In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 43

When I opened my eyes again, the surroundings were already dim.
“Ugh…”
Perhaps I had slept too long, my body felt heavy and stiff as I tried to get up.
As soon as a small sound escaped my lips, someone rushed over.
“Tia, are you alright?”
It was my father, his voice cautious.
“Dad?”
“Yes, Tia. It’s me, Dad.”
My father’s familiar hand stroked my head.
“Why am I still here?”
I just got hit in the face with a ball and fainted.
Although I did bleed a bit from my nose.
Actually, I did wake up once in the middle.
But the doctor’s bed was so comfortable.
At that time, the twins were gone, and it was quiet, a perfect atmosphere for sleeping, so I decided to take a good nap.
And when I opened my eyes, it was this hour.
I didn’t expect to be lying here until it got dark outside.
“Our Tia seemed to be sleeping soundly, so I waited until you woke up.”
“You should have woken me up…” I felt a bit embarrassed that I had slept so carelessly, making my already busy father wait.
My father shook his head at my words and smiled.
“You must have been very surprised, so it’s good that you rested well.”
Father heard about it too.
It wasn’t a big deal, but I fainted, so he must have been very surprised.
I giggled to ease my father’s worries.
But my father’s eyes became even sadder.
“Sister Shananet roughly told me what happened. Bellezac hit you with a wooden sword…”
Huh? A wooden sword?
I got hit in the face with a ball and my nose bled, didn’t I?
Now that I think about it, Bellezac did pick up Astaliu’s wooden sword at the end.
“And yet you told the twins not to hit Bellezac… My father’s warm hand stroked my forehead once more.
“Why are you so kind, my daughter…”
“That’s, well…”
“It would be better if you were a bit more selfish.”
More than this?
I blinked, trying to grasp the situation.
It seemed that everyone had misunderstood the situation before I fainted.
The reason I fainted wasn’t because Bellezac swung a wooden sword, but because I was hit by the ball he threw.
Bellezac didn’t even get to swing that wooden sword.
And the meaning of my words, ‘Don’t hit Bellezac,’ just before I fainted, wasn’t so noble.
It meant, ‘He made my nose bleed, so I won’t leave him alone, you guys stay back.’
It seemed everyone had completely misunderstood.
My father was looking at me with eyes as if he was seeing the kindest angel in the world.
Perhaps it was the same for others who heard this story.
People like the twins, Shananet, or my grandfather.
Any excuses from Bellezac or Astaliu would not have been accepted.
Perhaps it had already spread noisily throughout the Lombardi mansion.
What should I do about this?
I lifted my head, which I had lowered in thought, and looked at my father.
“I’m fine, Dad.”
What to do? Just let them keep misunderstanding.
I gave my father an even more angelic smile and said.
My father stroked my cheek with an even softer touch and smiled back.
“Don’t worry too much, Tia. Bellezac won’t be able to bother you anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“Grandfather gave Bellezac an order. Not to approach you anymore.”
“Oh, this…”
What a stroke of luck!
It was like finding a whole pumpkin patch while unconscious.
Honestly, Bellezac had been a big worry.
After being hit by a book last time, he seemed a bit subdued and afraid of me, but I didn’t expect that state to last long.
And sure enough.
This time, he became Astana’s companion, and thinking his status had risen, Bellezac became arrogant, just like at the last family banquet.
And as soon as that happened, he must have followed me to vent his accumulated resentment.
It was obvious, the mind of such a scoundrel.
But no matter how much I underestimated Bellezac, the clear difference in physique was undeniable.
I was still young, and smaller than my peers.
Bellezac, who was older than me, would gradually widen that physical advantage, and I couldn’t help but worry about my future, always being a thorn in his side.
I even thought about what measures I should take in case Bellezac attacked.
But for Grandfather to step in and solve my problem for me!
Actually, it would be easy for him to break the no-contact order, but Bellezac would definitely not loiter around me anymore.
And he wouldn’t easily dare to hit me again in the future.
Because he knew how scary Grandfather was.
“Dad, I’m perfectly fine now. Can’t we go home?”
At my words, my father stood up and gently picked me up.
“Although there seems to be no major problem, he said you should rest in your room for a few days just in case.”
Since people thought I was hit by Bellezac with a wooden sword, there was nothing I could do.
I meekly nodded.
Cuddled in my father’s arms, we walked down the dim corridor, and a group of employees returning after finishing their day’s work recognized us and greeted us.
Indeed, wearing uniforms gave them a sense of unity and looked much better.
Then, a maid with large, round eyes cautiously approached us and asked,
“Excuse me, Lady Florentia. Are you alright?”
I didn’t expect her to talk to me, so I just blinked, unable to answer immediately.
“I heard you fainted…”
Another person came closer and said worriedly.
It wasn’t just those two who were checking on my condition.
Others walking with them also stopped and listened to our conversation.
I used to chat freely with the employees, but I wasn’t popular enough to receive everyone’s concern like this.
“Young Master Bellezac is truly cruel. Lady Florentia, so small and young…”
“Even though she suffered enough to faint, she asked the twin young masters not to hit Young Master Bellezac, didn’t she?”
“Young Master Bellezac is one thing, but she must have been worried that the twin young masters would also get scolded, right?”
“Oh my, such a kind young lady…”
I heard a few employees whispering behind us.
It seemed that the rumors about me were circulating in a very embellished way.
To live up to their expectations, I gave them an angelic smile, just like I had shown my father earlier, and replied,
“I’m fine! Thank you all for worrying!”
An innocent child’s smile certainly had an effect.
Everyone’s expressions softened, and their favorability towards me visibly increased.
My father gestured his thanks to them and resumed walking.
Soon after, we arrived home, and I suddenly remembered something and asked my father,
“Father, I heard guests are coming to the mansion soon. When is it?”
“Ah, you mean the Lombardi Scholarship Fund. I heard it’s in three days. The mansion will be bustling for a change.”
Three days later.
That was enough time to say I had rested for a few days.
So, if all went well, I could loiter near the entrance in time for the banquet.
However, I was worried that Grandfather would be too busy for a while because of it.
‘It’s about time for me to make a move.’
I felt a little anxious, but the Lombardi Scholarship Fund came first.
I encouraged myself.

