In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 182

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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 182

The outdoor banquet hall filled with many people was bustling with one topic of conversation.

“Isn’t it too beautiful?”

“It looks as if it’s alive!”

All the people continuously pouring out exclamations were looking toward the center of the green lawn.

There stood a large wooden statue carved in the shape of a woman looking down at a small tree that was just beginning to spread its branches and grow.

“I had heard of Alfeo Zan’s reputation, but to think it would be to this extent!”

“I don’t know who that woman is, but doesn’t it seem filled with affection for the tree?

“But why is it such a small tree instead of a fully grown one?”

While people were absorbed in conversation about the sculpture.

A coachman who had entered Lombardy carrying a low-ranking official from the Imperial Office, a graduate of the Lombardi scholarship program, stepped into the manor.

Shabby attire and a roughly bearded face.

The only unusual thing about this coachman, who could be found anywhere in the Empire, was that his right sleeve hung loosely.

Glancing.

Looking at the people outside dressed in fancy clothes and chattering with indifferent eyes, he climbed the stairs without hesitation.

And with natural steps, he reached a door.

It was the Lombardi patriarch’s study.

The door that was always guarded by fully armed Lombardi knights was empty for some reason.

“Huu.”

The coachman who let out a low sigh carefully knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The voice of the study’s owner, Rulak Lombardi, could be heard.

The coachman quickly removed his hat and held it to his chest, then as soon as he entered the study, he bowed deeply and lowered his head.

“Hehe.”

Rulak, who was watching this scene, let out a chuckle.

“Living as a commoner, have you really become a commoner?”

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

The coachman smiled awkwardly.

Rulak Lombardi stood up from his seat and patted the coachman’s shoulder as he spoke.

“It’s been a long time, Gillard Brown. No wait, since you’ve inherited the family, I should properly call you Lord Brown now.”

At this name that no one called him anymore, Gillard Brown smiled bitterly.

“Thank you for making time, Lord Lombardi.”

“Have a seat.”

Rulak personally served tea that had been prepared in advance.

And looking at Gillard Brown carefully, he said.

“You must have suffered greatly.”

“…I consider it heavenly fortune just to be alive.”

Gillard Brown’s gaze lingered on the spot where his severed right hand used to be.

Rulak also watched this and asked.

“It must have been Angenas. They did something terrible, truly.”

It was about 40 years ago that Angenas seized all of the Brown family’s land.

After that, Angenas dried up the Brown family’s bloodline.

They murdered the Brown patriarch of that time, Gillard Brown’s father, who had been suddenly driven from his territory and was seeking refuge in a nearby domain.

Though the mastermind was never clearly revealed, no one was unaware that Angenas was behind it.

“Death would have been more humane.”

Rulak clicked his tongue as he spoke.

Despite the harsh words, Gillard Brown did not get angry.

Over the years, there had been many nights when he thought it would have been less shameful to die together that night.

“To take away the right hand of one who wields a sword.”

The assassins sent by Angenas only killed the young Brown patriarch, his eldest son, and the adult men who could inherit the family.

The younger brother of the Brown patriarch who barely survived at the time had both legs cut off.

And the remaining sons, including Gillard, had to lose their right hands.

They were survivors and witnesses who had no choice but to remain silent.

“But you survived, didn’t you.”

Rulak said to Gillard Brown.

“Only those who survive can sharpen the blade of revenge even keener.”

At those words, Lord Brown’s shoulders flinched.

He was surprised that Rulak knew everything even though he hadn’t yet mentioned his business.

Rulak’s deep brown eyes held a strange hint of amusement.

“Tell me yourself. What is the reason you wanted to see me today.”

And looking at Gillard Brown’s tensely stiff face, he added.

“Don’t worry about Angenas. These days those guys are too busy putting out the fire on their own tails. Since we’ve even held this scholarship meeting, don’t worry about today’s visit leaking out.”

“Thank… you.”

Gillard Brown bowed his head deeply.

And in that position, he spoke earnestly.

“Please help the Brown family, sir.”

“How so?”

“…I have found a way to reclaim the land taken by Angenas, but first I must restore our name.”

Angenas had finally succeeded in erasing the Brown family from the noble registry 10 years ago.

Strictly speaking, the Brown family was no longer nobility.

“So you want help restoring your name in the noble council?”

“…Shamelessly, yes.”

Rulak slowly stroked his white beard.

“Then what does the Lombardi family gain?”

“The Brown family, successful in restoration, will become Lombardi’s eternal ally.”

“Hahaha!”

Rulak burst into hearty laughter.

“Where else can you find such an empty promise. The Brown family, which can’t even be found in the noble registry anymore, as an ally.”

Suddenly Rulak’s eyes sharpened.

“Moreover, what should I trust in you who have become the Second Prince’s people.”

Gasp.

Gillard Brown sucked in a breath.

