I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 143

CHAPTER 143

“Today’s opera was quite decent, wasn’t it?” 

A few days later, at a social gathering on the outskirts of the capital. 

Elegantly dressed nobles, holding glasses of wine in one hand and cigars in the other, were enthusiastically discussing the opera that had premiered that day. 

“Unlike last time, they didn’t mess it up. It seemed quite well done this time.” 

“Oh, absolutely. Isn’t this lead much better than the one we had last week?” 

As a man wiped his face, the others burst into laughter. 

“And the plot was quite remarkable as well.” 

A man, swirling a glass filled with orange liquor, glanced sideways at his companion. 

“Isn’t that right, Marquis Floyd?” 

At the man’s question, all eyes in the gathering turned towards Marquis Floyd, who sat proudly on a crimson sofa. 

In reality, today’s opera was just an excuse. 

The main purpose of this gathering was to focus on Marquis Floyd. 

Blink, blink. 

The gazes directed at Marquis Floyd were filled with numerous stories. 

‘I heard Marquis Floyd plans to push Princess Stella?’

‘Why not? From what I hear, Prince Leonard doesn’t seem to be the Emperor’s child at all.’

‘But there’s talk that Marquis Floyd himself started that rumor. Is it true?’ 

‘Nonsense. If that were the case, Marquis Floyd would be exposing the Empress’ flaws, his sister.’

‘True. Even though the Empress rejected him… Marquis Floyd has always been concerned about her.’

‘But is that rumor true?’

‘Well…’

‘We could find out right now.’

All these conversations converged into one conclusion. 

Marquis Floyd was closest to the truth, and if that rumor was indeed true… 

“…….”

Shaking the glass in his hand slightly, Marquis Floyd smiled quietly. 

Instantly, the surroundings fell into deeper silence. 

Everyone was paying attention to him. 

No one else, but him. 

After savoring that feeling for a moment, Marquis Floyd nodded and spoke. 

“Yes, quite exquisite.” 

As Marquis Floyd responded, people began to gather around him. 

Though they didn’t come too close, they leaned in towards Marquis Floyd, paying close attention. 

“Lately, good operas have been scarce, but today’s performance seems exceptional.” 

“Indeed.” 

A man leaned towards Marquis Floyd and nodded enthusiastically. 

After briefly discussing today’s opera, they finally got to the point. 

“Um, Marquis Floyd. I hope this question isn’t too indiscreet, but have you heard the ominous rumor going around recently?” 

“Oh…” 

There was no need to stall. 

Marquis Floyd frowned momentarily before sighing softly. 

“…….”

He laughed bitterly. Then he spoke in a small, very small voice like he was muttering to himself in frustration.

“At our Floyd estate, we’ve never had anyone with purple hair…” 

It was enough. 

More than enough.

Upon hearing Marquis Floyd’s words, the people present became even more animated and quickly began gossiping behind his back, finding pleasure in someone else’s downfall.

‘Good.’

He’s been focusing on spreading rumors, and today he hit the peak with this rumor.

It won’t be long before the council convenes. 

And the most important agenda will surely be about Leonard.

‘The groundwork has already been laid.’

The closest to Leonard couldn’t be trusted entirely. 

Leonard had been confirmed at a young age, and now he belonged to the Mage Tower.

It’s suspicious, bending the arm inward.

‘So teaming up with Gotrel was a good move.’

The next closest to Leonard, after the Mage Tower, was Gotrel’s tower, even though the royalty was flowing a little blood.

They’re primitive, but when the oar breaks, it should help.

So he decided to send Milia there.

Whether his daughter wanted it or not.

Just like it was his decision.

‘Gotrel’s tower has already been taken care of.’

Leonard won’t be able to escape the suspicions.

Even if he does later, so be it.

The throne has already been claimed, hasn’t it?

And behind that, the real owner will also be decided.

‘Hmph.’

Marquis Floyd’s eyes twinkled while he laughed.

Now that Leonard was taken care of, it was time to kill Stella’s lover.

How would he do it?

Assassination? Soldiers? Or an accident?

‘An accident is the cleanest and most desirable.’

There’s even something enjoyable about it.

Remembering a sister who hugged her lover dying before her eyes, the moon was sweeter than ever.

Since then, everyone had listened politely enough.

‘Let’s make it an accident.’

It would be nice if his stupid sister remembered the old days and never forgot this despair.

