In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 195

On the way to Lombardi’s villa.
An awkward silence filled the carriage carrying Emperor Jovanes and Empress Lavini.
The two, who rarely found themselves in the same place unless it was an important occasion, did not exchange a single word.
Especially Jovanes’s face, looking out the window, was a sight to behold.
It seemed he would give up several gold ingots if he could just get out of this carriage right now.
“Ahem.”
Finally, Jovanes gave an uncomfortable cough.
The reason he found the Empress so uncomfortable was the recent pressure to appoint a Crown Prince.
Of course, the Empress herself had never directly spoken on the matter.
But he couldn’t possibly be unaware that Angenas and the Empress were behind those who urged Jovanes to appoint a Crown Prince at the Grand Council.
As expected.
“Your Majesty.”
The Empress called Jovanes in a gentle voice.
“I heard that the appointment of a Crown Prince was proposed at the Grand Council recently.”
It’s just as I thought.
Jovanes inwardly twisted the corner of his mouth uncomfortably.
“Although Your Majesty is still in good health, you must also understand the concerns of the nobles who worry about unforeseen circumstances.”
Unforeseen circumstances.
At those words, Jovanes’s silence was broken.
“Are they worried about me, the Emperor, or the future of Angenas?”
“Of course, it’s for Your Majesty and the peace of the Lambru Empire.”
“You truly take me for a fool.”
The Emperor no longer hid his discomfort.
One might retreat from his cold glare.
But today, Empress Lavini pushed a little harder.
“May I offer a word, Your Majesty.”
At Lavini’s words, Jovanes snorted as if to say, ‘Go ahead.’
Emperor Jovanes glanced sideways at the Empress.
Seemingly affectionate, genuinely offering advice, but within it was only ambition for herself and her family.
It had always been that way since the first day they met.
Lavini was not the Empress of the Empire, but merely ‘Lavini of Angenas.’
“Your Highness is merely postponing what must be done eventually.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you delay further? Surely you don’t intend to make the Second Prince the Crown Prince, do you?”
Lavini’s question, delivered like a sharp stab, furrowed Emperor Jovanes’s brow.
“Surely, the common blood of his mother cannot be the lineage that inherits the throne of this Lambru Empire, can it?”
Lavini’s voice was calm.
It wasn’t a pressing tone either.
She knew well that, if nothing else, Emperor Jovanes shared her opinion on lineage.
“Ahem.”
Another cough escaped Jovanes.
Astana was lacking.
But Jovanes had never once thought of handing the throne over to Perez.
His red eyes and black hair reminded him of the previous emperor.
Even now, when he closed his eyes, the events of that day came back as vividly as if it were yesterday…….
“You too will die by your son’s hand, Jovanes, just like me.”
That image of him cursing and sneering with bloodshot eyes still tormented Jovanes.
“Later.”
The Emperor opened his closed eyes and said.
“Let’s discuss this later, Empress.”
Just then, the carriage stopped.
Jovanes quickly stepped out of the carriage as if he had been waiting for the door to open.
“Hahaha!”
Empress Lavini, who had been coldly glaring at the Emperor’s back, as if he had never been displeased, followed him out of the carriage.
Lavini also wore a bright smile.
While everyone bowed respectfully, only my grandfather calmly faced Emperor Jovanes.
However, no one considered it disrespectful.
The Lombardi Patriarch held such a position.
“Come, everyone, raise your heads.”
As if something good had happened, Jovanes spoke, maintaining a constant cheerful smile.
I slightly raised my bowed head and examined Emperor Jovanes’s face more closely.
He was clearly smiling, but something was awkward.
Like someone forcing a smile.
And I felt a gaze on me and turned my head.
It was Perez.
As it was a public occasion where everyone was watching, Perez gave a small bow when our eyes met.
I also nodded slightly and then listened to the conversation between my grandfather and Emperor Jovanes.
“But a hunting competition held in Madman’s Forest? Lord Lombardi has made a unique attempt, hasn’t he?”
“This hunting competition was prepared by my granddaughter, Florentia, not by me.”
“Ohh, really?”
Jovanes’s curious gaze fixed on me.
“Though my skills are lacking, I did my best, Your Majesty.”
I slightly held my skirt, curtsied, and spoke shyly.
And I gestured to the Lombardi employees who were waiting nearby.
At my signal, the attendants presented two protective gears to the two princes.
The red one was for Perez, and the yellow one was for Astana.
“What is that?”
Emperor Jovanes asked me.
“These are protective gears prepared for the participants of this hunting competition. Besides the two princes, other participants will also wear the same protective gear.”
