In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 292

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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

Side Story Episode 34

“You want me to teach you?”

“Yes, I’m asking for your help.”

Peres bowed his head once again.

But Gallahan refused.

“I’m not great enough of a father to teach anyone.”

A lonely expression crossed his face as he said this.

“I’m just a lucky father, that’s all.”

Pirenthia resembled her strong wife.

She grew up on her own and before anyone knew it, became a tree large enough to provide shade for countless people.

All Gallahan had done was watch his child’s growth from the sidelines.

“So Your Majesty’s request is…”

“No. Father, you are more than qualified.”

It was a firm statement.

Gallahan’s eyes, which had been habitually sinking into his empty glass, turned toward Peres once again.

“As you know, I grew up not knowing familial affection. Not to mention the warm love of parents.”

Peres spoke as if reciting something calmly.

“But I have a vague understanding of what it is. I’ve watched Tia from the side, happier than anyone else in Father’s infinite love and trust.”

Before long, a gentle smile appeared on Peres’ lips.

“It’s not because you’re Tia’s father. I’m asking the person who has fulfilled the role of father most admirably among all those I know.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Please give me the chance to become a good father too. I want to become someone who won’t be ashamed before Tia, and before the child to be born.”

Gallahan gazed for a moment at those red eyes that seemed devoid of any flattery.

A much younger face overlapped with the figure who met his gaze without avoiding it.

Back then too, Peres had looked at him just like that.

So he had thought.

What a strong child, just like our Tia.

He touched his lips and asked with a chuckle.

“You’re saying that because you grew up without knowing parental affection, you think you’re lacking in becoming a good father.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Gallahan nodded and stood up from where he was sitting.

Then, as if speaking to a young child, he stood in front of Peres and bent halfway at the waist to meet his eye level.

“I don’t think so. Your Majesty will become a good father.”

“But…”

Gallahan’s hand touched the shoulder of the young emperor who was showing an uncharacteristically uncertain side.

“Your Majesty, you will become a good father.”

“Ah…”

The stern and unwavering words were like an incantation.

His anxiously churning heart gradually became peaceful.

Peres looked at the firm hand gripping his shoulder and thought.

Yes, perhaps.

Perhaps I too can become a good father.

Such feelings vaguely arose.

At this unfamiliar sensation he was feeling for the first time, yet which made one side of his chest feel secure, Peres clenched his fist.

It was awkward and he didn’t know what to do.

Watching that reaction from right beside him, Gallahan smiled broadly.

Then he patted Peres’ shoulder soothingly, tap tap.

“The very fact that you’re worrying about how to become a good father means Your Majesty already has the qualifications.”

“Thank… you.”

“Moreover, Your Majesty is already far ahead of where I was in the past.”

“Me?”

“Yes. At least Your Majesty is composed. When I first learned that Shan was having a child, I cried like a little child…”

Gallahan’s words gradually trailed off.

“…Surely not.”

Peres slightly averted his gaze.

“Pfft! …Ahem.”

Gallahan, who somehow managed to cover the bursting laughter with a cough, caught his breath and said.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. I, and the people of Lombardi will be there to help.”

Then something that could directly help Peres suddenly came to mind.

“Please wait here for a moment, Your Majesty.”

Having said that, Gallahan quickly went into the bedroom.

“Whew.”

Left alone, Peres gazed at that retreating figure, then let out the sigh he’d been holding and rubbed his embarrassed face.

And he looked down at his two hands.

The overwhelming feeling of standing alone before waves as big as houses had passed.

But his shoulders had become a little heavier.

“A good husband, a good father.”

Perhaps it might be a more difficult task than any he had ever tackled.

However, a faint smile was already hanging on Peres’ lips.

* * *

The wedding had somehow approached to tomorrow.

Peres returned to the Imperial Palace early in the morning, saying he had something to prepare.

For a moment, it felt like I had returned to daily life.

Besides, I was just as busy.

Because I had to officially take over the Empress’s duties after the wedding, there was much to prepare.

All day long, the clan heads of the vassal families came and went from my study.

Everyone had heard the news and didn’t forget their congratulations.

And the last turn was, finally.

“Welcome, Cleribane.”

I greeted him warmly.

“Good day, Lady Pirenthia.”

…Huh?

Something was strange.

The polite greeting and the neat approval documents were all very much like Cleribane.

But a strange sense of discomfort crept up.

“There are quite a few things to approve today as well.”

“That’s about right.”

What could it be, what on earth could it be.

I fell into thought as I signed the documents Cleribane handed me one by one.

Scratch scratch.

Only the sound of the quill pen moving could be heard in the quiet study.

“Ah.”

And I realized.

Cleribane wasn’t talking.

Not even the light jokes that usually passed between us.

