In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Side Story, Chapter 54

He had only taken a few steps into the space.

Rulac’s presence filled the office.

It was an unapproachable aura that would naturally make an ordinary person shrink.

“The Patriarch is here?”

“Oh, it’s true.”

The Lombardi merchant guild employees whispered amongst themselves in hushed voices.

Even though they worked for the Lombardi family’s merchant guild, it was not common to meet a family member directly.

How much more so for Rulac Lombardi, the Patriarch?

As they quickly stepped back to make way for the Patriarch to approach Gallahan, an undeniable tension and excitement flowed from their faces as they peeked at Rulac Lombardi.

“Father.”

Gallahan also bowed in greeting with the others.

“What brings you here?”

“I stopped by on my way back from the Imperial Palace.”

Rulac Lombardi answered Gallahan’s question casually.

However, it was difficult to take his words at face value, as the Lombardi Patriarch was extremely busy.

Even when the merchant guild master had to visit the Lombardi mansion for the Patriarch’s approval on merchant guild matters, it took several hours of waiting to even enter his office.

Moreover, it was even rarer for the Patriarch to visit the merchant guild office himself.

Even if the Patriarch wanted to, he wouldn’t have the time due to his busy schedule.

Recalling this, Romassie Dillard subtly alternated his gaze between Rulac and Gallahan, who stood beside him, and naturally interjected into the father-son conversation.

“Welcome, Patriarch. And your words are true, Lord Gallahan. We truly overcame a great crisis thanks to you.”

At the merchant guild master’s words, the employees also nodded.

At this, Gallahan’s face flushed slightly, as he could no longer deny it and reluctantly nodded.

But that was only for a moment.

“Well done, Gallahan.”

At his father’s encouraging words, the pleasant blush completely vanished, leaving only a face stiff with surprise.

He was more accustomed to reprimands than praise, and more accustomed to disappointed neglect than a single word of ‘well done’ like now.

Gallahan could not answer and only bowed his head once more.

“Since you’ve achieved results, you should be rewarded.”

Everyone’s ears perked up at Rulac’s muttered words.

What kind of reward would the Patriarch of the great Lombardi family bestow?

As everyone’s imaginations soared, Rulac continued.

“Accompanying me to the Crown Prince’s wedding will suffice.”

A reward of accompanying him to the wedding, not gold or a large sum of money?

Many tilted their heads in confusion.

However, those who understood its value, like Romassie Dillard, opened their eyes wide in surprise.

After the death of his spouse, Natalia Lombardi, Rulac had never once personally brought a family member to an official event.

This was a different approach from the usual practice where a noble family’s patriarch would take their chosen successor with them to naturally teach them the ropes and build connections.

In short, it was tantamount to saying, ‘I have not yet chosen a successor.’

Rulac and his children always entered separately.

But now, Rulac was telling his youngest son, Gallahan, that he would take him to an official event.

And to Crown Prince Jovanes’s wedding at that.

The implications of that short proposal were beyond words.

“What will you do, Gallahan?”

It was a question as if he had a choice.

Gallahan delayed his answer for a moment, then slowly closed and opened his eyes.

He already knew it wasn’t just a question of whether he would accompany him to the wedding.

Even though his father already knew about Shan, he didn’t impose any restrictions on him.

He just gave him work and watched him.

And when Gallahan began to show his talent in merchant guild affairs, he had Viese make things difficult for Shan.

He took away her place to stay and her job, eliminating her reason to stay in Lombardi.

And now he was commanding his son.

To gratefully take the hand he extended, as if bestowing a reward.

Of course, to do that, he first had to let go of Shan’s hand.

A few seconds stretched out endlessly between Gallahan and Rulac, who were facing each other.

“Thank you for giving me a good opportunity, Father.”

At the end of the silence, Gallahan replied heavily.

“Yes. You made the right choice, Gallahan.”

“…”

Gallahan simply bowed his head without a word.

Rulac, looking down at him with satisfaction as if confirming his decision, turned his back and left the office.

Only one person had entered and left again.

The merchant guild employees, as if finally able to breathe, opened the windows and made a fuss.

As the surroundings became noisy again, Gallahan remained quiet in his spot.

