In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 310
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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 52
He couldn’t even breathe carelessly.
His heart sank with a thud.
With a dazed mind, Gallahan thought.
‘I should step back.’
But his body wouldn’t listen to those words.
It was as if his soul had been stolen by the green eyes visible right in front of him.
Also, Gallahan vaguely realized.
That she wasn’t avoiding him.
Rather than avoiding Gallahan who had approached so rudely close, Shan just stared at him and remained sitting still.
Blink.
He felt like he could hear the sound of her long eyelashes fluttering.
Gallahan approached without realizing it.
He wanted to kiss her.
That was the only thought in his head.
The closer he got, the more his heightened sensitive senses seemed to feel even her breathing in and out.
He was being consumed by such sweetness.
But when Gallahan discovered something in her clear eyes, he stopped abruptly.
It was the image of his shameless self approaching a woman who hadn’t formally permitted courtship.
“I’m, I’m sorry…!”
Gallahan hurriedly stepped back.
“The weather, the weather was hot so I suddenly got dizzy…”
The memory of saying it was chilly in the shade just moments ago had already vanished.
Only self-reproach remained.
Of course, his desire to confess his feelings to her was overwhelming.
But having harbored dark thoughts even for a moment when he hadn’t yet mustered the courage to do so, he wanted to hit himself hard.
In the end, Gallahan sat as far away as possible and apologized once more.
“I’m sorry, Shan.”
Watching his completely dejected appearance, Shan thought.
‘He was trying to kiss me… wasn’t he?’
It certainly seemed like that kind of atmosphere.
It was disappointing.
“It’s okay, Gallahan.”
Today just isn’t the day.
“These things happen.”
This man doesn’t seem mentally prepared yet.
Though it was really just a little, truly just a little disappointing, Shan pretended not to know and acted worried about Gallahan, even fanning him with her hand fan.
“So, how have you been spending your time, Shan?”
Gallahan changed the subject with a pitifully awkward voice.
“Just the same every day. Nothing particularly special… Oh!”
Come to think of it, there was one piece of news to tell Gallahan.
“It seems like the owner of ‘Blue Wave’ will be changing.”
“Is Maji giving up the restaurant and inn?”
“Yes. She’s getting older now. Since someone appeared who wants to buy it, she seems to want to settle things.”
“I see…”
“She said it’s just like changing owners.”
A bitter smile crossed Shan’s lips at the end of her words.
“Still, I think I’ll miss her quite a lot. She was the first person to readily extend her hand to me when I first came to Lombardy with nowhere to go.”
* * *
After parting with Gallahan, Shan walked slowly.
She also pondered whether there might be something suitable to give Maji as a gift.
When she arrived in front of ‘Blue Wave’, she saw a very large carriage parked in front of it.
“A customer’s carriage?”
But it looked too expensive for the commoners who mainly visited ‘Blue Wave’ to use.
The restaurant interior, quiet after the busy hours had passed, was also unusually unsettled unlike usual.
As Shan entered and looked around, she spotted Maji, the owner.
“…Maji?”
The boss of ‘Blue Wave’, who was always confident and never hesitated to raise her voice at customers, was politely bowing to someone.
‘…Who is it?’
She saw a man getting up from his seat as if he had just finished talking.
He had brown hair and brown eyes with ordinary features, but there was a distinctly cunning and cold impression about him.
Still, what drew attention despite this was his attire that seemed to proclaim he was nobility from head to toe, and his arrogant attitude as if looking down on everyone.
As the man approached closer, Shan, who was still standing in the doorway, politely greeted him like Maji had done.
It was according to the Empire’s etiquette she had learned over the past few months.
But she felt a gaze on the back of her head as she looked down at her feet.
Thud.
The man’s footsteps stopped in front of Shan.
And he didn’t move from that spot for quite a while.
‘He must have something to ask me.’
Shan slowly straightened her body.
At the same time, the man’s brown eyebrows twitched unpleasantly.
“Ah.”
Shan let out an exclamation without realizing it.
