In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 38

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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 38

Cleribane’s deeply furrowed face looked as if he had just received news of a breakup.

“Um, teacher?”

“If I am insufficient to assist the Young Lady, I will work even harder. I will learn more and gain more experience. So please reconsider.”

Just like his smiling face from before, this was a completely different side of Cleribane than the one I knew.

Cleribane never bent his pride before anyone.

Even in front of Grandfather, he always maintained such a stiff attitude that I wondered if it was really okay.

Honestly, I’m flustered.

I asked as if to confirm, unable to believe it.

“So you’re saying you want to help me?”

“No, I’m asking for permission to be allowed to help the Young Lady.”

“Why on earth…?”

My inner thoughts came out without me realizing it.

Had I done something so significant that Cleribane would act like this?

No.

Rather, I had moved quietly, worried that people might notice or draw attention.

So why was that Cleribane Pellet showing such behavior?

Cleribane looked at me with furrowed eyes as I muttered in confusion, then answered.

“Because I saw potential in the Young Lady.”

“The potential that I could become a smart adult later?”

“No.”

Cleribane shook his head.

“The potential to save this Lombardy.”

It felt like being caught off guard.

I was rushing forward with the determination to become the clan head and save this beautiful family that Biejie would ruin in the future, but I had never spoken that thought aloud.

I barely managed my expression and returned to an innocent face to ask back.

“Teacher, are you saying that our family is dying?”

At my question, Cleribane realized his mistake and corrected himself.

“Not yet. The clan head is firmly holding his position. But…”

Cleribane, who was about to give a long explanation, suddenly cut his words short and stared at me intently.

Then he laughed somewhat helplessly and said.

“You’re testing me again, Young Lady.”

And he spoke to me with a tone that held no doubt whatsoever.

“You already know, don’t you, Young Lady.”

Cleribane smiled subtly.

Ah, he saw through this again.

I had no choice but to shrug my shoulders once and say.

“You’re saying that Biejie Lombardi must not become the next clan head.”

I deliberately called him by his name, Biejie, instead of saying uncle.

I didn’t feel any familial affection for Father’s brothers except for Shannet anyway, so this was more comfortable.

Cleribane didn’t seem to mind such things at all either.

Rather, he seemed pleased that I was accurately grasping what he was trying to say.

“The Young Lady must become Lombardy’s future.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Well, obviously Biejie Lombardi isn’t fit to be clan head…”

“No, not that.”

I cut off Cleribane mid-sentence.

“As you said, teacher, me growing up to inherit the clan head position would naturally be much better than Biejie becoming clan head. What I’m curious about isn’t that.”

I smiled habitually.

“I’m asking what reason I have to trust you and keep you by my side.”

“That’s…”

Cleribane showed hesitation for the first time.

I didn’t rush him.

I just sat quietly and waited for Cleribane to organize his thoughts.

“I originally come from the Dillard family.”

That was the first thing that flowed from his cautiously opened mouth.

“Romasie Dillard, the current head of the Lombardi Guild, is my father.”

I had known this from my previous life.

But only a very small number of people knew this fact. Only the heads of other vassal families with deep connections knew.

Romasie Dillard had never officially acknowledged having an illegitimate child, and Cleribane had never spoken about being Romashie’s son.

I had only learned about it by pure chance while helping Grandfather with his work.

Even then, Grandfather had made me promise to keep quiet about it.

Even though he knew I wasn’t someone who would spread stories to others, he reminded me several times.

That’s how much the fact that he was an illegitimate child raised in the shadows was an indelible scar on Cleribane’s tremendous pride.

Yet he was now voluntarily confessing that secret to me.

“When I became an adult, my father wanted me to live outside of Lombardy. He recommended that I become a court official or go to another region to build my life, offering sufficient support. But I came into this Lombardy. The reason is…”

Cleribane’s blue eyes looked straight at me.

“Because my loyalty to this Lombardy is great. More than anyone in the Dillard family.”

Then he added as if making excuses for himself.

“That doesn’t mean I have lingering attachments to the Dillard family. I also wanted to leave the Dillard family to build my own domain and contribute to Lombardy in my own way. But…”

Cleribane frowned his straight eyebrows as if recalling something truly unpleasant, then said.

“Though I sincerely respect the clan head, truly when it comes to raising children… it’s a disastrous situation.”

I had to acknowledge it too.

The prospects of his three sons were almost completely hopeless, and Shannet, who at least showed potential as a clan head, was a daughter.

“Especially in Biejie’s case, who acts as if he’s already been decided as the clan head, I wonder if his brain is filled with shit instead of…”

Cleribane, who was about to pour out harsh words, noticed my expression and quickly changed his words.

“So I was becoming disheartened, thinking I could only work for Lombardy while the clan head was alive. I became an education supervisor just in case, but the results were as expected… Then I met the Young Lady.”

Cleribane looked at me with eyes so full of affection they were practically dripping, and spoke seriously.

“I haven’t accomplished anything significant yet, but I’m confident that my loyalty to this Lombardy won’t lose to anyone’s.”

Honestly, I’m a bit surprised.

To think that Cleribane, who was always cold as ice, had such passion for the Lombardi family.

