I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 148

CHAPTER 148

“Why are you here? This is the place where Father strictly forbade anyone to come!!”

“Oh, my brother…!”

“What are you holding? Milia, you!”

“I-I, this is mine!”

“Hide it for now. Quick, Father is coming.”

Why did Eben pretend not to notice Milia stealing something in the Marquis’ secret space?

Why did he assist Milia, claiming she touched something else in the Marquis’ presence?

“…This will help you. Take it.”

“My brother…”

Why would he give Milia the evidence she lacked?

In her innocence, Milia seemed to think Eben was trying to prevent her from going to Gotrel in the first place.

In the first place.

Why.

Had Eben Floyd been in the secret study the Marquis had told her to stay away from?

‘Of course.’

Because I arranged it.

I smiled.

Marquis Floyd was quite cunning. 

So I too created another path.

That was Eben Floyd.

‘It was easier than I thought.’

Eben Floyd felt sorry for his sister who will left for distant Gotrel and wanted to oppose his father.

So he proposed.

To save his sister who would be going to Gotrel, to oppose his father trying to control their life.

And with one hand grasping honor, a way to ascend to the position of Marquis Floyd in the shortest possible time.

I smiled broadly at Eben Floyd looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“Of course.”

“…!”

“This matter won’t be a problem for the young Marquis. It might even be better.”

I deliberately brushed off Eben’s lapel as if tidying it.

“Since you’ll be the new Marquis Floyd who will clean up the tainted legacy.”

Eben’s face brightened.

A face that had finally obtained the longed-for honor and power.

“However, it seems you’ll have to assist in resolving Marquis Floyd’s affairs to the end…”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Eben replied nonchalantly.

“Father, no, I will thoroughly investigate Marquis Floyd’s wrongdoings and present them to the palace.”

His face was filled with excitement.

“No matter how much he’s my father, I have no intention of covering up the crimes of a traitor, Your Highness!”

Seems absorbed in a heroic play.

“I’m worried about Lady Milia Floyd too. She might be quite shocked…”

“Ah… My sister might be a bit shocked. But she’ll soon recover.”

“Is that possible?”

“Of course. Milia’s dream was to travel to a warm southern island. It’s something Father has never allowed. If we send her there, she’ll quickly calm down.”

I nodded.

“Thank you for your kind words. I’ll leave it to you.”

After the last touch of the lapel, I smiled while meeting their eyes.

“Marquis Eben Floyd.”

“…!”

The aftermath was enough with that.

“Young Marquis!”

As I left, several people gathered around him as if waiting in line.

“Hey, haven’t we been friends all along? Right?”

“I’ve watched you grow up since you were young, but I never knew you’d grow up so just and splendid.”

“I’d like to invite you to dinner sometime.”

These were people trying to ingratiate themselves with the new Marquis Floyd.

“You know that my friendship with your father was all for your sake, right…?”

Simultaneously, they were trying to sever their connection to the former Marquis Floyd.

“Marquis Floyd.”

Eben chuckled.

“Of course.”

He nodded, his eyes shining with desire.

“I understand very well.”

“As expected! We understand each other, right? The former Marquis Floyd was too rigid and inflexible.”

“That’s right!”

Amidst the people’s cheers, adoration, and flattery, Eben chuckled and chuckled.

‘I’ll listen well for the time being.’

Once you tasted that, it was hard to quit. 

He’d probably want to keep tasting it.

‘Eben doesn’t know how to taste it for himself.’

Since I fed it to him, if he needed more in the future, he’d come straight to me.

I glanced subtly at the Empress Consort. She looked at me too.

The Empress Consort smiled tearfully, indicating her understanding.

‘Eben and Milia’s offenses will be minimized.’

Because the Empress Consort would lend a hand.

‘Finished!’

I laughed heartily. It was finally over.

‘Oh, I want to go in and sleep deeply now.’

Stretching, I met the surprised eyes of Leonard and Stella.

Oh, I still had business here.

I awkwardly smiled.

“Lottie.”

Stella, who quickly approached me, leaned in with her arms folded.

“How did you pull this off? When did you plan such a big scheme? And when did you even entice my mother?”

It seemed she recognized the Empress Consort’s collaboration earlier.

“And when did you know Marquis Floyd was aiming for Lord Beaerus? No, even before that! When did you know that me and Lord Beaerus were lovers? I’ve been trying my best to hide it!”

As Stella expressed her shock, Leonard, who had taken the seat next to me without my noticing, looked at her.