Because the man’s face looked familiar somehow.
Biejie Lombardi.
It was definitely Biejie, Gallahan’s older brother.
Shan didn’t avoid Biejie’s gaze.
She absolutely didn’t want to lose to this person.
“Ptui!”
The confrontational situation that continued for a while finally ended when Biejie spat at Shan’s feet and turned away.
In the spot where Biejie had climbed into his massive carriage and disappeared, only contempt for Shan remained.
“Shan, you’re here.”
“Oh, Maji.”
Shan smiled awkwardly, pulling up the corners of her mouth.
As if understanding her feelings, Maji’s warm hand patted her shoulder.
“Shan, there are no customers, so shall we have some tea?”
Having tea together.
It was something that had never happened once in the months since Shan started working at ‘Blue Wave’, where there was always a mountain of work to do.
A little later, a cup of tea was placed in front of each of Shan and Maji.
Though they were crude cups, the aroma reaching their noses was fragrant.
After swallowing the steaming tea several times instead of speaking, Maji opened her mouth with difficulty.
“Actually, you see. I finished the contract today.”
“Ah…”
It was so regrettable.
Since Maji was safely retiring, it should be something to celebrate together.
Shan couldn’t hide her disappointment.
“But unlike what was initially said, it seems they’re planning to build something else on this site.”
“…What?”
“They said they’re planning to demolish the building entirely.”
Aunt Maji’s wrinkled hands fidgeted with the apron she had placed on the table.
Looking at those rough hands, Shan realized what the aunt was trying to say.
“I’ll have to look for somewhere else…”
Shan had suddenly lost both her place to stay and her job.
“I’m so ashamed. They said they’d pay much more generously… I had no choice… I’m sorry, Shan.”
“No, Aunt.”
Shan took Maji’s hands that were still resting on the apron.
“You don’t need to apologize at all.”
It was only natural to make a deal that could bring better compensation.
“This is a place you’ve poured your whole life into. You’re receiving money worth that value, so why are you apologizing to me?”
Shan squeezed their joined hands tighter.
“Thank you, Aunt.”
“Shan…”
“Thanks to you, I was able to adapt well to Lombardy. It’s all thanks to you, Aunt.”
To ease Maji’s heart even a little, she deliberately smiled even brighter.
“I’ll find a place to stay and work soon enough!”
“…Thank you for understanding, Shan.”
Maji also gently stroked the back of Shan’s hand.
“But do I need to vacate the cafe starting tomorrow?”
“Oh my, no! That can’t be. We have courtesy toward our regular customers too. They agreed to give us ten days’ grace.”
“Ten days…”
It wasn’t a very generous amount of time to find new lodging and a job.
* * *
“We’ve arrived at the manor.”
Gallahan roused his tired body at the coachman’s voice and got out of the carriage.
On top of festival preparations, he had been put in charge of logistics for part of Crown Prince Yobanes’ wedding a few days ago, making every day incredibly busy without a moment’s rest.
‘I just want to go to bed as soon as possible.’
Only one thought filled Gallahan’s mind.
As Gallahan entered the dim corridor, already late at night, quiet footsteps approached him.
“Lord Gallahan, Lord Biejie is calling for you.”
“…My brother is?”
He was tired enough that his feet were dragging on the floor, but he had no choice.
If he ignored Biejie’s summons, it was obvious that more troublesome matters would arise.
“…I’ll go.”
Gallahan headed toward Biejie’s quarters.
“You’re out quite late.”
As soon as he arrived at the drawing room, Biejie sneered at Gallahan.
Lately, Gallahan’s position had been growing stronger and stronger.
That coward Gallahan as Lombardy’s successor?
Ridiculous.
Fortunately, Biejie knew a way to cut off Gallahan’s budding influence in one stroke.
“You seem busy these days?”
“Yes. The trading company work is quite…”
“Right, I suppose it would be. Trading company work that’s beyond your capabilities isn’t enough.”
Biejie twisted his thin lips.
“You even have to play at romance with that lowly thing you’ve hidden away at the inn.”
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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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