I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 95

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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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#95

 

Two days after the eventful party had ended, early morning.

 

The servants of the Hutton Viscount family were busy moving about to see off the diplomatic mission from the Kingdom of Natsha.

 

After seeing them off, we too were scheduled to go to the capital, so they were even busier.

 

I also got up and prepared from early dawn to head to the main building to see them off.

 

In the main building, other nobles including Viscount Valdir were already out.

 

Baron Hutton and Aldor were nowhere to be seen.

 

Baron Hutton had taken a boat out to sea yesterday afternoon, saying he had business, and Aldor hadn’t appeared since that day.

 

He was probably holed up in his room with his pride hurt.

 

I didn’t want to see his face anyway, so it worked out well.

 

‘But I don’t see Count Hiltain either.’

 

I’ll have to look for him later. I have something I want to say to him.

 

I exchanged greetings with each of the Natsha Kingdom diplomats and finally greeted Diane last.

 

“Leilah and I just became close enough to use first names, and now we’re already parting.”

 

Diane spoke while openly showing her regret.

 

“Time really seems cruel.”

 

“Don’t be too sad about it, Diane. We can meet again.”

 

“Still, sad is sad. Isn’t Leilah sad about parting with me?”

 

“I am sad.”

 

Why wouldn’t I be sad? I was parting with the first friend I’d made since birth.

 

But if I showed it too, the atmosphere might become gloomy, so I just didn’t show it.

 

“Come visit the capital later. I’ll show you around the capital.”

 

Instead, when I promised we’d meet again, Diane smiled as if understanding my feelings.

 

“The capital that’s said to be more beautiful than Hutton? I’m looking forward to seeing how beautiful it will be. I’ll have to wait eagerly for that day to come.”

 

“I’ll also be waiting to see Diane in the capital.”

 

“Ah, really.”

 

Diane let out a big sigh and continued speaking.

 

“I’m so sad about parting with Leilah. I want to just kidnap you and take you to the Kingdom of Natsha.”

 

“That would be a crime though?”

 

“That’s why I’m holding back. I don’t want to become a criminal.”

 

I smiled softly at her characteristic joke.

 

“Since we’re on the topic, let me ask.”

 

Diane glanced at Viscount Valdir and the other nobles, then spoke in a voice only I could hear.

 

“Have you thought about naturalizing to the Kingdom of Natsha?”

 

“…What?”

 

Naturalization? At the unexpected words, I looked at Diane in confusion.

 

“The Kingdom of Natsha has less gender discrimination. Women can become officials as much as they want if they have ability.”

 

Diane’s gaze looking at me was very serious.

 

“You’re too valuable to work among people who don’t recognize talent like yours. So I hope Leilah would naturalize to the Kingdom of Natsha. Of course, there’s also my selfish desire to be closer to you.”

 

The conversation that could have become heavy was lightened by Diane’s playful addition.

 

The answer was already there, but I paused for a moment before answering, thinking she might be hurt if I answered too quickly.

 

“I’m sorry, Diane.”

 

“Ah, the answer I expected.”

 

Diane shrugged her shoulders lightly.

 

“Count Andrian! It’s time to depart!”

 

“I’ll be right there!”

 

At another diplomat’s urging, Diane answered energetically then extended her hand to me.

 

“Then take care, Leilah.”

 

“You take care too, Diane.”

 

This was really the end now.

 

I smiled bitterly with regret and took her hand.

 

At that moment, Diane leaned her upper body toward me and spoke in a small voice.

 

“I hope Leilah receives proper treatment that matches her abilities. You’re too capable and good a person to receive this kind of treatment.”

 

“…!”

 

“So think carefully about my proposal. As long as I’m alive, it will always be valid.”

 

* * *

 

After the diplomatic mission from the Kingdom of Natsha left and I returned to my room, I pondered over what Diane had said.

 

The embarrassing words that she hoped I would receive proper recognition for my abilities, that I was too capable and good a person to receive this kind of treatment.

 

“…”

 

I didn’t know if I was a good person, but I had thought the treatment I received was unfair.

 

It was just that those around me treated it as so natural that I too had come to think of it as natural at some point and let it pass.

 

But when Diane pointed it out like that, I was bewildered.

 

It was surprising that there was someone other than me who thought that way.

 

“Naturalization…”

 

It would be a lie to say Diane’s proposal wasn’t appealing at all.

 

If I naturalized to the Kingdom of Natsha, could I become confident like Diane?

 

Could I do what I wanted to my heart’s content without watching others’ reactions?

 

For a moment, I had many such thoughts.

 

That’s still the case now.

 

Still, my opinion about not going remained unchanged.

 

There were various reasons for this, but the biggest reason was because of Kalian.

 

The kindness I had received from him from when I first met him until now was immeasurably great.

 

How could I abandon his trust and naturalize to the Kingdom of Natsha?

 

I absolutely couldn’t do that.

 

Knock knock-

 

When I heard the knocking sound, I shook off my thoughts and spread my luggage bag on the bed.

 

“Come in.”

 

Eria opened the door and entered.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I came to help you pack.”

 

“It’s fine. I can do this much by myself.”

 

It was just one luggage bag, so there was no need to trouble Eria for help.

