In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 196

It was when I was watching Astana, who had really started drinking, with a pleased look.

Every time Astana changed seats, four people were seen following him.
They were knights of the Imperial Knights.
In addition, other fully armed knights were seen standing guard in various parts of the outdoor banquet hall.

“As expected.”
I clicked my tongue slightly as I watched them.
Because today, my prey was the Empress and those Imperial Knights.
To keep them by Astana’s side, I also deployed Lombardi’s knights throughout the banquet hall.
Then, as if not to be outdone, they too began to guard the perimeter of the banquet hall and escort Astana.

“My prediction was correct.”
The Imperial Knights and the Lombardi Knights were a kind of rival.
There were no common noble families that rivaled the Imperial Knights in scale, and the Imperial Knights’ capabilities were gradually diminishing.
Some even said that the ‘Imperial Swordsmanship’ that the Imperial Knights trained in was the cause.
They claimed that the swordsmanship itself had problems, limiting the knights’ mastery.
But many others whispered that the Imperial Knights’ lack of competence began when the Brown family was expelled.
They believed the absence of the Brown family, who had served as successive Imperial Knight Commanders, was the cause.
Whatever the reason.
Everyone agreed that the Imperial Knights were facing an unprecedented crisis.

“So, everyone’s desperate.”
It’s only natural for someone who wields a sword to want to be strong.
I smiled, looking at the Imperial Knights guarding Astana’s side.

“Tia.”
“You’re here?”
I knew it was Perez who had approached me from behind without even turning around.
“The clothes suit you well.”
I said, looking at the red clothes Perez was wearing.
“Of course. You chose them for me.”
“That’s right.”
I smiled, picking a small piece of lint off Perez’s clothes.
“The clothes you’re wearing for tonight’s banquet are red, and the protective gear you’ll wear from tomorrow will also be red.”
As I hummed, Perez’s eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled.
“By the way, don’t you think things are going incredibly well?”
As if fate is on our side.
“His Majesty suddenly volunteered to participate in the hunting competition, and Astana…”
Perez and I simultaneously looked at Astana in the distance.
It was such strong liquor, Cello Liquor.
Several empty glasses were already placed in front of Astana, whose eyes were slightly unfocused.
“As expected, you’re destined to achieve what you desire, Perez.”
Both revenge and ascending to the throne.

Perez, who I expected to retort with equally light words, was silent.
When I turned my gaze, he was looking at me with strange eyes.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Tia, sometimes you’re strange.”
“Strange?”
“How should I put it? Sometimes you speak like someone who knows the future.”
Unnecessarily perceptive.
“…Is that so?”
I subtly avoided his gaze, trailing off my words.

“And you were wrong about one thing.”
Perez said.
“It’s not because of me, it’s because of you. It’s thanks to you, Tia, that I’m here now.”
His red eyes held my reflection.
And he slowly approached and kissed me on the cheek.
It was an expression full of affection.
I felt the surrounding gazes focusing on us, but Perez looked only at me, as if unaware of such things.

“You’re not avoiding it.”
“Because people are watching.”
“Is that truly the only reason?”
Perez’s voice was tinged with a slight laugh.
“…Think what you want.”
When I answered a little primly, Perez now chuckled softly.

Just then, Ramona came into my view.
“She’s here.”
I said, stepping back half a step.
Perez also turned his head to look at Ramona.
“The knight’s uniform suits you very well, Ramona.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ramona replied with a slightly embarrassed smile.
And looking at me, she said, “This is the first time I’ve worn such a nice knight’s uniform. Thank you, Lady Lombardi.”
“Don’t mention it. And I told you, you can call me comfortably, can’t you? There’s not much age difference.”
“No.”
Ramona shook her head and said, “How could I do that to Lady Lombardi?”
It seemed Ramona felt quite indebted to me.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
It would be rude to force someone to speak informally when they don’t want to.

I sighed softly and said to Perez, “You can go now, Perez. If you stay by my side…”
Astana would avoid me.
Perez, who understood my half-swallowed meaning, gave a short nod.
And he took my hand and kissed the back of it.
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be nearby.”
“Alright. Go do your work.”
I waved at the receding Perez and subtly checked on Ramona.
But Ramona was just nervously checking the fit of her knight’s uniform, not paying much attention to Perez’s actions.

