In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 168

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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 168

Avinox’s appearance, dressed even more splendidly than usual today, seemed particularly meaningful.

Avinox and I first strolled through crowded areas for a while, just like last time.

Then we headed straight to Larane’s greenhouse.

Perhaps sensing something, Larane couldn’t move freely outside the manor due to Ceral, but fortunately there weren’t many restrictions within the manor itself.

I decided to use this to help the two of them a little today.

“I told Larane in advance to meet us here. Ah, there she is.”

“Lady Larane…”

Avinox murmured sadly.

Larane always sparkled brilliantly when tending to flowers in the greenhouse.

But today was different.

The sight of her sitting listlessly on the greenhouse chair was so pitiful.

“Then I’ll take my leave…”

“No.”

As I turned to give Larane and Avinox time alone together, Avinox stopped me.

“Please be a witness for the two of us, Lady Pirenthia.”

Avinox, still clearly nervous, managed to smile as he spoke to me.

“If Lady Larane accepts my proposal, I plan to immediately send a marriage proposal in the name of the Ruman family to Lady Larane’s father and the head of the Lombardi family. I have already received my father’s permission.”

In other words, he would follow the proper marriage course for nobles.

He had already obtained permission from the Lord of Ruman.

He had really made up his mind and pushed forward with this matter.

“It may be a bit late, but the Imperial Palace hasn’t sent an official proposal to the Lombardi family or made any official announcement yet, so I still have a chance.”

Avinox said this while clenching his fists tightly.

“Of course… that’s only if Lady Larane accepts my proposal.”

Then he returned to nervous mode again.

I patted Avinox’s shoulder and said.

“I understand. I’ll gladly be a witness for you two.”

“Thank you!”

“Then, shall we go?”

Avinox, who began walking as if he might creak from nervousness, took the lead and opened the greenhouse door.

Ugh, even I’m getting nervous!

“Lord Avinox…?”

Larane called out to Avinox with a trembling voice, as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Avinox approached such Larane and asked in a gentle voice.

“Your face looks a bit haggard. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine… I was wondering if Lord Avinox was alright since there was no reply to my letter…”

Larane’s words were cut short.

It was because Avinox slowly knelt on one knee.

“L-Lord Avinox?”

“Lady Larane Lombardi, my courage came too late.”

Avinox took out a small ring box from his chest and opened it, holding it out before Larane.

“Will you marry me?”

A moment of silence passed.

Avinox holding the ring held his breath.

I, standing in the back to avoid interfering as much as possible, also held my breath.

Then a small sound was heard.

Drip, drop.

It was the sound of teardrops falling from Larane’s eyes.

“A-Avinox…”

Larane clasped her hands tightly and looked at Avinox.

Then a smile spread across her pretty face as Larane beamed brightly.

“Yes, Avinox…”

Just as Larane was finally about to accept the proposal.

Crash!

The greenhouse door burst open with a loud noise.

“F-Father…!”

“What are you doing right now, Larane!”

It was Biejie who came rushing in.

Avinox was the first to react.

He immediately stood blocking the way as if protecting Larane.

“Lord Lombardi, please listen to what I have to say for a moment.”

Then sparks flew from Biejie’s eyes.

He glared at the strange man who was acting as if trying to protect his daughter during an important marriage discussion, then muttered.

“I’ve definitely seen that face somewhere… Could it be, the Ruman family…?”

Biejie, recognizing who Avinox was, frowned even more deeply.

The eastern Ruman family was publicly known as a family that supported Peres.

Lignite Ruman had been close friends with Peres at the Academy, Peres had helped the eastern region receive trade subsidies, and the Ruman family had voluntarily joined the expedition to Aivan last time.

“What is the meaning of this, Prince of Ruman!”

Biejie shouted loudly and knocked the ring in Avinox’s hand far away.

The ring box that Avinox had carefully carried in his heart all the way here rolled on the greenhouse floor.

Looking at it, Avinox spoke in a calm voice.

“I apologize for not greeting you in advance. However, Lady Larane and I have been courting all along, and our Ruman family intends to send an official marriage proposal to the Lombardi family. I know there is an ongoing marriage discussion, but please consider…”

“Listen here, Prince of Ruman.”

Biejie approached threateningly and said.

“Do you know who my daughter is supposed to marry and you’re doing this now?”

“…I know.”

“You know? Are you saying the Ruman family, which is trying to get a foothold in the imperial center by any means, will make an enemy of the Imperial Palace now?”

“…For Lady Larane’s sake, I am prepared for that.”

“A-Avinox!”

Larane shed tears again and shook her head.

Biejie spoke to such Larane as if scolding her.

“Do you have sense or not! Even reckless behavior has its limits! If you act so childishly, not only you but the Ruman family will also be in great trouble, Larane!”

“Ah…”

Larane’s head dropped with a thud.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t see what happened today, Prince of Ruman!”

Biejie spoke through gritted teeth while grabbing Larane’s arm.

“Stop it!”

Avinox grabbed Biejie’s hand as if he might break it at any moment.

However.

“…Please let go, Lord Avinox.”

Larane spoke in a thin voice.

