Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 156

“What a cold-hearted, wicked B*tch! How can you say something like that without remembering that I’ve raised you all this time!”

 

After being kicked out without getting what she wanted, Countess Thebesa pointed her finger at the Aster Mansion and shouted.

 

“That’s why Duke Williot cheated on you! Because you’re so cold-hearted, he turned to another woman!”

 

I don’t think Mother is in a position to say that though.

 

Count Thebesa’s womanizing was also famous in the social world.

 

It was funny hearing her saying that, and so, Andante smiled. Then, he remembered Leila, who boldly confronted him and his mother.

 

In his memory, Leila was a timid and obedient child. Because of it, he could play with her to his heart’s content, but now, he didn’t think he could do that anymore.

 

It was sad but also intriguing at the same time.

 

What made Leila change like that? They said position makes a person, is it because of that? 

 

But, even if it was like that, Leila’s change was too sudden. I don’t think she was like that when she was still at the Duke of Williot a few months ago. 

 

“I’m the crazy one to ask a b*tch like her! I must be out of my mind!”

 

Ah, I’m glad she realized it now.

 

Andante actually wasn’t very willing to ask Leila. But he had no choice because Countess Thebesa insisted on doing so.

 

That’s why it’s hard to be a good son. Sometimes he envied his father and older brother, who could do what they wanted to do.

 

“Andante, let’s go!”

 

As her anger subsided a little, Countess Thebesa held Andante’s arm.

 

Andante was about to follow along but stopped when he found something.

 

That…?

 

His eyes widened instantly and soon became small again, drawing a fishy smile.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“…nothing.”

 

Andante escorted Countess Thebesa with a friendly smile as if he never smiled like that.

 

“Let’s go, Mother.”

 

Before leaving the mansion entirely, Andante’s eyes gleamed meaningfully as he glanced back in its direction.

 

*****

 

With New Year’s Day just a week away, foreign envoys arrived one after another.

 

I was so busy that I couldn’t close my eyes. Even though it was the same when I worked on documents, dealing with people was very difficult.

 

“Why can’t I see His Majesty?”

 

“His Majesty is out on another business now.”

 

“Then tell me where he went. I’ll go find him myself.”

 

“For safety reasons, I cannot tell you that.”

 

“What do you mean? Are you saying I’ll do anything harm to His Majesty?!”

 

Munt’s envoy shouted indignantly, but I responded calmly.

 

“Do people in Munt reveal His Majesty the King’s location to others?”

 

Whether or not it was true, the Munt’s envoy shut his mouth. The dissatisfaction that he showed was as deep as the wrinkles on his forehead.

 

“When His Majesty returns, I will tell him you wanted to see him. So please wait in the palace until then.”

 

I managed to soothe him, but soon, another envoy came and made a ruckus.

 

“Where is His Majesty?”

 

This time, it was the princess of Stella Kingdom. Rumor had it that she came to marry Kalian because she had a crush on him.

 

As such, Princess Stella tried so hard to catch Kalian’s eyes, but it was all in vain. Kalian never gave her even a single glance. She was also often treated worse than stones on the street.

 

She should have given up on him, but she kept coming. Today, too, Princess Stella stayed in the office for a long time, saying that she would wait until Kalian came.

 

I could have ignored her and focused on my work if she stayed still there, but since she didn’t, I couldn’t do that.

 

“What’s His Majesty’s favorite food? What about his favorite color? Ah, do you know His Majesty’s hobbies?”

 

She constantly bombarded me with questions about His Majesty. I couldn’t tell her about His Majesty’s private affairs, so I replied that I didn’t know.

 

“Lie! You know everything!”

 

And then, Princess Stella got furious.

 

“The Baron didn’t tell me because you also like His Majesty, right? You think of me as your love rival, right?!”

 

It was such an absurd misunderstanding. Even if I said no, Princess Stella hardly resolved the misunderstanding.

 

Eventually, I managed to make Princess Stella go. When I was going to look at the documents again, I heard another knock.

 

Who is it this time?

 

I got annoyed even before I checked who it was.

 

“Yes.”

 

The one who opened the door was the servant of the outer palace.

 

“Baron Aster, Baron Delrond urgently asked you to deliver some documents to the Justice Department.”

 

It was a very welcome request. At least in the meantime, I wouldn’t be bothered by foreign envoys.

 

“What kind of documents is it?”

 

If it was simply to deliver documents, I could leave it to an attendant or servant, but I couldn’t since it was important documents. It would be a big deal if it was lost in the middle, so I had to go there myself.

 

I took the documents as the servant told me and headed to the palace.

 

It was when I was passing through the long corridor leading to the outer palace.

 

“Baron Aster?”

 

On the other side of the corridor, Kalian appeared with the nobles.

