I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 69

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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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#69

Once Leilah made her decision, Kalian drafted a new diplomatic envoy list and sent it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Naturally, Leilah’s name was added to the diplomatic envoy list.

The position written next to Leilah’s name was not the Emperor’s assistant, but the Emperor’s representative.

When a nobleman who found this strange asked Kalian why he did this, Kalian smiled brightly and answered.

“I’m giving Count Tebesa the opportunity to freely demonstrate her abilities. That way, she’ll be able to show all her capabilities without any restrictions.”

Did he really give such a weighty position as the Emperor’s representative to someone who had just become an assistant for such a trivial reason?

The nobles all clicked their tongues, saying Kalian had lost his mind.

Some even pointed fingers, saying he was blinded by love.

That afternoon, Duke Giltian, who came to see Kalian, suddenly said.

“I’ll consider it an exception just this once.”

Kalian, who was reading the report Duke Giltian brought, looked at him.

“So if you’re causing this commotion because you want to keep that woman by your side, just make her your Imperial Consort.”

“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”

Kalian placed his clasped hands on his knees.

“I have no intention of making her my Imperial Consort. I simply want to keep a capable person as my assistant.”

“From what I can see, that’s not the only reason.”

“That’s the only reason.”

Kalian firmly dismissed it.

Duke Giltian stared at him intently, then soon bowed his head.

“If that is Your Majesty’s will, then do as you wish. Then I shall take my leave.”

“Are you going to the Separate Palace?”

“Yes.”

Duke Giltian raised his head again and smiled kindly.

“She’s waiting for me, so I must go.”

* * *

While everyone was busy preparing for the diplomatic envoy that would depart in two days.

Leilah applied for a day off, and Kalian readily accepted.

Before leaving work, Leilah handed over all of today’s tasks to Ber.

Among them was also a report about childcare institutions.

Ber delivered it directly to Kalian.

“She’s already completed this?”

He had estimated it would take at least a month, but she finished it this quickly. It was surprising.

Curious about what content she had written, Kalian put down the documents he was reading and read the report.

The reason some parts of the report looked familiar was probably because she had referenced materials he had investigated before.

Somehow feeling proud of this fact, Kalian smiled faintly.

“Why did Count Tebesa suddenly apply for leave?”

Ber asked as if suddenly curious.

Kalian answered indifferently while keeping his gaze fixed on the proposal.

“She must have something to do. Or maybe she wants to rest for a day since she’s been working so hard.”

“Well, she has been working hard.”

She had given up weekends and worked overtime like it was a daily meal.

So he fully understood her desire to rest for a day, but why today of all days?

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

“Other people are mocking and pointing fingers at Count Tebesa, calling her a hopeless woman.”

She had suddenly joined the diplomatic envoy without notice, and instead of preparing, she took leave, so it wasn’t unreasonable for people to think that way.

Even Ber was flustered when he heard Leilah had applied for leave.

“Is it really okay to send Count Tebesa to this diplomatic meeting?”

Ber said with a deliberately worried expression.

“I’d rather go myself…”

“It’s already been decided. There’s no going back.”

Kalian firmly dismissed it.

He seemed completely unconcerned about Leilah going as part of the diplomatic envoy.

Ber couldn’t understand what Kalian was trusting to be so carefree.

While Leilah was good at her work, that was only limited to assistant duties.

Her diplomatic abilities or eloquence hadn’t been verified.

No, wait. He might have already verified them.

Thinking that way, Kalian’s confidence made sense.

Just as he was about to ask about this, someone suddenly entered without knocking.

The person who opened the door and entered was Hilltain.

As always, Hilltain only greeted Ber with a nod, then approached the desk where Kalian was sitting.

“It’s open.”

Though there was no subject or object, Kalian stood up as if he understood what was meant.

“Where?”

“The usual place where it always opens.”

“I see.”

The conversation they exchanged was simple, but Ber, who noticed that he was trying to leave the Imperial Palace, gasped and blocked his path.

“You cannot.”

Kalian frowned.

“Blocking the Emperor’s path. How rude.”

“I’d rather be rude than work overtime again today. I’d be even more grateful if you’d fire me while you’re at it.”

Kalian chuckled.

“That would make things difficult for me, so that won’t do.”

How could he say such things so shamelessly?

Ber slightly frowned and glared at Kalian.

“Are you tormenting me for Your Majesty’s convenience? Don’t you feel sorry for me?”

“I compensate you accordingly.”

Kalian made a circle with his index finger and thumb.

While the basic salary wasn’t small, the bonus for additional work was a considerable amount, so Ber couldn’t bring himself to argue.

“See you later then.”

While Ber, who had lost his words, hesitated, Kalian leisurely passed by him.

“Ah, Your Majesty!”

Ber, who came to his senses belatedly, hurriedly turned to look at Kalian, but Kalian had already disappeared from his sight.

Just in case, he chased in the direction where he had disappeared, but couldn’t find a single strand of that brilliant blue hair.

