HTTRPIAO Ch 9

“You should be taking care of yourself, and yet you went overboard drinking again yesterday… What on earth were you thinking?”

Ben looked at Etienne with a face full of concern.

“But I can’t quit drinking. It’s not like I’m drinking because I want to.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“I’m not saying you need to quit completely. Just control how much you drink.”

“Haa…”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

At Ben’s unyielding words, Etienne pressed his temples with an expression that suggested that he had a headache.

Anyone would see Ben’s current behavior as crossing a line. If it had been someone else, he would have gotten angry and punished them, but it was Ben.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Etienne couldn’t get angry at Ben. He knew that Ben was acting this way out of genuine concern for him.

In this hellish imperial palace, Ben was Etienne’s only ally and sole loyal servant.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…I’ll try.”

Finally, Etienne backed down. Though he wasn’t confident, he felt he should at least try for the sake of easing Ben’s worries.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Good decision. I’ll work hard to help you too, Your Highness.”

Having received the answer he wanted from Etienne, Ben smiled brightly like a child.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Now then, shall we prepare for the triumph ceremony? This is no time to dawdle, we’re already late.”

“I don’t want to go…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Etienne mumbled in a small voice. Ben forcibly lifted him up in response.

“Even if you don’t want to go, you must. Let’s head to the bathroom. I’ll assist you with your bath.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Fine.”

Etienne answered with a resigned face. His steps toward the bathroom were unusually heavy.

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

 

* * *

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

 

“You’re late.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“I apologize.”

Upon arriving at the main palace, Etienne bowed his head to Leona, who was glaring at him.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“How could I have?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Leona’s eyes widened at Etienne’s words. She showed her irritation all over her face.

“I warned you of what not to do! What did you do last night?”

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

Leona scolded him in a sharp tone. Etienne didn’t say anything. He just kept his head bowed silently. He knew well that anything he said would only provoke her temper.

“Hah, no, never mind.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

When Etienne remained silent, Leona let out a long breath as if trying to suppress her anger. Then she spoke in a much softer voice.

“I heard from the Count yesterday. Marquis Namia’s son provoked you first? Even daring to mention ‘that man’.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Yes.”

“Tsk.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Leona clicked her tongue at Etienne’s response. She didn’t hide her displeasure.

“I’ve heard that lately, those who support that man have been strutting around everywhere… but to think they’d show it even at a gathering hosted by our family.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Leona’s voice lowered ominously. After briefly considering what to do about Marquis Namia’s son, she looked at Etienne again.

“Anyway, next time something like that happens, just ignore it. Or call for the Count.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“I will.”

Etienne responded with a submissive attitude. Just then, a voice announced the Emperor’s arrival.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“His Majesty the Emperor is coming!”

As soon as the chamberlain¹ announced it, the Emperor appeared. Etienne straightened his posture and greeted him.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Good morning, Father.”

“…Sure.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

The Emperor briefly glanced at Etienne who was greeting him and gave a short reply. That was the end of the conversation between father and son. He passed by Leona and Etienne without stopping. He didn’t even exchange greetings with Leona.

“Hmph.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Leona glared fiercely at the Emperor who treated her like she was invisible before turning her head away. The two had been like this for twenty years already.

“I apologize, Empress.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“It’s fine, what wrong could you have done?”

When the chamberlain apologized, Leona waved her hand dismissively. Meanwhile, the Emperor had boarded the carriage alone.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“We should board the carriage as well.”

“Yes, Mother.”

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

Etienne quietly followed behind Leona. The Emperor didn’t even glance at the two as they boarded the carriage.

“Depart.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

When the chamberlain who had closed the door signaled to the coachman, the carriage wheels began to move. The imperial knights moved in perfect unison, taking positions on both sides of the carriage. Behind them followed the palace servants, including the chamberlain.

“…”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“…”

Unlike the noisy outside, the inside of the carriage was wrapped in silence. Etienne bit his lip as he felt the heavy air.

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

A silence so heavy it was suffocating. It was always like this when the Emperor and Empress met.

Etienne closed his eyes as if trying to ignore everything. There was nothing he could do anyway.

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

 

* * *

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

 

Waaah!

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Tempest Square, where the triumph ceremony was being held, was packed with countless people. When the Emperor and Empress appeared, the crowd that had gathered to see the hero who had saved the empire from crisis grew even more enthusiastic.

The Emperor waved with a smiling face toward the cheering crowd. The Empress also opened her fan with a benevolent smile. Etienne sat like a doll opposite the two.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“We have arrived.”