“Lady Larane…”

Avinox looked painfully at Larane’s arm held by Biejie’s hand, as if he himself were in pain.

But when Larane shook her head again, his hand holding Biejie loosened weakly.

“Let’s go, Larane.”

Biejie immediately dragged Larane away as if he didn’t want to stay here for even one more second.

Larane, caught in those rough hands, could only be dragged along helplessly.

Then Biejie discovered me standing in front of the door.

Glare-!

Without any chance to avoid it, my face turned to the side.

“Ti, Tia!”

“Lady Pirenthia!”

Avinox and Larane cried out in shock.

I could feel blood flowing down as my lip had split.

Ptui!

Biejie spat at my feet as I quietly wiped the corner of my mouth.

“Filthy wench, how dare you try to ruin my daughter’s future?”

Biejie was still seething as if his anger hadn’t subsided.

But as if afraid someone might see this situation, he hurriedly took Larane and left the greenhouse.

“Lady Pirenthia, are you alright?”

Avinox hurriedly approached and examined me.

I gently pushed his hand away and spat the blood pooled in my mouth onto the floor.

Actually, I’ve been slapped like this countless times, so it’s not much of a blow.

That’s not what’s important right now.

I looked straight at Avinox and asked.

“What are you going to do?”

“Lady Larane definitely accepted my proposal.”

Avinox answered immediately and picked up the ring box that had fallen to the floor.

“Lady Larane is now my fiancée. I won’t give up.”

It was hard to believe this was the usual gentle Avinox.

His eyes were blazing with fire.

“…Now I’m starting to like you.”

To protect Larane, he needed to be at least this much.

I took the ring box from Avinox’s hand and said.

“I’ll deliver this.”

Avinox looked puzzled but soon nodded.

He was saying he trusted me.

I confirmed the ring was safe and closed the box.

A crisp ‘click!’ sound rang out from within my hand.

Do you think I’ll give up just because of this?

* * *

The Imperial Palace’s Grand Council Chamber.

The grand council meeting between the Emperor and the noble council was coming to an end.

It had been an ordinary meeting with nothing special.

But as the nobles were preparing to leave the meeting room, Yobanes spoke.

“I have something to announce.”

Eventually, the nobles sat back down, reading the atmosphere.

After confirming they were all seated, Emperor Yobanes finally looked at Rulak Lombardi.

And with a triumphant smile, he said.

“I, Yobanes, hereby inform you lords that I have decided to accept Larane Lombardi, daughter of Biejie Lombardi, as the match for Crown Prince Astana.”

His tone and expression were light, as if he were making a joke.

But the reaction was not small.

“Gasp!”

“Lo, Lombardi?”

Those who hadn’t heard the rumors were shocked.

“So the rumors were true!”

“Lombardi and the Imperial Family…”

Those who knew the rumors shook their heads.

“This decision for harmony between the Lombardi Family and the Imperial Family will undoubtedly bring even more perfect peace and prosperity to the Lambru Empire.”

Now all the nobles were looking in one direction.

It was Rulak Lombardi, who was glaring at the Emperor with a stern face.

Curiosity crossed people’s faces at his reaction, so different from Yobanes who was grinning smugly.

Hadn’t this been discussed beforehand?

Could this be a unilateral announcement?

The Lombardi family head the nobles knew was definitely not someone who would want to be entangled with the Imperial Family through marriage.

Sure enough.

Rulak Lombardi rose from his seat.

And in a low voice toward the Emperor, he said.

“I refuse.”

“Re, refuse!”

An even greater reaction swept through the meeting room than when Yobanes announced the marriage.

“Isn’t, isn’t that dangerous?”

“To reject an official marriage proposal from the Imperial Family…”

If it were an ordinary noble family instead of Lombardi, they could be dragged away right here for the crime of disobeying imperial orders without complaint.

“Are you saying you will defy my command now, Lombardi family head?”

Emperor Yobanes asked, glaring coldly at Rulak.

But Rulak didn’t even blink.

Rather, he looked directly at the Emperor and spoke clearly, as if making a declaration.

“The Lombardi Family refuses the Imperial Family’s marriage proposal.”

Not satisfied with that, Rulak turned his back and walked toward the exit.

Leaving the meeting room before the Emperor officially declared adjournment was unthinkable.

When Rulak grabbed the door handle of the meeting room, Yobanes shouted in fury.

“If you open that door and leave now, you will never set foot in the Imperial Capital again, Lombardi family head!”

He was threatening to issue a ban from the capital.

The ban from the Imperial Capital, which prevented entry to the Emperor’s land where important matters like noble councils and grand meetings took place, was one of the punishments central nobles feared most.

However, hearing that shout, Rulak turned to look at Yobanes with one corner of his mouth raised crookedly.

“A ban from the capital.”

It was a punishment that had already been imposed on Rulak once by Yobanes’ father, the Previous Emperor.

And after twenty years of power struggle, the Previous Emperor had to withdraw the ban with his own hands.

Rulak gave Yobanes a slight bow and said.

“Do as Your Majesty wishes.”

“Lombardi family head!”

Yobanes’ voice came from behind, but Rulak paid no heed and vigorously pushed open the massive door, walking proudly out of the Grand Council Chamber.

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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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