“Are you ready, Lady Ramona?”
“Yes, Lady Lombardi.”
Ramona answered my question promptly.
“I hope your sword is well-sharpened.”
When I said it half-jokingly, Ramona also smiled slightly.

“Ah, it seems the Brown Patriarch has arrived.”
I said, seeing people one by one quickening their steps to one side of the banquet hall, having heard something.
“Let’s go quickly too.”
I said, leading the way.
“We can’t miss a good show, can we?”
I really wanted to see the Empress’s flustered face.
I’ll watch from the very front.
Ramona and I walked almost at a run to where the people were gathered.
***
“Ah, come on!”
Astana yelled impatiently at Bellezac.
His face was already flushed from the alcohol.
“All of you, get out!”
Astana raised his voice, looking at Bellezac and the other noble scions gathered around him.
‘Annoying brats.’
To others, they were called ‘the First Prince’s close associates,’ but to Astana, they were no more and no less than annoying insects buzzing in his ears.
But no matter how much he grumbled, they just hesitated and showed no intention of retreating, so Astana finally swallowed another gulp of the strong liquor.
As the alcohol slowly took effect, the annoyance that had filled his head seemed to subside a little.

“Parasitic things…”
Astana muttered, roughly wiping the alcohol from his lips with his sleeve.
They’re all just trying to gain something if I become Emperor.
Even though the muttering could not have gone unheard, no one seemed offended.
They were accustomed to Astana’s disdain.
“I’m already annoyed, so don’t stick to me, get away!”
Astana said, shoving Bellezac’s shoulder.
And his blurred, unfocused eyes fell upon the dark forest in the distance.
As night fell, the Madman’s Forest, now shrouded in a thicker mist, made eerie sounds in the wind.

Gulp.
Astana swallowed in nervousness.
He never dreamed it would be this kind of hunting competition.
If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have boasted to Perez.
“Bellezac, you should have given me a heads-up that Lombardi’s hunting competition would be like this!”
Astana raged at Bellezac, who was standing idly by.
“I-I didn’t know either, Your Highness.”
“Useless.”
His Majesty the Emperor had even come.
And there were so many people that it was unimaginable for a mere hunting competition.
Losing here would be an unparalleled disgrace.
Moreover, he had already heard rumors that bets were being placed among the nobles on who would win between the First Prince and the Second Prince.

“This is really unfair!”
Astana complained.
“That lowly fellow is an Aura Swordsmaster! And he’s challenging me to a duel!”
In Astana’s mind, the fact that he had provoked the fight first was cleanly erased.
“Bring me more alcohol!”
Astana shouted at Bellezac.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
It was just as Bellezac turned to urge the servants when one of Astana’s retainers tilted his head and said, “What? Is something happening?”
Astana also lifted his blurred, unfocused eyes and looked towards where the crowd was gathering.
“What’s all that commotion about?”
What Astana saw were several nobles covering their mouths with both hands, looking greatly surprised.
***
“Who is it you wish to introduce, then?”
Emperor Jovanes asked Rulac.
His face was full of curiosity.
Rulac had suggested to Jovanes, who was talking in a back room as usual at banquets, ‘Let’s go outside for a moment, I have someone to introduce.’
Even when asked to bring them inside, Rulac only gave a vague answer, saying ‘there are a few too many people.’
As Jovanes walked towards the center of the banquet hall, guided by Rulac, his curiosity grew.
And the place where Rulac finally stopped was the very center of the outdoor area where the banquet was being held.
It was also a place where many noblewomen were already seated, drinking wine and conversing.

“Your Majesty?”
Empress Lavini approached, looking puzzled.
“Why have you come out again?”
“The Lombardi Patriarch said he had someone to introduce…”
“Ah, here they come.”
Rulac said with a broad, seemingly joyful smile.
Naturally, Emperor Jovanes’s gaze also turned in that direction.
“Those are…”
Jovanes narrowed his eyes.
A group of men was approaching.
Their faces were not familiar.
But an indescribable feeling ran down Jovanes’s spine.
The face of the middle-aged man leading the group seemed subtly familiar.
Their confident walk was also impressive.
And as they drew closer, one commonality became apparent.

“They all lack a right hand.”
Emperor Jovanes unconsciously murmured.
At that moment, he knew their identity.
“…They are people of the Brown family.”