“Argh! How can you disappear like this when there’s so much work to do!”

Ber sat down on the cold marble floor, clutching his hair and wailing.

The passing attendants, as if it were a familiar scene, didn’t spare Ber a glance and silently went their way.

* * *

A few days ago, on the day when sweltering heat arrived after a downpour.

To avoid the pouring harsh sunlight, Leilah used a parasol, and Sara, who followed behind her, wore a hood.

A hood on such a hot day.

“Are you really okay? We could share the parasol.”

Leilah asked out of concern for Sara.

“I’m fine!”

Sara answered with a cheerful smile.

“Compared to the heat I felt at the Williot Estate, this is nothing.”

“That may be true, but it’s still hot.”

“I’m really fine. Besides, parasols are the exclusive privilege of noble young ladies—how could a mere maid like me dare to use one?”

“It’s not like there’s a law saying maids can’t use parasols, so what’s the problem?”

“That may be so, but… Ah! Isn’t that the trading post you mentioned over there?”

Sara, who had been looking for something to change the subject, pointed at the building in front of them and shouted.

On a high-quality wooden sign, “Nabeyya Trading Post” was written in large letters.

Leilah smiled brightly and nodded.

“That’s right. Sara, I’ll go take care of my business, so wait for me at the cafe and have something cool to drink.”

Leilah gave Sara 1 gold.

Sara clutched the gold coin tightly as if it were treasure and nodded.

“Yes. I won’t go anywhere and will wait quietly.”

“Good. I’ll be back soon.”

Leilah patted Sara’s head and then entered the Nabeyya Trading Post.

It was when Sara, who had been staring at Leilah’s retreating figure, turned around.

“Hello.”

Someone blocked Sara’s path.

It was a man with jet-black hair like Leilah’s.

At first she thought he might be a robber, but seeing his expensive clothes, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Then who could he be?

He seemed to be a noble…

Sara rolled her eyes as she studied the person in front of her.

Finding Sara cute, the man smiled so widely that dimples formed, and took out a plaque with a family crest from his chest to show her.

“Andante Tebesa—do you know who I am now?”

The plaque bore the lily emblem, symbol of the Tebesa County.

Though she had never met any family members other than Countess Tebesa, she knew the name.

Andante was Leilah’s second older brother.

Realizing that the person before her was family of the master she served, Sara hurriedly bowed her head.

“I-I dare not recognize the young master… I-I apologize!”

“No, it’s fine. We’ve never met before, so you might not recognize me.”

If it had been another noble, they would have immediately scolded her for not recognizing them, but Andante was different.

Instead, he smiled kindly and said it was okay.

Leilah also had a kind and caring personality, and Andante was the same. It seemed that Leilah’s thoughtful and good nature was a family trait.

Of course, Countess Tebesa seemed to be an exception.

“If you’re looking for the young lady, she just went into the Nabeyya Trading Post.”

“I know. But seeing you here at this time, I guess she didn’t go to work today?”

“Yes. She said it was her day off today.”

“Hmm.”

Andante made a humming sound and tilted his head slightly.

“A diligent girl like Leilah taking a day off. That’s a bit unexpected.”

Sara felt the same way, so she agreed and answered.

“She must have something important to do.”

“You don’t know what that business is, do you?”

Sara nodded.

“Thank you.”

Andante offered 10 gold along with a brief greeting.

My goodness. Not just 1 gold, but 10 gold.

It was several times her monthly salary.

Sara was startled and waved her hands.

“I-I can’t accept such a large sum.”

“You can take it. I’m giving it to you as a token of appreciation for taking good care of our Leilah.”

When Leilah’s name was mentioned, her resolve not to accept it wavered.

Andante smiled brightly and drove the point home.

“It’s Leilah’s birthday in a month—don’t you want to give her a proper gift then?”

Sara, who had been worried about what to do for Leilah’s birthday, carefully accepted the money.

With this money, she could not only give Leilah a decent gift for her birthday but also get quality meat, cheese, and even wine.

“Thank you.”

“By the way, don’t tell Leilah that you met me.”

“What? Why not?”

Leilah would be happy to know that family had come.

“Because Leilah would dislike it if she knew I gave you money. And I want to give Leilah a surprise birthday gift too.”

Sara, who fully understood Andante’s feelings, nodded vigorously.

“I understand. Then I’ll keep meeting you today a secret.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be truly grateful.”

Thanks to this, she could worry less about Leilah’s birthday.

Sara gave her sincere thanks and then entered the cafe.

Left alone, Andante stroked his chin and looked at the Nabeyya Trading Post.

“This place is definitely… the trading post that mainly exports goods to the Kingdom of Natsha.”

Leilah’s visit here, when she was leaving tomorrow for diplomatic talks with the Kingdom of Natsha, couldn’t be a mere coincidence.

“I hope you succeed, Leilah.”

That way, something might fall my way too, right?

A cunning smile crossed his handsome face.

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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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