* * *

“Your Majesty, such a grand tea party. I am truly grateful.”
Selal, beautifully adorned, slightly bent her knee and greeted Lavini, her cousin.
“Your son Bellezac has become my son’s companion. How could I not care about this much? It’s been a long time, Selal.”
Lavini also smiled widely, a rare sight.
Originally, Bellezac was scheduled to come with his parents, spend time with Astana, and have dinner together.
However, a few days ago, the Empress received Selal’s letter and changed all the plans.
The very next morning, couriers were sent to high-ranking nobles with townhouses in the imperial capital who had children the same age as Bellezac and Astana.
It was an invitation to an afternoon tea party and dinner for noble children and their guardians.
The pretext was ‘good tea leaves have arrived, so let’s all enjoy them together,’ but in the end, it was to show everyone Bellezac’s first formal entry into the palace.
The faces of the other children, who had played with them at noble banquets, were filled with envy as they saw Bellezac sticking close to the First Prince.
Selal was very satisfied with that.
Even the usually shy Lorraine was not playing alone today but having a pleasant time at the center of the other girls her age.
Just then, she spotted something and asked the Empress for permission to leave her seat for a moment.
“Dear.”
Selal headed towards Viese, who was sitting alone at a table, drinking tea.
“Are you still so worried?”
“Worried about what?”
However, Viese’s complexion remained unchanged.
“Do you remember what I said?”
Selal smiled, sat next to him, and placed her white-gloved hand on Viese’s.
“No matter how powerful Father seems now, time cannot be stopped. In just a few years, he won’t be able to do everything as he pleases, like now.”
“I know. But before that, he could take everything from us.”
Viese nervously drank his tea, recalling his father’s eyes, which shone fiercely with anger.
He had originally planned to stay at the mansion and attend the Lombardi banquet, but Selal stopped him.
And as planned, he came to the Imperial Palace, but he felt uneasy and afraid, as if he had done something wrong.
“But he did mention Gallahan, didn’t he? To become a bit more independent.”
“He did…”
“What do you think that means? Father secretly wants you to act more like the eldest son. How much you’ve tried not to go against Father’s will all this time. Haven’t you?”
Viese nodded with a gloomy face.
“Perhaps Father didn’t like that. Perhaps he wants you to show some resistance, even if you’re afraid.”
“Is that so…”
Viese was easily persuaded by his wife’s words.
His desire to kneel and beg profusely, even to the point of using his hands as feet, was gradually fading.
And into that gap, Selal’s every word subtly crept in.
“That must be it, I tell you! He’ll surely come to acknowledge you deep down at some point.”
“Indeed. He wouldn’t disown me, his eldest son, would he?”
Another wave of complacency filled Viese’s heart.
Selal smiled, took her husband’s hand, and made him stand up.
“Her Majesty is waiting. Bellezac is adapting well with the First Prince, so you just need to act as you normally would.”
“Yes, as I normally would.”
Viese regained his usual composure, smiled, and approached the Empress, where people were gathered.
Each large table was adorned with teacups and tea sets crafted by artisans exclusively for the Imperial family, and musicians created beautiful melodies in one corner.
Thick, flawless green grass was laid out where the children were busily playing.
Every single element filling this space made it an incredibly lavish and magnificent tea party.
Lady Bella, a lady-in-waiting, who had been observing the scene from behind a pillar in the Empress’s palace, quickly walked towards the kitchen.
Bella, who was carrying a basket of food and heading deep into the forest, stopped in front of a shabby annex.
