In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 110

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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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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 110

“A guest… you say.”

Kaileus, who had been listening to their conversation, also tilted his head in confusion.

Knock knock.

Along with the knocking sound, a guard from Poirak Palace came to announce that a visitor had arrived.

So now she’s a noble lady instead of a servant.

Peres thought as he watched the noble lady walking in with her chin arrogantly raised.

“What kind of rude attitude is this!”

Kaitlin protested loudly at the noble lady’s attitude of not even greeting properly.

Then the noble lady let out a small snort, and only then reluctantly bent her knee to greet him.

“Greetings, Second Prince.”

Peres merely nodded his head without a word to acknowledge the greeting.

Whether that was insulting, the noble lady’s eyes trembled.

“I have brought a message from the Empress. She commands you to come to the Empress’ Quarters now. Please come with me.”

Her attitude was incredibly high-handed, as if she were the Empress herself.

Peres leisurely wiped his mouth with a napkin and said.

“I can’t go right now.”

“…Pardon?”

The noble lady couldn’t hide her flustered face as she asked back.

“The Empress’ command to bring you immediately…”

“I’m a bit sick.”

Peres said, lowering his eyes beneath his long eyelashes.

“Tell her I can’t go because I’m sick.”

“Just where exactly are you sick…”

“I’m sick.”

Peres cut off the noble lady’s words sharply.

“I say I’m sick, so what explanation is needed?”

“That’s…”

The noble lady had nothing to say.

After all, when an imperial prince refused an invitation saying he was sick, there was no justification to force it.

“Kaileus, please see her out.”

Peres immediately turned his head away from the noble lady and began to continue his meal.

After Kaileus led her out, Kaitlin quietly approached to check Peres’ complexion.

She wondered if he might actually be sick.

To her, Peres said.

“Today’s guest won’t be the last, so it would be convenient to station someone at the door.”

And those words proved exactly right.

The Empress sent people every hour.

At first, her close noble ladies came in turn, then later she even sent officials from Angenas.

But Peres said the same thing each time and sent them back.

I am sick, so if you have something to say, let the Empress come herself.

The messengers, who hadn’t expected Peres to be so bold, all returned in confusion.

And finally, when the sky had completely darkened.

Kaitlin placed envelopes of various sizes and colors in front of Peres, who was sitting in the drawing room reading a book.

“These are invitations to banquets and social gatherings that came for Your Highness today.”

“Just today…?”

Peres looked at the thick bundle of envelopes that wouldn’t fit in one hand.

He had expected it to some degree, but the reaction was more enthusiastic.

It had been worth deliberately walking around various parts of the banquet hall, appropriately entertaining the nobles who approached him, and showing his face.

That’s when it happened.

“W-wait a moment, if you do that…!”

Kaileus’ panicked shouting voice could be heard.

And after a very brief commotion that followed, the drawing room door burst open.

“…The guest has arrived.”

Peres muttered as he looked at the rude visitor he had been waiting for all day.

“Second Prince.”

It was Empress Lavinia who appeared, having opened the door herself in her haste.

The Empress walking in with large strides wore a mask-like smile, but her eyes looking at Peres were utterly cold.

“I heard you’re quite unwell.”

And Peres witnessed it.

The Empress’ gaze quickly scanning the bundle of invitations he was holding.

“Kaileus, Kaitlin, please step out for a moment. That way our conversation will end much faster.”

At Peres’ words, the two hesitated briefly, but soon went outside and closed the drawing room door.

Now only Peres and the Empress remained.

It was the same situation as when they had conversed in the greenhouse last time.

“Why didn’t you respond to my invitation, Prince?”

“As I mentioned, I wasn’t feeling well. And I was also a bit busy.”

Peres deliberately pointed to the pile of invitations as he spoke.

Then the corner of the Empress’ mouth twitched.

“…What would a prince who must soon go to the Academy do looking at invitations.”

“I have no intention of going to the Academy, as I’ve told you many times. Moreover, with so many people seeking me out like this, I’m becoming even less inclined.”

Peres paused for a moment.

Then he let slip some more provocative words.

“And after spending so much meaningful time with His Majesty the Emperor yesterday, I’m becoming more convinced that where I should be is not the Academy but the Imperial Capital. So what can be done.”

The Empress clenched her hands so tightly that her knuckles with thick rings turned white.

Seeing the Empress’ anger, Peres curled up one corner of his mouth.

All of this was the result of careful thought after the Lombardi Family Head’s visit.