 

I also didn’t particularly like borrowing others’ hands when packing my own things.

 

“More than that, Eria, did you happen to see a silver-haired man on your way here?”

 

“No. I didn’t see him.”

 

“Really?”

 

Then where exactly is he?

 

Since he said guarding me was his job, he must be nearby, but I had never seen him coming and going.

 

Well, that’s why I didn’t notice Count Hiltain was following me until he appeared himself.

 

“Understood, so go on out now.”

 

“Are you really sure you don’t need help packing?”

 

“Yes. So go on out.”

 

After sending Eria away, I checked the hallway. No matter how much I looked around, Count Hiltain was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Count Hiltain.”

 

Wondering if he would come if I called, I called his name softly.

 

“Count Hiltain, are you there…!”

 

Someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder from behind.

 

Startled, I turned around to see Count Hiltain staring at me blankly.

 

“Wh-when did you get here? No, how did you get in?”

 

I was guarding the door, wasn’t I?

 

When I asked in confusion, Count Hiltain silently pointed to the balcony.

 

So he came in through the balcony.

 

…But this is the third floor?

 

Beyond the balcony was a cliff overlooking the sea. There weren’t even any trees to climb up here, so I was curious how he had gotten in.

 

“Why were you looking for me?”

 

“Ah, I had something to ask you.”

 

I closed the door and turned completely toward him.

 

“Did you report what happened between Young Master Hutton and me to His Majesty the Emperor?”

 

“I did not.”

 

So he kept his promise. I had been secretly worried, but it was a relief.

 

“However, I cannot guarantee that I won’t do so in the future.”

 

Just as I was feeling relieved, Count Hiltain added those words.

 

I asked Count Hiltain in surprise.

 

“Does that mean you will tell His Majesty?”

 

“If His Majesty asks me. I cannot lie to His Majesty.”

 

I understood Count Hiltain’s position, but I still wanted to stop it.

 

If Kalian found out about this incident, he would surely fly into a rage and try to punish Aldor.

 

Then everything would be revealed to the Empire and I would break my promise with Aldor.

 

Having even written a written agreement, if I broke the promise, the Hutton Viscount Family wouldn’t stay quiet.

 

So I wanted to prevent it from reaching Kalian’s ears somehow, but I couldn’t just tell Count Hiltain to defy imperial orders.

 

…Then there’s only one way.

 

“I’ll tell him myself.”

 

Count Hiltain looked at me with subtle eyes.

 

I met his gaze directly and continued speaking.

 

“I will tell His Majesty the Emperor myself, so could you keep it secret until then?”

 

If it was going to be discovered anyway, it was right for me to speak with my own mouth and ask for understanding.

 

Whether Kalian would understand was uncertain, but… I had to somehow ask for his consideration.

 

“I cannot wait long.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Then do as you wish.”

 

It meant he would grant my request.

 

“It must be a difficult request, but thank you for accepting it.”

 

He nodded and turned around.

 

“Wait a moment!”

 

I hurriedly grabbed Count Hiltain’s arm as he was about to leave the room.

 

Count Hiltain only turned his head to look at me.

 

“Have you had lunch?”

 

It was a simple question, but Count Hiltain was silent for a moment before shaking his head.

 

“Then let’s have lunch together. It’ll be hard to have a proper meal once you leave the manor.”

 

Being the Empire’s diplomatic mission, they would take care of meals well during travel, but it was hard to expect meals as good as those at the manor.

 

“So let’s eat heartily before leaving.”

 

Before Count Hiltain could answer, I called Eria and asked her to prepare lunch.

 

But where had he been getting his meals all this time? Sleep? Where did he rest when he rested?

 

Questions led to more questions in a long chain.

 

Once the meal preparations were finished, I asked him directly.

 

“How have you been managing your meals all this time?”

 

I asked about other things too, but Count Hiltain remained consistently silent.

 

It meant he didn’t want to answer.

 

No, perhaps it was something he couldn’t answer.

 

There was no way he had proper meals while secretly guarding me without others knowing.

 

Sleep and rest would be the same.

 

I felt sorry for making him suffer unnecessarily.

 

Now that I knew the situation, I shouldn’t make him suffer anymore.

 

“Count Hiltain, ride in the same carriage as me when we return.”

 

Count Hiltain, who had been eating only bread for some reason while leaving other good foods untouched, looked at me.

 

His eyes asked why I was saying such a thing.

 

“Count Hiltain’s duty is to protect me, isn’t it?”

 

I gave a different reason since saying “because I don’t want to make you suffer anymore” would obviously make him refuse.

 

“So wouldn’t it be more convenient for you to ride in the same carriage?”

 

Count Hiltain nodded, perhaps thinking that would be better for him too.

 

“I will do so.”

 

“Then let’s eat together too. Oh, I’ll also ask them to arrange the room next to mine for you to sleep.”

 

I was worried he might refuse, but fortunately Count Hiltain remained quiet without saying either that he disliked it or that it was fine.

 

Then I suppose it meant I could do as I wished.

 

I thought I should tell Viscount Valdir about this as I pushed the appetizing roast toward him.

 

“Protecting others requires a lot of stamina, so please eat plenty, Count Hiltain.”

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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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