Don’t Pick Up The Trash Once Thrown Away - Chapter 159

The big hall was crowded with people dressed in splendid outfits.

 

On one side were tasty finger foods. While on the other side was a small rest area for the tired.

 

In the center of the hall, an orchestra played a beautiful piece of music, and around them were people dancing in pairs.

 

“The chandelier is too bright.”

 

Baron Delrond looked around the ballroom with a slight frown.

 

“And there are fewer finger food options than I thought. Also, why does the champagne contain alcohol? What if someone gets drunk?”

 

Baron Delrond, who complained in dissatisfaction, sighed softly and inclined his head towards me.

 

“I’m sorry, Baron Aster. My occupational disease came out without me knowing.”

 

“It’s okay. I was thinking the same thing.”

 

“I’m glad to hear that.”

 

Perhaps because we did the same job, I had a lot to talk about with Baron Delrond. He was also so pleasant that I enjoyed talking to him.

 

We were chatting and laughing when I felt a stinging gaze on my back. Turning around, I saw Philen staring this way intently.

 

I turned my head away as soon as I met Philen’s eyes. It’s not because I was scared or afraid of Philen, but because I didn’t want to get involved with him, even the slightest.

 

So I wanted to ignore Philen by treating him like he didn’t exist, but he looked at me too intently for that. Was that all? The people around me started whispering about me and Philen.

 

“You see? Duke Williot has been looking only at Baron Aster for a while now.”

 

“It’s because she is his former fiancée. And from what I understand, the Duke still has feelings for Baron Aster.”

 

“Oh, really? Duke Williot is more of a pure lover than he seems to be, isn’t he?”

 

Philen? Pure lover? 

 

I don’t think the meaning of a pure lover has changed without my knowledge though.

 

I was stunned to hear them say such a thing when they knew what Philen had done. In addition, it felt terrible to continue to get involved with Philen. His gaze on my back was also unpleasant.

 

It would have been better to leave the hall, but I couldn’t because Kalian hadn’t come yet. And if I left because of Philen, it hurt my pride.

 

So, let’s hang in there. No matter how much they gossipped, and no matter how much Philen stared at me, let’s ignore them and hang in there.

 

I made up my mind, but it wasn’t easy.

 

I could hear them with one ear and let it go through the other, but the problem was Philen’s tenacious gaze. I just wanted that gaze to be solved.

 

Should I go to him and tell him to stop looking at me?

 

I didn’t want to talk to Philen as much as possible, but I guessed I had to do it if I didn’t have a choice, but then Baron Delrond moved from his position.

 

“Oh…?”

 

The place where Baron Delrond was standing now was a place that cleverly blocked Philen’s gaze.

 

Does he notice that I’m uncomfortable…?

 

Looking at Baron Delrond, he smiled lightly.

 

“I’m just trying to prevent a mite from sticking to you.”

 

Ah, I was right.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Don’t mention it. His Majesty seems to be late. Should we go over there and talk while eating something simple?”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Leila!”

 

As I was about to move, someone hugged me from behind.

 

“Diane!”

 

I greeted Diane with a happy smile.

 

“As expected, maybe because it’s the Empire, the party is really fancy, huh? Our Natsha Kingdom can’t even compare to it!”

 

“Thank you for thinking that way.”

 

“I wasn’t thinking that way. It really is good. It’s truly awesome!”

 

Diane squeezed my arm with her trademark cheerfulness.

 

Baron Delrond looked at me and Diane, bewildered.

 

Ah, it’s Baron Delrond’s first time seeing Diane, huh? 

 

“Who is this wonderful man?”

 

It was the same with Diane.

 

I smiled and introduced Diane to Baron Delrond.

 

“This is Baron Ver Delrond, an aide to His Majesty, like me.”

 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Baron Ver Delrond.”

 

“Ah, you’re His Majesty’s aide, huh?”

 

Diane reached out to Baron Delrond.

 

“Nice to meet you. My name is Diane Andrian. I’m a diplomat in the Natsha Kingdom.”

 

It was a gesture asking for a handshake, not a kiss on the back of the hand.

 

In the Empire, it was extremely rare for a woman to ask for a handshake first. It was safe to say that there was none at all. But she asked for a handshake first?

 

Everyone around looked at Diane in surprise.

 

“Nice to meet you, too.”

 

Baron Delrond, on the other hand, smiled and held her hand, not caring at all.

 

Diane’s eyes gleamed a little as she looked at Baron Delrond.

 

“The aides are both a good-looking man and woman. His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire must see your face too when he picks his aide, huh?”

 

At first glance, it might sound sarcastic, but it wasn’t. Diane was genuinely admiring.

 

But, good-looking man and woman?

 

“Baron Delrond is indeed good-looking, but I’m not, Diane.”

 

“What do you mean? I’ve been thinking about it, but Leila is too humble.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

Baron Delrond agreed with Diane.

