In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 243
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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 243
The feeling was strange.
I looked at the Angenas town house.
The mansion, excessively large to be located in the center of the Imperial Capital, was already completely empty.
Valuable items had already been disposed of, leaving only furniture that the next owner of the mansion might use.
I shifted my gaze slightly to look at the people gathered in front of the Angenas Estate.
Hundreds of people, nobles and commoners alike, densely filled the area around the mansion.
‘Really strange feeling.’
I had seen such a scene in my previous life too.
A scene where countless people gathered to witness the end of a family.
The only difference was that back then it was Lombardy, and this time it was Angenas.
And the one who created that difference was none other than me, Pirenthia Lombardi.
“Shall we execute?”
An official from the Imperial Palace asked me.
Only then did I realize the countless gazes focused on me.
Peres was one of them too.
Anyway, since settling the Angenas family was a task Emperor Yobanes had entrusted to me, I was the final decision maker.
“Close it.”
At my command, the imperial soldiers began pushing the heavy iron gate.
Creak.
The Angenas people were driven from the mansion and arrested.
The iron gate, which had quickly rusted in just a few weeks, made an eerie sound.
Clatter.
The expressionless soldiers rushed forward as soon as the iron gate closed and wound thick chains around the door handle.
Clank.
Finally, a large lock bearing the imperial seal firmly locked the door of the Angenas Estate.
Anyone who privately opened that door without imperial permission would be charged with treason.
“Tsk tsk.”
As if it wasn’t someone else’s business, I could hear the surrounding nobles clicking their tongues and whispering.
“So Angenas finally falls like this.”
Some noble spoke cynically.
“I knew this would happen.”
There were also people acting pretentious.
I quietly tilted my head while looking at the empty, dead Angenas mansion.
Well, were there really people who expected this to happen?
In the fight between Peres and the Empress, anyone could see the predetermined winner was the Empress.
One hundred out of one hundred people would have thought Astana would become the Crown Prince.
“Lombardy Acting Clan Head.”
But the ultimate winner was this guy, Peres.
“Are you alright?”
It was a somewhat random question for him to suddenly approach and ask.
But I knew what he meant by asking.
“I’ve seen everything there is to see, now I should go.”
“Hmm, my back hurts from standing for so long.”
When Peres approached, all the nobles standing around me fled.
This incident increased the number of people who feared Peres.
From Peres’s perspective as someone who would soon become Crown Prince, this was a good thing.
Fear would soon lead to powerful imperial authority.
“Acting Clan Head?”
When I didn’t answer and just stared at him, Peres called me again.
His eyes were full of concern.
Looking at those eyes, I thought.
Why is everyone so afraid of Peres?
Our boy won’t bite unless you provoke him first.
“I’m fine. How are you, Your Highness?”
Today, when Angenas was officially sealed, was also the day Peres’s victory was finalized.
“Very good.”
Peres answered with a refreshed expression.
“I’m thinking of officially proposing to the Nobility Council to remove the Angenas name from the Noble Registry soon.”
Yes, that’s just like you.
It was a perfectly clean finish.
Revenge should be completely cut off so that new shoots cannot grow again.
I smiled at Peres.
“I’ll lend my support too.”
The Nobility Council is my domain after all.
“Then may I escort you to your carriage?”
Peres politely extended his hand.
My carriage is right nearby though.
But somehow I seemed to hear the sound of a big black tail wagging vigorously.
I gently placed my hand on his outstretched hand.
As we began walking together, naturally people’s gazes flocked to me and Peres.
They were quite curious looks.
But regardless.
Peres and I maintained polite and businesslike attitudes toward each other.
“You’re especially pretty today, Tia.”
While also saying such things in a voice so small that others couldn’t hear.
Closing the door of the carriage I had boarded, Peres asked.
“What is your schedule for the rest of today?”
“I’m supposed to have dinner with Father.”
I haven’t seen Father’s face at all lately.
I was busy, but Father was extremely busy too.
Since it’s winter, the work in Chesayu shouldn’t be that busy.
“Hmm.”
I narrowed my eyes and thought.
Come to think of it, that’s a bit suspicious?
