Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 155

 

“I surveyed 10 black markets throughout the Empire and found that three were selling Molenche fruit.”

 

Kalian asked Hiltine.

 

“That means the Molenche fruit hasn’t been fully released yet, huh?”

 

“Yes. It was probably because the Imperial family had already uprooted it once. And also, it’s not easy to grow due to the cold weather.”

 

Well… The amount was little when I saw the Molenche fruit on the black market before. It seems like it came out to see people’s reactions rather than to sell. 

 

“It doesn’t look like their forces have expanded yet, so I think we should be able to uproot it now.”

 

“Conversely, it may be difficult to find because the force is too small.”

 

If he touched it hastily, the force leader might hide in the shadows, making it difficult to solve.

 

And there was one more problem. The envoys from other countries would gather in the Empire one after another to attend New Year’s Day.

 

There was nothing good about bringing the Molenche Fruit’s matter to the surface in this situation. Because it would draw unnecessary attention. It was all the more so because it was nothing else but related to the Molenche fruit.

 

The Molenche fruit was a strictly prohibited drug, not only in the Empire but also in the entire continent. If he succeeded, it was fine, but if he failed, he would surely become a laughingstock of the continent.

 

That’s why he was planning to catch them if the force was too large, but after hearing the report, it seemed there was no need for that yet.

 

“For now, keep an eye on the three black markets where the Molenche fruit was found. See if anyone bought it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If you’re sure you can catch them, you can do it, but if you don’t, just wait and see first. At least until New Year’s Day is over and the envoys return.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Hiltine left, and Leila filled the spot.

 

“Leila.”

 

Kalian smiled brightly at Leila, but her expression was serious.

 

Is something happening?

 

Kalian, who became serious at the same time, asked hastily.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“We have received a reply to the invitation from the Holy Kingdom.”

 

A month ago, he sent invitations to other countries, including the Holy Kingdom, to invite them to the New Year’s Day held in the Empire.

 

As soon as other countries received the invitations, they immediately sent replies whether they would attend or not, but not the Holy Kingdom. There had been no answer, as New Year’s Day was two weeks away.

 

He didn’t care though.

 

The Holy Kingdom attending New Year’s Day in the Empire was one of the few in the Empire’s long history. So, of course, he ignored it, thinking they would be absent again this time, but the reply came.

 

Are they going to be polite now?

 

It was funny. Kalian laughed openly and asked Leila.

 

“They must be saying they won’t attend, right?”

 

“No.”

 

Leila put the Holy Kingdom’s reply on Kalian’s desk.

 

“They said they will attend.”

 

“What?”

 

The Holy Kingdom will attend New Year’s Day?

 

It’s not that he didn’t believe Leila. He just couldn’t believe it, so Kalian checked the reply himself.

 

“…it’s true.”

 

The reply clearly stated that they would attend New Year’s Day.

 

Although it was sudden, he could roughly guess the reason why the Holy Kingdom wanted to attend.

 

“It’s probably because of what happened in the temple this time, huh?”

 

“I think so, too.”

 

Leila briefly agreed with Kalian.

 

“What should we do?”

 

“What should we do? I wonder if there’s anything we can do when we can’t even stop them from coming.”

 

Kalian tilted his lips and propped up his chin.

 

“Since they’re coming, of course, we should welcome them with a grandeur.”

 

I will welcome them very grandly so that they would never again ignore the Empire. 

 

*****

 

As New Year’s Day was just around the corner, I also stepped up my horseback riding practice.

 

Rather than taking Ilena home, I kept her in the Imperial Palace because it was easier to bring her into the riding practice field and then practice right away. And when I didn’t have time during the day, I practiced after work.

 

In the past, either Kalian or Baron Delrond had to look after me, but now I could ride alone to some extent. The grooms even praised me that it was good enough.

 

“I can ride on my own now!”

 

I was overjoyed about it and boasted to Kalian.

 

“I see.”

 

But Kalian’s reaction wasn’t good. From his reaction alone, it seemed he didn’t like me being good at horseback riding.

 

That can’t be.

 

I know how hard His Majesty taught me horseback riding. His reaction is not good, probably because he has a lot of thoughts.

 

Starting with holding New Year’s Day, there were many troublesome issues, including the Holy Kingdom’s participation in this New Year’s Day. The fact that Kalian was upset, I also understood.

 

“Then, I will go home now.”

 

I shouldn’t disturb him and just walk away quietly.

 

I said goodbye to Kalian and went home.

 

The New Year’s Day wasn’t just for the nobles. It was an event for all the people of the Empire, which commoners could also enjoy.

 

As such, the streets were in full swing with preparations for New Year’s Day. Flags engraved with the Blue Dragon that protected the Empire were seen everywhere.

 

I should buy New Year’s gifts for Sarah and the others. It would be a good way to express my gratitude towards them for this year and wish for them to continue taking good care of me in the upcoming year.

 

“Should I buy for His Majesty and Baron Delrond as well?”