“That is…”

“Did that wolf-like bastard say this? That he has no power in the noble council, so go to Lombardi and try begging even with empty promises?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Gillard Brown couldn’t continue speaking.

Because Rulak was right.

Sending a letter to the Lombardi patriarch was the Second Prince’s idea, and it was also true that they tried to use the past friendship between Lombardi and the Brown family.

“Hmm.”

Rulak’s lips quietly twisted as he silently watched Lord Brown, who was blushing and seemingly feeling guilty.

“Consider yourself lucky.”

“Yes…?”

Gillard Brown’s eyes widened.

“Fortunately, I don’t like what Angenas has been doing lately.”

“Sir, then…”

Rulak didn’t answer for a moment.

Then he rang a bell.

Butler Johan entered the study.

Rulak looked at him and said.

“Bring Tia here.”

* * *

“Did you… know?”

Ramona Brown’s voice trembled.

“Yes.”

“Since when, no, how…?”

Instead of answering, I just smiled at her.

“Ramona.”

Kaitlin approached and gently placed her hand on Ramona’s shoulder.

It looked like she was comforting the confused Ramona, but that wasn’t it.

Right now, Kaitlin was telling Ramona not to ask any more probing questions.

“I apologize, Lady Pirenthia.”

I could tell just from how she apologized on Ramona’s behalf.

“It’s fine, Kaitlin. And…”

I looked at Ramona and Kaitlin standing side by side as I spoke.

“You two look very much alike.”

Kaitlin, with her neat and modest appearance, was very different from Ramona, who was tall with red hair, blue eyes, and striking features.

But their kind eyes and upright demeanor were remarkably similar.

In my previous life, Kaitlin had asked Grandfather to help the Brown Family.

But Grandfather refused, and eventually Kaitlin chose to become completely Peres’s person.

For Kaitlin, who had high affection and loyalty toward Lombardy, it must have been a very difficult and painful decision.

But in the end, Kaitlin chose her family.

Ramona became Peres’s official lover, the Brown Family was successfully restored, and they became the representative family of the Western Region instead of Angenas.

“Then Lord Brown must be meeting with Grandfather right now.”

At my words, Ramona flinched in surprise once again.

“Even if you ask how I knew again, I won’t tell you.”

“Ah…”

Ramona quietly blushed.

She had every right to be angry at me for knowing all about her and her family’s secrets while teasingly refusing to tell her how I knew.

But Ramona showed no such signs.

In those lake-blue eyes, her curiosity toward me had only deepened further.

“Shall we sit down for now?”

I guided the two of them to the drawing room.

“But Kaitlin, may I ask you just one thing?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Why did you want to introduce Lady Ramona Brown to me?”

This was actually the part I understood least.

It would have been better for Ramona to be taken to Grandfather to make an impression, even just once.

At my question, Kaitlin thought for a moment before answering.

“Because you are an important person, Lady Pirenthia.”

“An important person?”

Kaitlin nodded.

“Currently in the Lambru Empire, you hold the greatest power excluding the Lombardi Family Head.”

Ah, right.

Kaitlin was Peres’s maid.

Of course, Peres wouldn’t have told Kaitlin every little detail about me.

But Kaitlin had been assisting Peres closely from right beside him for a long time.

So naturally, there were many things she would come to know.

She probably knew enough about me to make various assumptions.

Judging by Ramona’s reaction as she looked back and forth between me and Kaitlin with surprised eyes, it seemed Kaitlin hadn’t given her niece detailed explanations either.

She was fulfilling her duty to remain thoroughly silent about things she learned during her work as an imperial maid.

That’s Kaitlin for you.

I nodded with a strangely proud feeling.

“And so?”

“I believe Ramona can learn many things from seeing you like this, Lady Pirenthia.”

I looked at Ramona.

I already knew that Ramona liked Peres.

It was so obvious at first glance that I couldn’t not know.

But such a Ramona could learn something from me?

“May I take a look at your hands for a moment?”

I said to Ramona.

After hesitating briefly, Ramona extended her hands to me.

“You haven’t put down your sword.”

Ramona was a member of the Brown Family.

And she had learned swordsmanship at the Academy together with Peres.

But that was already several years ago.

Even though she must have lived a busy life moving from place to place as an employee of the Monark trading post, Ramona’s hands still had calluses intact.

This was a slightly different path from Kaitlin, who had also practiced swordsmanship but put down her sword when she entered the Imperial Palace and became a maid.

“I haven’t skipped training for even a single day.”

Ramona shook her head as she answered.

“Because I am the daughter of Lord Brown.”

From Ramona’s clear response, I could understand.

The meaning of what Kaitlin had said.

Somehow I felt like laughing.

That’s when it happened.

Knock knock.

With a soft knocking sound, Butler Johan entered.

And he bowed politely as he spoke.

“The Master is calling for Lady Pirenthia.”

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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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