I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 73

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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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#73

“Miss, what happened to you!”

As soon as I returned home, Sara grabbed me and asked.

“Just… I met someone I know for a moment.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I met His Majesty the Emperor and went to the black market with him, so I vaguely brushed it off.

Perceptive Sara noticed I didn’t want to talk about it and didn’t ask further.

“I’m glad you returned safely.”

Sara genuinely sighed in relief and patted her chest.

“I was very worried that something might have happened to you, Miss.”

I quickly changed the subject before Sara could interrogate me about what had happened.

“How did you get home? Did Count Hiltain bring you back?”

Kalian said Count Hiltain would bring her back, but I asked just in case.

“So that man with silver hair is named Hiltain.”

Sara’s cheeks turned slightly red.

I held back the laughter that was about to burst out and poked Sara’s arm.

“You fell for him?”

“F-fell for him!”

Sara waved her hands frantically.

“How could someone like me, a mere maid, dare to…”

“What’s wrong with you.”

“Pardon?”

“…Never mind. Let’s go inside.”

I wanted to tell her what was wrong with her, but I couldn’t.

I was afraid Sara might harbor unnecessary feelings.

Afraid she might have vain dreams like mother.

…Afraid she might die miserably because of it.

I just patted Sara’s head while consciously forcing up the corners of my mouth.

* * *

About 5 days from the capital to Hutton.

To hold talks with the Kingdom of Natsha there and resolve subsidiary matters would take at least a week.

In other words, once I left the capital, I wouldn’t be able to return for almost a month.

“So you can go to your hometown during that time.”

I felt bad about leaving Sara alone at home for a month, so when I said that, Sara’s face brightened.

“Really?”

“Yes. Go and buy delicious things for your siblings and mother.”

I generously gave her 10 gold.

It was quite a large sum for my current circumstances, but for Sara, who had given up a stable job and left her hometown and family because of me, I could bear this much.

Payday was coming soon anyway.

Come to think of it, payday is after I leave for Hutton.

I wondered if I’d be able to return by the next payday.

I didn’t think the Imperial Palace would withhold my salary, but I was still curious about how payment would work.

I’ll have to ask Baron Delrond when I meet him later.

With that thought, I packed my luggage.

Sara helped me while also packing her own things.

Usually I wore neat and practical dresses, but since this was a schedule representing His Majesty, I dressed neatly in uniform.

Sara tied my long hair up high, making it look clean.

“Aren’t you going to wear any accessories?”

“Hmm, I think it would look cleaner with nothing on the uniform.”

“That’s true, but it’s too plain. Wouldn’t it be better to wear at least one thing?”

Sara rummaged through the jewelry box and pulled out the spirit necklace Kalian had given me before.

“I think this would be fine.”

“Alright.”

This seemed not bad, so I obediently put on the necklace.

I put on my coat and was checking in the mirror to see if anything looked strange when Sara’s eyes sparkled.

“Miss, dressed up like this, you look like a wonderful knight.”

“Really?”

“Yes! If you were a man, I would have fallen for you.”

At the pleasant compliment, I smiled and picked up my luggage bag to leave the house.

Sara followed behind me.

We stood in front of the door waiting for the carriage to the Imperial Palace and the carriage to Williot Estate.

The carriage to the Imperial Palace arrived first.

Sara looked at me with a face that seemed ready to burst into tears at any moment.

“I’ll miss you, Miss.”

I spread my arms as a sign for her to hug me.

Sara quickly embraced me.

“Take care of yourself during this time.”

I gently patted Sara’s back.

Sara buried her face in my shoulder and answered as if murmuring.

“You too, Miss.”

“Don’t get sick.”

“You too, Miss.”

“Why did you suddenly become a parrot?”

“Because you’re saying everything I want to say, Miss.”

Is that so. I smiled softly.

I wanted to talk more with Sara, but I couldn’t make the carriage wait any longer.

“Well then, see you later, Sara.”

I bid Sara farewell and got into the carriage.

* * *

The Outer Palace was busy preparing to organize the envoy.

I passed by them and entered the relatively quiet study in the Imperial Palace.

Looking at the desk, Baron Delrond seemed to have already arrived at work. However, he was nowhere to be seen.

He must have gone to the Outer Palace because of the diplomatic envoy preparations.

But exactly when did he come to work?

I had come fairly early myself, but I was surprised that he had arrived first.

I looked at Baron Delrond’s desk piled high with documents like a mountain, then took out a bundle of papers from my bag.

It was material I had organized by combining the information Kun had told me yesterday with the information I had been organizing all along.

I left the original documents on the desk and only brought copies.

I should give this to Viscount Valdir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

If my prediction is correct, it will definitely be helpful during the diplomatic talks.

