In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 216

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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 216

Grandfather’s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at me for a long moment.

“How did you know?”

Fortunately, it seemed he didn’t intend to hide it until the end.

“If I tell you, will you also speak honestly with me, Grandfather?”

“Of course.”

Grandfather smiled slightly as he set down his teacup.

I can’t help it.

“The succession announcement was too early.”

I let out a small sigh and began to answer.

“It would be natural for me to assist you as deputy lord and gradually learn the work. It’s a process that normally takes several years. But Grandfather, you finished all that in just about a month.”

“Couldn’t it be that I simply found you very much to my liking?”

“That could be. I thought so too, which is why I stayed quiet. But.”

I shook my head.

“I caught on when you called me to that gathering of retainers yesterday. That meeting yesterday wasn’t simply a place to announce your decision to make me your successor, was it?”

A faint smile crossed Grandfather’s face at my words.

“Then what do you think it was?”

“…A question and answer session. It was a place prepared so that the retainers could resolve their doubts about me in a short time, and so I could persuade them.”

Due to the Lombardi family’s particularly high loyalty to the clan head, the retainers’ special affection for the previous clan head sometimes becomes a problem.

A phenomenon occasionally occurs where they cannot accept or trust the new clan head well.

Therefore, while deciding the next clan head is entirely the current clan head’s authority, the retainers must also be completely convinced of that decision.

Only then can the transition of clan heads happen with minimal disturbance and minimize the power vacuum.

And this is something that normally happens naturally through the successor education process that takes place over several years.

The clan head entrusts large and small matters to the deputy lord and successor, naturally creating opportunities to work and clash with the retainers.

Then when the successor finally becomes clan head, the retainers will know well what kind of person the new Lombardi clan head is, what work they excel at, and what matters they need help with.

“If it weren’t a situation where I had to make the retainers my people in a very short time, Grandfather would never be the type to create such a meeting.”

There was a possibility that I, being nervous, might have misspoken in front of the retainers.

Or rather than captivating them, my spirit might have been broken.

But Grandfather wanted me to be quickly recognized by the retainers, even while taking such risks.

“Am I right?”

“…You cannot be deceived.”

Grandfather chuckled.

It was a laugh that seemed very tired somehow.

“How… bad is it?”

My voice coming from my constricted throat was terrible.

“Hehe, Tia worries so much about Grandfather.”

Grandfather laughed lightly as if joking, but I couldn’t laugh along.

I thought I had sufficiently changed the future by regressing to the past, but there could always be exceptions.

There might be laws of regression that I don’t know about.

For example, that a person’s lifespan is predetermined and cannot be changed.

“Estira’s medicine is working well. Don’t worry too much.”

Grandfather said while stroking my head.

“It’s just that when I overexert myself or have worrying matters, sometimes my body doesn’t listen like last time, so I became impatient.”

I quietly looked into Grandfather’s eyes.

I was scared because I wondered if his words about being fine were really true.

“Hehe, you child! It’s really true!”

Grandfather smiled a bit awkwardly at my appearance where the worry wouldn’t fade.

While continuing to stroke my head.

I quietly raised my hand and pulled down Grandfather’s hand that was stroking my head.

“…Since when have you been like this.”

Grandfather’s hand was trembling finely regardless of his own will.

“When I woke up today, it was like this.”

Grandfather spoke calmly as if it were someone else’s business.

“I already had Estira examine me. She said there’s no change in my body and it seems to be a temporary symptom. Look, I’m fine, aren’t I.”

Grandfather smiled and showed me his hand clenching and unclenching.

That sight gave me some relief.

Though it was a simple action, I knew well that it would be impossible if Grandfather’s illness worsened.

“It’s because the tension has been released. It’s all because my mind is at ease.”

“Grandfather…”

“After carrying this Lombardi alone for decades, now that I think there’s a reliable granddaughter to inherit that work, my body is being a little lazy.”

Lazy, he says.

Grandfather is the person most distant from the word ‘lazy’ among all the people I know.

“Time is belatedly catching up with me.”

“Then, should I step down from the successor position again?”

“Hey, you child!”

At my joke, the lonely atmosphere faded a bit from Grandfather’s face.

Then he looked out somewhere beyond the window and said.

“I have no regrets about the years I lived for Lombardi. But looking back, my life was also only about Lombardi.”

Grandfather’s face, bright in the sunlight, seemed to have deeper wrinkles today.

“I thought I lived diligently in my own way. But it seems regrets still remain.”

I looked outside following Grandfather’s gaze.

“Let go of this! I said I want to meet my father… Let go!”

Biejie was shouting while being dragged away by the guards.

“It’s a fleeting thought, but it would be wonderful if I could go back to the past and live again.”

Grandfather, who muttered in such a quiet voice, turned his head to look at me.

“I’m sorry, Tia.”

“Why do you say such things?”

“Haven’t I made you, young as you are, shoulder not only this family but other problems as well?”

