In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 243

It was a strange feeling.
I looked at the Angenas townhouse.
The mansion, excessively large for its location in the heart of the capital, was already empty.
Valuable items had already been disposed of, leaving only furniture that the next owner of the mansion might or might not use.
I shifted my gaze slightly and looked at the people gathered in front of the Angenas mansion.
Hundreds of people, nobles and commoners alike, densely filled the area around the mansion.
‘It really is a strange feeling.’
I had seen such a sight in my previous life.
A scene where countless people gathered to witness the end of a family.
The only difference was that back then, that family was Lombardi, and this time, it was Angenas.
And the one who created that difference was me, Florentia Lombardi.
“Shall we proceed?”
An official from the Imperial Palace asked me.
Only then did I realize the countless gazes fixed on me.
Perez was one of them.
After all, the liquidation of the Angenas family was a task entrusted to me by Emperor Jovanes, so I was the final decision-maker.
“Close it.”
At my command, the Imperial soldiers began to push the heavy iron gates.
Creak.
The iron gates, which had quickly rusted in the few weeks since the Angenas people were expelled and arrested, made a strange sound.
Clank.
As soon as the iron gates closed, the expressionless soldiers rushed forward and wrapped thick iron chains around the handles.
Click.
Finally, a large padlock bearing the Imperial crest locked the Angenas mansion’s gate.
Anyone who dared to open that gate without Imperial permission would be charged with treason.
The surrounding nobles clicked their tongues and whispered, as if the sight wasn’t unrelated to them.
“So Angenas finally falls like that.”
One noble said cynically.
“I knew this would happen.”
Some spoke smugly.
I quietly tilted my head, looking at the empty, dead Angenas mansion.
Well, I wonder if anyone truly expected this to happen.
In the struggle between Perez and the Empress, the obvious victor was the Empress.
One hundred out of one hundred people would have thought Astana would become the Crown Prince.
“Acting Head of Lombardi.”
In the end, the victor was this guy, Perez.
“Are you alright?”
It was a rather sudden question for him to approach and ask.
But I knew what he meant by asking.
“I’ve seen everything there is to see, now we should go.”
“Ahem, my back aches from standing so long.”
As Perez approached, all the nobles standing around me scattered.
More people were afraid of Perez after this incident.
It was a good thing for Perez, who would soon become the Crown Prince.
Fear would lead to strong imperial power.
“Acting Head?”
Perez called me again when I didn’t answer and just stared at him.
His eyes were filled with concern.
I looked at his eyes and wondered.
Why are people so afraid of Perez?
My child doesn’t bite unless provoked.
“I’m fine, Your Royal Highness. How are you?”
Today, with Angenas officially sealed, also marked the culmination of Perez’s victory.
“I am very well.”
Perez replied with a refreshed expression.
“I intend to officially propose removing the Angenas name from the noble registry at the noble council soon.”
Yes, that’s like you.
It was a perfectly clean ending.
For revenge, one must cut it off completely so that it cannot sprout again.
I smiled at Perez.
“I’ll lend you my support too.”
The noble council was my domain.
“Then, may I escort you to your carriage?”
Perez said, politely extending his hand.
My carriage was right nearby.
But somehow, I felt like I could hear a large, black tail wagging.
I gently placed my hand on his outstretched hand.
As we began to walk together, naturally, everyone’s gaze rushed towards Perez and me.
Their gazes were quite filled with curiosity.
But regardless.
Perez and I maintained a polite and businesslike demeanor towards each other.
“You’re even prettier today, Tia.”
He even said things like that in a voice too low for others to hear.
Perez asked as he closed the carriage door after I had entered.
“What’s the rest of your schedule for today?”
“I’m having dinner with my father.”
I hadn’t seen my father’s face much lately.
I had been busy, but my father had been extremely busy.
It was winter, so his work at Chesayu shouldn’t be that demanding.
“Hmm.”
I narrowed my eyes in thought.
Now that I think about it, it’s a bit suspicious.

At the same time.
A family meeting was being held at the Lombardi mansion.
