I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 77

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#77

Because you’re a woman. Because you’re a princess.

These were the words I heard most often from people during the journey from the capital to Hutton.

Without adding a single lie, I think I heard it more than I had in my entire life.

Whether eating or resting.

Even when sleeping, the phrase “because you’re a woman” followed me around.

“Please don’t treat me too much like a woman.”

When I finally spoke up in frustration, they made bizarre expressions and retorted like this.

“The princess isn’t a man, is she?”

It was bewildering, but since it was true, I had nothing to say.

Still, when I couldn’t erase the dissatisfied expression from my face, they grumbled.

“We’re being so considerate, yet I don’t know what you’re complaining about.”

“The princess seems quite picky.”

Had the meaning of consideration changed without my knowledge?

Their behavior toward me wasn’t consideration but blatant contempt and ostracism.

This is what they call bullying, isn’t it?

They seemed to want me to be hurt, but unfortunately, I was fine.

I was used to this kind of situation.

When I was at Tebesa County, I had received even worse treatment.

So I was okay.

…Was I really okay?

“Sigh.”

At the sudden doubt, I let out a deep sigh and closed the book I had been reading.

It was a book I usually enjoyed, but given the situation, I couldn’t concentrate at all.

I felt a bit motion sick too.

I looked outside the window to change my mood.

“Wow.”

Beyond the dense forest, I could see a blue canvas. It was the sea I had only heard about.

The sea I was seeing for the first time in my life was incredibly beautiful.

Looking at the vast expanse of sea, it felt like my deep worries were completely disappearing.

If it was this pretty from far away, how much prettier would it be up close?

I was very excited. I wanted to hurry and get closer to see it.

Completely captivated by the sea’s charm, I stared at it endlessly.

About 4 hours later.

We finally arrived at our destination, Hutton.

Befitting a port city, Hutton’s symbol was an anchor.

The carriage continued diligently and arrived at the manor in the north of Hutton.

This was where Almand Hutton, the lord of Hutton, lived.

The Hutton Viscount Family had been producing outstanding naval officers for generations.

Even Almand Hutton, the current head of the Hutton Viscount Family, was unmatched in navigation skills within the empire.

Because of this, no one could complain about a viscount ruling such a major city instead of a duke.

Hutton’s growth to this extent was also thanks to the efforts of the Hutton Viscount Family.

“Welcome, everyone. Welcome to the Hutton Viscount Family.”

The person who came to greet us was not the Hutton Viscount but a young man.

He was someone I had never seen before, but Viscount Valdir seemed to know him, smiling brightly as he called the man’s name.

“It’s been a while, Aldor.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you too, Your Lordship.”

Aldor Hutton. He was Almand Hutton’s second son.

Aldor Hutton, who had been exchanging greetings with Viscount Valdir, looked at me and let out a brief exclamation.

“Oh, who is this beautiful lady?”

It wasn’t a face that didn’t know me.

After all, he must have already received the diplomatic envoy list, so there was no way he wouldn’t know.

“I’m Leilah Tebesa.”

Even so, introducing oneself at a first meeting was basic, so I extended my hand for a handshake.

“I’m Aldor Hutton. It’s an honor to meet such a lovely princess.”

But instead of shaking hands, he took my hand and kissed the back of it.

The action was gentlemanly and polite, but his eyes looking at me were not.

Eyes that glinted ominously as if he would devour me at any moment.

“Your skin is soft.”

…They were the same eyes Andante had when he looked at me in the past.

I flinched in surprise and bit my tongue.

“You truly are a beautiful lady.”

His words and gaze made me feel like every hair was standing on end. Goosebumps rose all over my body.

“If I had known such a beautiful lady was coming, I would have paid more attention.”

I forced myself to smooth out my contorting face and smiled. Fortunately, I was used to forcing smiles.

“You look wonderful now.”

I said words I didn’t mean and naturally withdrew my hand.

Aldor looked at the hand he had held with mine as if regretful, then raised the corners of his mouth in a grin.

“I’ve heard so many rumors that I’ve been curious about what kind of person you were, and I’m truly happy to meet you like this.”

I was certain he was the same type of person as Andante.

His current target was… me?

Just thinking about it was horrifying. Cold sweat ran down my spine.

I wanted to run away immediately, but I couldn’t do so recklessly.

On the surface, Aldor Hutton appeared completely normal.

If I acted that way, I would only look like a fool.

“Aldor.”

As I was thinking about what to do, unexpectedly, Viscount Valdir saved me.

“Where is the Hutton Viscount?”

Of course, he didn’t do it to save me but purely because he had business with Aldor.

“Father went to the port for a moment. He wanted to come greet you personally, but an important trade ship happened to arrive today. Please understand.”

Still, thanks to that, I could escape from Aldor’s spider-web-like sticky gaze.

