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

“It’s still early.”

Yeah, it’s because of this.

It really didn't matter if Leila was dating, but now was not the right time. Because it’s only less than a year ago that Leila officially broke up with Philen. 

Was that all? The rumor about her being Kalian's mistress had not yet disappeared completely. And not so long ago, there was even talk of people wishing her to become the empress.

If Leila was dating now, people would definitely look at her in a bad light.

There was no other reason. It was for Leila.

“So, you should hold on a little longer.”

"Yes?"

Leila, who came to report to Kalian in the morning, looked at him in bewilderment.

Hmm, did I say that too out of the blue? But it seemed too meddlesome if I said, ‘don't date.'

Then how should I say it?

When Kalian was pondering, Leila asked cautiously.

“Did I do something wrong?”

What is she saying?

“Why do you think so?”

“Your Majesty’s expression doesn’t look good.”

My expression doesn't look good?

Kalian checked his face in the mirror on the desk.

In the mirror, there was a handsome face that he had always seen. It didn't look bad at all.

"It's nothing. I'm just worried about you."

“Worried about me?”

"Yeah. You…”

I heard that you're dating.

He wanted to say so, but no words came out.

In his life, he rarely said something while considering people's feelings, but he kept considering Leila's feelings over and over again now. It was all because he knew her painful past. He had also seen her cry desperately several times.

He was afraid to say anything because he didn't want her to get hurt again for nothing. That's why he was careful, as he didn't want her to cry like that again.

But I have to tell her. Because it's for her.

“There's something I want to say about dating.”

“Dating?”

Leila tilted her head. 

“Who is dating? Ah, don't tell me…”

Leila's eyes twinkled.

“Your Majesty, are you dating?”

Why is the arrow coming back to me? No, more than that, why does she like it so much?

Kalian frowned.

“It's not me who's dating, it's you.”

"Yes?"

Leila said, perplexed.

“I’m dating?”

"You're not?"

"No."

Leila shook her head and murmured.

“Where on earth did such a story come from…”

“It’s a fool's imagination.”

He didn't even bother to say that the fool was Ver.

“So you don’t have to worry about it.”

His feeling, which was down to the ground, improved instantly.

Kalian said with a bright smile.

“You can report now.”

Leila began reporting with a subtle look.

“A few days ago, there was an avalanche in the Vera estate in the north.”

The report came up last night.

Leila put the report down on the desk.

“Fortunately, there are no major casualties, but property damage is great.”

Kalian looked at the report while listening to Leila.

“Especially the storage warehouses where they store grain for winter are buried in the snow, making it difficult to supply food right away.”

“Put a request for assistance to the nearest estate. Just in case, send a wizard support as well."

"I understand."

Leila immediately presented another report.

After finishing all the reports, it was time for the morning audience. 

Before going to the audience room, Kalian gave the documents, piled up on one side of the desk, to Leila.

“Organize these documents by date and event.”

"Yes." 

Leila moved closer to the desk to take the documents.

TAK-

Then her thigh hit the corner of the desk.

“Ugh!” 

It didn't hit that hard, but Leila sat down in great pain. Her face was twisted in pain.

“Leila!”

Kalian jumped up from his seat in panic. The chair that had been pushed back tumbled over. However, Kalian didn't care and went straight to Leila.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I'm okay.” 

“Okay? Your face is pale.”

It doesn't seem like it was simply because she bumped into the desk though.

Is she sick? 

Kalian placed his hand on Leila's forehead.

“It’s not a fever.”

“I'm really okay.”

Leila leaned back slightly and stood up.

“Ugh.”

But in an instant, Leila, who couldn't stand upright, sat down again.

Kalian hurriedly reached out and supported Leila. His expression grew serious.

“Did you come to work when you're this sick?”

"I'm o…” 

“From today on, you're forbidden to say I'm okay.”

Leila's mouth was shut at once at the sudden ridiculous order. 

Kalian put Leila on the sofa and shook the bell.

As the attendant entered, he gave an order with his gaze fixed on Leila.

“Call the Imperial doctor right away.”

Leila's eyes widened.

“Doctor? I'm okay, Your Majesty."

Kalian snorted.

“You're okay even after you were like that? Do you think I'd believe you?”

“It’s because of that…”

“What's that?”

Leila hesitated, clasping her hands together. 

“I'll just call the doctor if you don't answer me.”

