In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 72

My bottom was already wiggling with the thought of going outside starting tomorrow.

“Speaking of which, you’ll be able to see the outside world whenever you want now!” Lauriel said, gently brushing my hair.

That’s exactly what I mean, Lauriel!

“What do you want to do first?”

“Hmm.” I needed a moment to think. Not to think about what to do, but because there was so much to do that it was difficult to prioritize. As I continued to ponder, Lauriel gave me a few examples.

“Lady Lorraine immediately went to the flower garden outside Lombardi City, and Lord Giliou and Lord Mayron went horseback riding outside the castle. And Lord Bellezac… I didn’t bother to find out because I’m not interested.”

Our Lauriel, indeed. A very proper attitude. Who cares what a Bellezac did after his eleventh birthday? It would be nice to just think that and move on.

Unfortunately, living in the same mansion, I already knew that Bellezac had gone hunting with Astana the day after his birthday. Like Astana’s lackey number one. After they were free to go outside, they stuck together even more.

“So, what do you want to do, Lady?”

“Me? I want to go shopping!”

“Go shopping? You mean actual shopping?”

“Yes! I have so many things I want to buy!”

“Hmm. Jewelry?”

Rather than jewelry, the mines that produce them!

“Or, delicious food?”

The restaurants that make the food! There’s a really good one coming up for sale soon.

“Or… sightseeing in the Imperial Capital outside Lombardi would be fun too!”

I am planning to go to the Imperial Capital.

“I’m going to do all of that!”

“Oh my, Lady. You’re so ambitious!”

Of course! Because I’m going to take over everything!

Lauriel and I looked at each other and giggled. My neatly brushed hair hung down my back, and a small section of my side hair was braided with pretty white wildflowers. Then, with Lauriel’s help, I changed into the dress I would wear today.

“…Lady. When did you say this would go on sale?” Lauriel asked, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the dress I was wearing.

“Next week. This one turned out really well, didn’t it?”

“It’s the prettiest limited edition yet!”

“Really?” I was very pleased by Lauriel’s enthusiastic reaction. The marketing strategy I had started at Gallahan’s Clothing Store recently was working very well. It was called “Limited Edition”! It was a way to launch a new premium line targeting nobles, breaking away from the image of “ready-to-wear is common and can be bought anytime.” Very expensive dresses were sold simultaneously at all Gallahan’s Clothing Store branches across the empire, but in very limited quantities. Only 200 pieces were released nationwide for each series.

These days, among nobles, collecting these “limited editions” was in vogue, in addition to customizing Gallahan’s Clothing Store dresses to their own liking. In the Imperial Capital, where there were many powerful and wealthy nobles, the competition was so fierce that it was common for servants to be sent to distant branches to buy them.

“But this limited edition will be even more special because it’s commemorating my birthday.”

“What? More special?”

“Only 100 pieces were made.” I smiled mischievously.

“Th-that’s too much… To make such a beautiful dress and only 100 pieces…” Lauriel pouted and slumped her shoulders.

It was a numbered limited edition, so I couldn’t even set one aside for Lauriel. After a moment’s thought, I decided to give her a small hint.

“Send a Dillard servant to the third branch in the Imperial Capital.”

The third branch was relatively far from the nobles’ residences, but like the other Imperial Capital branches, 10 limited edition dresses were scheduled to be delivered there. So, the competition would be slightly lower than elsewhere. Lauriel, understanding my meaning, nodded meaningfully.

Knock, knock.

“Tia, may I come in?” My father knocked on the door and poked his head through the crack.

“Dad!” I got up from the dressing table and ran to hug my dad tightly.

“Oops!” My father playfully pretended to be pushed back a couple of steps, then hugged me back.

“You’re eleven now, but it looks like my daughter still has a long way to grow, doesn’t she?”

“Of course! I’ll always be pampered in front of you, Dad!”

My father was completely freed from Tlenbru’s disease thanks to Estira’s medicine. The paralysis completely disappeared in a week, and about a month later, he recovered enough to take light walks around the annex. And today, on my birthday, my father returned perfectly healthy, though a little thinner than before.

“Lord Gallahan, you look so handsome today!”

“Haha, really? Thank you, Lauriel.” Perhaps losing weight on his face made him look even more sharp and charming. That’s why my father’s popularity was growing day by day. I wondered if he’d meet a new stepmother soon, but… Well, Dad would handle it.

“If you’re ready for the party, will you spare me a moment, Dad?” My father held out his hand to me.

