I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 79

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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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#79

I couldn’t remember what state of mind I was in when I returned to my room.

When I came to my senses, I was already in my room, lying on the bed without even changing out of my outdoor clothes.

It seems I dozed off for a moment.

To think I could sleep so calmly after going through such an ordeal.

I sat up while rubbing my face dry.

Outside the window was dark. It meant a lot of time had passed since then.

…Wait a minute. What happened to the dinner with Viscount Hutton?

I was staring blankly outside the window when I belatedly remembered that fact and hurriedly got up to pull the bell cord.

As if she had been waiting for my call, Eria came in immediately.

“Did you call for me, Miss?”

“What happened to the dinner with His Lordship Viscount Hutton?”

“That schedule was canceled. The master said he would be returning home late due to port business.”

The master Eria was referring to was Viscount Hutton.

“This time it’s really true, right?”

I asked, wondering if they had proceeded without me again like earlier, and Eria nodded vigorously.

“It’s true. The master hasn’t returned yet.”

“Really?”

If that was the case, it was fortunate. I finally felt relieved and sat back down on the bed.

“What would you like to do about dinner, Miss?”

“I’ll skip it.”

It was late, but also, eating in this mood would surely give me indigestion. I didn’t want to suffer unnecessarily by eating.

“Then shall I help you with your bath?”

“Just prepare the bathwater, you don’t need to attend to me.”

Eria tilted her head.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“I’m fine. Once you prepare the bathwater, you can go rest.”

“Understood.”

A little later, when Eria informed me that the bath was ready, I headed to the bathroom.

Soaking my body in the hot water, it felt like all the fatigue from the journey was being washed away.

But my worries still remained.

“Sigh.”

I let out a deep sigh and splashed hot water on my face.

Although I was included in the diplomatic mission, the number of people who could participate in the talks was limited.

Judging from Viscount Valdir’s attitude, there was a high possibility he wouldn’t take me to the talks with the Kingdom of Natsha.

Then what should I do? If I can’t participate in the talks, I won’t be able to satisfy Duke Giltian’s conditions…

More than that, the fact that I might disappoint Kalian, who trusted and entrusted this to me, weighed on me as an even greater worry.

“If I had known it would be like this, I should have just said I wouldn’t do it…”

I unnecessarily said I would do it, only to struggle and suffer humiliation.

While pondering how to resolve this situation, the water had grown cold before I knew it.

Should I get out now? Staying in water too long isn’t good either.

I roughly dried myself off, put on a robe, and came outside.

When I sat at the vanity, Eria came with a towel to dry my hair.

“I told you that you could rest.”

“I want to finish my work properly.”

Since she said that, I had nothing to say. I let her do as she pleased.

When Eria had almost finished drying my hair, there was a knock-knock sound.

Considering I was still only wearing a robe, Eria went outside.

“Miss, they say there’s been contact from the Imperial Palace.”

From the Imperial Palace at this hour?

“Don’t tell me it’s contact for His Majesty the Emperor?”

“I’m not sure about that. I only heard that contact came via magic messenger bird.”

A magic messenger bird was a magical tool that, unlike a magic communication device, only conveyed the other party’s voice.

It had the advantage of lasting longer than magic communication devices, but had the major drawback of only being able to contact places it had been connected to once.

“Bring it here.”

If it was a magic messenger bird, there was no need to change clothes.

Eria went out and came back in, holding a small toy bird with a wind-up mechanism in her hands.

When Eria placed the bird on the table and wound the mechanism, it slowly turned and the beak began to move.

[Did you arrive safely in Hutton?]

As expected, the person who contacted me was Kalian.

I sent Eria out and then answered.

“I arrived safely. Have you been well during this time, Your Majesty?”

[I’m always the same as usual.]

Hearing Kalian’s voice, the same as always, made me feel choked up for no reason. I felt like I might cry.

[It’s raining in the capital right now, how is it in Hutton?]

“It’s very clear here.”

I couldn’t let Kalian know I was crying, so I answered calmly while pressing my eyes firmly with the back of my hand.

Tears I couldn’t hold back flowed down my cheeks.

[Clear weather, that’s fortunate. Since it’s by the sea, damage is worse when it rains there.]

“I suppose so.”

It was extremely fortunate that it was a magic messenger bird and not a magic communication device.

If it had been a magic communication device, I would have shown Kalian this unsightly appearance.

I was thinking how truly fortunate it was while wiping away my tears when Kalian suddenly asked.

[Are you crying by any chance?]

How could he know that…

I looked at the messenger bird in panic.

I wondered if he could see me, but that couldn’t be possible.

