Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 158

The king of the Holy Kingdom also served as the Pope. Therefore, the king of the Holy Kingdom couldn’t pass the throne to his children, but to the one chosen by God.

 

Even if the chosen one was an infant, the principle was to pass the throne immediately if a new God-chosen one appeared.

 

Of course, it was rare for a newborn baby to inherit it. However, the current king and pope of the Holy Kingdom, Mystiodis III, was one of those rare heirs who inherited the throne.

 

As a result, even though he was only 20 years old, his reign lasted over 20 years. That’s why Mystiodis III looked so young compared to his long reign.

 

Mystiodis III had two younger sisters, one of whom had already married a nobleman of the Holy Kingdom. It was unlikely that he would have applied for national marriage with a princess who was already married.

 

That meant that the remaining princess would be the one to have the national marriage. But the problem was that the princess was only 10 this year while Kalian was 27. The two were 17 years apart.

 

It wasn’t that there wasn’t a couple who were 17 years apart. Even if it was uncommon, it wasn’t that rare.

 

Still, it’s a little weird that the other person is a child who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony.

 

If they were the same age, I didn’t know, but there was a big difference.

 

I wondered what Mystiodis III was thinking when he asked for national marriage. I also wondered if Kalian would accept this national marriage.

 

Although the Holy Kingdom was a small kingdom, it was very prosperous because it was protected by God.

 

Was that all? Through the temples, he could influence other countries as well. That’s why, diplomatically speaking, it was good to accept the national marriage, but as expected, the princess’s age was the problem.

 

If she had had her coming-of-age ceremony, I wouldn’t have been this bothered. Yet, even though it bothered me a lot, I could do nothing because even if it was a national marriage with diplomatic issues, it was still a marriage. This part was deeply related to the emperor’s private life.

 

As an aide, it wasn’t my part to interfere. But I didn’t know if Kalian asked me what he should do.

 

Inwardly, I hoped Kalian would ask, but he never said a word about national marriage.

 

I felt terribly sad about that. My heart was also stuffy.

 

Should I just ask him that? 

 

I thought about it countless times, but in the end, I couldn’t ask.

 

That’s how time passed. And finally, New Year’s Day began.

 

On the first day, the parade was held to mark the beginning of New Year’s Day and to show the emperor’s soundness.

 

It was for today that I practiced horseback riding hard.

 

“Your riding suit suits you well.”

 

Kalian smiled and complimented me.

 

“Thank you.”

 

It was just a casual compliment, but it made me feel good.

 

“Today’s event, it’ll go well, right?”

 

“Of course. I will do my best not to become a nuisance to Your Majesty.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

Kalian tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

 

“It’s not you who I’m worried about, but myself.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Today is my first official march. That’s why I was worried if I could do well.”

 

Ah, was it like that?

 

Making a fuss for nothing, I lowered my head in embarrassment.

 

Kalian’s low laughter was heard above my head.

 

“By the way, after the parade, I won’t be able to go outside like I used to, huh? Because everyone will recognize me.”

 

“If you dye your hair and wear glasses, wouldn’t you be unrecognizable?”

 

“That’s a good idea, but I can’t dye my hair.”

 

Kalian fiddled with his neatly raised hair.

 

“This hair is proof of Blue Dragon’s blessing, so it doesn’t take a dye. The same goes for magic dye.”

 

Ah, that’s why His Majesty went out secretly without dyeing his hair.

 

“Then you have no choice but to wear a hood.”

 

“I will because it’s winter now, but I don’t know what to do in summer.”

 

Tok Tok-

 

“Your Majesty, everything is ready.”

 

“Let’s go right away then.”

 

At Baron Delrond’s report, Kalian immediately left the palace and got on his horse. Baron Delrond and I also got on our horses.

 

“Please take care of me, Ilena.”

 

As I stroked her mane and spoke, Ilena let out a small groan as if she understood.

 

“Let’s depart now.”

 

Squeak, the gate of the Imperial Palace opened. The nobles marched one after another, with Kalian in the lead.

 

Numerous people gathered on the streets colored with the New Year’s atmosphere. It was incomparable to the opening ceremony of the orphanage.

 

“Waaaa!”

 

“Long live Your Majesty the Emperor!”

 

“Long live the Cardin Empire!”

 

The cheers of the people resounded magnificently in the streets. Their enthusiasm grew louder and louder as Kalian waved his hand from time to time.

 

It meant that the Imperial people trusted the Imperial family. That fact made me filled with joy and made me smile automatically.

 

At the next parade, I want to get even louder cheers. So, I’ll do my best to assist you to make it happen. Because that’s my role as an aide. 

 

I looked at Kalian’s gigantic back and made a firm determination.

 

*****

 

The New Year’s Day Party was held for three days.

 

The first-day party could only be attended by foreign envoys, the Imperial family, and high-ranking nobles above the marquis. While the second-day party was for nobles who were invited to the party.

