In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 69

The situation itself was like a play created for entertainment, with a full smile on Rulac’s face, yet the scent of wind clung to his clothes. He had rushed here from Lombardi without a moment’s delay.

“What insolence is this!” Perdic Angenas, the head of the Angenas family, roared, pointing a finger at Rulac. “No matter if you are the head of Lombardi, to barge into His Majesty’s office like this is clearly overstepping the line!”

“Overstepping the line? So you’ve come to pester His Majesty to take Gallahan’s business and give it to you?”

“H-how did you…”

“If Angenas can uncover my family’s secrets, do you think I can’t read Angenas’s dirty tricks?”

Rulac strode purposefully and walked right up to Perdic Angenas’s nose. Rulac’s shadow fell over the short and slender Perdic.

“Did you just say I overstepped the line?”

“Th-that’s right! How dare you in His Majesty’s office…!”

Rulac threateningly raised a hand as if to twist the neck of Perdic Angenas, who was repeating the same words like a parrot.

“Ugh!”

Perdic, who cowered under the oppressive aura, had to clench his teeth to prevent screaming as Rulac’s strong grip, as if to crush his shoulder, seized him the next moment. Rulac leaned in close to Perdic’s ear and spoke in a low voice.

“Did you sell your conscience and your brain along with it, Perdic?”

Only for Perdic Angenas to hear.

“Just as your best effort right now is to barely suppress a scream, if I make a move, Angenas will end up like you.”

“A-are you threatening me now?”

“Yes, I am threatening you. Listen closely, Perdic Angenas.” Rulac’s voice dropped even lower. “The moment you set foot in the imperial palace to steal the ready-to-wear business, after hearing that my son had fallen ill, you crossed the line.”

His wrinkled brown eyes gleamed fiercely with anger.

“You crossed the line that was protecting the proud Angenas from me with your own feet. Understand, Perdic?”

Perdic Angenas swallowed hard. He knew well that Rulac showed no mercy when it came to his own kin. And although he had moved with a thorough calculation that things might unfold this way… he somehow kept feeling the gloomy thought that he had crossed a line he shouldn’t have, just as Rulac said. Regret began to rear its head within Perdic.

And as if reading his mind, Rulac smiled crookedly, his face full of the marks of time, and said, “Yes. You will think that countless times in the future. You will regret it again and again. ‘I shouldn’t have touched Gallahan then.'”

Finally, Rulac turned, gripping Perdic Angenas’s shoulder so hard it made a gasping sound.

“Long time no see, Head of the Dyurak Merchant Group.”

“S-sorry… Croyton Angenas apologized without realizing it.

“No, no. Don’t apologize now. You’ll have plenty to be sorry for in the future.”

Rulac smiled as he spoke, but the Dyurak Merchant Group head’s face grew even paler. Perdic Angenas looked at Emperor Jovanes belatedly, seeking help, but the Emperor merely sipped his wine, a complete bystander.

“So, is Gallahan really suffering from Tlenbru’s disease? Is the rumor true?” the Emperor asked Rulac.

“Yes, it is.”

“Hmm. That’s troublesome, then.”

“There will be no need to worry, Your Majesty.”

“But if it’s Tlenbru’s disease, then by the next season…” Jovanes subtly glanced at Rulac, trailing off. However, what he meant was already as good as said.

“Gallahan is currently undergoing treatment.”

“Treatment? But isn’t there no cure for Tlenbru’s disease?”

“That has been the case until now, but…” Rulac paused briefly before continuing. “A new treatment has been developed. He is recovering very quickly. So Gallahan will be fine.”

“Th-that’s…!” A startled cry burst from Perdic Angenas.

A cure for Tlenbru’s disease? That was unbelievable. Gallahan Lombardi might recover?

He had moved, knowing Rulac would be enraged, calculating that the risk was worth it if he could gain the ready-to-wear business. But what if Gallahan really survived? Cold sweat trickled down his back.

“What if Gallahan doesn’t recover? What do you plan to do then?” Jovanes looked at Rulac with snake-like eyes.

“In that case, Lombardi intends to take responsibility and continue the business. But such a thing will not happen. Gallahan will rise from his bed and show it.”

Rulac said that and left the office, not forgetting to glare at Perdic Angenas one last time.

“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. I can’t kill a perfectly healthy Gallahan, after all.” Jovanes said nonchalantly, gently swirling his wine glass.

Perdic Angenas had to swallow the bitter liquid rising in his throat.
***

Lady Sheshou glared at Shananet, who sat across from her.

“To let me hear about Gallahan’s illness through rumors. Is this how Lombardi treats a family they intend to partner with?”

“I apologize for not informing you in advance.” Shananet bowed her head respectfully. Lady Sheshou became even angrier at her demeanor.

“Give me an excuse! How can I trust Gallahan and start a big business like this!”

“Aunt.” Shananet called Lady Sheshou in a quiet voice, then took a letter from her pocket. It was Gallahan’s letter.

Lady Sheshou opened it and let out a low groan.