What the Empress wanted most was for Astana to ascend to the throne.

Then Peres was the biggest and only obstacle blocking that path.

And what they feared most was precisely Peres establishing his position as the Second Prince.

So at the debutante ball, he deliberately mingled with the nobles and spoke as if he were interested in banquets and social gatherings.

The Emperor’s invitation to the private room at the end was an unexpected harvest.

Throughout the banquet, Peres used the Empress’ gaze that was monitoring him.

And sure enough, the Empress had been frantically sending people starting the very day after the banquet.

“…Tell me what you want.”

Empress Lavinia spoke in a clearly changed tone.

“What is it that you want?”

“Ten thousand gold.”

“…Money?”

Ten thousand gold was an enormous amount.

Even Angenas would have to dispose of several territories to raise that much money.

However, if they could send Peres to the Academy with that money, Astana would have nothing to fear.

That foolish Second Prince was essentially saying he would give up all his rights for ten thousand gold.

The Empress, who had been glaring at Peres with narrowed eyes, suddenly snorted.

“So all you want is money. I suppose that lowly blood cannot be deceived.”

The Empress looked at Peres as if he were contemptible.

But Peres was confident.

To walk the path he had planned for the future, he needed money.

However, Peres had no maternal family to support him in building his power, aside from the allowance he could use for living expenses.

“Yes, I’ll give it to you.”

It was a tone as if giving charity to a beggar.

“However, don’t even think about returning to the Imperial Palace until you graduate.”

“…I suppose so.”

It would be a rough path anyway.

The 6 years at the Academy were an opportunity for Astana, but it was the same for Peres.

He had no intention of spending it leisurely taking vacations.

And the Empress had clearly said.

‘Until you graduate.’

It was a 6-year Academy, but there was an early graduation system for excellent students.

Having received Peres’s confirmation, the Empress rose from her seat as if she had no more business.

Peres spoke to the Empress’s back as she turned to leave.

“I won’t depart until I receive the money, so if you want to get rid of me quickly, you’d better hurry.”

The Empress, who now had to go around borrowing money from nearby nobles, glared at Peres until the very end before leaving Poirak Palace.

Kaitlin and Kaileus hurried over, but Peres only gazed at the night sky with its moon and stars, saying nothing.

* * *

Estira, who had returned to the Academy to finish her research and studies, finally came to Lombardy.

She became Lombardy’s personal physician, filling the position that had been vacant since Doctor Omari was expelled.

And Estira’s first schedule, starting early in the morning, was Grandfather’s health examination.

“Estira, how is Grandfather’s health?”

When I heard the examination was finished, I hurried into Grandfather’s study and asked without waiting.

“As expected.”

“As expected?”

“Due to continuous overwork, his overall physical condition is not good. It seems he neglected his health management while there was no personal physician…”

I knew it.

Overconfidence in his health was Grandfather’s bad habit.

I approached Grandfather, who was buttoning his clothes, and said with a worried expression.

“Grandfather, you promised to take the supplements I gave you properly.”

“Oh my, Tia is worrying about this old man…”

Grandfather gently patted my head.

He seemed very pleased that his granddaughter was concerned about his health.

“This is serious… I can’t let this continue. I’ll have Butler Yohan take charge of the supplements and make sure you take them daily. And please reduce your drinking too, okay?”

There was no point in telling Grandfather to reduce his work, as that was impossible.

“Alright. I understand, I understand. You little thing.”

“Promise me, Grandfather? Both you and Father need to take better care of your health.”

“Tia…”

When I mentioned Father, Grandfather finally seemed to take my words seriously.

“Yes, this old man promises.”

“Pinky promise.”

“Oh my. Alright, alright.”

Grandfather laughed as he hooked his pinky with the one I extended.

Since Grandfather had his next appointment right away, I came outside with Estira.

“Please take good care of him, Estira.”

“Yes, Lady Pirenthia.”

As we headed toward the annex, I noticed an unfamiliar carriage parked there.

It had no family crest but looked very expensive.

And Peres stepped down from it.

“Tia.”

“What brings you here, Peres?”

“Do you have any plans today?”

“Today? No, nothing special. Why?”

I was just planning to read books in my room anyway.

Then Peres smiled faintly and asked me.

“Then, would you like to go out and have fun with me today?”

I immediately followed Peres, got in the carriage, and left the Lombardi Estate.

“Where are we going right now?”

It seemed like we were roughly leaving Lombardy.

“We’re heading back to the Imperial Capital. I need to find something.”