Then she took out a small glass bottle from her pocket and poured its entire contents into the stew in the basket.
“That little prince eats all the stew, even if he leaves the hard bread.”
He was a very pampered prince.
To leave bread that commoner children would die for, just because it had gone hard after a few days.
Bella grumbled, completely forgetting about the magnificent tea party she had just been at.
Creak.
Bella opened the creaking, rusty door and familiarly walked towards the Second Prince’s bedroom.
Bang!
There was no knock before she opened the bedroom door.
She glanced at the figure curled up on the large bed in the distance, carelessly put the food down on the table, and left.
Only after the sound of footsteps faded and the annex door closed did the figure slowly get up.
With an indifferent expression, Perez peered into the basket and pulled out a bowl of stew with a spoon stuck deep inside.
“…She put a lot in.”
Whether the maid who brought the food knew it or not, the poison they used had a distinctive scent and bitter taste, even if in small amounts.
Of course, ordinary people might not notice, but Perez was different.
With his unusually sensitive senses, Perez had the ability to discern that taste.
The reason he first started rummaging through herb books was precisely because the taste of his food subtly changed one day.
But even knowing it contained poison, Perez continued to eat the stew.
“She said not to let it show.”
Florentia said that.
So eat the food and take the antidote.
Ignoring his stomach, which was already aching sharply after just a few spoonfuls, Perez returned to the bed.
And from under his pillow, he pulled out a round glass bottle.
Perez, who was accustomed to drinking the medicine, looked at the golden liquid, which was almost at the bottom, sloshing gently.
In the silent annex, a small voice seemed to prod Perez’s back.
‘She must have forgotten you already.’
But Perez vigorously shook his small head.
His jet-black hair fluttered in the air because of it.
“No. That can’t be.”
Perez hugged the round glass bottle tightly as if it were his life.
“She would never have forgotten me.”
Perez closed his eyes tightly and thought of Florentia.
Her brown hair that gently fluttered in the wind, her green eyes like spring leaves.
And the tears she shed for him.
Perez hugged the round medicine bottle even more precious.

***

“Wow, look at all the people.”
They said the mansion would be bustling, and it truly was.
“It seems like there are more people this year than usual?”
Or maybe it just seemed like a bigger crowd because I was short.
“Tia! I brought cake here!”
“I have drinks!”
Grandfather had specially allowed us to attend this banquet.
It was probably related to Bellezac going to the Imperial Palace today.
Whatever the reason, it was a good thing for me.
Astaliu wouldn’t come if Bellezac wasn’t there, and Lorraine had also entered the palace with Bellezac.
The other cousins were too young to move around alone.
In the end, only the twins and I attended the Lombardi Scholarship Fund banquet.
“Thank you, both of you.”
The twins had been sticking to me like glue since the last incident, which was annoying, but it also had its conveniences.
It was the moment I was about to scoop a bite of cake with my fork.
A woman passed right in front of the table where we were sitting.
She was in her early thirties.
But her exceptionally straight back and graceful steps captivated my gaze.
“Found her.”
I smiled, forgetting to eat my cake.
Catherine Brown, the Vice-Head Maid of the Imperial Palace, a veteran maid who had contributed greatly in various ways to Second Prince Perez becoming the Crown Prince.
And now, a person who could become a strong supporter, caring for Perez who was now alone.
Catherine Brown, the Vice-Head Maid of the Imperial Palace, was visible in the distance.