Messenger birds didn’t have that function.

Then how does he know?

Did I speak in a crying voice perhaps?

No, I didn’t. I spoke the same as usual.

Then is he just taking a guess?

[You are crying after all.]

“…No, I’m not.”

It wasn’t a lie. My tears had dried up from the shock.

I wiped away the tear stains around my eyes and continued speaking.

“I have no reason to be crying.”

[I wonder. Did Viscount Valdir say something to you perhaps?]

Could he possibly have prophetic abilities in addition to his water-controlling powers?

Such an absurd thought occurred to me because Kalian had pinpointed the reason so accurately.

[It seems I hit the mark.]

…He doesn’t have prophetic abilities after all.

I briefly considered telling Kalian about what happened with Viscount Valdir, but decided against it.

“No. Nothing happened between Viscount Valdir and me.”

If I told him, the immediate problem would be solved, but that would be all.

It would only deepen the emotional rift between Viscount Valdir and me.

Moreover, working as an aide would surely bring more situations like this, and it wouldn’t be right to hope for Kalian to solve them every time.

If I’m going to solve it, I have to do it with my own hands.

…Though there probably isn’t a way.

[Was there really nothing that happened?]

“Yes.”

[Leilah.]

Kalian’s voice became slightly heavier. I swallowed dryly and waited for his words.

[I hate people who lie.]

“….”

As I lowered my head, my gaze naturally dropped a bit lower than the messenger bird.

Kalian’s words continued.

[I’ll ask again. Was there really nothing that happened with Viscount Valdir?]

I couldn’t answer.

I couldn’t lie again since his words bothered me, but I also couldn’t tell him the truth, so I kept my mouth shut.

Then Kalian let out a deep sigh.

I fidgeted with my fingers and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

[I don’t particularly like hearing apologies, but I suppose I must hear this one.]

“I’m sor….”

[That doesn’t mean I want to hear it twice.]

Kalian firmly cut off my words.

[Leilah, do you remember what I told you to keep in mind before I departed?]

What he told me to keep in mind?

I briefly retraced my memory and answered.

“Do you mean when you told me not to forget that I joined the diplomatic mission as the Emperor’s representative?”

[That’s right. And you said you would keep it in mind.]

I had said that.

[But looking at you now, it seems you’ve completely forgotten.]

“What? That can’t be. I remember it clearly.”

[So, are you currently acting befittingly as the Emperor’s representative?]

“That’s….”

I couldn’t confidently answer yes and hemmed and hawed.

Then I heard a short clicking of the tongue.

[Don’t forget, Leilah. You are the Emperor’s representative. Always keep that in….]

I was listening intently to Kalian’s words when suddenly the magic messenger bird stopped.

Panicking, I tried winding the spring again, but it wouldn’t work. It seemed the magic power had run out.

I returned the messenger bird to Eria and sat on the sofa.

Kalian had given me the tremendous qualification of being the Emperor’s representative so that I could freely express my will.

“Freely express my will….”

Express what. I couldn’t even participate in meetings and was stuck like this.

My situation was so ridiculous that I let out a hollow laugh.

…Still, I had to do something.

I had come here as the Emperor’s representative, so I couldn’t return having accomplished nothing.

That would be insulting to Kalian.

I absolutely had to lead this diplomatic negotiation to success.

For that, I needed to attend the talks….

“…Can I do it?”

At the sudden worry, I shook my head vigorously.

It wasn’t a matter of whether I could do it, but that I had to.

I would definitely accomplish it.

* * *

Mabel said that the drug Misa used was so expensive that an ordinary commoner would have to save money for half their lifetime to barely afford it.

As head maid, Misa had better income than ordinary commoners, but she still wasn’t well-off enough to buy such an expensive drug.

It would be possible if she had squandered all her saved assets with suicide in mind, but there were suspicious aspects.

Thinking there might be someone behind this, Fillen persistently investigated Misa’s background.

In the process, he discovered an unexpected fact.

“What… did you just say?”

Fillen asked, doubting his own ears.

The maid prostrated herself flat on the floor, trembling as she answered.

“Th, that medicine bottle was one that Miss Leilah had.”

A medicine bottle that Leilah had…?

“There’s no lie in those words, is there?”

“Of, of course not.”

The maid nodded her head vigorously and continued.

“On the day Miss Leilah left the manor, when I was helping her pack, I clearly saw her holding that medicine bottle. A, and this….”

The maid held out a small bottle with trembling hands.

It was the same type of bottle found in Misa’s room, containing blue medicine inside.

“I, I found it in Miss Leilah’s belongings stored in the warehouse.”

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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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