In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Side Story, Chapter 51

“It’s a flower I’ve never seen before. Bomnia, the name is pretty too.”

Gallahan rolled the name ‘Bomnia’ around in his mouth a few times and smiled.

“I brought it when I left my hometown. It’s a common wildflower there.”

“You brought this all the way here yourself?”

“Yes. It wasn’t that hard.”

“But…”

“It’s a very precious flower to me. I’m thinking of finding a good place to plant it.”

Shan said that and smiled sweetly.

“Um, Shan. Can I ask you something?”

Gallahan’s voice was infinitely careful as he spoke.

“Of course. What are you curious about?”

“Shan… why did you leave your hometown?”

It was something he had been curious about ever since he got to know her.

From what he heard, Shan’s hometown seemed to be in the very south of the continent.

But what was the reason she came all the way here to Lombardi alone from such a distant place?

“I’m sorry if it’s too personal a question. You don’t have to answer, Shan.”

Gallahan hastily added.

“There was something I could only do if I left the village.”

Shan answered Gallahan lightly, without burden.

“Weren’t you scared? Leaving familiar things behind and going to a completely unknown place. It must have been a huge challenge.”

“I was scared.”

Again, Shan’s answer was as light as her smile.

“But there was something I had to do, could do, and wanted to do.”

Gallahan stared blankly at her, speaking so calmly.

It was because the very small Shan seemed to appear very large.

Gallahan hesitated for a moment and then with difficulty began to speak.

“Actually… my family runs a trading group.”

“A trading group?”

“Yes. And this time, I was given an opportunity to work in that trading group.”

“That’s something to celebrate, Gallahan.”

“Yes. But I don’t know if I can do well, Shan. It’s a job with a lot of responsibility…”

Shan, who had been listening quietly, suddenly recalled the dream she had last night.

His image, working passionately with many people.

And with a face as vibrant as that image, Gallahan in front of her now said.

“But I’m thinking of being brave like Shan.”

She wanted to support Gallahan, who was stopping his hesitation and taking a big step forward.

Until her vision suddenly turned black.

Thud.

With the sound of the watering can falling from her hand, various scenes flashed through her mind.

It was the future of herself and Gallahan that she had seen when she had the long dream.

However, unlike before, it was blurry as if covered in fog.

Shan instinctively realized.

Gallahan’s future was changing.

His current decision had created a major crossroads.

If so, there was only one thing to do.

She had to change Gallahan’s choice now.

Perhaps a single phrase like ‘It might be better not to overdo it’ would solve the problem.

But she couldn’t do that.

She wanted to protect that happy face, where a blush blossomed like spring, now that he had finally found courage.

“Gallahan.”

Shan picked up the watering can she had dropped for a moment and said with a smile, as if nothing had happened.

“I believe in you. I believe Gallahan will do that job very well.”

“…Thank you, Shan.”

Shan secretly held her breath, turning her back to the shyly replying Gallahan.

There was more than one path to Gallahan’s happiness.

And he had the right to choose his own path.

Gallahan became incredibly busy.

When he first started working at the Lombardi Trading Group, he made frequent mistakes.

But now, several months later, he enjoyed working.

It was partly because he had an excellent teacher and guide in Romassie Dillard, the head of the Lombardi Trading Group, but apart from that, Gallahan was a fast learner.

“Thanks to Lord Gallahan, my workload has decreased these days.”

Romassie Dillard said, looking at his well-grown disciple.

“Anyone who hears that would think it’s true, Head of the Trading Group. Please don’t say such things.”

Gallahan was embarrassed, but Romassie Dillard shook his head.

“I’m not just saying empty words. Meticulous work processing is Lord Gallahan’s strength.”

Handling large sums of money and moving many people was the work of the Lombardi Trading Group.

“Even in the midst of a busy schedule, if you make several small mistakes, the profits of the trading group disappear instantly, like sand slipping through your fingers.”

Gallahan’s face flushed even more at the continued praise.

“Of course, your bold and proactive decision-making is still very lacking.”

