I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 99

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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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#99

 

After having a private conversation with Viscount Valdir, the relationship between him and me noticeably improved.

 

It was still cold to say it had gotten better, but since the relationship between him and me had been so bad before, even this much recovery seemed like an improvement.

 

About two days after that.

 

We finally arrived at the capital.

 

“Finally, the capital.”

 

“Now I can go home.”

 

Sounds of joy could be heard from here and there.

 

I too was happy to return to the capital. It felt like returning to my hometown.

 

Had Sara already arrived? Since we returned slightly earlier than scheduled, she probably hadn’t come yet.

 

I wanted to hurry home, but there was something I had to do first.

 

I had to go to the Imperial Palace to inform His Majesty the Emperor that I had returned safely and report on what had happened during this time.

 

Thinking that I would see Kalian soon made my heart pound and my chest swell with emotion.

 

I fiddled with the spirit stone necklace I was wearing.

 

I hadn’t taken off the necklace the entire journey from Hutton back to the capital. I kept it on even when bathing and sleeping.

 

As if it were some kind of talisman.

 

Indeed, wearing it made me feel at peace.

 

The carriage that had been running diligently gradually slowed down and finally came to a stop.

 

As I got out of the carriage with Count Hiltain’s escort, who had gotten out first, I saw a familiar scene.

 

“Count Tebesa!”

 

“Baron Delrond!”

 

And familiar, welcome people too.

 

Baron Delrond, whom I was seeing after a long time, looked quite well.

 

Thank goodness. I had been worried that he might have suffered while handling my work in my place.

 

After Baron Delrond greeted Viscount Valdir, he stated the reason for his presence.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting in the audience hall.”

 

Viscount Valdir nodded solemnly.

 

“Lead the way.”

 

We followed Baron Delrond toward the audience hall.

 

On the massive doors, the Blue Dragon, the Empire’s guardian deity, was vividly carved. Its blue eyes seemed to be actually looking at me, making me feel momentarily chilled.

 

The guards standing in front opened the doors.

 

Before entering, I suddenly looked back, but Count Hiltain was nowhere to be seen.

 

This was the first time he had disappeared without a word, so I was flustered.

 

Where did he go? Did he leave thinking his mission was over now that we had arrived at the Imperial Palace?

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Viscount Valdir took the lead, followed by me and the other nobles.

 

The magnificent audience hall displayed the Empire’s majesty in its entirety.

 

Nobles stood on both sides of the long red carpet that stretched all the way to the steps of the high table.

 

The closer to the high table, the higher-ranking the nobles were, and at the very top sat Kalian.

 

It had truly been a long time since I had seen Kalian.

 

I was glad and happy to meet him again, but at the same time, I was nervous.

 

The reason wasn’t just because of Kalian. The numerous nobles gathered in the audience hall also played a part.

 

I licked my lips that were drying from nervousness and stood respectfully before Kalian.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Viscount Valdir, representing the diplomatic mission, reported our safe return to Kalian.

 

Then, just as he was about to report on what had happened during the diplomatic talks.

 

“How strange.”

 

Kalian crossed one leg and tilted his head slightly.

 

“Since when has the Minister of Foreign Affairs outranked the Emperor’s representative?”

 

The atmosphere in the audience hall instantly froze.

 

Right now, Kalian was telling me, not Viscount Valdir, to give the report.

 

Of course, if we followed protocol, that would be correct, but it looked strange for me to report while leaving aside Viscount Valdir, who was both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a viscount.

 

Others seemed to think the same way, as everyone kept their mouths shut and watched the situation carefully.

 

The expression on Viscount Valdir’s face, which I glimpsed, was not good.

 

Of course it wouldn’t be good. In such an official setting, he was about to be overshadowed by me, a mere count’s daughter.

 

“What are you doing, Count Tebesa.”

 

The one who broke the silence, whether short or long, was none other than Duke Giltian.

 

“Report to His Majesty immediately.”

 

…They really want me to give the report?

 

“Hurry!”

 

At Duke Giltian’s command, I stepped forward.

 

Viscount Valdir stepped back with his face slightly flushed.

 

“Then… I will give my report.”

 

It was fortunate that I had read the report in advance before coming to the Imperial Palace, otherwise I would have been too flustered to say anything.

 

…Though I was just as flustered now.

 

I steadily gave my report, going over the contents of the report.

 

“…That concludes my report.”

 

The most nerve-wracking report of my life was over.

 

I was more nervous than when I first brought a report to Kalian, without adding any lies at all.

 

“Excellent.”

 

Kalian smiled with satisfaction and looked at Duke Giltian.

 

“Do you have anything to say to me, Duke Giltian?”

 

Duke Giltian bowed his head respectfully.

 

“No, I do not.”

 

“What about the other nobles?”

 

“No, we do not.”

 

The nobles’ answers echoed throughout the audience hall like an echo.

 

When the sound that made my ears ring faded, Kalian rose from his seat and shouted to everyone.

 

“To Leilah Tebesa, who accomplished great things in this diplomatic conference, I grant the castle of Aster and ennoble her as a baron.”

 

* * *

 

Usually when someone receives a title, those around them would offer congratulations.

 

However, there were no nobles who offered me congratulatory greetings. They only stared at me openly and whispered among themselves.

