Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 145

Kalian had sent a letter to Philen that he didn’t need to return until spring. It was to prevent Leila and Philen from meeting.

 

What should I do when spring comes?

 

He couldn’t keep delaying Philen’s return, so he had to find another way.

 

For example, sending him to another area. But sending Philen, the Minister of Marshal and commander-in-chief, was absurd.

 

Should I take this opportunity to cut him out?

 

In his mind, he wanted to do that. But he couldn’t cut a high-ranking noble out at will for no reason, especially if it was a duke.

 

Moreover, there was no one to replace Philen as commander-in-chief. Even though Philen was incompetent on the other side, when it came to war and swordsmanship, he was arguably the best in the empire.

 

Seeing him this way, his head wasn’t actually that bad, but he wondered why it didn’t roll on the other side.

 

Anyway, considering many things, it was unreasonable to remove Philen from being the commander-in-chief. Then, the only way was to send him out. Or starting a war.

 

Of course, the latter was way too extreme. The last six years of war had taken a heavy toll on the empire, so it was imperative to prevent another one.

 

Then, what should I do?

 

There was still time until spring, so he thought he could think about it slowly, but he didn’t expect Philen to appear at the palace before his vacation was over.

 

When he asked him out of absurdity, Philen politely greeted Kalian.

 

“I see Your Majesty the Emperor, the sun of the Empire.”

 

His handsome appearance, which once shook the social world, had turned gaunt.

 

After Cecily’s atrocities were revealed and Leila left, he heard he was addicted to alcohol. It seemed to be true when he looked at him.

 

“Put away the formal greetings you don’t even care about.”

 

Kalian crossed his arms and leaned against the door obliquely.

 

“I ask you one more time. What are you doing here when you should still be on vacation?”

 

Philen’s expression subtly hardened at the way he treated him as if he was an uninvited guest.

 

Philen answered, hiding his hardened expression by bowing his head.

 

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s concern for me, but it seems that I have been away for too long, so I want to return soon.”

 

“What if I say no?”

 

“I still intend to keep coming.”

 

It meant he would stay in the capital and keep coming to the palace.

 

He should have felt proud that he wanted to work even while on vacation, but the reason he didn’t feel that way was because he knew what Philen was up to.

 

He wants to see Leila, doesn’t he? 

 

Because of the notarized wish, he couldn’t go to see Leila directly, so he was trying to see her like this.

 

Seriously, he was a master at making people annoyed.

 

“Not allowed. If the Duke comes to the palace while on vacation, some will misunderstand that the Duke has returned, so come back after your vacation is over.”

 

“Then Your Majesty should accept my return request.”

 

“You repeat the same thing over and over again, huh?”

 

With a small smile, Kalian raised his body, which was leaning against the wall.

 

“Do you think I don’t know what your intention is, Duke Williot?”

 

As expected, it didn’t suit his temper to beat around the bush. And he didn’t want to listen to the kind of guys like that beating around the bush.

 

“You’re going to hover around Leila on the pretext of work, right?”

 

When Kalian said Leila’s name, a spark flashed in Philen’s eyes.

 

“Please don’t say Leila’s name carelessly like that.”

 

How dare, who says that to whom?

 

Kalian laughed a little.

 

“Why should I do that? Leila allowed me to call Leila by Leila’s name though.”

 

Kalian deliberately called Leila’s name several times.

 

Philen bit his lip hard with a furious face. His fist, half hidden in his sleeve, trembled.

 

He wants to hit me. 

 

Kalian rather wanted Philen to come to him. Then he could have sent him far away for assaulting the Imperial family. He thought it would be perfect to send him to the Aobis Coal Mine, which Cecily originally intended to go to.

 

But unfortunately, Philen didn’t come to him. It seemed that there wasn’t enough reason to dare to do anything to the emperor.

 

“No more lingering feelings for Leila, Duke Williot. You can’t even go near Leila in private anymore, can you?”

 

Since the notarized wish had legal effect, it should not be violated, even though he was a duke. If he did, he would be summoned to the guards and go through something quite disgraceful as a duke.

 

Philen bit his lip so hard that it bled before he spoke.

 

“Leila is my fiancée, chosen by my deceased parents. So the place where Leila should be is next to me.”

 

It wasn’t a word. It was rubbish.

 

Kalian twisted his lips.

 

It’s been a while since they broke up, and it’s very unpleasant seeing Philen still refer to Leila as his fiancée.

 

“I remember it was you who abandoned your fiancée.”

 

Kalian continued while looking at Philen coldly.

 

“But now you’re coming to take her back? Duke Williot, did you kill your shamelessness with the enemy during the war?”

 

Philen clenched his fists and said.

 

“I didn’t abandon her!”

 

His voice was raised to the fullest and resounded in the quiet General Affairs Department.

 

“It was just that Leila was so presumptuous and ignoring me, a duke, so I was just trying to fix her behavior a little bit!”

 

“How did Leila ignore you?”

 

Kalian tilted his head.

