In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 166

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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 166

At my sudden outburst, Avinox’s mysterious eyes that resembled the blue sea blinked several times.

Then he clenched his fists and shouted.

“I want to take responsibility!”

“…Really?”

“Yes! Actually, I brought this today because I wanted to convey those feelings!”

Avinox pulled out a small box from his chest.

Inside was a pearl ring with a brilliant white glow.

It was as beautiful as any gemstone, but not cold.

It was the perfect ring for Avinox, a man of the sea, to propose to someone as warm as Larane.

When I stopped speaking mid-sentence and stared at the ring, Avinox seemed to interpret it differently.

“Th-this is all I have for now since it was urgent, but later I plan to prepare a proper proposal ring set…!”

“A proposal ring set? What’s that?”

“It’s a custom from the Eastern Region. Men from the east prepare twelve rings for their proposal. If the woman accepts the proposal, she wears a different ring each month during the one-year engagement period before the wedding ceremony…”

Avinox looked down at the single ring he had prepared with a dejected expression.

“I could have stopped by any jewelry store and prepared twelve rings, but I didn’t want to propose to Lady Larane in such a manner. So I chose the most suitable one from the Ruman Family’s treasures at the Imperial Capital’s town house…”

Avinox’s shoulders drooped lower and lower.

“She’s really not coming out today, is she.”

He looked so pitiful that I felt sorry for hitting him with the poetry book earlier.

I patted Avinox’s shoulder consolingly and sat down across from him.

“When did you hear the rumors about Larane’s marriage talks?”

“This morning, my younger brother Lignite told me. He said the rumors were already spreading throughout the Imperial Capital. I didn’t even know he was aware that I was meeting with Lady Larane…”

Lignite would have known about it long ago.

Though not as professionally as Beit brings me information, he does similar work by Peres’ side.

Avinox sighed deeply again.

“Is Lady Larane alright?”

His voice was completely powerless.

“Aren’t you angry, Lord Avinox? The person you love is having marriage talks with someone else while dating you.”

Honestly, I think I would be a little angry if it were me.

But Avinox shook his head.

“I know Lady Larane is sadder than I am right now. How could I be angry at her?”

Avinox’s powerless smile as he said this looked so much like Larane’s.

Right now, the two of them are worrying more about each other.

Rather than their own sadness and pain, they’re wondering if the other person might be suffering because of them, aching with worry from afar.

“I have something to give you, Lord Avinox.”

I opened the poetry book I was holding.

The pages opened, revealing a neat cream-colored envelope that had been hidden inside.

“It’s a letter from Larane. She asked me to deliver it to you, so I came.”

“Ah, Lady Larane…”

Even after receiving the envelope from me, Avinox didn’t immediately read its contents.

He just smiled and gently stroked the part where Larane’s neat handwriting read “To Lord Avinox.”

“Sigh…”

This time, a sigh escaped from me.

What are they going to do, both being so kind like this?

Those people over there would do anything for profit.

I’m really worried.

After staring at the envelope’s surface for a long time, Avinox finally carefully opened it and began reading the letter.

He was being careful not to tear even a single part of it.

“A match made in heaven, truly a match made in heaven.”

I shook my head and gave Avinox time to read Larane’s letter in peace.

* * *

In front of the Empress’ Quarters.

“The Empress is waiting. Let’s go in quickly.”

Ceral urged Larane from inside the slowly stopping carriage.

“Um, Mother…”

Larane, who had been hesitating throughout the carriage ride, mustered her last bit of courage, thinking she couldn’t delay any longer.

“…What is it, Larane.”

Sensing something unusual in Larane’s attitude, Ceral closed the carriage door that the palace servant had opened.

“I have something to tell you.”

Larane couldn’t hide her anxious gaze as she gripped her dress tightly.

“That will leave marks on your dress.”

Ceral curtly pushed Larane’s hand aside.

“Tell me.”

“I-I don’t want to have a political marriage. Please reconsider, Mother.”

Larane said with a trembling voice.

She didn’t mention Avinox because she was afraid he might get caught in the crossfire.

After all, the marriage talks were with none other than the Crown Prince.

“Larane, you know this too, don’t you. What you want to do and what you must do are different things.”

“I know that well too. But sometimes I think there are precious things that cannot be given up, even for duty.”

“Precious things that cannot be given up?”

Ceral tilted her head.

“What is this ‘precious thing’ that’s more important than fulfilling your duty by marrying the Crown Prince?”

“…Happiness. If I marry the Crown Prince like this, I will never be happy for the rest of my life, Mother. Please reconsider.”

Larane, with her timid personality, was now squeezing out every ounce of strength she had.

Her delicate shoulders were visibly trembling.

However, Ceral clicked her tongue softly.

“Larane.”

“…Yes, Mother.”

“For high nobility who have much and enjoy much, political marriage is already part of life from the moment they’re born.”

Ceral spoke as if gently persuading Larane with a seemingly affectionate voice.