“Oh, I see.”

Since Peres rarely goes outside the Imperial Palace.

He must be taking care of all his business while he’s out once.

Thinking this, I opened the carriage window.

The flowing breeze was quite refreshing.

My hair might get a little disheveled, but so what.

As I was closing my eyes and enjoying this rare moment of leisure.

I slightly opened one eye and looked ahead.

“Peres.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re going to bore a hole through my face.”

I could tell how intensely Peres, sitting across from me, was looking at me, even with my eyes closed.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, not yet.”

“Not yet?”

Does he mean he has something to say but will say it when the time comes?

I shrugged my shoulders.

Well, people sometimes find themselves in such situations in life.

“Alright, I’ll wait. Just tell me by the end of today.”

It was still early morning and the day was long.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I answered like that and closed my eyes again to enjoy the breeze.

Then, as the carriage seemed to be moving slowly, I opened my eyes and found we had already entered the Imperial Capital.

But the scenery outside the window looked somewhat familiar.

“Oh, this place…”

“It’s near Sedacuna Street. I have some business at a workshop here.”

“A workshop?”

Wait, if it’s a workshop, could it be.

The carriage stopped and as I stepped on the ground, I eventually hesitated.

Following behind me as he got out, Peres said.

“They said it’s the place that creates the most beautiful accessories in the Empire these days. It seems to be a workshop set up independently by a diamond craftsman who was originally affiliated with 【Aivan】.”

Having said that, Peres walked ahead and opened the workshop door, standing there.

It seemed like he meant for me to go in first.

I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape inwardly.

It wasn’t a place I couldn’t come to.

This was a place I occasionally visited with Cleribane when I had time.

The problem was.

“Tia?”

That guy is just tilting his head, not knowing anything.

Until now, I had kept separate the area where I work with Cleribane and the private area with Lombardi family members or Peres.

It was to prevent what I had from flowing out to the outside world yet.

But seeing Peres holding the workshop door handle, it felt like those two worlds were mixing together.

“Oh, right. Let’s go in.”

I finally stepped into the workshop.

What could possibly happen anyway.

The employee who received the small paper Peres handed over exchanged a few words and then turned back.

“They’re bringing out the item.”

“I’ll look around a bit. Take your time.”

It was a familiar workshop, but coming as a customer made it feel a little different.

As I was looking at the displayed items one by one, I heard a familiar yet currently unwelcome voice.

“I wondered who placed an urgent order with extra payment, and it was the little master young lady!”

Croily Grandfather was looking at me and bursting into hearty laughter.

“Little master young lady?”

Peres tilted his head and muttered.

Croily Grandfather, the diamond craftsman, doesn’t know that I’m the owner of Pellet Trading Company.

But this was a case where the sharp intuition characteristic of experienced elderly people shone unnecessarily bright.

“Ah, that’s my nickname for the Lombardi Young Lady. They say she’s the disciple of the Pellet Trading Company owner, but from what I see of them working together, it seems like the Lombardi Young Lady is actually the one doing the teaching.”

Cleribane and I had acted thoroughly in front of others and no one had caught on yet, but it was still like this.

“I’m not the one who came to buy something today, it’s this friend here.”

Peres wore modest clothes today and rode in a carriage without the imperial crest.

He didn’t want to reveal that he was the Crown Prince.

“Ah, I see. Well then, please take a look.”

Croily Grandfather opened a small box and placed it in front of Peres.

“Hair pins?”

What was placed inside was a pair of hair pins.

They had simply crafted rubies attached, with a design that could be used frequently without burden.

Peres silently picked up one of the hair pins.

And he gently inserted it into my hair that had become slightly disheveled from opening the window earlier.

“Peres?”

I called out to him in confusion, but Peres looked carefully at me with the pin inserted and said.

“…Pretty, Tia.”

“Is this mine?”

“Yeah, do you like it?”

Peres asked me with eyes full of expectation.

Not only was it a pretty hair pin that I couldn’t help but like.

Looking at that face that seemed like his tail would be wagging, even if it were completely rusted, I don’t think I could say I didn’t like it.

“Yeah, thank you. I’ll use it well.”

When I nodded and spoke, Peres smiled quietly.

Peres has notably less emotional expression compared to other people.

So if I convert that smiling face to a normal person’s reaction, that’s about the level of jumping up and down with joy.

The person who gave the gift is even happier than that.

To show that I really did like the hair pin, I picked up the remaining one and inserted it into my hair.

Peres’s smile deepened even more.

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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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