I Won’t Pick Up The Trash I Threw Away Again

I tried not to pay any more attention to the affairs of the Duke of Williot, but I couldn't help but hear the news even if I stood still.

This was due to the spread of what Cecily did in the social world.  

It wasn't enough for the fallen princess to pretend to be pregnant and stay at the Duke of Williot, but she could even kick me out, who was his fiancée. And the facts that she killed the duke's chief maid to cover up the truth and tried to poison me were spread all over.

People were talking about Cecily's wickedness and laughing at Philen's stupidity, who had been subjected to such a woman. They also sympathized with me. And so, everyone I met asked me if I was okay.

It was hard to be asked such a question, and it was also hard to answer every single one of them that I was okay.

"I think I have to wear a sign saying, ‘I'm okay'."

Baron Delrond, who heard my grumbling, replied with a small smile.

“That’s a good idea. I will help you out.”

“How are you going to help me?”

“'Baron Aster is okay, so don’t talk to her.' I think we should put up a sign saying that.”

“What is that?”

I was depressed by the unwanted sympathy, but I felt much better thanks to Baron Delrond. 

With a lighter feeling, I then checked the document. It was a document about the childcare project.

Upon my return, I took over all the work on the childcare project from Baron Delrond. 

Thankfully, because of Baron Delrond's hard work, the childcare project was nearing completion, but several problems remained.

One of them was the backlash from the temple side.

The temple continued to send protests, saying that they could never yield the childcare project to the Imperial family, and the number had already surpassed double digits within a week.

In the letter of protest, they said they were worried the damage would go to the children if the inexperienced Imperial family didn’t manage it properly, but it was no different than them playing innocent.

It was just an ugly struggle not to lose the Empire’s aid and the enormous donations from the nobles.

That’s why I ignored whatever they said until now, but I couldn't anymore. Because the Holy See sent a letter of protest directly.

The golden Holy See design stamped on the bottom of the document was dazzling.

There were countless temples on the continent, but the Holy Kingdom had only one Holy See.

The Holy Kingdom was also a huge Holy See. Because the King who ruled the Holy Kingdom was the Pope.

The Holy See remained as neutral as possible and hardly moved. So I hoped they wouldn’t come forward on this issue, but this wish didn’t come true.

I can’t believe it came all the way from the Holy See. Well, the Holy See couldn’t have stayed still when the temple side kept making noises.

With a deep sigh, I read the entire letter of protest from the Holy See, without missing a single period.

It was more polite than the protests sent by the temple so far, but the intention was the same.

Taking care of poor children was the mission God had given to them, His servants. And they said the Imperial family had challenged God's authority and blasphemy by invading that.

“It’s a protest letter from the Holy See, huh?”

Baron Delrond, who came next to me, suddenly spoke.

“Now that even the Holy See has stepped forward, we have to go  all-out-war with the temple.”

"Right."

The thought of fighting the Holy See gave me a headache. I gently pressed my tired eyelids.

“First thing first, we should dig into the temples in the Empire.”

Baron Delrond, who took a file from the bookshelf and sat down again, asked in wonder.

“Digging into the temple? Not the Holy See or the Holy Kingdom?”

“If you dig into the Holy See or the Holy Kingdom, you won’t find anything.”

The Holy Kingdom had maintained a closed policy without establishing diplomatic ties with other countries for over 500 years. That’s why no matter how much you dug, there’s no way you could find anything. 

But if it’s the temple in the Empire, you would surely find something. Just like the temple of the Williot estate.

In the past, when there was a plague on the Williot estate, I entrusted the children, who lost their parents, to the temple with a huge donation.

But soon after, most of the children died. It was because the temple only took the donation and neglected the children.

When I found out about this fact, I questioned the temple right away. But they pretended not to know and said to bring clear evidence that they did.

If I dug into it, I could find evidence, but the problem was that I couldn't afford it at the time.

In addition, people around me held me back by telling me that I need help from the temple to solve the plague and telling me that I shouldn’t take on the temple for nothing.

Because of this, I had to bury the matter while trying to soothe my anger. It was also the time when I made up my mind to start a childcare project.

I'll never let it slide this time.

I’ll make it work no matter what.

“I must see His Majesty.”

When I stood up and spoke, Baron Delrond waved his hand.

“Why are you in such a hurry, Baron? We'll be having lunch together soon, so you can talk then."