I took the opportunity while exchanging documents to glance at Cleribane’s face.

This can’t be.

It was an expressionless face I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Cleribane had always smiled when he was in front of me.

“Hmm.”

In the end, even until the final signature was completed, only silence filled the study.

Ah, this won’t do.

It was when I was about to break this strange atmosphere first.

“…Cleribane.”

“I have just one question.”

Cleribane spoke while organizing the signed documents.

“Was the incident when Master collapsed also related to the baby?”

Ah, that’s right.

I bit my tongue inside my mouth.

I had completely forgotten.

Cleribane was one of the few people who knew about my sudden collapse.

He must have been very worried about that.

With so many things happening, I had forgotten to properly explain the reason.

‘He’s angry. He has every right to be angry.’

I quickly answered with an apologetic heart.

“That’s right. It happened because of severe morning sickness.”

Even if Cleribane complained about my thoughtlessness, or even if he got angry, I was prepared to accept it all.

But.

“I see. I understand.”

“That’s it?”

When I asked in bewilderment, Cleribane briefly added.

“Congratulations, Lady Pirenthia.”

That really seemed to be the end of it.

I eventually asked with an anxious heart.

“Are you… angry by any chance?”

“Pardon?”

“No, it just seemed that way.”

Even if others didn’t know, I should have given advance notice to at least those who had gone into emergency mode thinking my health had deteriorated.

That would have been right.

No, even if that wasn’t the case, I should have been more considerate toward Cleribane.

He was my teacher, the colleague I trusted most with work, and also a friend I had spent a long time with.

“I’m sorry, Cleribane.”

Cleribane had a strange expression after hearing my apology.

He put down the approval documents he was holding for a moment and asked.

“May I speak briefly not as the head of Lombardi Guild, but as someone who has watched Lady Pirenthia for a long time?”

Finally, what was coming had come.

I nodded resolutely.

“Then excuse me for a moment.”

With my permission, Cleribane took large steps forward.

What would he say?

Would he scold me for not fulfilling my duties as head of the family?

With various thoughts and a somewhat tense heart, I looked up at Cleribane standing in front of me.

“C-Cleribane?”

The smile that appeared like a lie on his cold face was completely beyond all my expectations.

It was as if I had witnessed the moment an ice flower bloomed.

“Well done.”

Something gently touched my hair as I still looked up blankly.

It was Cleribane’s stroking hand.

“When did you grow up like this, our little Young Lady?”

A surge.

Before I could stop it, something welled up inside me.

“If the opportunity arises, this Cleribane will also teach the baby to be born with all sincerity.”

“Oh, really.”

I tried not to cry.

Under the hand that still gently stroked my head, I had returned to being the child who first met Cleribane while holding books in my arms that day.

“You know this is cheating, right?”

Before I knew it, my voice was wet with moisture.

“I know. But I really wanted to tell you.”

“…Thank you.”

In the end, a tear rolled down.

Cleribane wiped away that tear naturally with a smiling face.

But without such reward, everything I had been holding back until now, everything I had suppressed even in front of Father and Peres, burst out all too easily.

I buried my face in Cleribane’s embrace and cried loudly.

How much time passed like that?

Embarrassment came rushing in belatedly.

“Sniff. Guild work and education too. When the time comes, you can’t back out saying it’s too hard.”

“How could there be any question?”

Even at my slightly grumbling words, Cleribane’s hand that stroked my head until the end was warm.

I sat like that for a while and took several deep breaths.

Since I had cried to my heart’s content, it was time to return to my position.

Without looking in the mirror, I wiped my face that must have been swollen and red with the back of my hand and stood up from my seat.

“Thank you, Cleribane.”

“I’m glad that I could be of help to Master.”

Cleribane, who had already clasped his hands behind his back and stepped back, returning to being the head of Lombardi Guild, answered politely.

Head of Lombardi, Empress, and Mother.

The fear of whether I could do all those things well disappeared cleanly.

I’m not alone.

So I just need to continue doing as I have been doing until now.

Starting tomorrow, another life as Empress awaited me, but the anxiety that had been weighing me down disappeared.

“I’m hungry after crying. Shall we go eat? How about it, do you have time?”

“Anytime for Master.”

As always, I naturally took the lead.

And also as always, Cleribane’s reliable footsteps followed behind me.

* * *

The wedding day had arrived.

With the ceremony to be held at Lombardi Estate and the reception at the Imperial Palace, outside was already bustling with guests.

Except for the bride’s waiting room where I was sitting.

Knock knock.

“Tia, are you ready? May I come in?”

Father’s cautious voice could be heard from outside the door.

“Please come in.”

With the sound of the door opening smoothly, Father’s footsteps grew closer.

I remained seated and smiled toward Father reflected in the mirror beyond the white veil.

“How do I look, Father?”

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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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