 

It meant that there were only two parties that I could attend. But Kalian sent me as many as four dresses.

 

Did he want me to wear it for the next New Year’s Day? I guessed it was possible because it wasn’t a trendy style, but it was still disconcerting.

 

“Which one should we choose?”

 

“Right? All four of them are so pretty.”

 

Sarah and Ness, on the other hand, looked at the dresses with excitement.

 

“Since it’s the Baron’s first party after becoming a baron, shouldn’t she dress up fancily so that she could stand out?”

 

At Ness’s words, Sarah shook her head.

 

“You don’t know anything, huh? The Baron is not an ordinary noble lady. She’s a baron! So the more she went that way, the more modest she should wear!”

 

“Still, I think a fancy one would be good though. What do you think, Baron?”

 

“I agree with Sarah.”

 

Sarah’s face then bloomed like a flower while Ness was sullen.

 

Sorry, Ness. But I prefer modest ones more than fancy ones.

 

“Then, I think this dress would be good.”

 

What Sarah chose was the most modest-looking dress out of the four.

 

Among them, that dress was the most comfortable, and that dress was also packed with jewels and frills, so it was perfect for a party.

 

I also wore a shawl-type coat over my rich frill dress to increase the warmth and emphasize the three-dimensional effect of the dress.

 

With Ness and Sarah’s help, I wore the dress, and my hair was pinned high.

 

“Since the dress is modest, how about wearing fancy accessories, Baron?”

 

“It’s not good because the accessories will stand out too much then.”

 

“Ah, is that so?”

 

As Ness was sullen, I smiled and added.

 

“Well, I guess one would be fine.”

 

“Right?”

 

Ness smiled brightly as if she had never been gloomy and quickly brought the accessory storage box.

 

“Earrings are fine, but I think necklaces are the best. Since you wore off-shoulder, necklaces will catch the eye well.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already decided on the necklace.”

 

“Which one is it?”

 

I opened the dresser drawer and took out the necklace I received from Kalian for my birthday.

 

I got it as a gift, but I never wore it because there’s no occasion for me to need to wear a party dress. And it was too flashy for everyday wear.

 

“Wow, what a beautiful necklace. Did you get it as a gift?”

 

“Yeah. His Majesty gave it to me as a birthday gift.”

 

“Oh my God, His Majesty gave it to you as a birthday gift?”

 

Ness’s eyes turned into triangles while Sarah bit her lip hard, holding back her laughter.

 

Why are they like that?

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“It’s nothing. Right, Sarah?”

 

“Yeah, it’s nothing.”

 

I think there’s something though…

 

“Oh no, it’s already this time. Let’s finish it up quickly, Baron. You can’t be late for the party.”

 

After finishing hurriedly, I grabbed my reticule and fan, then got on the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace.

 

Numerous carriages stopped at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. All of them were carriages of nobles attending the party.

 

As I had to walk from here, I got off the carriage.

 

Where is he?

 

I’m supposed to meet him here though.

 

“Baron Aster?”

 

I was looking around, searching for someone, when a man approached me.

 

He was a man I had seen several times while working as an aide.

 

So his name is…

 

“Lord Milleno.”

 

He was Elfen Milleno, the cashier.

 

“May the Blue Dragon’s blessings be with the Baron this year as well.”

 

“May the Blue Dragon’s blessings also be with the Lord.”

 

It was a ceremonial greeting when meeting for the first time in the new year.

 

“You seem to be attending the New Year’s party.”

 

“Yes. The Lord, too, seems to be attending the party as well.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Elfen Milleno looked at me hesitantly.

 

“If you have something you want to say, say it.”

 

“That… I’m attending the party by myself today. So…”

 

After hesitating for a moment, Elfen Milleno closed his eyes tightly and shouted.

 

“Wou, would you like to attend the party with me?”

 

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

 

The answer came from someone other than me.

 

Elfen Milleno looked back in surprise.

 

There was Baron Delrond, who was looking at this way disgustingly. He came right behind Elfen Milleno and said,

 

“Baron Aster is going to attend the party with me.”

 

“Is, is that so?”

 

Elfen Milleno stepped down, visibly disappointed.

 

Baron Delrond crossed his arms and snorted.

 

“He has such a keen eye.”

 

“Baron?”

 

When I called, Baron Delrond looked at me with a smile.

 

“I’m a little stuck on my way here. Did you wait long?”

 

“I just came too.”

 

“That’s a relief. By the way, Baron Aster. Why did you dress up so beautifully? You’re so bright that I can’t open my eyes properly.”

 

My cheeks heated up at his excessive words.

 

“Don’t tease me.”

 

“Tease you? I’m serious though.”

 

Baron Delrond smiled brightly. He placed one hand on his chest and held the other to me.

 

“Baron Aster, will you give me the honor of escorting you?”

 

I smiled and gently placed my hand on Baron Delrond’s.

 

“It is an honor for me.”