“Mmhm.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

As soon as the carriage stopped, the Emperor went up alone to the platform prepared in the center of the square.

“Mother.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Etienne, who had gotten out of the carriage, extended his hand toward Leona.

Originally, the Emperor should have escorted the Empress, but he never took care of Leona, whether in public or private.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As a result, escorting Leona naturally became Etienne’s duty.

“Grand Duke Eckhardt has just entered the capital!”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

After climbing onto the platform with Leona, the court magician holding a communication orb reported that Grand Duke Eckhardt was now in the capital.

“Sooner than expected.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The Emperor showed his first smile of the day at the magician’s report. Etienne pretended not to see his smile and looked beyond the square.

Everyone in Tempest Square was very jovial. People were singing songs and dancing in groups.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Woaaah!

Soon after, thunderous cheering erupted from the entrance of the square. Amidst the roaring cheers of tens of thousands, various flowers and confetti fluttered through the air. Someone even set off fireworks.

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

“It’s the Grand Duke!”

“Our hero!”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“General Eckhardt! Please look over here!”

He’s here.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Etienne swallowed dryly as he looked at the square’s entrance. His heart beat faster as the people’s cheers grew louder. Soon, the flag bearer holding high the Eckhardt family’s flag entered the square.

“…!”

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

Beyond the vigorously waving flag, black hair like the night sky came into view.

At that moment, Etienne unconsciously clenched his fist. Though the distance was so great that he could barely make out the figure, he knew instinctively.

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

It was Rishar.

“Ah.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A gasp like a sigh escaped between his dry lips. Etienne stared at Rishar with a dazed expression. From the moment he recognized his presence, everything around him disappeared.

Rishar sat gallantly atop a large black horse, befitting his role as the protagonist of the triumph ceremony. He casually waved to the people cheering for him.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The crowd gathered in the square responded to every small movement Rishar made. Cheers erupted from everywhere each time he gestured.

“How noisy.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Leona quietly clicked her tongue at the cheers shaking the air. She didn’t seem pleased with the current situation.

Etienne stood like a wooden statue, staring at Rishar. He could barely hear Leona’s grumbling or the crowd’s cheers. His gaze was fixed on Rishar.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Through the fluttering flower petals, his black hair caught the sunlight and shimmered with a blue tint. Below that were visible his thick eyebrows and deep eyes. His straight nose and perfect lips too.

“…”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Etienne moistened his dry lips with his tongue as he watched Rishar getting closer. For some reason, his mouth felt parched.

Three years ago, his looks were those of someone between a boy and a young man, but now he had become a complete adult.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In place of his youthful face was that of a mature man. His already sturdy body had grown even larger and more solid.

Above all, his aura was different. Rishar emanated an energy like a well-forged sword. Etienne knew people with such an aura.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

The generals of the military who went to battlefields as routinely as eating meals, and knights who had experienced death in actual combat.

Rishar exuded the same aura as those kinds of people, likely due to having spent the past three years navigating battlefields where life and death intertwined.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

At that thought, his already clouded sky blue eyes grew even darker. Just then, Rishar raised his head and looked at the platform where Etienne stood.

“…!”

The moment their eyes met, Etienne almost stumbled backward. He was overcome with the urge to turn his head away.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

But he couldn’t avoid those eyes. Those navy blue eyes which seemed the night sea itself ensnared Etienne.

Etienne tensed the corners of his lips as he endured Rishar’s gaze. He couldn’t move, like a prey caught in a spider’s web.

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

It was then, as Etienne stood frozen like a fool, neither avoiding Rishar’s gaze nor looking at him directly, that Rishar’s eyes suddenly curved.

Is he… smiling?

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Etienne blankly watched as the tense eye lines softened and narrowed, and the firmly closed lips curved upward into an arc.

His heart reacted to Rishar’s sudden smile, catching him off guard. Etienne bit his lip as he felt his heart pounding loudly. He was clearly shaken.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Meanwhile, Rishar, having reached the front of the platform, dismounted from his horse. Only then did he withdraw his gaze from Etienne.

“I present myself to the Sun of the Empire. I, Eckhardt, have safely returned from the expedition!”

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

Standing before the Emperor, Rishar dropped to one knee as he bowed. Following him, tens of thousands of soldiers who also went to the expedition saluted the Emperor.

“We present ourselves!”

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

The energetic, powerful voices resonated throughout the vast square.