In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 167

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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 167

Rulak’s eyebrows shot up like someone who was startled.

Seeing that expression, Yobanes inwardly swallowed his satisfaction.

When the Empress first proposed it, he didn’t care how it turned out.

He had no particular interest in Astana’s marriage, and moreover, it involved Lombardi.

Having to deal with Rulak was quite unpleasant.

But when he thought about it carefully, it wasn’t such a bad thing.

No, he liked it.

The granddaughter of this proud and arrogant Rulak becoming his daughter-in-law.

Moreover, Lombardi was undeniably excellent noble bloodline, so it would greatly help maintain the imperial bloodline.

Yobanes agreed that this time the Empress had come up with quite a useful idea.

It was worth coveting.

The Emperor made that judgment.

‘Unless he gives me something else in exchange for blocking the marriage.’

He had called him here today to test whether Rulak was willing to make a deal.

Yobanes struggled to erase the smile trying to emerge from his face as he asked.

“Seeing how surprised you are, it seems you didn’t know about the marriage proposal.”

Above all, it was extremely enjoyable to get on Rulak’s nerves.

“You seem quite shocked…”

“No, I had heard about my granddaughter’s marriage proposal.”

Rulak, sitting in a relaxed posture, shook his head as he spoke.

“I just never thought Your Majesty would seriously consider it. Haha, well now.”

Rulak laughed as if he found it surprising and absurd.

“I can guess whose idea this was. Your Majesty wouldn’t be interested in such matters.”

Rulak’s voice dropped low.

“The reason you’re bringing this up now must be because you’re thinking of using my granddaughter’s marriage as an excuse to get something from Lombardi.”

Emperor Yobanes’ brow quietly furrowed.

It was displeasure from having all his thoughts read.

Conversations with Rulak Lombardi were always like this.

This was the same whether it was when Yobanes had just become emperor or now that he had reached middle age.

Meeting Yobanes’ frowning eyes, Rulak slowly rose from his seat.

“The attempt to hold Lombardi and Angenas in both hands and weigh them was quite good. I’ll praise you for that. However.”

Rulak slowly shook his head as if in warning.

“My blood is not for that, Your Majesty. My bloodline is not a subject for deals.”

Rulak’s brown eyes looking down coldly gleamed.

And before leaving the Emperor’s office, he left one final word.

“Don’t do something you’ll regret later by being swayed by the Empress’s words, Your Majesty.”

Rulak walked out with leisurely steps.

Left alone, Yobanes downed his liquor.

He was so angry at Rulak’s insolent attitude that he couldn’t bear it.

However, there was no sharp solution available.

He had realized long ago that being the Emperor of the Lambru Empire didn’t mean standing above everyone.

As the Emperor was grinding his teeth alone like this, Empress Lavinia came to visit.

“How did it go?”

Yobanes became even more irritated at the Empress’s pretense of not knowing while asking, when she already knew everything.

Instead of answering, seeing the Emperor drink another cup, the Empress spoke as if pitying him.

“Oh my. The Lombardi family head made Your Majesty angry again. That arrogant person who doesn’t know to fear the imperial family.”

The Empress had a talent for accurately reading what the other person wanted to hear.

Even now, with just those few words, Yobanes felt his irritation toward the Empress considerably disappear.

“Push forward with this opportunity, Your Majesty. Astana’s marriage could be a major turning point in the relationship between Your Majesty and the Lombardi family head.”

“A turning point?”

“Think about it. With my granddaughter having entered the imperial family, Lombardi can’t act as arrogantly as they do now.”

“True. He’s someone who cherishes his blood relatives terribly.”

Yobanes muttered, recalling how Rulak’s eyes had blazed fiercely earlier when he said ‘My bloodline is not a subject for deals.’

“There will be resistance, but we just need to push through until the marriage happens. Moreover, Ceral and Biejie Lombardi have already agreed to their daughter’s marriage. The Lombardi family head has no strong justification to resist.”

Seeing the Emperor nod, the Empress inwardly smiled.

Manipulating an emperor who was angry from wounded pride was all too easy.

However, at the Emperor’s next words, Lavinia’s face hardened.

“So, if I push through with this marriage proposal, what will the Empress give me?”

“…Pardon?”

“Yes, I think the iron mine at the Sebest River dock that Angenas possesses would do.”

This time, Empress Lavinia flinched greatly.

Her body swayed visibly.