I eagerly took his hand. My father’s hand, still much larger than mine, was as warm and soft as before. We headed up one floor of the annex. We walked along the long corridor until my father stopped in front of a door.

“Open it.” My father said, letting go of my hand.

Click.

As I turned the doorknob, the door opened smoothly as if it had been waiting.

“This is a gift from your dad to you, Tia.”

A large window filled with sunlight and a reception room overflowing with soft, warm colors welcomed us.

“Is this… my room, no, my house?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow!” I half-ran to open several doors attached to the reception room. They were a bedroom, a small guest room, and a study, respectively.

“I moved your study from the main building here. I thought it would be much more convenient for you to use.” It was true. My well-worn books and stationery had all been moved here.

“From now on, Tia, you can use this house comfortably. Of course, if you come downstairs occasionally, your dad will feel a little less lonely.”

“Dad…”

“Still, considering how busy you’ll be in the future, this will be better, right?”

I really can’t deceive my dad. As I had promised my father before, I revealed a few things at an opportune time. Simple things like “what I was thinking when I sent Shananet to Lady Sheshou” and “when I started getting to know Perez.”

But with just those few pieces of information, my father seemed to have understood most of me. Especially considering how he naturally started asking for my opinion when making decisions for “Gallahan’s Clothing Store” a while ago. The “limited edition” idea was born that way.

“My Tia…” My father hugged me tightly. “Happy birthday. I wanted to be the first to give you a birthday present, even before anyone else.”

“Thank you, Dad.” I hugged my father back tightly. “It feels like a dream.” To have my father with me like this on my eleventh birthday. To have my father overcome Tlenbru’s disease and be healthy in front of me.

Smooch. My father kissed my forehead affectionately.

I felt tears coming, so I hugged my father even tighter. Now, I had achieved my first goal from when I regressed. Saving my father. But I still had many more things to accomplish.

“Let the meeting begin.” The chairman, seated at the head of the table, said, commanding attention.

“Let’s wait a little longer, as some have not yet arrived.” Perdic Angenas said leisurely, settling into his seat.

“But…” The meeting had already been delayed significantly. The reason was that a few families close to Angenas had not yet arrived. Dozens of nobles who had arrived on time and filled the meeting room were waiting for those few.

“Anyway, there’s no point in starting the meeting if the important people don’t…”

“I rushed here thinking I was late, only to find it hasn’t even started. What’s going on?”

Someone leisurely pushed both sides of the meeting room door open and walked in.

“L-Lord Lombardi…” The chairman rose abruptly and greeted him. Rulac Lombardi was the person who had sat in the chairman’s seat for decades before he became chairman.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve rested for a few years, so I’ve decided to take an interest in state affairs again.”

“Ah! In that case, the chairmanship…”

“No, no. I haven’t returned to take on such an important role. I’m too old for that. I’ve simply come with a simple intention.”

“A simple intention, you say…”

“I made a promise to someone.” Rulac answered, then smiled, looking at Perdic Angenas, who was sitting opposite him.

“You will think that countless times in the future. You will regret it again and again. ‘I shouldn’t have touched Gallahan then.’ ”

Hiccup. The head of Angenas hiccupped involuntarily out of fear, recalling the incident in the Emperor’s office.

“Let’s begin the meeting. Is there any reason to keep all these people waiting just for a few?” The chairman subtly glanced at the head of Angenas, then struck the gavel. No matter how influential Angenas was, it was no match for Lombardi.

In the end, Angenas gained nothing throughout the meeting. It was due to Rulac’s constant interference. And the noble council members, who had many grievances against Angenas, sided with Rulac.

Rulac smiled broadly at Perdic Angenas, who had a face like he had eaten something bitter. “How can you already look so dejected? There’s still so much more to be upset about.”

It was an overt mockery, implying he was utterly defeated.

“Well, I should be going now.”

“Lord Lombardi, if you have time, perhaps we could have a meal together…”

“Unfortunately, we’ll have to do that another time. Today, I have a very important matter.”

“Ah, perhaps you have a prior engagement with His Majesty…”

“It’s my granddaughter’s birthday.”

“Pardon?”

“I have to go to my granddaughter’s birthday party. Oh, I’m late! Strike the gavel!”

The chairman, looking bewildered, struck the gavel twice as instructed. It signified that the meeting was officially adjourned.

“Then I’ll be going first!”

Watching him leave the meeting room like a gust of wind, the chairman was stunned but seemed to understand one thing for sure: Angenas would not be able to act as he pleased in the noble council from now on.