 

“Is it because she didn’t take good care of the mistress the Duke brought? Or is it because she took care of the Williot estate on behalf of the incompetent duke?”

 

Words cold as ice swirled like a blizzard.

 

“I don’t think Leila did anything wrong. All the wrongs were done by you, Duke Williot.”

 

Philen paused for a moment, then said, as if he was very upset.

 

“Your Majesty thinks that way because you only listened to Leila.”

 

“Because I only listened to Leila?”

 

Kalian chuckled.

 

“Duke Williot, you’re misunderstanding something. I’ve never heard of the Duke from Leila.”

 

Philen looked at Kalian, a little surprised. His shaking eyes were shouting, ‘Lie.’

 

“Believe it or not, it’s the Duke’s choice, but just know that it’s true. Leila never said anything about the Duke.”

 

When there was a problem, she never said anything, even petty problems. He was dissatisfied, but seeing Philen’s distorted face was quite exhilarating.

 

Maybe that’s why Leila didn’t say a word about Philen to the people around her. Because it meant that he wasn’t worth talking about or that she didn’t want to mention him.

 

“If I said this much, you would understand, right? So, don’t do anything useless and go back, Duke Williot.”

 

He was about to turn around after kicking him out, but Philen spoke again.

 

“I am very grateful to Your Majesty for taking care of Leila on my behalf.”

 

The rubbish party is not over, huh? 

 

At this point, I feel sorry for the dog.

[T/N: Kalian was saying 개소리 (rubbish). Since Philen didn’t stop speaking rubbish, Kalian feels sorry for the dog (개).]

 

“You seem to be completely mistaken, but I didn’t take care of Leila on your behalf.”

 

Kalian turned his head to look at Philen.

 

“If you move your mouth that lightly with such an absurd delusion once again, I, too, will not stand still.”

 

“…”

 

“Remember, Duke Williot. Leila Aster is no longer your fiancée.”

 

Contrary to the bright smile drawn on his lips, his gaze on Philen was as cold as frost.

 

He hit the spot again.

 

“She’s my person.”

 

My person.

 

Leila is my aide, so it’s right she’s my person.

 

Kalian was very proud of that fact.

 

“If you try to say something stupid about her again, you will have to be prepared to turn me into your enemy.”

 

*****

 

I immediately left the Imperial Palace and returned to the mansion as Kalian instructed.

 

The very nervous servants opened their eyes wide in surprise when I returned alone.

 

“Why are you alone, Baron?”

 

“His Majesty suddenly has another urgent business.”

 

As I took off my coat, Ness approached me and took it.

 

“So I decided to treat him to dinner next time.”

 

“Ah, ah. I see.”

 

Sarah nodded as if she was relieved but regretful.

 

“When is the next time?”

 

“Well, there’s no specific date set yet.”

 

“Then please be as late as possible. So that I could prepare my heart a bit. It was too sudden this time, you know?”

 

I smiled and nodded as Sarah grumbled a little.

 

“I’ll think about it.”

 

Now, I should go wash up and change my clothes immediately. My whole body was covered in sweat and dust from horseback riding.

 

“Please get the bath ready.”

 

I was going to wash up right away, but Paul came running.

 

“Ba, Baron! We’re in big trouble!”

 

Big trouble?

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Paul took a moment to catch his breath and then shouted loudly.

 

“The, there’s a carriage with a flying eagle pattern outside…!”

 

A flying eagle pattern? Isn’t that the Duke of Cloud? Why is that carriage in front of my mansion?

 

“Didn’t they just pass by and stop for a while?”

 

Paul shook his head violently at Sarah’s question.

 

“No! The coachman got off the driver’s seat and opened the carriage door himself!”

 

“What?”

 

It was then.

 

Jjirurururu-

 

The bell rang, announcing the guest’s visit.

 

“Is it really a visit from the Duke of Cloud?”

 

If they rode a carriage with the duke’s pattern on it, it meant they were a member of the house. It was not someone I, a baron, could take lightly.

 

“Sarah, lead the guest to the drawing-room right away. Prepare tea and refreshments as well.”

 

“I understand, Baron.”

 

“Ness, help me change.”

 

It was impossible to greet someone from the duke’s house with clothes soaked in dust and sweat.

 

It would be better if I could wash up, but I didn’t have time for that, so I just changed my clothes and sprayed perfume.

 

Who’s here? Is it Duke Cloud? Or is it Duchess Cloud? If it’s not them, is it their relative?

 

I didn’t know who came, but all of them were equally difficult. I couldn’t figure out why they came.

 

After hurriedly getting ready, I headed to the drawing-room.

 

“Baron!”

 

Sarah, who was waiting in front of the drawing-room door, told me who had come.

 

…it’s that person, huh? 

 

I took a deep breath and entered the drawing-room. Then I saw a dignified woman sitting on the sofa.

 

I lifted the hem of my skirt slightly with a smile.

 

“Welcome to my mansion, Duchess Cloud.”