* * *
At the same time.
A clan meeting was being held at the Lombardy Estate.
Since it was a regularly held monthly meeting, there was nothing special about it.
Lombardy was flowing along smoothly today without any problems.
“Very good.”
Rulak, having received reports from each of his retainers, spoke with satisfaction.
Pride also crossed the faces of the vassal family heads looking at Rulak.
“You look especially well today, Master.”
Rmabaou Bilkei, the clan head, spoke to Rulak who seemed to be in a good mood.
“Hmm, do I?”
When Rulak asked, the other retainers all nodded in agreement.
“It must be because Tia has been handling the work in my place, allowing me to rest well. Hehe.”
Rulak spoke once again with a satisfied laugh.
“I’m glad to hear that, Master.”
“Indeed, indeed. It’s fortunate. Very fortunate indeed.”
Rulak finally looked around at the clan heads seated around the long table.
And he said.
“Today will be my last clan head meeting.”
Bewilderment, sadness, regret.
Various emotions crossed the faces of his retainers.
“I think it’s truly fortunate that I can handle my duties with a sound body and mind until the very end.”
Rulak spoke with sincerity.
“Hehe, don’t all make such faces.”
“But Master….”
“I couldn’t be happier than this. What’s the use of you all making such faces!”
And Rulak spoke consolingly.
“There was a time when I was terribly afraid. I wondered if Lombardy would collapse when I collapsed. There were days when I couldn’t rest peacefully even for a single day with such thoughts.”
Recalling those days that now felt distant, Rulak smiled gently.
“But I no longer carry such burdens in my heart.”
Rulak’s heart felt light as if it could fly away.
That sense of relief doubled as he watched Tia perfectly carry out the duties of Deputy Lord over the past few weeks.
Now he had not a trace of worry or fear about passing on the position of Lord of Lombardy.
‘I’m quite lucky indeed.’
Rulak evaluated himself that way.
A lucky person.
‘Among all the Lords of Lombardy throughout history, could there be another who stepped down as refreshingly as I will.’
With that thought, Rulak straightened his posture while seated and said.
“I wanted to use today’s occasion to convey my feelings to you all. My request that you assist my granddaughter well in the future.”
Today would be the last day he sat in this seat.
A routine that had continued for decades was coming to an end.
“I wanted to say that it was good to work with you all for so many years. And that I was grateful.”
Rulak said this while bowing his head.
Filled with gratitude he had never expressed.
And when he raised his head again, Rulak was momentarily speechless.
“…You have worked hard, Master.”
All the retainers had risen from their seats and were bowing deeply toward Rulak.
Rulak smiled broadly as he took in each of his retainers’ appearances in his heart.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Thus ended Rulak’s final clan head meeting.
And as he rose from his chair, Rulak was inwardly surprised.
His body felt incredibly light, as if he had truly set down a burden.
“Hehe.”
Rulak nodded and walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, saying.
“Those who aren’t busy, come have a meal with me.”
Looking out the corridor window, he could see warm sunlight filling the manor.
“Today is such a wonderful day.”
* * *
“Are you all ready, Tia?”
I heard Father asking carefully from the drawing room.
“Yes, I’m all set!”
I answered while checking my appearance in the mirror one last time.
Wear something inconspicuous, something that doesn’t look noble.
That was what Father had asked of me.
So I wore no accessories and chose the most modest brown dress from among the ready-made clothes at Gallahan Clothing Store.
“Let’s go now, Dad!”
“Ah….”
But when I actually came out to the drawing room, Father’s expression was a bit strange.
His slightly furrowed green eyes looked at me intently.
“What’s wrong?”
“Seeing you like this, I thought you really resemble your mother very much.”
“Me?”
I had seen a portrait of Mother.
She was a beautiful woman, but my appearance took more after Father.
“Yes, very much so.”
But in Father’s eyes, I seemed to resemble Mother.
Judging by the deep longing that seeped through.
“Well then, shall we go?”
Father said this and turned around as if asking me to link arms with him.
“Then we should prepare the carriage….”
“We don’t need to do that, Tia.”
Father said with a slightly mischievous smile.
“We’re going to walk around today.”
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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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