In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 236

The Lombardi family head’s office.
A momentary silence fell between Shananet and Rulac, the father and daughter.
Rulac’s face, as he habitually stroked his bearded chin, darkened with worry for his granddaughter.
At his expression, Shananet smiled faintly.
“Father.”
Rulac had been very strict when Shananet was growing up.
Who would have known that such a Rulac would change like this?
“Don’t worry too much.”
“But…”
Despite Shananet’s comforting words, Rulac’s expression showed no sign of brightening.
“Thinking about it, this is no small matter. Tia will become the head of Lombardi, so she’ll have to keep seeing the Second Prince, won’t she? But…”
The Emperor cannot leave the Empress’s position vacant.
So the Second Prince would place someone by his side, and Tia would have to simply watch that situation unfold.
“Oh dear.”
Thinking of his granddaughter’s heart breaking, Rulac felt his own heart tearing.
“Don’t be too upset.”
Shananet said, warmly covering Rulac’s hand.
“But even now, Tia must be slowly sorting out her feelings. The Angenas matter was so complicated, wasn’t it? There will surely be a clash with the imperial family.”
“Well, I…”
Shananet said, a gentle smile returning to her lips.
“I have a feeling that Tia and His Highness the Second Prince will resolve the problem well in their own way.”
“Haha. Yes, perhaps so.”
Rulac gazed at Shananet’s smiling face for a moment, then chuckled along with her.
“If it’s Tia, she would do that.”
It was infinite trust in his granddaughter.
“Then it would be best for this grandfather to help with what I can do right now.”
Saying that, Rulac spoke to Shananet, who was getting up from her seat.
“Tell Viese and Laurels to come in on your way out, Shananet.”
***
Wetter, the Class 2 administrator standing next to Perez, unconsciously swallowed dryly.
It was his first time seeing Lady Lombardi, no, the acting head of Lombardi, in person.
His senior, Ryan, who had been promoted to Class 1 administrator for handling matters well during his dispatch to the Second Prince and Ivan last time, always said this about Florentia Lombardi:
‘The only person who can manipulate His Highness the Second Prince as she pleases.’
Wetter, who had occasionally seen Perez until now, though he had no dealings with the Lombardi family, thought Ryan was exaggerating.
No matter how engaged they were.
How terrifying His Highness the Second Prince was, to be able to manipulate him as she pleased.
But the moment he saw the acting head of Lombardi enter the office, the thought, ‘It might really be true,’ naturally came to him.
She was a beautiful woman with captivating large green eyes, but at that moment, she exuded such an immense aura that her beauty was almost invisible.
Moreover, she even had the famous Clerivan Pellet accompanying her like a personal secretary.
Looking around the office, he saw that all the other administrators, except himself, were also respectfully bowing their heads, seemingly overwhelmed by the acting head of Lombardi’s presence.
“Acting Head of Lombardi.”
Perez immediately rose from his seat and greeted Florentia.
“Don’t welcome me so much. I’m not here to say pleasant things right now.”
“…Understood.”
Perez said that and silently sat back down, but Administrator Wetter clearly saw it.
The corner of His Highness the Second Prince’s lips quietly turned upwards before quickly lowering.
Florentia took a seat directly opposite where Perez was sitting.
While Clerivan Pellet meticulously took care of her, placing documents in front of her, the ears of all the administrators working in the office perked up.
His Highness the Second Prince and the acting head of Lombardi were so famous these days that there was no place where people gathered that they weren’t talked about.
The Second Prince, who had overthrown the Empress and Angenas and was finally designated as the Crown Prince, was, of course, beyond words, but the acting head of Lombardi was actually receiving more attention.
‘Her resume is just too brilliant.’
A woman who had become the next head of Lombardi, skipping a generation.
The owner of Gallahan’s clothing store, and the daughter and sole heir of Gallahan Lombardi, the lord of Chesayu, which had become the center of eastern trade.
And most recently revealed, the true owner of Pellet Corporation.
When that last fact was revealed, the empire literally turned upside down.
It was enough to push back the story of the Brown family, who had replaced Angenas as the new representatives of the West.
According to recent rumors, the acting head of Lombardi played a significant role in the downfall of the Empress and Angenas.
If that was true, then His Highness the Second Prince, who would soon become the Crown Prince, and she, who would become the head of Lombardi, were truly perfect political partners.
“Ahem.”
Wetter, the most senior of the administrators gathered here, quickly took his place behind Perez.
However, he wasn’t overly worried.
‘They’re engaged, after all. Surely nothing serious will happen?’
Although the acting head of Lombardi’s angry face bothered him a little, Administrator Wetter thought that and relaxed.
But then.
“How on earth did the Imperial Family manage its assets?”
With just one sentence, Wetter’s futile hopes shattered.
Tia unhappily placed the documents Clerivan handed her on the table and glared at Perez.
“What is that?”
Perez said in a calm voice and motioned to Wetter.
It meant to bring him the documents.
“It turns out the Imperial Family was also among those Angenas borrowed money from.”
Perez’s red eyes briefly turned to the administrators.
Seeing them gasp and sweat, the answer was obvious even without hearing it.
“It’s just under 2,000 gold, it seems.”
Perez skimmed the contents of the document and said.
“What do you wish me to do, Acting Head of Lombardi?”
Then Florentia, as if waiting for those words, said in a businesslike voice.
“The Imperial Family should relinquish its claims.”
“H-huh!” This time, even the administrators were startled and shocked.
And they began to eye Florentia and Perez.
No matter how close they were, could one say such things to the Imperial Family?
No, perhaps it’s okay because it’s Lombardi?