“…Was it a secret, sis?”

“I’m sorry, Stella. Even the statues in the palace know you’re with the Lord Beaerus.”

“They even gossip about how ‘Her Highness Stella and Lord Beaerus are dating!’ loud enough for everyone to hear, sis.”

“……”

Stella shook her head helplessly. She had thought she’d hidden it well.

Meanwhile, this time Leonard threw a question from his side.

“By the way, how did you manage to win Eben Floyd and Lady Milia Floyd to your side? Even if something is going on with Gotrel, neither of them was easy to persuade.”

Apart from the Empress Consort’s help, the rest were difficult questions to answer.

To explain it all, I’d have to say, ‘Actually, I’m a wanderer….’ and beyond.

So I chose the simplest way.

“Lord Lionel Marcus, the young Duke, helped me!”

Passing it off to someone else.

“Isn’t that right, Duke?”

Lionel blinked as he approached with a swollen face and I chuckled, gripping his arm firmly.

“Yes, I assisted Her Highness.”

Just as I expected from my apprentice.

“As the recipient of your help, I’m afraid to say this, but I think you’ve gone a little too far. A little too much.”

“That’s right.”

Lionel blushed at Leonard’s words and grinned bashfully, like a newlywed.

“Because Her Highness and I are lovers.”

Instantly, the surroundings fell silent. I felt my pupils trembling.

“…….”

“…….”

Stella and Leonard’s faces froze in an instant, and even Father, who was still a step above, dropped the item he was holding in his hand. 

All eyes were fixed on this direction.

The Empress Consort, her tears forgotten, watched with keen interest.

Please don’t look at me like that.

‘You’re saying this here and now?’

Glancing at Lionel, he smiled gently with his blue eyes.

“Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

It was a smile that eased tensions. 

At the same time, it was a smile that made me nod my head.

I could live for a thousand years just by looking at that face.

Oh well. Life’s meant to be lived many times, right?

“Yes.”

I leaned against Lionel’s arm, smiling.

“That’s right, everyone.”

“!!”

Stella was the first to act.

“Thank you sincerely for your help, Duke Marcus.”

The stiff expression from earlier vanished in an instant as Stella beamed brightly and extended her hand.

She didn’t delve into the details of my relationship with Lionel, only the story of his assistance.

She’s blatantly ignoring this.

And she extended her hand with a bright smile.

‘That’s Stella’s specialty.’

It was a handshake that seemed friendly but was forceful.

But she was no slouch either.

“I look forward to serving as Princess Lottie’s partner in the future, Princess Stella.”

He was saying what he wanted to say, with a smirk on his face. 

Stella’s face turned sour when he didn’t shake her hand.

“Step aside, Stella.”

Leonard smiled, gripping his cane.

“I should also greet the Duke. And Father too.”

Huh? Only then did my gaze rise. 

Father’s eyes, standing tall above like a final boss, were burning with intensity.

Whoa… If this continues… What?

So it’s genius knight, genius mage, and swordmaster versus my apprentice……?

The capital… Will it… survive? It probably won’t, right?

Phew, I laughed.

“No!”

No more! Enough is enough!

I stood in front of Lionel as if to block him.

But Stella and Leonard’s eyes were saying ‘Step aside.’

No! Please stop!

“I, uh, I…”

What should I do? How do I say this? 

How do I handle this situation… Ah!

“I feel dizzy…”

I slowly bent my body and lay down on the floor. 

Well, the floor of the council chamber was marble, so it would hurt if I fell.

Then I discreetly opened one eye.

‘Did it work?’

“Goodness, Lottie!”

“Where’s the court physician? Bring the court physician!”

Ah, this seems to be working.

I fumbled with my fingers and tugged at the hem of Lionel’s pants as they searched for a physician more urgently than before.

‘Help me out here!’

Lionel looked at me with a mischievous smile.

“…??”

He effortlessly lifted me into his arms.

“You seem exhausted. Just rest for a moment; I’ll carry you back to the palace.”

With that, he swiftly left the council chamber.

“Hey, you.”

Still cradled in his arms, I tugged at Lionel’s cheek.

“You’re supposed to be doing your duty, not setting the place on fire!”

The council chamber must be in chaos right now. 

Father… did he collapse holding his neck? Hmm.

“But…”

Lionel looked down at me nestled in his arms, his eyes twinkling.

“Master, you did propose to me, didn’t you?”

…Now what’s this nonsense about?