 

Since I hadn’t expected to receive congratulatory greetings from them in the first place, I wasn’t disappointed or anything.

 

Rather, I would have found it stranger if they had warmly congratulated me.

 

“Congratulations, Count Tebesa.”

 

Just like right now.

 

“No, I should call you Count Aster now.”

 

What is he thinking?

 

I looked at Duke Giltian with slight wariness.

 

Behind him, a man with abundant white hair and glasses approached.

 

“Duke Giltian, did you have a friendship with Count Aster? How unexpected.”

 

It was Duke Hudlren, Sophia’s father.

 

According to rumors, his health was poor, so he had delegated his position as chairman of the Academy Association to his son and stayed only at home.

 

Had those been false rumors?

 

Duke Hudlren’s condition looked very good. His expression was also bright without any shadows.

 

“It’s been a long time, Leilah. You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”

 

Of course that would be natural.

 

The last time I met Duke Hudlren was about 10 years ago from now, when his daughter Sophia invaded Tebesa County.

 

Since we hadn’t parted on good terms, it felt awkward and uncomfortable when Duke Hudlren greeted me in such a friendly manner.

 

I couldn’t help but think he had some ulterior motive.

 

“Yes, it’s been a long time.”

 

While inwardly suspicious, I outwardly smiled and responded.

 

Duke Hudlren smiled warmly.

 

“It seems Duke Hudlren is also acquainted with Lord Aster?”

 

Duke Giltian suddenly interjected into the conversation.

 

Duke Giltian’s mouth was smiling, but his eyes sharply scrutinized me and Duke Hudlren.

 

He seemed to be gauging what kind of relationship we had.

 

Duke Hudlren answered with a smile, as if he hadn’t noticed this fact.

 

“We’ve had some acquaintance from before.”

 

“From before. How far back are we talking? About 10 years ago, perhaps?”

 

He was subtly appealing that he knew all about what had happened between me and Duke Hudlren 10 years ago.

 

The incident with Sophia’s rampage 10 years ago was something Duke Hudlren had wanted to bury so badly that he gave up a gold mine worth a fortune.

 

But when Duke Giltian claimed to know about it, Duke Hudlren’s expression crumbled.

 

Duke Giltian, on the other hand, smiled with interest.

 

‘Sigh.’

 

One of them was already overwhelming, and now I had to deal with two.

 

Nothing had even happened yet, but my head was already throbbing.

 

It was fortunate that Fillen wasn’t here.

 

If he had been here too, it would have been truly troublesome.

 

‘But I don’t see Duke Cloud either.’

 

I could understand Fillen being at his domain, having received leave as compensation for his long hardships on the battlefield.

 

Duke Cloud was in the capital. He had even attended the party.

 

But it was strange that he hadn’t appeared at such an occasion.

 

Well, since this was simply a gathering to welcome back the diplomatic mission, Duke Cloud, as the master of the Mage Tower, didn’t necessarily need to attend, but still…

 

“…So that’s how it was.”

 

While I was briefly lost in other thoughts, Duke Hudlren and Duke Giltian were still engaged in their power struggle.

 

The relationship between the two ducal houses wasn’t bad.

 

They simply badmouthed each other to protect their own interests.

 

Especially the Hudlren and Giltian ducal houses had fought countless times over the position of Empress.

 

The Giltian ducal house had won during the Former Emperor’s time.

 

But what good did it do? The Former Emperor had no interest in the Former Empress whatsoever, and to make matters worse, the Former Empress nearly faced deposition for failing to bear a son to inherit the throne for so long.

 

She finally managed to give birth to a son, but her health deteriorated and she died a few years later, and that son…

 

“Lord Aster.”

 

Hearing a familiar voice from behind, I turned around.

 

There stood Baron Delrond, though I couldn’t tell when he had arrived.

 

“Baron Delrond.”

 

“You can just call me Baron now.”

 

Baron Delrond said with a grin.

 

“We’re both barons now. Ah, I should call you Baron instead of Lord now. Baron Aster.”

 

When I received the baronetcy in the audience hall, I was somewhat surprised but didn’t feel much emotion.

 

It was just a feeling of ‘so I’m receiving it after all,’ but when Baron Delrond called me Baron, it really hit me that I had become a baron. It felt strange.

 

“I also greet both Your Graces.”

 

With Baron Delrond’s appearance, the long power struggle came to an end.

 

Duke Giltian turned and left abruptly, as if he had no more business there.

 

His group of followers also quickly disappeared.

 

Duke Hudlren, on the other hand, smiled and greeted me.

 

“Let’s meet again next time, Leilah.”

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

Duke Hudlren patted my shoulder, then disappeared with his entourage.

 

As people disappeared like a receding tide, only Baron Delrond and I remained in the hallway.

 

Baron Delrond glanced toward where Duke Hudlren had disappeared and asked me.

 

“Were you originally acquainted with Duke Hudlren?”

 

“We have a bit of history.”

 

If you could call it history, that is.

 

“More importantly, what brings you here?”

 

“Ah, His Majesty is looking for you. If you’re not busy, shall we go together?”

 

If His Majesty the Emperor was calling, I had to go even if I was busy.

 

“Yes.”

 

I followed Baron Delrond toward the drawing room in the Imperial Palace.

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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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