It seemed to be about Biejie, who was staying at the Lombardi estate in an ambiguous status, and Belesack, who was still captured in the Imperial Palace.

“Tia.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“It seems I’ll have to pass the clan head position to you earlier than expected.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I immediately nodded and answered.

In my previous life, Grandfather continued working until the very last moment.

Since my role was to assist with that work, I knew well how difficult and lonely that time was.

“You should pass all the difficult work to me, and Grandfather should rest well.”

Then Grandfather will live much longer than in my previous life.

Because I’ll make it so.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“No.”

“Child, whether you’re bold or what.”

“I do have a rather daring personality, but it’s not like I have to do it all alone anyway.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“There are the heads of the vassal families to help me, and there’s Aunt Shannet to ask when I don’t know something. And most of all, Grandfather is here.”

“…That’s right, the position of clan head isn’t one where you have to accomplish everything alone. Yes, that’s right.”

Grandfather’s warm brown eyes looked at me.

I held Grandfather’s hand even tighter and said.

“So Grandfather, please speak honestly with me from now on. Especially about matters concerning your health.”

“…Yes, let’s do that.”

“You mustn’t hide things from me because you’re worried I’ll be concerned. You need to tell me honestly so I can help you.”

I deliberately spoke with a slightly brighter voice.

“If your eyes become dim, I’ll read any documents or books for you. If walking becomes difficult, I’ll make you a wheeled chair and take you anywhere. Let’s go for walks together at sunset to the forest that Grandmother loved, Grandfather.”

“Tia….”

Grandfather firmly grasped my hand.

And he smiled with me, speaking in a joking tone.

“Are you going to say it’s too hard and you can’t do it anymore?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

And I said with confidence.

“I can do it all.”

Because I had already done all of these things for years in my previous life.

“Yes, yes.”

Grandfather didn’t seem to believe my words.

But his mood seemed much better, and the trembling in his hands had subsided considerably.

We faced each other and talked for a while like that.

Then I carefully brought up the second purpose for visiting Grandfather today.

“And there’s one thing I need permission for, Grandfather.”

* * *

The Lombardi carriage carrying me arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.

I could see the palace soldiers hurriedly opening the gates after confirming the Lombardi family crest from afar.

Lombardi carriages don’t undergo inspection and can enter any palace within the Imperial Palace.

Considering that Imperial forces cannot enter the Lombardi estate, it was truly an unfair treaty.

Frankly speaking, if I wanted to, I could go straight to the Empress’ Quarters where the Empress resides.

But today my destination is not the Empress’ Quarters.

“Could you take me to the Knights’ building?”

The coachman drove the carriage to the Imperial Knights’ headquarters at my words.

Before long, I was standing in front of a large 3-story building made of black bricks.

“What brings you… here?”

A knight who was guarding the front approached and asked.

He seemed to know who I was, and though his face was expressionless, his bewilderment was evident.

“I’ve come to meet the officer in charge of the attempted assassination case against His Majesty the Emperor.”

I spoke confidently with my head held high, feeling the countless gazes fixed on me.

“Is the Second Prince here?”

“Y-yes, but he’s currently conducting an interrogation….”

“Call him.”

“…Pardon?”

The knight asked back in confusion.

“I said to call the Second Prince.”

“H-how could we dare tell His Highness to come and go…. Especially when he’s on official duty….”

“You’re not asking because you don’t know who you’re currently speaking with, are you?”

An ‘oh no’ expression finally crossed the Imperial Guard’s face.

I looked straight at that knight and spoke word by word.

“Go and tell him that the Acting Head of Lombardi wishes to see His Highness.”

And I smiled brightly.

“Understood?”

“Ah, understood.”

The knight disappeared into the building with quick steps.

“Making a guest stand on the street.”

I was quite displeased, but I didn’t intend to blame the knight for his poor guest reception skills.

I wouldn’t be waiting long anyway.

I thought that way and watched the knight’s figure visible through the window.

He went up to the second floor and opened a door near the staircase, going inside.

Probably the interrogation room.

And it was only a few seconds later.

Bang!

The door immediately opened and Peres burst out.

I could see him running down the stairs as if half-flying.

And seeing me still standing on the road in front of the entrance, he rushed over with quick steps.

Behind him, the knight commander I had met at the last hunting competition and several Imperial Guards followed in a line.

Peres quickly approached exactly two steps forward and asked.

“Why didn’t you come inside….”

“No one invited me inside, so how could I enter?”

At my words, Peres sharply glared at the knight who had been standing guard.

“I apologize!”

“It’s fine. I didn’t come here to receive an apology.”

I said that and spoke to Peres.

“Today I’ve come on official business as the Acting Head of Lombardi.”

“Official business?”

Even as I say this, I can’t believe this is my first official task as Acting Head.

But as Acting Head, I can no longer just pretend not to know about this matter.

“Hand over custody of Belesack Lombardi to our Lombardi family, Your Highness.”

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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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