I took the copies and headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Outer Palace.

It had been almost a month since I started working as an aide, but this was my first time coming to the Outer Palace.

I had only seen it in passing before.

The Outer Palace was extremely busy with diplomatic envoy preparations. Everyone was running around busily regardless of department.

Even in that situation, when I passed by, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me. The gazes felt more piercing than before.

“Look over there. She came wearing a uniform.”

“She really seems to be planning to go to the diplomatic talks.”

“I don’t know if she’s fearless or just has guts. If it were me, I would have given up.”

They whispered openly as if they wanted me to hear, but I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without giving them a single glance.

“Hey, bring that over here!”

“Hey, this needs to go over there…”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also looked extremely busy. I didn’t want to disturb them if possible, but to see Viscount Valdir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I had to notify his aide first.

Viscount Valdir’s chief aide was… ah, there he is.

I approached the man who was looking at documents in the innermost area.

This man was Dillon Valdir, Viscount Valdir’s chief aide and his second son.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Dillon Valdir.”

Even though this was the first time I’d seen him today, I could recognize him immediately thanks to the wine-colored hair that was characteristic of House Valdir.

Wine-colored hair was just as uncommon as Kalian’s blue hair.

“Who are you…”

Dillon Valdir’s face, which had been smiling as he looked up, instantly hardened.

The people who had been bustling around until just now stood in place like broken toys, staring at me.

An awkward silence settled over the study. It was so quiet that you could hear people’s breathing.

The gazes directed at me and the atmosphere weren’t good, but I didn’t mind and introduced myself.

“I am Leilah Tebesa. I work as His Majesty the Emperor’s aide.”

“…I know.”

Dillon let out a deep sigh and stood up from his seat.

He didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding it, as irritation was plastered all over his expression.

“What brings you here? As you can see, we’re busy, so I’d appreciate it if you could speak quickly.”

It meant to state my business and disappear quickly.

I hadn’t expected him to welcome me, but facing such cold treatment directly didn’t feel particularly good.

Still, I didn’t show my displeasure and answered with a smile.

“I came to see His Excellency Viscount Valdir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“What business do you have with His Excellency?”

“It’s about the diplomatic talks with the Kingdom of Natsha.”

Dillon asked again with a slightly tense expression.

“Did His Majesty the Emperor send you?”

“No.”

Dillon spoke as if it were absurd.

“His Majesty didn’t send you, yet you want to see His Excellency? Do you think that makes sense?”

“If His Majesty didn’t send me, I can’t see His Excellency? I didn’t know there was such a law.”

When I replied calmly, Dillon pressed his lips together in dissatisfaction before opening them again.

“His Excellency is currently away from his office. I don’t know what business you have, but please come back another time.”

Ah, of all times, he’s away right now.

It was disappointing, but I had nothing to say. It was my fault for showing up without an appointment.

“Then could you please deliver this to His Excellency?”

I placed the materials I had brought on Dillon’s desk.

I would have preferred to deliver them directly if possible, but I didn’t have time. I also had things to organize before leaving.

I also had things to ask Baron Delrond.

Dillon glanced sideways at the documents I had given him, then nodded.

“Understood.”

“I’m counting on you. Well then, I’ll be going.”

I left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving behind the people who were still stiff and watching me.

“Count Tebesa?”

Then, on my way back to the Imperial Palace, I met Baron Delrond.

“Good morning, Baron.”

“Yes. Good morning. But, were you just at the Outer Palace?”

“Yes. I had some brief business at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Baron Delrond looked surprised at my answer.

Why is he reacting like that?

When I looked at him puzzled, Baron Delrond asked worriedly.

“Nothing happened, right?”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

When I asked back at his cryptic words, the Baron shook his head.

“It’s nothing. You’re returning to the study?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go together.”

I walked alongside Baron Delrond toward the study.

“But what business did you have at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

“Because of the diplomatic talks. I found some information and thought it might be helpful, so I went to deliver it.”

Baron Delrond smiled warmly.

“You’re working hard.”

“Of course I have to work hard.”

That’s the only way I can gain recognition from others.

…Especially from Fillen.

“Your expression suddenly turned sour.”

Did it? Well, it’s natural since I was thinking about Fillen.

“Did I perhaps say something wrong…”

“Not at all.”

I waved my hand, worried that Baron Delrond might misunderstand.

“I just remembered something unpleasant. It’s absolutely not because of you, Baron, so please don’t misunderstand.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

The Baron, who had been smiling with his eyes curved like crescents, suddenly hardened his face and grabbed my arm.

“Ah!”

In that moment, the distance between him and me rapidly narrowed.

Having bumped my head against his chest, I looked up at him with wide eyes.

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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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