In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 294

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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 36

What is he saying right now.

I questioned him back, doubting my own ears.

“You’re moving your residence?”

“Yeah.”

Unlike my flustered self, Peres was just smiling as usual.

He doesn’t seem to be joking right now.

“You’re the Emperor, Peres. Does it make sense for the Emperor to stay somewhere other than the Imperial Palace?”

“I’ll commute to and from work. I’ll handle state affairs at the Imperial Palace, but return here at night.”

“You’re already so busy, there’s no way you can split your time like that, Peres.”

“Tia did it.”

I was at a loss for words.

“You came to the Imperial Palace to attend meetings, then returned to handle Lombardy’s affairs.”

That is true, but.

“Even so, that’s different.”

As I was about to retort, Peres’s finger gently rubbed the back of my hand.

“Just one year. Okay?”

“One year…?”

“Yeah. After that, I’ll do as Tia wishes.”

Peres said, tilting his head slightly.

His bangs, casually down since it was morning, swayed accordingly.

And his ruby-like eyes, seemingly harmless as could be, were just waiting for my answer.

“If it’s just one year…”

I muttered absentmindedly without realizing it.

No, let me come to my senses.

I shouldn’t fall for his charm.

But my briefly recovered sanity was shaken again by his next words.

“I’m worried about Tia.”

“You’re worried about me?”

“Yeah. Your body will gradually get heavier and you’ll have many uncomfortable moments. I should be by your side.”

That is true.

Right now it’s fine since it’s early pregnancy, but going back and forth between the Imperial Palace and Lombardy will gradually become more burdensome.

“How about doing as His Majesty suggests.”

Father supported Peres’s words.

“Normally you should be staying at the Empress’s quarters, but it’s a special situation in many ways. It’s also a noble tradition for couples to stay at the bride’s family home after the wedding and move to their own house when they want.”

There was nothing wrong with Father’s words.

All nobles do move that way.

“Hmm.”

Father and Peres looked at me with gently smiling faces as if they had joined forces.

I looked back and forth between the two for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Do as you wish, Peres.”

“Thank you.”

Peres kissed the back of my hand that he was holding.

In the end, it was decided that Peres would keep his residence at Lombardy and commute to the Imperial Palace.

But I felt strangely uneasy.

I looked around with slightly narrowed eyes, but all the family members were just continuing their meal with peaceful faces.

I think I got played a bit.

* * *

A few days after Peres’s commuting declaration.

A new daily routine began.

“Well, I figured as much.”

In fact, it was surprisingly the same as usual.

I thought that after getting married, a new chapter of life would dramatically unfold.

My life was still similar to before.

Except for having time once a day to handle Imperial-related affairs.

Knock knock.

A person wearing the court robes of the Imperial Household Department entered the study where only Lombardy people had been coming and going all day.

It was a sight I’d been seeing for several days, but it was still fascinating.

“Empress, have you been well?”

This was the only time I was called ‘Empress.’

“We saw each other yesterday. Did you also have a good day?”

“Ah, yes. Thanks to you, I had a good day.”

The face of the Imperial Household Department aide answering looked bewildered.

I heard he also assisted Lavinia Angenas.

He seemed unable to adapt to my comfortable attitude.

I smiled at the aide for a moment, then asked.

“What work did you bring today?”

“It’s about the renovation of Poilak Palace.”

“I see.”

I skimmed through the documents the aide handed me, page by page.

Originally, my plan was to go back and forth between Lombardy and the Imperial Palace.

But with Peres’s residence moving to the Lombardy estate, an environment was naturally created where I could also handle Empress duties here.

In other words, work efficiency improved.

“Doesn’t it seem like this garden expansion could be postponed until summer? Instead, before the rainy season comes, we should first repair the greenhouse…”

While I was listing my various opinions, the aide was busy taking notes of my words.

“So let’s do the south side of Poilak Palace that way, but the real problem is the west side.”

“Um, Empress.”

As soon as my words came to a pause, the aide spoke up.

“What is it?”

“The renovation of Poilak Palace is not such an urgent matter. So you could take more time and think about it slowly…”

“Ah, right. Then what’s the urgent business?”

At my question, the aide hesitated for a moment before answering.

“There is none.”

I tilted my head, not quite understanding.

“None?”

“The urgent matters have already all been handled by Your Majesty.”

“Already?”

I recalled the documents that had crossed my desk over the past few days.

There really weren’t that many?

Perhaps interpreting my silence somehow, the aide carefully added.