Still, he’s someone who will soon be the Crown Prince.
Since he hasn’t been appointed yet, is the acting head of Lombardi higher in rank?
All sorts of thoughts flashed through the administrators’ minds.
And Tia began to pressure Perez.
“The Empress and the Angenas family incurred such irresponsible debts because the Imperial Family did not stop them and condoned the situation.”
Though a bit harsh, it wasn’t wrong.
“According to imperial law, the Imperial Family’s claims take precedence in any situation. Therefore, Your Highness the Prince should relinquish that right. It means you should take responsibility for the Imperial Family’s negligence.”
No, it was very harsh.
A heavy silence fell in the office, but Florentia showed no sign of backing down.
On the contrary, she was staring at Perez without even blinking.
Regardless, the Empress was a member of the Imperial Family, and since he had initiated the matter, it was right for the Imperial Family to take responsibility.
Perez, agreeing with Tia’s words, nodded and replied.
“…I will do so.”
“But, Your Highness!”
That young upstart!
Wetter quickly glared at the young administrator standing near the door.
It was Spio, a Class 6 administrator who had become an administrator a few months ago, who had voiced his dissatisfaction with Perez’s decision.
Spio, who had just turned 20, was always in conflict with those around him due to his hot-headed personality.
That guy finally caused trouble like that.
Even His Highness the Second Prince had hardened his face and was looking at Spio with cold eyes.
Like it or not, Administrator Wetter, Spio’s direct superior, squeezed his eyes shut.
This was a written apology, even if his ancestors blessed him.
“What’s your complaint?”
Tia asked Spio.
There was even a slight smile on her lips, as if she found it quite interesting.
“That is…”
Spio glanced at Perez, seeking permission.
Florentia said to Spio.
“I’m the one who asked the question, but you’re looking in the wrong place. Look at me and speak.”
Wetter, who was observing the situation, sighed softly.
He was too young to understand the subtle power dynamics between the Imperial Family and Lombardi.
Legally, the highest ranking person in this room was, of course, the Prince.
But the acting head of Lombardi held power that surpassed the Prince, who had not yet been appointed Crown Prince.
Her words meant that.
‘I am the highest-ranking person here.’
Administrator Wetter quickly signaled to Spio.
To quickly answer what the acting head of Lombardi was asking.
“I will speak, risking offense. In my opinion…”
“What’s your name?”
“Yes…?”
“I’m suddenly curious about your name and position.”
“I am… Class 6 Administrator, Ricky Spio.”
“Alright, Administrator Spio. Continue.”
However, Spio’s face hardened.
Just saying his name made him feel an immense burden.
It was as if a sense of responsibility he hadn’t had before had emerged.
“L-Lady Lombardi seems to be taking an unfair advantage.”
“Oh, unfair advantage?”
“That’s… right. It’s also about holding the entire Imperial Family responsible for Empress Lavini’s personal and arbitrary actions. So, it seems like she’s trying to protect Pellet Corporation’s claims that way.”
Although his voice became as faint as an ant’s, Administrator Spio finished what he had to say.
“What if I give Administrator Spio a disadvantage then?”
At Florentia’s words, Administrator Spio flinched.
“W-would you do that?”
And then he looked at his superior, Wetter, with a tearful face.
Wetter subtly avoided his gaze.
At that moment, Florentia smiled and said to Clerivan.
“Clerivan, give the proposal to His Highness.”
Soon, a few pages of documents were handed to Perez.
“Pellet Corporation will only receive half of the amount to be repaid by Angenas.
The rest will be replaced by something else.”
“…Dyurak Merchant Guild?”
“Yes. Under the condition that all business rights of the Dyurak Merchant Guild are transferred to Pellet Corporation, our Pellet Corporation owner is willing to do so.”
The administrators unconsciously nodded.
Although the Dyurak Merchant Guild had no immediate cash value now that its parent company, Angenas, had vanished, there was one thing left that was still useful.
“You’re talking about the Coroi business.”
Perez said in a low voice.
“It’s the Coroi fabric of the Dyurak Merchant Guild that the imperial citizens are using. Pellet Corporation will take over and continue to produce it. Since our Pellet Corporation owner has been involved in the Coroi business from the beginning, you don’t have to worry about the business.”
“That would mean more cash for other noble families.”
“Since Pellet Corporation had the largest claim, I suppose so.”
Tia said indifferently, as if it didn’t matter.
Perez subtly smiled at her insincere attitude.
“Do as you wish, Acting Head of Lombardi.”
When Perez replied, Tia abruptly stood up.
It meant she had no more business here.
And as she was leaving the office, she paused for a moment, looked at Administrator Spio, and said.
“Be careful not to act too hastily. Your courage in speaking the truth was commendable, though.”
“Th-thank you.”
Administrator Spio’s face turned beet red, and he quickly bowed his head.
In the quiet office after Florentia left, Administrator Wetter found himself smiling and awkwardly stroked his face.
And seeing His Highness the Prince, who had been exuding coldness, now subtly smiling, he realized that his senior, Administrator Ryan, had been right.
She truly held His Highness the terrifying Prince firmly in her grasp.
The way she resolved the potential conflict between the Imperial Family and the nobles was also incredibly wise.
And Administrator Wetter thought.
‘It would be wonderful if such a person were to become the Empress in the future.’
***
His head throbbed as if it would split from the alcohol he had drunk all night.
Viese gulped down the water in front of him, suppressing the urge to vomit.
He couldn’t possibly throw up in front of his father, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Rulac, who had been watching Viese with complicated eyes, slowly opened his mouth.
“Leave the Lombardi mansion now, Viese.”