“I will… try my best, Head of the Trading Group.”

Even as he patted Gallahan’s shoulder, Romassie Dillard secretly thought there was nothing he could do.

Being thoughtful and equally timid was Gallahan’s nature.

Knowing that, he felt particularly fond of Gallahan among the patriarch’s four children.

“I will help you well.”

As Gallahan began to show good results in the Lombardi Trading Group, more people became interested in the Lombardi succession structure.

If he continued to achieve results like this, it was only a matter of time before people gathered under Gallahan.

“Ah, it’s already this late…”

Gallahan, who had been diligently reading documents as if burying his nose in them, suddenly stood up and put on a thin robe.

Romassie Dillard and the other trading group employees working nearby nodded, accustomed to his routine.

Even with his busy schedule, Gallahan went for a ‘walk’ every few days.

“I’ll be back.”

Gallahan, who spoke in a small voice so as not to disturb others’ work, left the trading group building and quickly walked away.

His destination was a quiet park located halfway between ‘Blue Wave’ and the trading group.

As he started to feel a little out of breath, he saw Shan, who was already at the meeting place.

She was waiting for him, closing her eyes and enjoying the sunlight.

Gallahan’s heart pounded fiercely at her beautiful sight.

“I believe in you. I believe Gallahan will do that job very well.”

Shan was a kind and gentle person, so it might have been a word of encouragement given without much meaning.

But at least to Gallahan, every single one of her words felt like a prophecy.

Every time he wanted to give up after starting work, he gained courage by recalling Shan’s smile.

‘If I just try to be a little braver.’

Gallahan clenched his fists.

When the day came when he was fully established in the trading group and could be proud of himself.

‘Then.’

Gallahan’s face flushed at the thought, a fantasy that made his heart feel like it would burst.

“Oh, Gallahan! Over here!”

Shan, who had spotted him standing still at the park entrance, waved widely.

“Shan.”

Gallahan quickly walked over and sat down next to Shan.

“Were you busy today too?”

She asked in a voice as bright as the early summer weather.

“Yes, a little from the morning.”

“Since you said it’s a trading group run by your family, why don’t you get some help?”

Gallahan’s eyes wavered at Shan’s worried words.

It was the guilt of not having told her everything yet.

He knew he had to tell her that his name was ‘Gallahan Lombardi’ and that his father was the lord of this land, but the words wouldn’t come out.

“Actually, my father’s friend… helps a lot.”

“That’s good then. Be careful with your health too, as the weather is hot.”

“…Yes, Shan.”

His lips, which answered meekly, trembled with an uncontrollable joy.

He wasn’t a child, but he liked her worried words.

“But I think I’ll inevitably be busy for a while because of the festival preparations.”

“You said there’s a wedding for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, right?”

Gallahan nodded.

Crown Prince Jovanes was soon to marry Lavini of the Angenas family.

The Emperor had declared a week-long holiday throughout the empire and ordered a grand festival to be held in the imperial capital.

“The customers at the restaurant are also busy talking about the festival when they gather. They say it lasts for three days?”

“That’s right. Still, I think I’ll be able to catch my breath once the festival starts…”

Gallahan, who had been watching Shan for a moment, asked.

“Would you like to come and see the festival with me, Shan, if you don’t mind?”

“…Okay. Together…”

Shan was about to answer with a slightly flushed face.

Someone passing by the park caught Gallahan’s eye.

It was an employee of the Lombardi Trading Group with whom he had just had a meeting in the same space.

Sure enough.

The employee was looking at Gallahan and tilting his head.

“Shan! Ju-just a moment…”

Gallahan hastily pulled the robe he was wearing over Shan’s head, hiding his own face.

“It’s, it’s quite chilly in the shade.”

“It’s early summer now…”

Shan mumbled, but Gallahan was busy checking beyond the robe.

Fortunately, the employee tilted his head once more and went on his way.

He seemed to think he had seen wrong.

“Phew…”

His sigh of relief was short-lived, as Gallahan turned his head and froze.

“Gasp.”

It was because Shan’s face was right in front of him.