 

Because I owe them a lot all this time.

 

I thought it would be good to buy theirs too. So while thinking about what to buy as a gift, I arrived at the mansion.

 

“My Lady…”

 

Sarah approached me with a face that looked like she was about to cry. Ness and Paul’s expressions weren’t good either.

 

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Are you here now?”

 

This voice…

 

“Whew, why is this mansion so small and shabby?”

 

I looked back hurriedly.

 

“I thought you were living in a bigger and more luxurious mansion. I’m disappointed.”

 

Then I saw Countess Thebesa, dressed in a lavish dress as if she was attending a party.

 

“Hello, Leila.”

 

After that, Andante appeared, shamelessly greeting me.

 

Those were the people who were never supposed to be in my mansion.

 

I narrowed my eyebrows and glared at them.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“You call your mother and brother you?”

 

Countess Thebesa clicked her tongue.

 

“Since I last saw you, you’ve gotten so vulgar, huh? Leila. I never taught you that though.”

 

“Right. You taught me nothing.”

 

Countess Thebesa frowned as I replied with a smirk.

 

“Now you even talk back to me. After becoming the emperor’s mistress, you must be out of your senses, huh?”

 

The emperor’s mistress. It’s been a long time since someone said that in front of me.

 

“It was long ago since I made it clear that I’m just an aide, not His Majesty’s mistress, yet you still don’t know?”

 

I chuckled and folded my arms.

 

“Even though you live in the countryside, as a lady, how about keeping your ears open to the news of the social world, Countess?”

 

Countess Thebesa’s mouth was tightly closed.

 

“How dare you try to teach me?”

 

“Teach you? Why would I do that to the Countess? That doesn’t mean the Countess will listen to me too…”

 

Blurring my words with a deep sigh, Countess Thebesa trembled like an aspen. Her hand holding the fan was so tight that I could see her veins popping up.

 

“Mother, calm down.”

 

Andante smiled kindly and gently grabbed the Countess’s shoulder.

 

“Perhaps because it’s been long since you last saw her, you’re becoming too emotional. Just calm down first, and let’s talk slowly.”

 

Disgusting. He’s disgusting.

 

I hated Andante’s attitude even more because I had once been deceived by that kindness.

 

“Leila, you too, please stop. No matter how much you hate us, we are still a family.”

 

“I’m still a family after you did that to me?”

 

If what Philen did to me stayed in my heart, what they did was an indelible scar that stayed on my body and in my heart.

 

“What a b*llsh*t that even a passing dog won’t laugh.”

 

“It’s not like I can’t say anything about someone’s vulgar blood. Just no good can come from a long conversation about this.”

 

“It’s nice seeing we had something unexpected to agree on.”

 

As I kept talking back, Countess Thebesa and Andante looked at me in great surprise.

 

If it had been in the past, I wouldn’t have been able to say anything and only cry. That’s why they were surprised when I talked back.

 

You’re mistaken if you think I’ll stay still forever.

 

I used to think it was right. Since I was only half a penny at that time.

[T/N: Half a penny = it is said that it is only half the intelligence of an average person.]

 

I couldn’t do anything without their help. So I thought it was right to lower myself and live like a mouse, but now, not anymore. I didn’t want to live like that anymore.

 

“Then, please leave my mansion immediately.”

 

“I have no intention of staying in such a shabby mansion for long either!”

 

“If you said you have no intention, why don’t you go?”

 

Countess Thebesa hesitated. Judging by the look on her face, she seems to have something to say. Though I didn’t want to hear whatever it was.

 

“If you can’t find the exit door because you can’t see well, I’ll kindly guide you. Sarah.”

 

“Yes, My Lady!”

 

Sarah came forward as if she had been waiting.

 

“Then, goodbye.”

 

Now that I even kindly got someone to guide them, I was going to go back to my room and rest, but…

 

“Ah, Andante is 25 years old this year!”

 

Countess Thebesa shouted at my back.

 

“It’s about time for him to work as an official. So, you have to take a place in the outer palace for Andante…”

 

“I refuse.”

 

I turned my head to look at Countess Thebesa.

 

“Why do I have to get that person a job?”

 

I didn’t want to call him by his dirty name, so I called him that person.

 

“No. Do you think I, who is only an aide to the emperor, have that kind of power?”

 

“You can just ask His Majesty, right?”

 

What kind of thinking is that?

 

“I don’t know why I have to do that though.”

 

“It’s because we are a family!”

 

“You say family only when you want something.”

 

It felt like yesterday when she pointed her finger at me, saying that I was such an insect and that I was not a family.

 

“You used to say it, right? You want to remove me from the family register.”

 

And I used to beg you not to do that.

 

“Remove me then.”

 

Now that I thought about it, I felt like a fool. I would have been happier to roll around in the gutter than to stay at Thebesa’s residence, throwing away my pride.

 

I didn’t know why I chose to be like a fool.

 

“Go back to the Count of Thebesa right now, remove my name from the family register, and don’t come to me again.”