 

“I had repeatedly told Baron Aster that she was pretty, but she didn’t believe me, taking it as a joke every time.”

 

“Not you too, Baron Delrond… Please stop joking around.”

 

“See? It’s like this every time.”

 

“Oh my, you must have been very disappointed.”

 

They met for the first time today, yet Baron Delrond and Diane were in sync as if they had known each other for a long time.

 

Conversation with the two was somewhat hectic, but it was so much fun. There was no end to laughter.

 

I had entirely forgotten that Philen was there before I knew it.

 

“Baron Delrond.”

 

While we were talking happily for a moment, a servant approached us with a serious look.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“It’s…”

 

The servant whispered into Baron Delrond’s ear.

 

Hearing the servant, Baron Delrond sighed annoyingly and said to both of us.

 

“There’s a problem, so I will go for a while. You can keep talking.”

 

“Yes, see you later.”

 

When Baron Delrond left, I asked the servant to bring me two glasses of champagne to dampen my dry throat.

 

Since my alcohol tolerance is weak, I should drink the weakest one.

 

“Diane, you drink too.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Diane, who was very thirsty, drank the champagne in one gulp.

 

I need to bring her another glass.

 

As I tried to call a servant, Diane waved her hand.

 

“Other than champagne, I have a question. Can I ask you?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Baron Delrond, how old is he this year?”

 

Why is she suddenly asking how old Baron Delrond is?

 

Ah, don’t tell me… 

 

“Diane, are you interested in Baron Delrond?”

 

“Yes, I am.”

 

I was surprised again when Diane spoke so confidently that she was interested in Baron Delrond.

 

“You look very surprised. Is it weird that I’m interested in Baron Delrond?”

 

“No. Rather than weirded out, I’m more surprised. There weren’t many people who could talk about it so confidently even if they were interested, you know?”

 

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with liking someone. Is there a reason why you can’t talk about it confidently?”

 

Diane passed her empty champagne glass to a passing servant.

 

“So, Baron Delrond, how old is he?”

 

“I only know that we’re at the same age, but I don’t know his exact age.”

 

“Then, does he have a lover?”

 

I don’t know that either, but…

 

“Maybe no.”

 

“’Maybe’ is a vague answer. Do you know anything about Baron Delrond?”

 

“I know he is very good at his job. Ah, he is also pleasant and kind.”

 

“So the two of you have a very business-like relationship, huh?”

 

Is that her conclusion?

 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help.”

 

“It’s okay. Rather, I liked that Leila knew nothing.”

 

She likes me this way? Why?

 

“Talking about it, I suddenly became curious. Is there a man Leila likes?”

 

“What?”

 

What is this all of a sudden?

 

When I looked at Diane in surprise, she laughed and waved her hand.

 

“Don’t be too surprised. I was just asking because I thought Leila was old enough to think about marriage.”

 

I’m not old enough to think about marriage, but I’m already past my marriageable age. 

 

“So, do you have a man you like?”

 

“I don’t really have one.”

 

“Oh? Really? There isn’t a guy who can make your heart flutter just by looking at him?”

 

“N…”

 

“Leila.”

 

Suddenly, a low voice passed in my ear. The deep blue eyes, looking at me, and the subtle smile.

 

I was speechless as I recalled that friendly, kind hand that always comforted me.

 

When I faltered, Diane clapped.

 

“There’s one, huh?!”

 

“The, there isn’t one!”

 

I answered hastily.

 

“There’s no man who makes my heart flutter, so don’t ask me such a question. Even if there is, I can’t get married anyway.”

 

“It’s not that you don’t, but you can’t?”

 

Diane put her index finger on her cheek and tilted her head slightly.

 

“Why do you think you can’t? If a woman as attractive as Leila can’t get married, I don’t think there’s a woman in the world who can.”

 

“It’s because Diane has a good opinion of me.”

 

The reason why I can’t get married.

 

There were many reasons, but the biggest one was the breakup with Philen.

 

Even if Philen broke the engagement by mistake, would there be a man who wanted to marry me, who had been someone’s fiancée for a long time?

 

I’m sure there won’t be.

 

I didn’t want to tell Diane this, so I smiled silently.

 

Diane, who quickly realized it was a bad story, shrugged.

 

“Aah, all the men in the Empire are blind.”

 

Then she spoke loudly enough that everyone around her could hear her.

 

“They can’t even recognize such a good person. I think everyone should at least wear glasses.”

 

“Stop it, Diane.”

 

I stopped Diane in a hurry.

 

I knew Diane thought well of me, but this was still embarrassing.

 

“Why? It’s not like I said anything wrong.”

 

“Diane…”

 

As I stopped Diane, I suddenly had a bad feeling and had goosebumps on my back.

 

No way.

 

I hurriedly looked back.

 

“…”

 

Then I saw Philen approaching this way with an expressionless face.