“The one under Baraportga’s name. That mine that was purchased almost like stealing from Lombardi through Biejie Lombardi about ten years ago.”

“Your Majesty, that’s just a small coal…”

“Don’t tell obvious lies that it’s just a coal mine, Empress. I don’t want to be angry with the Empress today.”

Yobanes spoke with a smiling face.

The Empress’s lips trembled slightly.

The mine the Emperor was referring to was one that Angenas had secretly purchased under Baraport’s name about ten years ago.

Angenas had no choice since they hadn’t received imperial permission to own iron mines.

The mine, which no longer extracted coal and only contained some iron ore beneath, had been fading from Lavinia’s memory.

Lavinia looked at the Emperor.

Though not exceptionally intelligent or scholarly, Yobanes was sharper than anyone when it came to his own interests.

Just like right now.

How long had he known about that iron mine?

The Empress felt chills at Yobanes’ still-smiling face.

“How about it? If Astana can marry Lombardi’s daughter, it wouldn’t be such a losing deal for Angenas.”

Empress Lavinia regained her composure and began calculating.

Angenas’s current unstable financial state, the dowry Ceral had promised for Larane Lombardi, and even the future benefits that could be gained from it.

And she nodded.

“I’ll give it to you, Your Majesty.”

“Very good.”

Yobanes smiled with satisfaction.

“Transfer the mine’s ownership to the Red Guild’s name tomorrow. I want to start mining immediately.”

Emperor Yobanes was quite excited.

The presence of the Empress sitting beside him was already outside his interest.

* * *

“Have you returned, Family Head?”

Butler Yohan, who greeted Rulak returning from the Imperial Palace as usual, immediately sensed something was amiss.

Rulak’s atmosphere as he got out of the carriage was terrifying.

Sure enough.

“Tell Biejie to come.”

Leaving only those brief words, Rulak went into his study alone.

“Did you call for me, Father?”

Shortly after, Biejie entered the study.

As if he already anticipated what this was about, Biejie stood still without even sitting down.

“Biejie.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Cancel the marriage between Larane and the Crown Prince.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Are you defying my orders right now?”

Rulak’s gaze turned sharp.

But Biejie stood his ground as well.

“Larane is my daughter.”

“Yes, but clan marriages must follow the clan head’s will by law. You haven’t forgotten that your marriage to Ceral was also the previous generation’s decision, have you?”

If it had been Rulak’s choice, Biejie would never have been tied to Angenas.

“…I only made the best choice for Larane. Becoming a member of the Imperial family is certainly a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

Rulak slammed his desk roughly.

“Speak honestly, Biejie. It’s an opportunity for you, not Larane!”

“That’s…!”

“Don’t you know what kind of man Astana is! Is that really the best you can do for your child!”

Rulak was more furiously angry than ever before.

Biejie had made many big and small mistakes over the years.

But Rulak had never been this enraged before.

“I’ve overlooked your faults until now because you’re a Lombardi and my blood. But even you cannot be forgiven for sacrificing your own child for gain. This is your final warning, Biejie.”

My spine went cold under Rulak’s gaze.

But Biejie gritted his teeth and turned around to leave the study.

The Empress had already warned him about this.

That his father’s opposition would be fierce.

But there was also a promise that if Biejie just held out, she would make the marriage between Larane and the Crown Prince happen.

“This is your final warning, Biejie.”

His father’s words thundered in his ears, but Biejie forced himself to shake off his fear.

* * *

The Pellet Trading Company office.

Cleribane and Violet had finished their reports.

I asked the two people organizing documents.

“When is the next cruise scheduled?”

“In three days, departing from Chesayu Port.”

Cleribane answered.

Ah, of all times.

“What about the one after that?”

This time Violet spoke.

“The newly introduced ship is in final preparations. The scheduled departure is in ten days.”

Ten days.

That might be acceptable.

“Why do you ask, Lady Pirenthia?”

“We might need to take a special guest on the cruise. I’ll explain the details later.”

I smiled at Violet and Cleribane, who were looking puzzled, then hurriedly left the Pellet Trading Company.

Today there’s a special schedule.

I hurried back to the Lombardi Estate.

Then someone who had been waiting for me greeted me warmly.

“You’ve arrived, Lady Pirenthia.”

It was Avinox, dressed very elegantly.

I looked at Avinox and asked.

“Are you ready, Lord Avinox?”

At my question, Avinox smiled and nodded.

“The ring?”

“It’s right here.”

Avinox patted the inner pocket of his chest as he answered.

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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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