Tia’s Smooth Life After Regression - Chapter 134

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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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Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life

Chapter 134

Valentina gazed as if enchanted at Tiya’s eyes, which sparkled like a small sun with the summer sunlight filtering through them.

“I want Valen to think of this place as home too, just like me, Brother Lev, and Rodion. But that’s not something that happens just because we want it to, right?”

Tiya scratched her cheek somewhat shyly as she continued speaking.

“I was the same way. It took a really long time for Frost Castle to become home for me. Even though I quickly grew fond of Grandmother Bear and the people at Frost Castle.”

Tiya paused to catch her breath. She seemed to be missing the people in the distant North. However, she soon shook her head lightly as if trying to shake off the melancholy and spoke cheerfully.

“Valen is the same way, right? This place can’t become Valen’s new home right away, but you still like being by my side and Brother Lev’s side.”

Tiya was confident, as if Valentina had no choice but to enjoy being with them.

“So, I’ll become Valen’s home. Even if you go to the South, you must come back.”

Then Tiya patted her chest area.

“Here, to where I, Astiya, am. You understand, right?”

A single childish remark from a young child.

Yet those words strangely reassured Valentina.

Without realizing it, he grasped Tiya’s hand as if clinging to it. Then he asked very carefully.

“Even if I… actually turned out to be a bad kid who deceived you? Would you still become a place for me to return to?”

The answer came back without a moment’s hesitation.

“Of course!”

Upon hearing that answer, Valentina’s expression slowly began to crumble.

The angelic smile he always wore on his lips disappeared, revealing his bare face that showed fatigue and wariness.

Not even realizing his mask had been removed, Valentina smiled.

“I’ll believe you since it’s your words, Tiya.”

A somewhat mischievous, boyish smile that revealed his even teeth.

Seeing that smile, Tiya smiled along with him.

For Valentina, who had been unable to find a place to stay and had been hiding in the shadows, it was the first day warm sunlight shone down on him.

* * *

Late evening, Rodion’s study.

Rodion’s hand, which had been turning through documents, stopped at the sound of footsteps beyond the door.

From the subsequent knocking sound, Valentina could easily guess the identity of the visitor.

“You can come in.”

The door opened quietly, and the person who appeared from beyond it was, as he expected, Valentina.

Valentina, who had entered, maintained silence for a moment as if catching his breath. Rodion didn’t bother to rush him.

Because he too couldn’t be certain of the answer that would slip from Valentina’s lips.

And after a moment, Valentina opened his mouth.

“You asked me to stay here for Lev’s sake.”

“Yes, have you thought about it?”

Valentina nodded. There was no hesitation in his following words.

“I will. I want to stay here as long as I can. For Lev’s sake.”

Rodion secretly sighed as if finally setting down the burden he had been carrying on his back. It was welcome news amidst a series of bad news.

And Valentina’s words didn’t end there.

“And… for your sake too, Lord Rodion.”

Rodion paused at the unexpected words.

Then Valentina forced a smile as if trying to shake off his nervousness and added his final words.

“Of course, it’s also for my own sake.”

A brief silence settled between the two, and Valentina’s smile quickly faded.

Rodion noticed that Valentina hadn’t yet brought up the real main point.

As he expected, Valentina, who had finished speaking but still lingered without leaving, looked directly at Rodion.

And with great difficulty, he began to speak.

“Thank you for bringing me from the castle that day, even though you knew everything.”

To accept someone even knowing they were a spy.

In fact, Valentina couldn’t shake the thought that Rodion’s pure goodwill had been foolish.

Nevertheless, it was true that he had escaped from the castle thanks to that foolish act, so he revealed his honest feelings.

“I don’t trust people easily.”

Calmly, without hiding it.

“So probably… I don’t completely trust you yet either, Lord Rodion.”

Nevertheless.

“But if there’s anything I can help with, I want to help.”

The moment he uttered those words, Valentina realized.

Though he had thought he couldn’t trust people, he had actually wanted to try trusting them all along.

Rodion said nothing for a long while.

Then he spoke very quietly.

“I won’t force anything unreasonable on you.”

Valentina nodded with a hollow laugh, as if he had heard something obvious.

“I know. I know that’s the kind of person you are.”

* * *

West Wing of the Imperial Palace, Small Conference Room.

The place where the Emperor conducted business was filled with high-ranking government officials from various departments.

Though there was a businesslike tension in the air, the meeting proceeded smoothly with occasional light-hearted remarks.

However, as soon as the agenda changed and the Imperial Investigator began speaking, the atmosphere completely shifted.

“Public opinion demanding Count Valoz’s punishment has already spread throughout The Dominion.”

It was the agenda regarding Shurkha’s treatment.

The Minister of Justice made a low groaning sound, and the Minister of Internal Affairs clicked his tongue in displeasure.

The more the Imperial Investigator proceeded with the investigation, the clearer the situation became.

Everything pointed to Shurkha being the culprit.

At that moment, Count Montes, who represented the Imperial Faction and occupied a seat in the meeting as an imperial advisor, spoke up.

“Wouldn’t this be sufficient?”

The gazes of everyone except the Emperor naturally gathered on him.

“The circumstances are already clear. The source of infection, the motive, and even the results. Is there any reason to drag this out further?”

He lightly tapped the table as he continued speaking.

“The people want clear evidence that all problems have been resolved. They won’t even have the patience to wait for a trial. Therefore, it would be good to consider summary execution.”

The mention of summary execution caused a stir.

Though no one said it outright, they all viewed Count Valoz unfavorably, as he served as the Emperor’s hands and feet, holding the nobles’ weaknesses to pressure them.

And they sensed that the time had finally come for the ownership of the Count Valoz title to change hands.

One by one, voices began to agree with the Count.

“It would be fine to show the people that the Royal Court does not tolerate this situation.”

“In reality, crimes as serious as treason are often tried and executed quickly.”

The air in the conference room became noticeably tense.

Some nodded their heads, while others averted their gazes.

It was then.

The Minister of Military Affairs, who had been maintaining his position in silence, raised his hand.

“Your Majesty, may I speak?”

When the Emperor nodded, he rose from his seat with dignity.

If Count Valoz was the Emperor’s left arm, then he was the person corresponding to the Emperor’s right arm. In other words, the words that would come from his mouth could be considered the Emperor’s opinion.

“I too do not deny the possibility that the Count is the culprit.”

After choosing his words as if adding a qualifier, he continued speaking calmly.

“However, if we proceed rashly with the execution and it’s later revealed that he is not the culprit, the situation will face an entirely different turn of events.”

The conference room fell silent.

“In that case, it would mean the one who created the messenger’s token is still somewhere out there.”

At those words, someone quietly swallowed their breath and then—

“And we would lose the talent who discovered the fastest clue to treating the epidemic.”

Let out a sigh.

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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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