Romassie Dillard approached him with a wide smile.

“Congratulations, Lord Gallahan. I knew this would happen from the moment the Patriarch entrusted you with the merchant guild work!”

He seemed as happy as if it were his own affair.

“If you attend the Imperial wedding with the Patriarch this time, and work a little harder in the future…”

He didn’t say it aloud, fearing it might jinx it, but if he did, it was only natural that Gallahan would be chosen as the next Lombardi Patriarch.

From his children to their children.

As a vassal who had to serve the Lombardi family for generations to come, Romassie Dillard’s worries were as great as Rulac’s own.

Because he couldn’t see any suitable successor.

Thus, Gallahan’s late blooming presence felt like a lifeline sent from heaven.

“Merchant Guild Master.”

“Yes, Lord Gallahan!”

“If all the urgent matters are finished, may I return now? I’m tired and want to rest.”

“Ah, I hadn’t thought that far. It would have been better if you had returned with the Patriarch just now.”

“No.”

Gallahan shook his head.

“I think it would be better to walk slowly. Then… I’ll see you later.”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard, Lord Gallahan!”

Gallahan, who had briefly gazed at Romassie Dillard’s smiling face, dismissed the family carriage that had been waiting for him and began to walk through Lombardi city.

He moved like someone who had lost his destination, reaching the commoners’ residential area.

And he stopped near a house surrounded by a low fence.

Sadness welled up in his eyes as he stood with his hands behind his back.

But that was only for a moment.

Gallahan now truly headed in the direction of the Lombardi mansion.

Contrary to his cautious nature, with each long stride, the roof of the small house behind him glowed even redder in the midday sun.

On the day of Crown Prince Jovanes’s wedding.

The mansion was bustling with the Lombardi family attending the wedding and the servants helping them prepare.

The Patriarch’s quarters were no exception.

A soft knock echoed in Rulac’s room as he made a final check of his appearance with the help of his butler.

“Come in.”

As expected, the visitor was his youngest son, Gallahan.

“I’m almost ready too, so just wait a little…”

Rulac stopped speaking.

His gaze was fixed on the bag Gallahan was holding.

“Father.”

Gallahan, who politely greeted him, was not wearing formal attire for the banquet.

His simple, unadorned clothes made him look like someone embarking on a long journey.

“I came to bid you farewell.”

Gallahan’s face, as he said this, also resembled someone embarking on a long journey.

As light as the bag in his hand, yet firm.

“Gallahan.”

Rulac’s anger boiled within him.

“What kind of disgraceful act is that?”

His low voice was like frost.

“Are you daring to rebel at this late hour?”

But Gallahan simply replied calmly.

“It’s not rebellion. I merely made a decision according to my own will.”

In fact, he had never hesitated for a moment.

The answer had been there from the beginning, and it had only taken time for his courage to catch up to that answer.

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Perhaps I am.”

Gallahan nodded.

“I’ve lived my whole life fearing you, but seeing my mind so calm now…”

It was so easy.

So effortless that it felt hollow.

Gallahan faced his father, whom he had always felt crushed by.

“I’m leaving everything of Lombardi behind, Father. All the money that was paid to me is also in the bank vault.”

“Are you saying you’ll become a nomad and beg for food?”

At Rulac’s angry roar, Gallahan replied even more calmly.

“Fortunately, I’m not empty-handed, as I inherited things from my mother, so don’t worry.”

“…What?”

“My mother left me the most inheritance among us four siblings. I think she might have done so with a day like today in mind.”

“Gallahan, you really…!”

“I thought I had to find my place within Lombardi. Fortunately, the merchant guild work was easier than I expected. Anyway, I was even proud, thinking I must be Rulac Lombardi’s son after all. But.”

That was all.

“I wasn’t happy. It only became clearer that my heart’s resting place was by that person’s side. Shan is that kind of person to me, Father.”

He could have slipped out of the mansion unnoticed.

But he didn’t.

Because he believed that his father, like himself, deserved a chance to choose.

“Please accept Shan as a member of the family, Father. If you do, I will remain in the family and live striving not to bring shame to the name Lombardi.”

The decision was entirely Rulac’s.