PLQYM | Chapter 24

Because Lucian is my healing.

***

That bastard.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

That scoundrel.

Lucian cursed inwardly as he strode through the palace corridors with determined steps. His usually composed face, always adorned with a soft smile, was uncharacteristically distorted with frustration. His lips, tightly pressed together, were redder than usual, but he was far too agitated to notice.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Those who saw his enraged face for the first time stared at him in bewilderment, but Lucian paid them no mind.

A relaxing cup of tea? Ha, what a joke. You’re the only one who could enjoy tea in an atmosphere like that.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

He turned the corner of the palace hallway with a sharp movement.

Healing?

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

If you’re going to call it healing, at least stick around until the end. Why leave halfway through and abandon me in that battlefield?

It might be healing for you, but do you think it’s the same for me? For me, it’s hell! Try serving three bosses at the same time—see if that feels like healing! Even drinking water would give you indigestion.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

***

“The Emperor won’t join us next time, will he?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“No. I’ll make sure to come alone.”

When Heraith left the meeting early due to his schedule, the two association heads made Lucian swear multiple times that the emperor wouldn’t be present next time. Only after receiving a firm promise did they reluctantly let him leave.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That was just the beginning.

The associations’ progress moved faster than expected. On the first day, they decided on a name, and on the second, they set tasks to accomplish. Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. These renowned association heads, befitting their reputations, were more focused on asserting their opinions than finding common ground.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

More time was spent breaking up their fights than coordinating their conflicting views.

Naturally, the emperor attended the formal Wednesday lunch meetings without fail, and things proceeded quickly on those days. However, outside of those sessions, these distinguished representatives started dropping by to see Lucian at every opportunity.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And, somehow, they always managed to time their visits when the emperor wasn’t around.

As a result, Lucian quickly developed some survival skills. Initially, he was dragged into their whirlwind arguments.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That won’t work.”

“What?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“That plan is realistically impossible. You’ll need to find another way.”

“Lucian, chief!”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

But it didn’t take long before Lucian learned how to focus only on the necessary points and shut down the rest. He even mastered the art of dealing with their incessant bickering while carrying on with his tasks as though nothing was happening.

“Sir Lucian, you’re amazing! You remind me of Chief Yuli,” Nils Bowman said, gazing at Lucian in admiration.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Despite the compliments, Lucian’s relentless workload meant he often skipped meals, leaving him thinner by the day. Eventually, things came to a head today.

The two association heads, for the first time, actually flipped the table during a heated argument.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

That was the moment Lucian’s mind went ice-cold.

“Let’s just call it quits.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lucian’s calm voice cut through the tense atmosphere between Chauver and Freester, who were glaring at each other across the overturned table, both breathing heavily.

The two association heads, who had been shouting at the top of their lungs moments ago, froze as if they’d heard something absurd.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Since it seems clear that further collaboration is impossible, I will consider this association’s establishment and all related proceedings null and void.”

Lucian’s tone remained utterly composed as he began picking up scattered papers and organizing them.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The sudden chill in the air flustered the two men, who exchanged stunned glances. Lucian, however, didn’t spare them a single look. He continued gathering the documents, dusted off his pants where crumbs from the scattered refreshments had fallen, and stood.

“I’ll report to His Majesty that your noble endeavor has been canceled. Thank you for your hard work so far.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

He bowed gracefully, turned on his heel, and began to leave.

“L-Lucian, chief!”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“W-wait a moment!”

Panicked voices called after him, and he paused, turning back slowly. The normally brash Chauver and Freester now looked anxious and restless.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Do you have something more to say?”

“W-well, suddenly walking away like this is…”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, we weren’t fighting just for the sake of it—”

“Private debates like these are better kept private, wouldn’t you agree?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Lucian’s calm words left them speechless.

“I find myself lacking in the ability to oversee such a significant project while managing two senior representatives. My suggestion would be to either appoint someone else or scrap the initiative altogether.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“B-but the time and resources we’ve already invested—”

Lucian’s lips curved into a serene smile.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, it is a shame. But since no significant funds have been spent yet, we’re fortunate. As for the wasted time, most of it was mine, so I’ll handle it myself.”

The two men fell silent under Lucian’s unwavering gaze.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“However, if any more time is wasted, I won’t be able to hold back my frustration. As you know, I have other key responsibilities to attend to.”

Lucian’s gaze swept over them as his smile deepened.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“I’d rather dedicate my efforts to my actual duties than spend more time in pointless conflicts. Surely, you two feel the same about working with someone you dislike.”

With that, Lucian bowed again.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“If there’s anything further regarding this matter, please take it up with His Majesty directly.”

And with that, he walked out.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Ugh!”

Recalling the events, Lucian instinctively clutched his stomach. Whether it was the anger or the stress of the situation, his stomach ached.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Perhaps it was both.

After several deep breaths, his nerves finally calmed. Maybe I went too far, he thought briefly, but he didn’t regret it.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

I should’ve ended this sooner. What a relief.

If the emperor scolded him later, he’d just flat-out refuse to deal with it again. He straightened his posture and entered the emperor’s office.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As expected, Heraith was buried in paperwork.

“I’m back.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah, welcome back.”

Heraith responded absentmindedly without looking up, surrounded by towering stacks of documents.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Seeing the workload, Lucian felt a pang of guilt. The lack of progress in reducing the piles suggested that today’s work had been delayed—undoubtedly because Heraith had taken time out to attend those pointless meetings.

It wasn’t even a meeting he needed to attend in the first place.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

If he’s angry, what should I do?

Lucian subconsciously pressed a hand to his stomach. His hurried lunch wasn’t sitting well.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Lucian startled. At some point, Heraith had stopped working and was now looking at him.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“N-no, I’m fine.”

“Then what’s with the hand on your stomach?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian followed Heraith’s gaze, realizing he had been rubbing his abdomen.

“Ah, it’s just… after dealing with those gentlemen, I feel like I’m about to get indigestion.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Fair point. They have that effect.”

Heraith chuckled softly, setting his quill aside and stretching his neck. His movements betrayed his exhaustion.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

How can I even stay mad at someone who works this hard?

Lucian sighed inwardly.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Judging by how early you’re back, I assume the association plans fell apart?”

“You knew?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian’s eyebrow twitched.

“Of course. Those stubborn fools would never budge, even when they’re saying the same thing.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Lucian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling within.

“And yet, you sent me?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“They specifically requested you.”

”…”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucian’s lips twitched as he forced himself to smile. Are you kidding me? Is this a joke?

He placed the documents he had been holding onto Heraith’s desk and took a step back.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve called the whole thing off for now.”

“And?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Knowing those two, they’ll be back soon enough. You can deal with it then.”

“Fair enough.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Heraith didn’t even glance at the documents, his eyes fixed on Lucian.

“You don’t look well.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

”…I may have overexerted myself.”

“If you’re sick, take a break. Don’t be stubborn.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“I’d rather not. If I did, you’d just hold it over me later.”

Heraith shrugged.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Have I ever given you a hard time?”

Lucian’s eyebrow twitched again. Of course, the one throwing stones doesn’t notice the dead frog in the pond.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“I can’t be that bad of a boss.”

At that, Lucian’s patience finally snapped.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“If I ever collapse from overwork,” Lucian said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with suppressed rage, “I will make sure to crawl into your office, cough up blood, and point at you with my bloodied hands before passing out.”