“The color seems a bit dark. Isn’t it unsuitable for hunting attire?”
“Of course it is. However, Madman’s Forest is famous for its particularly thick fog, so this is a measure we sought for the safety of the participants. If they were to go missing…… we would have to find them in the dark forest.”
I said that, subtly looking at Astana.
I saw the pathetic, terrified fellow flinch greatly.
What a coward.
Instead, Emperor Jovanes seemed even more interested by my words about the danger.
“Hearing that makes me even more curious. Why hold a hunting competition in Madman’s Forest specifically?”
“In spring, monsters sometimes attack nearby settlements close to Madman’s Forest, Your Majesty.”
I said in a clear voice so everyone could hear.
“So, while everyone enjoys the hunting competition, I pushed for it with the thought that it might be helpful to the people of the Empire.”
“That’s an excellent idea!”
Emperor Jovanes exclaimed loudly.
Then he rubbed his bearded chin and said.
“With such a good cause, I cannot be left out. I will participate too.”
Oh, what a stroke of luck!
It was Jovanes’s admirable statement, so much so that I wondered if I had misheard.
Originally, I would have had to subtly guide the Emperor to enter the forest himself.
I subtly glanced at Perez.
This is what you wanted, right?
Perez’s eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly quite pleased with the unexpected windfall.
I looked back at Emperor Jovanes and said.
“But Your Majesty, it might be dangerous, so how about participating on the last day of the competition, after the hunting has progressed to some extent? I will also prepare protective gear for Your Majesty.”
“Hahahaha!”
At my words, the Emperor burst into loud laughter again.
“Indeed, only you, Florentia, worry about me!”
The faces of the surrounding Imperial Knights, who had not even feigned to dissuade the Emperor from attending the hunting competition, stiffened for a moment.
“Let’s do that!”
Emperor Jovanes patted my shoulder.
What an inconsiderate touch.
My shoulder ached from the heavy thumps of his thick hand, but I maintained my smile and said.
“We have also prepared many entertainments for those who are not participating in the hunt, so I hope you have a pleasant time during your stay at the Lombardi villa.”
Especially you, Empress Lavini.
“Then let’s go inside now.”
My grandfather intervened between me and the Emperor and said.
“Yes, Lord Lombardi.”
As my grandfather and the Emperor began to walk first, the crowd parted, creating a path to the villa’s main entrance.
Behind them, the Empress, Shananet, and others began to follow.
Perez had approached my side.
“Hello, Perez.”
“Hello, Tia.”
After a brief greeting, we looked forward.
Perez’s eyes were on the Emperor’s back, and mine on the Empress’s.
I saw them, unaware of what was coming, excited by the lavishly decorated mansion and the surrounding scenery.
Yes, enjoy yourselves while you can.
It won’t last long.
Watching them walk towards the mansion from behind like this, it felt like a drive hunt.
Perez and I were driving the prey towards the trap.
***
The eve banquet began.
It was unlike the rough banquets usually held alongside hunting competitions.
A banquet hosted by me, Florentia Lombardi, under the name of Lombardi, could not be like that.
Utilizing the wide plains around the mansion, the eve banquet, held outdoors at night, emphasized a rustic atmosphere, but instead, bright and beautiful lights were hung everywhere.
Thanks to this, the space prepared for the eve banquet felt even more splendid than a daytime banquet.
Also, the food and drinks provided were only of the highest quality.
“Everything seems to be going smoothly.”
I found a spot with a view of the entire banquet and looked around.
The Emperor and my grandfather, along with the highest-ranking nobles, had already moved elsewhere.
“Where, where did he hide?”
There was only one person I was craning my neck to find.
“Ah, found him.”
Astana was clinging to someone in the distance.
And Bellezac, who had appeared from who knows where, was stuck to him like glue.
I called over an employee who was passing by with drinks.
“Instead of this wine, please take the Cello Liquor and make sure the First Prince’s side doesn’t run out of drinks.”
Cello Liquor was Astana’s favorite strong alcohol, which Bate had found out beforehand.
“Yes, Lady.”
The servant, who politely answered my words, prepared the Cello Liquor on a silver tray and walked towards Astana.
Astana, who had been listening to Bellezac with a very annoyed expression, brightened up.
He had spotted the Cello Liquor.
“Good, good……”
I watched Astana with a slightly tense heart.
Drink, drink, drink.
And so easily, without a moment’s hesitation, Astana picked up the glass filled with Cello Liquor.
“Oh, look at that?”
Astana, after tasting one glass, was seen taking the tray from the employee.
This time, I couldn’t help but let my lips curl upwards.
“The alcohol goes in, chug, chug, chug.”