 

“I see Your Majesty.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I am on my way to deliver these documents to the Justice Department.”

 

“You? Isn’t Baron Delrond in charge of most of the work in the outer palace?”

 

“Baron Delrond is busy, so he asked me.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Kalian thought for a moment and then tapped my shoulder.

 

“I give you a little trouble. When New Year’s Day is over, I’ll hire another aide.”

 

That was good to hear. I thanked him as I was secretly hoping for one more aide.

 

“Thank you for what? I should have done this earlier.”

 

After saying, “Good work.”, Kalian led the nobles and disappeared beyond the corridor.

 

I also hastened my steps to the Justice Department.

 

As there were several departments, the outer palace was ordinarily noisy. But it seemed to be particularly severe today.

 

Is it because of New Year’s Day? I think it’s too noisy if it’s because of that though.

 

It was the officials of the Marshal’s Department who were particularly noisy. I wouldn’t have cared if they just chatted, but when they glanced at me once, I couldn’t help but pay attention.

 

Why are they like that?

 

Curious, I pricked up my ears and listened to their conversation.

 

“Duke Williot…”

 

“Oh my God, really?”

 

…are they talking about Philen?

 

Then it was understandable that they were whispering while looking at me. Because what happened between Philen, me, and Cecily was still a topic of discussion among people.

 

It felt strange seeing that the officials of the Marshal’s Department were talking about it, but I guessed it was because they were the closest to the Marshal’s Minister, Philen.

 

That’s what I thought, but I was wrong.

 

“Leila.”

 

I then learned the backstory of the commotion on my way back to the inner palace’s office after delivering the documents requested by the Justice Department.

 

Philen was standing leaning against a pillar in the corridor. It looked like he had been waiting for me.

 

“It’s been a while, Leila.”

 

It’s really been a while. It was the first time I had seen him since that day.

 

I had heard Philen come to the capital but never thought I would run into him like this. I thought I would see him after New Year’s Day started at the earliest.

 

Is he back?

 

I don’t think so. Philen’s return application hasn’t been posted after all. 

 

I would have ignored him if I saw him while passing by, but I couldn’t because he talked to me openly.

 

There were also so many eyes around that I couldn’t ignore him even more because rank took precedence over personal grudges. There was a big difference in rank between him, a duke, and me, a baron.

 

“…long time no see, Duke.”

 

Because of it, I had no choice but to greet Philen, even though I was unwilling.

 

Philen looked at me with a sentimental gaze. His gaze bothered me, but what bothered me more was his emaciated face.

 

No, rather than being bothered, it was more appropriate to say it was annoying. Because it felt like he was showing off to the people around me that he was having such a hard time, and he seemed to be saying that I was the cause.

 

“Then, I will get going now.”

 

Anyway, talking with Philen for a long time was uncomfortable and unpleasant.

 

I wanted to greet him politely and leave immediately, but Philen grabbed my ankle again.

 

“How have you been?”

 

Why are you asking me that? Why are you pretending to be close now?

 

Don’t tell me, does Philen think he can repair our broken relationship?

 

If that’s the case, then he was completely mistaken.

 

Just as broken glass couldn’t be repaired, our broken relationship also could never be repaired.

 

“All this time, I’ve been thinking a lot about you…”

 

“Duke.”

 

I cut Philen’s words and looked straight at him.

 

Philen looked strangely expecting.

 

I didn’t know what he was expecting, but I was pretty sure that was not what I was trying to say.

 

“You don’t forget the wish I told you, do you?”

 

“…!”

 

As expected, he doesn’t.

 

Like a rabbit, his eyes grew red and bloodshot. His dark circles caught my eye, but that was all.

 

I didn’t feel sorry for him and had no intention of caring for him.

 

“As an official of the Empire, I think it is inevitable to bump into the Duke for public affairs, but…”

 

I continued speaking in a dull voice that didn’t contain even anger.

 

“I hope you don’t find me for personal matters. That was also my wish.”

 

No matter how stupid he is, if I said this, he would understand, right? 

 

“Then, I’ll get going now.”

 

I thought he wouldn’t hold on to me anymore, but I guessed I underestimated Philen too much.

 

“Leila.”

 

He was more stupid than I thought. The word stupid wasn’t even enough.

 

“Let me check one last thing.”

 

I tried to ignore him, but I couldn’t because Philen grabbed my arm.

 

“…do you really not love me? Do you not have any feelings for me?”

 

Haa, are you calling that a question now?

 

“Yes, I don’t.”

 

Philen’s hand, which was holding my arm, weakened at my answer.

 

I didn’t miss the moment. I pulled out my arm caught by Philen.

 

“I don’t even have any compassion for you, so please don’t pretend to know me anymore.”