Well, that’s probably why he made the guild grow like crazy as soon as he became head of the Lombardi Guild.

And though it’s a bit strange to say, I kept seeing my past self overlapping with Cleribane’s appearance.

The way he did his best out of love for Lombardy, knowing he wouldn’t be properly recognized due to his birth circumstances.

I finally made up my mind and opened my mouth.

“The reason you haven’t accomplished anything until now is because you weren’t given opportunities.”

At my words after just listening all this time, Cleribane’s eyes widened.

“But now it’s different. Though it starts with just one clothing store, you know well how big a movement Father’s business will become, don’t you?”

“Then the reason the Young Lady sent Lord Gallahan to me was also…”

“I expected you two would become well-matched business partners. For both Father and you to have the chance to try something freely.”

“Ah…”

Cleribane let out a small groan-like exclamation.

I asked Cleribane clearly.

“Can you handle it?”

When Cleribane Pellet wanted to become my person, even showing his wounds, I had no reason to push him away.

No, it would be crazy to do so.

For me, who was still young and couldn’t freely go outside the manor, Cleribane would become my eyes, my mouth, and my feet.

He would also become my mask until I became an adult.

“It might be a bit difficult if you want to follow the things I’ll be doing from now on.”

Cleribane’s blue eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

“And most importantly….”

I asked the most important thing last.

“Can you keep a secret?”

Until I’m ready, no one should know about what I’m doing.

For as long as possible, I need to remain just a slightly clever granddaughter of the clan head.

So that Biejie doesn’t feel a serious sense of crisis.

So that when he realizes it, I’ll already be ahead of him in every aspect, having secured the position of the next clan head.

And I saw it.

A bright smile bloomed on Cleribane’s face, as radiant as when he tied the ribbon on my sleeve last time.

“Please take care of me from now on, Cleribane.”

At my changed way of addressing him, Cleribane’s shoulders trembled once, then he carefully kissed the back of my hand.

“I will trust and follow you, Young Lady.”

There was no need for grand promises or oaths.

That he would trust and follow me—those words alone were enough.

Now that our conversation was over, I stood up from my seat.

As I moved, Cleribane quickly stood up as well.

I brushed off my slightly wrinkled skirt and spoke to Cleribane.

“Tell Grandfather soon. That you’d like to try giving me advanced education.”

“Advanced education?”

His face looked as if he was asking, ‘Me, teach the Young Lady?’

“We can’t keep having secret conversations like this forever, Cleribane. There will be more and more things to discuss going forward.”

A lot more, in fact.

“So tell him you’ll conduct irregular one-on-one lessons with me as needed. Grandfather probably won’t object.”

Rather, he’ll be delighted and laugh his ‘Uhahahaha!’ laugh again.

I left Cleribane standing there uncharacteristically dazed and walked toward the entrance.

When I opened the door and went out, I saw two servants walking toward us from a distance.

I turned around and shouted loudly enough for them to hear.

“Then farewell, Teacher!”

I even gave a deep bow.

Then Cleribane, coming to his senses, returned the greeting and said.

“…Take care, Young Lady Pirenthia.”

I smiled brightly once more as a sign of encouragement, then began walking briskly.

Even I could see that my steps were bouncing cheerfully.

I was even humming a tune.

“Good, very good.”

I had gained Cleribane much faster than expected.

Now, what should I do next?

In my mind, I was busily making a list of things to do with Father’s business and the Lombardi Guild, with Cleribane at the forefront.

* * *

“What on earth is going on…?”

Robert, the owner of the bakery, stared in bewilderment at the long line of people stretching in front of Gallahan Clothing Store.

The long line that started right at the entrance extended past the pottery shop next door and all the way to the shop beyond that.

All the people in line were women, and they were all anxiously peering into the store with obvious signs of impatience.

“Now, now, we’ve prepared plenty of stock, so please be patient and wait a little longer!”

The woman who had introduced herself as Violet last time cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly.

But as more people came out of the store with items in their hands, the faces of those waiting grew increasingly worried.

Then someone rushed out of the busy store.

“Store Manager!”

The man with reddish-brown hair and particularly pale skin glanced at the people in line, then approached Violet directly and spoke quietly.

“I think we need to set a limit per person. At this rate, we’ll run out of our prepared stock in less than an hour.”

“Right, we have no choice. Do that.”

They had expected it to be popular, but such an explosive response was unexpected.

They never imagined they’d have to limit the number of items each person could buy due to insufficient clothing stock.

The faces of Violet and the store employees, who had been running around all day without knowing fatigue, couldn’t stop blooming with smiles.

After taking a deep breath and exhaling, she cupped her hands around her mouth again and shouted loudly enough for even those at the end of the line to hear.

“To ensure as many people as possible get a chance to purchase, each person can buy a maximum of two outfits! Please understand! Two outfits per person!”

At her words, those who had been greedy expressed dissatisfaction, but those standing at the back of the line were very pleased.

However, despite the staff’s efforts, all the clothes sold out well before closing time on opening day, and the clothing store had to close early.

And the clothing store’s popularity showed no signs of waning the next day, or the day after that, only growing higher and higher.

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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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