It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 185
With every life he had lived, Lionel had come to the same realization: the greatest variable was always people. The same proposal could be met with an entirely different reaction each time.
Today, of all days, there were too many who dragged out their words, too many who clung to trivial matters as if their lives depended on them.
At first, Lionel had intended to be patient. He planned to smooth things over, to temper the infamy that preceded his name across the continent. But at some point, his expression had turned cold.
Because he had noticed something: most of those wasting everyone’s time belonged to the faction loyal to the Imperial Family.
He was already keeping close watch on Crown Prince Axion and Princess Dana and how their wealth and manpower moved beneath the surface. And now Lionel was nearly certain that today was that day.
‘In that case… I’ll have to change my tone as well.’
“I have an idea.”
Lionel spoke at last, addressing Viscount Finette, who had been whining for ten minutes straight about redirecting the newly constructed highway toward his estate.
“It would be terribly inefficient to alter a route that’s been planned for years. Why not relocate your estate instead?”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by—”
“If you move somewhere unrelated to the highway, you’ll never have to worry about it again. I’ll even help. The knight order happens to be idle, so don’t hesitate to accept my offer.”
Lionel had learned, over countless lives, that whatever leverage his opponent held, he simply had to double the threat. That usually stopped the foolishness.
At his polite yet expressionless suggestion, the viscount went pale as chalk.
“Y-your Grace, His Majesty would never permit such a thing…”
“Then I’ll just handle it first and report afterward. As I always have. Why fret over such things?”
The infamous duke who waged border wars for sport, seized land and gold, and crossed into foreign territories without warning… No one in the chamber mistook his words for a joke.
Even those nobles allied with Luanax rather than the Emperor’s faction now wore the uneasy look of men wondering whether he might actually do it.
“M-my apologies!”
Mumbling something about urgent business, Viscount Finette rescinded his motion and fled the room.
“Well, that’s unfortunate. I truly wanted to help. If anyone else requires assistance, please speak freely. For our overburdened Emperor, this loyal subject stands ready to act.”
No one dared meet his eyes. Every noble present lowered their gaze, feigning deep contemplation of the table.
Today was…
Today was without question… not the day.
When Lionel Luanax’s mood turned sour, the only wise course was retreat, even if it meant being questioned later by the Crown Prince.
Thanks to the sudden eagerness of nobles desperate to go home alive, the meeting moved faster.
Most of the major items had already been settled behind closed doors; what remained was nothing but perfunctory votes, passed or struck down with little discussion.
Once Lionel secured what he wanted, he rose the instant adjournment was declared.
“Eek…!”
Several startled nobles flinched as he pushed back his chair, but he paid them no mind and strode out.
“Your Grace—!”
“Later.”
Baron Sinnet, his aide, called after him, but Lionel waved a hand and kept walking.
In recent days, the youngest princess’s behavior had been suspicious. He had told Halid to keep watch before leaving, but still, he needed to see for himself.
After all, this involved Serenia.
And Lionel, who knew all the ways tragedy could find her, felt an unshakable urgency
“Oh my, Duke Luan—”
As if fate itself had timed it, Princess Dana appeared in the corridor before the Central Palace, her lips already forming his name. Lionel walked straight past her, as though he hadn’t seen her at all.