It was a regular monthly meeting, so there was nothing unusual.
Lombardi was running smoothly as always.
“Excellent.”
Rulac said with satisfaction after receiving reports from each of his vassals.
A sense of pride also flickered across the faces of the vassal family heads as they looked at Rulac.
“You look even better today, Patriarch.”
The Head of the Bilkey family, Lemarbau, said to Rulac, who seemed to be in a good mood.
“Hmm, do I?”
When Rulac asked, all the other vassals nodded in agreement.
“It must be because Tia has been handling the duties for me, allowing me to rest well. Haha.”
Rulac smiled with satisfaction once again.
“That’s a relief, Patriarch.”
“Indeed, indeed. It is a relief.”
Rulac finally looked at the family heads seated around the long table.
And he said,
“Today will be my last family meeting.”
Dismay, sadness, regret.
Various emotions flickered across the faces of the vassals.
“I consider myself truly fortunate to be able to perform my duties with a sound mind and body until the very end.”
Rulac spoke with sincerity.
“Haha, don’t make such faces, everyone.”
“But, Patriarch…”
“I couldn’t be happier than this.
You shouldn’t be making such faces!”
And Rulac said, as if comforting them,
“There was a time when I was very afraid. I wondered if Lombardi would collapse if I did. There were days when I couldn’t rest peacefully for a single moment with such thoughts.”
Recalling those days that now felt so distant, Rulac smiled gently.
“But now, I no longer carry such a burden on my heart.”
Rulac’s heart felt as light as a feather.
His relief had doubled seeing Tia perfectly carrying out the duties of the Acting Head over the past few weeks.
Now, there was not a trace of worry or fear about handing over the headship of Lombardi.
‘I am very lucky, indeed.’
Rulac judged himself thus.
A lucky man.
‘Among all the heads of Lombardi throughout history, who else could have retired as content as I am?’
Thinking so, Rulac straightened his clothes while seated and said,
“I wanted to take this opportunity today to convey my heartfelt wishes to you all. My request that you serve my granddaughter well in the future, and…”
Today would be his last day sitting in this seat.
A schedule that had continued for decades was coming to an end.
“And I wanted to say that it has been a pleasure working with you all for so long. And, thank you.”
Rulac said so and bowed his head.
With unexpressed gratitude.
And when he raised his head again, Rulac was speechless for a moment.
“…You’ve worked hard, Patriarch.”
All the vassals had risen from their seats and were bowing deeply to Rulac.
Rulac smiled broadly and took in the sight of each vassal.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Thus, Rulac’s last family meeting ended.
And as he rose from his chair, Rulac was secretly surprised.
His body felt incredibly light, as if a burden had truly been lifted.
“Haha.”
Rulac nodded, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked ahead, saying,
“Those who aren’t busy, come and have a meal with me.”
Looking out the corridor window, he saw warm sunlight filling the mansion.
“For today is a very good day.”
***
“Is everything ready, Tia?”
I heard my father’s cautious voice from the drawing-room.
“Yes, it’s all ready!”
I replied, checking my appearance in the mirror one last time.
Wear clothes that aren’t too noticeable, that don’t look like a noble.
That was my father’s instruction to me.
So I wore no accessories and chose the plainest brown dress from Gallahan’s ready-to-wear collection.
“Let’s go now, Dad!”
“Huh?…”
But when I actually came out into the drawing-room, my father’s expression was a little strange.
His slightly furrowed green eyes gazed at me intently.
“What’s wrong?”
“Seeing you like this, I realize how much you resemble your mother, Tia.”
“Me?”
I had seen a portrait of my mother.
She was beautiful, but I resembled my father more in appearance.
“Yes. Very much.”
But in my father’s eyes, I seemed to resemble my mother.
Given the deep longing that seeped into his gaze.
“Well, shall we go then?”
My father said so and turned, as if inviting me to link arms with him.
“Then I should have the carriage prepared…”
“You don’t have to, Tia.”
My father smiled a little mischievously.
“We’re going to walk today.”