“I dare to wonder if the Imperial Household Department’s work processing doesn’t meet your satisfaction due to my meager abilities.”

The conversation was flowing strangely somehow.

“From now on, I will do my utmost best to serve you with all sincerity, so please don’t overwork yourself…”

It seemed I had been seriously misunderstood.

I raised one hand and said.

“No. I haven’t overworked myself, Sir Stain.”

The slightly wrinkled eyes of the middle-aged man widened in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected me to remember his name.

“I’ve never been dissatisfied with the Imperial Household Department or your work abilities. Rather, I’m impressed every time, so don’t worry.”

“Your Majesty the Empress…”

“I apologize for rushing things unintentionally. The Imperial Household Department has its own way of doing things. I overlooked that and pushed forward in my usual manner.”

“An apology, you say?”

Lord Stain waved his hands in surprise.

“That’s absolutely unnecessary. I only spoke out of concern that Your Majesty’s health might suffer while also having to care for the Lombardi family.”

“I know you said it for my sake. And I’m not overexerting myself at all. Rather, learning new things is nothing but enjoyable.”

The duties as head of the Lombardi family, which had once felt overwhelming, had long since become familiar.

For me, the new responsibilities as Empress were providing good refreshment.

“So I’ll continue to rely on you, Lord Stain. Ah, but if I get ahead of myself like this time, please tell me anytime.”

“Your Majesty the Empress…”

Lord Stain’s eyes looking at me even had a faint moisture in them.

It was a somewhat familiar situation.

When had I seen such an expression before.

“I’m the one who should ask for your continued support.”

Lord Stain bowed deeply.

“Yes, yes.”

I changed the subject as if to comfort Lord Stain.

“Though I said it wasn’t urgent, since we’ve started, shall we discuss Poilak Palace a bit more, Lord Stain?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

It seemed we would become a well-coordinated team in the future.

* * *

Come to think of it, there was one more thing that had changed in my daily life.

“You worked hard again today, Tia.”

When I returned to the bedroom after finishing my daily tasks, Peres, who had been sitting against the bed reading a book, greeted me.

It was such a strange feeling.

Peres naturally waiting for me when I returned after ending the day.

When I stood there motionless and dazed, Peres closed his book, set it down, and approached me.

“Did something happen?”

Familiar hands brushed through my hair.

“From now on…”

“Yes, Tia.”

“Will it continue to be like this from now on?”

So this is what marriage is.

A somewhat late realization came flooding in like a tide.

Seeing each other’s faces first thing upon waking, and warming our bodies with each other’s warmth before sleeping.

As if reading all the feelings in my heart that I couldn’t fully express in words, Peres smiled joyfully.

“Yes, it will be. For a very long time.”

“…Marriage was more amazing than I thought.”

“Well. For me, it’s something I’ve wanted for so long.”

“Long ago? How long ago?”

“Hmm. Probably from the day Tia gave me candy and left?”

“That’s a lie.”

Peres was just a ten-year-old kid back then.

But he had such thoughts from that time?

“It’s true though.”

Peres let out a small laugh.

“I thought about it every day. The day when I could stay by Tia’s side. Not for a long time like back then, but imagining that you would come to me even if I waited just a few hours.”

“Hey, what am I supposed to do when you say things like that.”

It makes me seem like such a bad person.

When I gently pushed against his chest so it wouldn’t hurt, Peres even caught that hand and kissed it.

“That’s why now feels like a dream. The time in the carriage coming to Lombardy, and the time coming to the bedroom first to wait for you. Every moment is precious.”

“Peres, you…”

Inevitably, my voice trembled a little.

“You really do love me.”

“I’ve always said it, Tia. That you’re more precious than anything else in this world.”

Warm lips touched lightly at the end of his words.

Peres’s scent gently permeated.

Is it okay for me to just receive such affection?

My nose tingled as the thought crossed my mind.

I lifted my heels slightly and kissed his straight forehead, just as Peres habitually did to me.

“Me too. I’ll do better too.”

Peres, who had blinked his eyes as if slightly surprised by my kiss, hugged me even tighter and said.

“You don’t need to. Tia is already enough. Just.”

“Just?”

“Just let me say this every day.”

Peres came closer and whispered.

“You worked hard.”

I unconsciously closed my eyes at the breath I felt on my sensitive skin.

“Welcome home, my wife.”

“…You’re so silly.”

Listening to Peres’s laughter flowing in my ear, I hugged him even tighter.

With all my strength until my arms ached.

And I made a resolution.

To become a bigger and stronger person so I wouldn’t miss a single drop of this affection pouring over me.

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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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