I quietly stepped back, afraid of being caught by Aldor again.

Aldor, who had been talking with Viscount Valdir for a while, suddenly looked around at people as if remembering something.

The place his gaze finally landed was on me.

I blatantly avoided his gaze.

Then Aldor chuckled and looked back at Viscount Valdir.

“Everyone must be tired from the long journey, yet I’ve kept you waiting too long. The servants will guide you to your rooms. I’ll personally guide Your Lordship.”

Viscount Valdir laughed pleasantly.

“Well. I’m grateful, but I feel sorry for troubling you unnecessarily.”

“Not at all. It’s something I should naturally do. Please come this way.”

Viscount Valdir entered the manor with Aldor.

Right after that, a maid approached me and greeted me politely.

The maid with freckles all over her face appeared to be Sara’s age.

“I’m Eria, and I’ll be serving you from today. It’s a great honor to serve you, Miss.”

“I see.”

“Then I’ll guide you to your room.”

I was about to follow Eria immediately when one of the aristocrats approached me.

I sent Eria a look asking her to wait a moment, then turned around.

“What is it?”

“I wanted to inform you about the upcoming schedule.”

I already knew the schedule well, but there might have been changes, so I listened carefully to the aristocrat’s words.

“You’re free to do whatever you want until this evening, but please make sure to attend dinner.”

They always told me to eat alone and excluded me, so what’s this about?

“I suppose there’s a special schedule for dinner?”

“We have a dinner appointment with His Excellency Viscount Almand Hutton.”

Ah, so that’s why they’re telling me to participate.

It would be difficult to exclude me from such an occasion.

“I understand. Are there any other changes to the schedule?”

The aristocrat was silent for a moment before answering.

“No.”

The silence bothered me, but I didn’t ask what it was about.

Even if I asked, it was obvious they wouldn’t tell me. I didn’t want to argue unnecessarily.

“Then I’ll see you at dinner time, Princess. Please rest well until then.”

“You rest well too, Young Master.”

After exchanging formal greetings, I followed Eria toward the annex.

Except for Viscount Valdir, all guests were to stay in the annex, and I was no exception.

Befitting the viscount’s annex, it was large, splendid, and beautiful.

It was obvious everywhere that they had put great care into decorating to welcome guests.

Since a diplomatic mission from the Natsha Kingdom would be coming soon, they naturally put a lot of effort into it.

As I was touring the manor and following Eria, I suddenly felt a gaze and stopped walking to look back.

But there was nothing there.

What is it. Am I mistaken again?

If it had been the first time, I would have just thought “I see” and moved on, but I had felt the same sensation before.

Because of that, I couldn’t simply dismiss it and kept looking around.

“What’s wrong, Miss?”

“…It’s nothing.”

In the end, unable to find anything, I followed Eria again.

I kept glancing back as we went, but still couldn’t see anything.

“Here it is, Miss.”

The room Eria guided me to was on the third floor of the annex, at the eastern end.

I don’t usually like rooms with large windows, but I liked this one.

That’s because beyond the large window, I could clearly see the blue sea.

I approached the window and opened it. The salty smell of seaweed wafted in on the wind. This must be what the sea smells like.

The sea sparkling under the sunlight was so beautiful. I stood by the window for a long time, gazing at the sea.

Meanwhile, Eria finished unpacking and came up beside me to say,

“You seem to like the sea.”

“I do. It’s also my first time seeing it.”

“Oh my, really? Well, since you’ve been inland all this time, you wouldn’t have had a chance to see the sea.”

“That’s right.”

“Then would you like to go closer and see it?”

Go closer to see it?

“Is there a beach inside the manor?”

“Of course not. We’d have to go outside.”

Go outside the manor?

“Since you’ve come all the way to Hutton, it would be stuffy to just stay in your room!”

That’s true, but…

“You don’t have any other plans until evening anyway.”

Eria’s words swayed my heart.

I had secretly wanted to go outside too, so it was even more tempting.

Although I held the position of the Emperor’s representative, as a member of the diplomatic mission, I needed permission from Viscount Valdir, the mission’s leader, to move around.

Free movement was only possible within the manor. Outside was excluded.

After deliberating, I eventually went to find Viscount Valdir to ask if I could go outside for a while.

“Do so.”

Viscount Valdir not only readily gave permission but also provided a carriage and guard.

…Why is he being so kind to me?

If Viscount Valdir had originally been favorable toward me, I would have accepted gladly, but since that wasn’t the case, I was suspicious.

“Is it really okay for me to go out?”

When I asked for confirmation, Viscount Valdir chuckled and replied,

“Why are you asking me that? If the Princess wants to go out, go out. If you don’t want to, don’t go out.”

It was an answer saying he didn’t care whether I went out or not.

Ironically, reassured by those words, I immediately went out.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————