When Kalian tried to give the order again, Leila closed her eyes tightly and said, 

“Ho, horseback riding!”

Kalian turned to Leila again.

Leila continued without looking directly at Kalian.

“I'm learning horseback riding these days… but I'm still inexperienced, so I have bruises on my legs.”

Her whole thigh was also bruised.

“On top of that, muscle pain…”

It was okay if she just walked, but when she bumped into something like before, she felt an indescribable pain.

She tried to hold it in, but she couldn't stand it, so she groaned a little.

“I'll be careful from now on, Your Majesty.”

“…what is there to be careful about? It wasn't on purpose."

Kalian replied with a better expression on his face.

“Still, get a check-up. They can give you medication for your bruises and muscle pain.”

“Yes, I will.”

She didn't think it was necessary, but Leila nodded because she thought receiving it would ease Kalian's worries.

The attendant went out to call the doctor, and then Rahel, the head attendant, came in.

“Your Majesty, it's time for the morning audience.”

Kalian's brows narrowed. What he thought of as a matter of course now seemed trivial.

I want to make sure Leila gets a check-up though.

“Don't worry, I’ll be sure to get a check-up.”

Leila said as if she noticed what Kalian was thinking.

Kalian then let out a small sigh and nodded. 

“I'll check when I come back, okay?”

"Yes."

“If there's any pain, don’t hide it. Get everything checked out. Don't make me worry.”

"I understand."

The words between them were difficult to see as just a simple conversation between a boss and his aide. 

At this, the attendants exchanged meaningful glances. Rahel's expression looking at them was also subtle. However, the parties were not aware of it.

Kalian, who was about to go out with his coat on, asked Leila as if he had suddenly remembered.

“Is it because of horseback riding that you leave work on time these days?” 

Leila blushed slightly as if she was embarrassed, and nodded. 

"Yes."

"I see."

It means that it's not a man who she has to be affectionate and communicate with.

The question had been resolved completely. Kalian smiled happily and turned around.

This morning's audience was also joined by Ver. It's because he had something to discuss. However, Ver didn't talk during the audience. Like a secretary, he only silently wrote down what the nobles and Kalian had said. 

The meeting lasted for two hours, but no conclusion was reached.

“I just wasted my time for no reason.”

After the audience, on the way back to the inner palace.

“If I had known that they would only exchange such useless topics, I wouldn't have participated.”

As Ver sighed and complained, Kalian asked.

“Why do you think it’s useless?”

“You don’t think so, Your Majesty?”

"Yeah. You know yourself that it's those guys who are useless.”

“That's true.”

Ver nodded in agreement.

“So, do you intend to change the officials, Your Majesty?”

“I'm actually thinking about it. I also don't want to waste the taxes on incompetent people."

“Cut from the lowest first one at a time, Your Majesty.”

Ver advised faithfully.

“That way, there will be less noise.”

“I know.”

“And please take one more aide.”

The corner of Kalian's lips went up as he easily expressed his wish.

“You wanted that, huh?”

“It’s always been what I wanted.” 

Although there's Leila, they were still understaffed. He needed some more people.

“You can hold an official test or take someone from the academy. What's important is please take one more person.”

“What about those guys you just saw in the audience room?”

“Ah, no, thank you. They're not helpful, and they're only making more work."

When Ver refused with a straight face, Kalian laughed out loud. 

“I'll think about it. The academy students are graduating soon, so I can take any decent one among them.”

“I’ll make a list of graduations so you can choose one with it.”

“I only said I'd think about it. I didn’t say I'd choose.”

“I believe you will choose.”

Kalian shrugged at Ver's brazen reply.

“More than that, Ver.”

"Yes."

“You guessed it wrong.”

“What guess?”

“Leila dating.”

Ah, that.

“I asked her, and she said no.”

“That… Did you ask her yourself?”

When Ver asked in an absurd tone, Kalian raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Is there a problem?”

“Rather than there's a problem… Did Baron Aster say that it’s not?"

"Yeah. I heard that the reason she left work on time was not because of dating but for another reason.”

“What's the reason?”

Kalian's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Well. What could be the reason?”

“You know it, but you're not going to tell me, right?”

Kalian smiled, then walked away without saying anything.

“Please tell me, Your Majesty.”

Ver asked, chasing after him.

“What is it? What's the reasooooooon!!”