“Everyone goes through this process. I did too. So stop being stubborn.”

Larane, who had been quietly listening, looked at Ceral with wide eyes and asked.

“So are you happy now, Mother?”

“…What?”

“You had a political marriage with Father to fulfill your duty. So are you happy, Mother?”

Ceral was silent for a moment.

She just stared at her daughter with an unreadable expression.

In that heavy silence, Larane felt like she might suffocate at any moment.

Though it was said in anger, it was half sincere.

She had never once looked at her mother and father and thought they looked happy.

After what felt like a long silence, Ceral slowly reached out toward Larane.

Larane, who had instinctively shrunk back, flinched greatly at the touch on her head.

“Larane, pursue power, not love. That is always the right answer, my gentle and naive daughter.”

Ceral spoke in an affectionate voice as if singing a lullaby.

“That’s the best advice I can give you as your mother.”

“But Mother, I don’t want power.”

Larane pleaded.

“I have no desire for such things. The future I want is to share a peaceful daily life with someone I love.”

“Foolish words.”

Ceral cut off her words immediately.

“That peaceful daily life you want is nothing without power, Larane. You may resent me now, but please understand that I am making the best choice for you.”

“The best choice?”

“Your partner is the Crown Prince. Someday you will become the Crown Princess. Wouldn’t it be better to stay here where you can always see your family, rather than marrying into some moderate noble family in a place far from the capital?”

“That may be true, but… I have no desire to marry the Crown Prince…”

“How strange, Larane.”

Ceral’s eyes glared coldly at Larane.

“Don’t tell me you have someone you’re secretly meeting?”

“N-no! It’s not like that!”

Larane jumped up, waving both hands frantically.

But she couldn’t hide her face turning slightly red.

Ceral’s eyes narrowed.

“Even if there is someone, it would be best to end it quickly. Remember that the person you will marry is Crown Prince Astana, who will soon become the Crown Prince. Conduct yourself properly.”

In the end, Larane grabbed Ceral’s sleeve.

And spoke as if clinging to her.

“Mother, I really don’t want this marriage.”

But Ceral’s reaction was cold.

Rather, she stared at her for a long time as if trying to see through her daughter’s heart, then spoke.

“This won’t do. From today on, you are not to leave the Lombardi estate alone, Larane.”

“N-no, Mother!”

“Why not?”

“Well… there are banquets I’ve already sent replies saying I would attend, and also the reading club…”

“From now on, you’ll be too busy with wedding preparations to have time for such gatherings. And once rumors about the marriage proposal spread, everyone will understand if you can’t attend banquets. After all, you’ll be the future Crown Princess.”

Ceral smiled with satisfaction just from imagining it.

However, she soon returned to a stern expression and spoke to Larane.

“From now on, when you leave the estate, you must get my permission, and I will accompany you for most occasions. Do you understand, Larane?”

If this happens, I won’t be able to meet Lord Avinox.

Larane bowed her head deeply to hide her face filling with tears.

“Answer me quickly, Larane!”

Ceral urged her harshly.

“…Yes, Mother.”

Larane had no choice but to answer that way.

* * *

The Emperor’s study.

After the council meeting ended, Rulak was waiting for Yobanes in the Emperor’s study at his request.

“Sigh…”

Rubbing his eyes that ached from the aftermath of the long meeting, Rulak let out a low sigh.

This year, he had been feeling his age more than ever.

Now the duties of family head had become a great physical burden.

“Is it time for me to step down as well?”

Rulak muttered with a bitter smile.

Then Yobanes entered the study.

“Ah, you arrived first.”

The Emperor strode over and took out liquor from the cabinet.

And without calling for a servant, he personally poured liquor into two glasses.

“Would you like a drink?”

Yobanes said, setting down a glass in front of Rulak.

Rulak stared intently at the golden liquid in the crystal glass before asking.

“In all the years I’ve been coming to Your Majesty’s study, this is the first time you’ve offered me liquor, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm, indeed. I was stingy. To think I begrudged the Lombardi family head a single drink.”

“If this is about the iron mine, it’s useless. If it’s simply to make money, please consider other options. Lombardi will help you.”

“Hmm. So you absolutely cannot compromise on the mine.”

Yobanes looked at Rulak with a sharp gaze as he asked.

“Unfortunately, that’s correct, Your Majesty. There’s a high risk of ruining the market.”

At Rulak’s answer, Yobanes took a large gulp of liquor and nodded.

It seemed like an attitude that suggested he understood.

“That aside. I didn’t ask to see you because of the mine.”

Yobanes spoke as if backing down.

For a moment, Rulak furrowed his brow.

Emperor Yobanes was not one to back down so easily.

When it came to money, Yobanes showed stronger obsession than anyone else.

There was definitely some ulterior motive.

And Rulak was able to know the reason immediately.

“I called you to tell you that I’ve decided to take Biejie’s daughter Larane as Astana’s partner.”

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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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