. Please wait just a moment.”

“Take care.”

After sending the Baron off, I looked out at the wide garden. My stuffy feelings seemed to clear up a bit. I liked the quiet stillness too.

I was looking at the wide garden, hoping the banquet would end without incident like this quiet stillness, when I felt someone entering.

“You’re back already….”

I naturally thought it would be Baron Delrond, but unexpectedly, it was Fillen.

As soon as I saw Fillen, I stepped backward wanting to run away, but since there was a railing right behind me, I couldn’t escape far.

When I tried to flee to the banquet hall, Fillen was blocking the entrance like an iron fortress, and when I thought to call for help from others, there was no one around except Fillen.

Baron Delrond, who said he would return, was nowhere to be heard from.

Then I had no choice but to break through head-on.

“Move aside.”

I snapped sharply, but Fillen didn’t even blink. Instead, he came closer toward me.

I pressed my back against the railing as much as possible and stayed on guard against Fillen.

“I told you to move aside.”

“Let’s talk.”

“I have nothing to talk about with you.”

“I do.”

Fillen grabbed my arm. He gripped it so hard that a groan escaped me involuntarily.

Instead of letting out a groan, I glared at him fiercely.

“Let go.”

“If you won’t run away.”

“As I said before, I have nothing to talk about with you.”

“Even if it’s about the Williot Estate?”

…Something about the Williot Estate?

My resolve to never have a conversation with Fillen wavered.

Maybe I should just hear what it’s about.

If there’s a problem with the landfolk, I should help them…

This wasn’t for Fillen’s sake. It was for the landfolk, and furthermore, for the Empire.

“…What is it?”

When I indicated my willingness to listen, Fillen finally let go of my arm.

The arm he had grabbed throbbed. I wrapped my other hand around that spot and glared at him.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

“Since when did you become His Majesty’s mistress?”

What kind of nonsense is this now.

Fillen had spouted countless nonsense before, but this was definitely the best yet.

When I remained silent in disbelief, Fillen’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“Seeing that you can’t deny it, you really did become the Emperor’s mistress.”

“Don’t you think I can’t deny it because it’s too absurd?”

“So you’re saying it’s just a false rumor?”

“Of course it’s a false rumor. Why would I become His Majesty the Emperor’s mistress?”

I answered firmly that it absolutely wasn’t true, but Fillen didn’t clear the suspicion from his eyes.

Think whatever you want.

Having no intention of making lengthy excuses, I waved my hand dismissively.

“So, what’s this about the Williot Estate?”

“Sisly is about to give birth.”

“I asked you to tell me about the Williot Estate’s affairs.”

“This is also estate business.”

“How is this estate business?”

“Of course it’s related. The lord’s child is being born.”

It was pure stubbornness.

“So you want me to congratulate you?”

“Could you do that if I wanted it?”

“Of course.”

If I were still his fiancée, I couldn’t have, but now we were complete strangers. There was no reason I couldn’t.

“Congratulations.”

Though I gladly congratulated him, Fillen frowned deeply and sighed.

“You think Sisly giving birth is completely someone else’s business.”

“Because it is someone else’s business.”

When I honestly said what I thought, the wrinkles between his brows deepened.

“How is this someone else’s business?”

“I’d rather ask you. Why do you think it’s connected to me?”

“Because you’re my fiancée.”

Fiancée. It was so absurd that I couldn’t even manage a hollow laugh.

“Did you forget what I said before leaving the manor? I said let’s break off the engagement.”

“I know you said that in anger. You were angry because I told you to leave.”

“You seem to be seriously mistaken, but what I said that day was sincere. I’m going to break off our engagement. No, we’ve already broken it off.”

When I emphasized the word breakup, deep wrinkles formed on Fillen’s face.

“Why? Is it because you became the Emperor’s mistress?”

Why does his mind only work in that direction.

“I said no.”

“Then come back. If you want to do advisor work so badly, I’ll let you do it.”

His manner of speaking as if he were being generous was laughable.

“I’ve said this many times, but I’m not going back. I have no intention of returning at all.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m not lying.”

“That’s also a lie.”

Ah, really.

Rage welled up from deep in my chest. Talking to a wall would probably be less frustrating than this.

“Fine. I’ll make it so you can believe it for certain. In the way you did it.”

I grabbed Fillen’s arm and headed toward the center of the banquet hall.

People’s gazes focused on my sudden move.

Fillen also looked at me in confusion.

“What are you doing now…”

“Your Grace Duke Williot, I will say this once more.”

I cleanly ignored Fillen’s words and spoke.

“I, Leilah Tebesa, wish to break off my engagement with His Grace Duke Fillen Williot.”

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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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