It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 137
He remembers everything.
But how many among these people truly understand what that means?
No one asked what he meant by it.
I didn’t, either.
I just instinctively turned toward Father.
“Dad…”
My father, who had been frowning at Lionel, lowered his gaze to me. He reached out, gripped my hand, and muttered.
“If you’re bringing that up here and now, I suppose the Duke is still living as though he’s forgotten everything, and yet he still dared to take my daughter?”
“She’s helping me retrieve what I’ve lost. I expect it won’t be long now.”
“What?”
Father repeated the word, dumbfounded, and then, out of nowhere, let out a laugh.
It held not a shred of joy. Only deep sorrow, anger, and resignation.
“Fine. Let’s see how you do. I’m not so much a fool as to deny it’s too late to undo anything now.”
“Father!”
Vaikal cried out in shock, but Father shook his head. That was enough, his gesture said.
“Just remember one thing, Duke Luanax. If you fail again this time, you are never to involve yourself in our affairs again.”
“……”
Lionel remained silent, stubbornly so. Father ignored him and led me to the sofa, where we sat.
Only then did the others, who had remained standing in stunned silence, start to sit one by one.
Father had chosen the seat farthest from Lionel. From where I sat, I had to lean forward and crane my neck just to see him.
“If Lord Calitas is here too, then I take it you’ve learned the truth behind your parents’ deaths?”
Father addressed Halid, seated across from him.
“I have. Not long after the funeral, I received a letter related to the incident. So Count Solen knew as well.”
Father nodded.
“Have you secured any evidence?”
“No. At the time, I had no room to focus on anything but restoring order within Calitas and reclaiming the family.”
“You must have had a rough time.”
Father clicked his tongue, nodding with sympathy.
He’d been in the same situation, yet his tone toward Lionel had been cold and merciless, while Halid received pity.
I could only assume it was resentment carried over from another lifetime.
Perhaps in Lionel’s first life, the one he no longer remembered, Father had looked at him the same way, with compassion.
Pitying the boy who had lost his parents to the Imperial Family’s sinister schemes, reaching out to help.
“Then why did you deceive me?”
Halid’s direct question caught everyone off guard.
“You lied because you believed I wouldn’t be able to keep the young lady’s secret?”
“……”
It was unexpected that Halid had quite the lingering grudge.
Even now, he stubbornly pressed for an answer.
And it was clear he wouldn’t stop until he got one.
At last, Father and Vaikal exchanged glances before explaining.
“You’re right. My daughter’s identity is a secret known only to the Solen retainers. The moment that secret leaked to the Imperial Family, we knew she’d be taken from us. Regardless of our reasons, we owe you an apology, Lord Calitas.”
“Taken…? Then isn’t she still in danger? The young lady met with the Emperor and Crown Prince today.”
At Halid’s words, Father sighed and looked toward Lionel.
“Exactly. That’s why I said it’s too late. All we can do now is trust he’ll protect her well.”
“Of course I will.”
Watching them speak, I finally asked the question that had been on my mind.
“What happened to the one who wrecked the Luanax carriage and injured Lionel? Dad, you chased after him, right?”
“…Hm?”
“I thought Vaikal did it and nearly panicked. That would’ve caused a huge misunderstanding.”