“Ah, that’s right.”

I was so impatient that I forgot that I always had lunch with Kalian.

Although it was made by Kalian to build our friendship, its meaning had long since changed. Both I and Baron Delrond had been reporting to Kalian during lunch.

Of course, Kalian hated it, but there was nothing he could do. As we had a lot of work to do, we had to take the time for it.

As Baron Delrond said, I would report this at lunchtime, so I should take care of other things now.

I set aside the protest and related documents of the Holy See and picked up another document. It was a document about the joint pirate sweep-up operation with the Natsha Kingdom.

Isn’t this Baron Delrond's work?

It seemed that it got mixed up while distributing the documents.

I wonder how far things go. 

It's not my work now, but I was curious as it was something I once did. So I skimmed through the document in general.

The joint pirate work was still in its early stages. As it was done nationally, there were many things to coordinate.

Still, all the recruits had come out, huh?

I skimmed through the list and stopped at a familiar name.

[Aldor Hutton.]

This man was also participating. Well, since the Marquis of Hutton was a naval family from generation to generation, it was no surprise that Aldor Hutton was involved.

Now that I thought of it, I hadn't told Kalian what happened with Aldor Hutton yet.

I have to tell him before the fire gets out from Sir Hiltine…

So should I go and tell him now?

If I told him at lunchtime, there would be Baron Delrond. I wanted as few people as possible to know about it though.

I checked Kalian's schedule and he just happened to have no special schedule.

Let's go now.

In case I hesitated and missed another chance to speak, I got up from my seat and headed straight to the Emperor's office.

Kalian's expression looking at the document was unusual. His fingertips tapping on the desk were full of irritation.

Rahel, who knew what document Kalian was looking at, asked cautiously.

“Shall I call Baron Aster?”

Kalian thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah."

“I’ll call her right away.”

It was when Rahel bowed down and was about to leave.

“Your Majesty, Baron Aster is here.”

He couldn’t believe she came before he called her. What exquisite timing.

After giving permission to come in, Kalian beckoned Rahel to leave.

Leila briefly greeted him and then told him the reason why she had come to Kalian.

“I have something to tell Your Majesty.”

Leila's expression darkened. She clasped her hands tightly, looking very nervous.

Does that ‘thing' have already reached her ears?

“What is it?”

Leila took a deep breath, exhaled, and spoke slowly.

“Something… that happened in the Marquis of Hutton.”

With those words, Kalian immediately knew what Leila wanted to say. She must have been wanting to tell him what happened with Aldor Hutton.

He already knew about it, but Kalian pretended not to know and said nothing. Because he didn't want to be found out that he was doing a background check on her.

“I, I…”

However, Leila's condition, repeating the same words over and over again, was strange.

She bit her lip repeatedly enough to bleed, and he could see her tightly clenched hands shaking. She looked as if she was going to collapse at any moment.

Kalian immediately got up from his seat and walked over to Leila.

“Leila.”

He grabbed her by her shoulders and called, but Leila didn't answer. Her eyes staring into the air were out of focus.

“Leila, Leila!”

Kalian shook her shoulders a little hard, calling out Leila's name one after another.

“…!”

Then, as if she had just come to her senses, Leila blinked quickly and looked at Kalian. Her eyes which became clear again were filled with astonishment.

Leila slipped out of Kalian's hands and took a few steps back. Her chest went up and down greatly.

“What did I just say…?”

“You didn’t say anything, so don’t worry.”

He tried to hide the fact that he did the background check but seeing Leila's reaction, it seemed like he shouldn't.

Well, it must have been a terrible past, so to recall it and bring it out of her own mouth is no less than torture.

“I already know everything that happened between you and Aldor Hutton.”

Inevitably, Kalian spoke first.

“So you don’t have to report it to me.”

Leila's eyes shook wildly. She stared at Kalian, then lowered her head. Her hands that were holding each other turned white again.

She couldn't have thought that I knew everything, so it's no wonder she's surprised and bewildered. 

Kalian waited without saying anything so that Leila could have enough control over her startled mind.

After a brief silence, Leila, who had finally calmed down, politely bowed down and apologized.

“I apologize for causing concern, Your Majesty. I will be careful so that this never happens again.”

“…what does that mean?”

Kalian, who reacted half a beat late, asked with a frown.

“You’ll be careful? Of what?"