[To Aunt Beatrix,

I presume you have heard of my circumstances by now and are very angry. I would like to say that I intended to inform you in due time, but that would be a lie to you, Aunt. For the future of my daughter, Tia, I tried to keep it a secret for as long as possible, known to no one.

However, in this situation where everything has inadvertently come to light, I wish to make a shameless request of you, Aunt. Please trust me and wait a little longer.

If you cannot trust me, who intended to deceive you, then please trust the person who carries this letter, the one I trust.

I will strive for the day when I can visit you in person and deliver good news.

Sincerely, Gallahan]

“That cunning fellow…”

She had thought he was just a gentle and delicate boy. Now he had become as wily as his father. To humble himself like this and call her “Aunt”… wasn’t it difficult to be angry with a sick nephew?

The anger gone from her face, Lady Sheshou asked Shananet, “What do you mean, ‘visit in person to deliver’?”

“That is…” Shananet tried hard to hide her confusion. She wasn’t showing it, but she was trying just as hard as Lady Sheshou to accept the whole situation.

She had been preparing to visit Gallahan after hearing about his Tlenbru’s disease when Florentia came to her. And she was asked to visit Lady Sheshou immediately, presenting Gallahan’s letter. Along with the request, “Please go as Shananet Lombardi, not as my dad’s sister.”

“A Lombardi scholar, a researcher, has just invented a cure for Tlenbru’s disease.”

“Then, you mean Gallahan can recover?”

“He is currently undergoing treatment.”

Neither Gallahan nor Shananet could lie, so Lady Sheshou narrowed her eyes and looked at Shananet.

“What will happen if I trust and wait, and that trust bites me in the heel? Angenas came rushing as if he would jump in and seize Sheshou’s hand right away.”

As expected. Shananet confirmed her suspicions and clenched her fists.

“Aunt. Gallahan is my younger brother, but he’s so foolishly honest that he can’t lie. I wish he were a little more cunning, but he’s too simple-minded.”

It had only been a few hours since she heard the news that her brother had contracted an incurable disease. However, Shananet had no time to grieve or be confused right now. Finishing this task Gallahan had asked for was the best she could do for her brother, who was confined to his sickbed.

“I believe that Gallahan is doing his best to overcome his illness even at this very moment. But, if Gallahan cannot fulfill his promise…”

Shananet recalled her young niece’s words. “‘Please go as Shananet Lombardi, not as my dad’s sister.'”

Could that child have somehow foreseen that a situation like this would arise? Shananet smiled faintly at the absurd thought. Then she looked directly at Lady Sheshou and said, “Then, please trust Lombardi. That child Gallahan is the founder of ‘Gallahan’s Clothing Store,’ but he is also the son of the head of Lombardi, Rulac Lombardi. And Lombardi never disappoints those who trust and work with Lombardi.”

Silence fell for a moment. Then Lady Sheshou sighed, a low, lamenting sound.

“…Tell Gallahan not to worry about Sheshou, and to focus solely on his treatment. And make sure to tell him I’ll visit soon.”

“Yes, Aunt.” Shananet rose from her seat, hiding her slightly trembling hands within the wide sleeves of her dress.

“And, Shananet.” Lady Sheshou said, rubbing her forehead with a tired face. “Will you tell your husband that we, Sheshou, have no intention of selling the mine, and to stop trying to persuade us?”

“…The mine?” Shananet was momentarily flustered, then quickly hid her expression and nodded.

“Yes, Aunt. I’ll do that.”
***

Three weeks had passed since the commotion. Fortunately, the concurrent events had been temporarily settled, but they were all just temporary measures. The only solution was for the cure for Tlenbru’s disease to be developed and for my father to recover.

Estira was doing her best in her research, but she hadn’t found any breakthrough yet. My father’s illness was steadily worsening, just like in my previous life.

“…I’ll be back.”

And in this situation, I had to go to the palace to act as Perez’s companion. I wanted to stay by my father’s bedside, but he urged me to go out, play with Perez, and get some fresh air. Since it was what my father wanted, I couldn’t refuse.

I got into the carriage with a gloomy face. During the few hours it took to travel from the Lombardi mansion to the imperial palace, all sorts of thoughts churned in my mind. And finally, we arrived at Phorak Palace, where Perez lived.

“Tia, hello.” Perez greeted me with a faint smile.

“Hello.”

Honestly, I was annoyed. In this situation, where I needed to spend every hour with my father, I felt like the time with Perez was a waste. Perez, who received my unenthusiastic greeting, stared at my face for a moment. It was one of his habits.

“Let’s go.”

Then Perez’s hand took mine.

“What? Where are we going?”

“Our place to play for the day.”

“I’m not in the mood to play.”

“I know.”

Just when my patience was about to reach its limit, Perez pushed open a large door with his other hand, which wasn’t holding mine.

“This is…”

“Phorak Palace’s library. I’ve gathered books on Tlenbru’s disease and herbalism here. As many as I could.” Perez said, pulling out a chair at the table in the center of the library. “Let’s look for information about Tlenbru’s disease together. We might find a solution if we keep searching.”

“Perez…”

“This time, I’ll help you.”