It’s okay to make everyone’s eyes roll again.

Ha! Marquis Floyd laughed loudly and drank all the remaining alcohol.

That was when.

Suddenly, the door of the social gathering opened roughly, and one person entered.

The man looked around, spotted the Marquis, and came straight to him.

It was one of Marquis Floyd’s aides.

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, Marquis Floyd.”

The aide looked around anxiously.

Seeming to want to talk in a place where no one else was, Marquis Floyd quickly left.

Only when he got into the carriage returning to Marquis Floyd’s house did the aide speak.

“Well, they say the council’s convening.”

“Already? But what’s that? Anyway, it’s not going to be the real council.”

Marquis Floyd said with a slight smile.

The council he had planned to hold.

Was this so worthy of contemplation because it opened a little earlier?

“This council is not opening at the request of the council president!”

“If the council president didn’t request it…”

Marquis Floyd’s face changed color.

The authority to convene irregular councils belonged to two people.

The council president who was elected among the nobles and the emperor.

If the council president requests it, the emperor opens it.

Up until now, the Emperor had never refused a request from the council president. 

So, he assumed that this time too, the council president had requested the Emperor’s presence.

“Is it true that the Emperor convened an irregular council?”

“Yes.”

The aide nodded solemnly.

“Do you even know who requested the Emperor to convene the council?”

“Who was it, then?”

“His Highness Prince Leonard and Her Highness Princess Stella.”

Up to this point, it made sense. 

One could think that Leonard would make a final attempt to clear his name, and Stella might foolishly try to exert her influence.

But the name that followed was enough to contort Marquis Floyd’s face.

“…Her Highness Princess Lottie.”

“That filthy traitor!”

Thud! Marquis Floyd fiercely pounded the carriage wall with his fist. 

Despite this, his anger did not dissipate, and he trembled.

“I’ve had several affairs disrupted by that little thing… Is she trying to meddle in this matter as well?”

There was a grinding sound of teeth.

“I’d better get back to work. I’ve got to get back and do something about it.”

That villain would try to meddle in this matter once again, but this time she wouldn’t get away with it.

This time, he would win.

Absolutely!

“Marquis, you’ve come…”

Upon arriving at the mansion, Marquis Floyd acknowledged the butler’s greeting halfheartedly and swiftly headed toward his study.

Inside the study was a small secret compartment.

A hidden place that neither the butler, who had served the family for three generations, nor the aide knew about.

The only one who knew about it was Eben, who would succeed him.

So Marquis Floyd stored all the important documents there.

‘I need to prepare a counterattack by taking out a few documents.’

Marquis Floyd’s steps slowed down as he approached. 

It was because he saw two people in front of the study.

“You!!”

It was Eben, fuming with anger, and Milia, whose face was pale, holding only the edge of his coat tightly.

“What are both of you doing here?”

“Father!”

“Ah, father…”

Eben, upon spotting Marquis Floyd, was flustered, and Milia’s face turned even paler, almost white.

“Milia, what have you done this time!”

“W-well…”

As Milia flinched and crouched down, Eben suddenly spoke up.

“No, she is trying to take the emerald quill that was in the office.”

“……!!”

Milia’s face showed shock at Eben’s accusation.

“Don’t, don’t say that!”

“She’ll have to be punished severely, Father. If we let her go like this, won’t only our Floyd family be disgraced?”

“Hmm.”

Marquis Floyd’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the two.

It was a usual situation, a common sight.

He used to giggle mischievously whenever she caused trouble, and she was caught trying to steal the emerald-adorned quill. It was the last item of his late wife, whose name he couldn’t even remember.

‘Was she planning to take it before going to Gotrel?’

Marquis Floyd knew that Milia subtly missed her mother, who had disappeared when she was young. 

However, he disliked bringing up stories of his discarded past, so he understood why she wanted to steal it without asking.

But how could the same guy who had vehemently opposed sending his sister away for marriage until recently change so suddenly?

“…”

Well, it seemed pointless to dwell on it now.

Marquis Floyd lightly dismissed his doubts and nodded.

“You can take the pen.”

“…!!”

“But don’t make yourself conspicuous for a while, you clueless one.”

Tsk! Marquis Floyd clicked his tongue and entered the study with the aide.

Thus, Marquis Floyd didn’t see Eben giving something to Milia while casting a sidelong glance at him as he entered.