In This Life, I Will Be The Lord

He couldn't even breathe.

His chest plummeted.

With his dazed head, Gallahan thought.

'I have to step back.'

But his body didn't listen.

He seemed to have lost his soul to the green eyes he could see right in front of him.

Also, Gallahan vaguely realized. That she doesn't avoid himself.

Shan sat still as he was, staring at Gallahan, who approached rudely.

Blinking.

He could hear her long eyelashes flapping.

Gallahan approached her without realizing it.

He want to kiss her.

It was the only thought in his head.

As he drew closer, he felt like he could feel her breath in and out of the sensitive sense that stood close.

He was so engrossed in her sweetness.

However, Gallahan, who found something in her clear eyes, stopped and stood tall.

He was unscrupulous to approach a woman who had not formally allowed to date.

"S- sorry...!"

Gallahan hurriedly stepped back.

"It was a hot day, and I suddenly felt dizzy..."

The memory of saying that it was chilly because it was a shade just a while ago has already disappeared.

However, there was a lot of self-criticism.

His heart was like a chimney, of course he wanted to confess his feelings to her.

However, he wanted to hit himself hard because he had not yet had the courage to do that, and he had black heart for a moment.

Eventually, Gallahan sat as far away as possible and he apologized once more.

"I'm sorry, Shan."

Seeing that dazed look, Shan thought.

'He was trying to kiss me... wasn't it?'

Apparently it was that kind of atmosphere.

So close.

"It's okay, Gallahan."

Because today is not the only day.

"It can be."

It seems this man isn't ready for his heart yet.

It's a little disappointing, but Shan pretended not to know, pretended to be worried about Gallahan, and even sent a hand fan.

"How have you been, Shan?"

Gallahan tried so hard to change the subject in an awkwardly awkward voice.

"It's just the same every day. Nothing special... Ah!"

Come to think of it, she has one piece of news for Gallahan.

"I think the owner of 'Blue Wave' will change."

"Does it mean that Mrs. Marge is quitting the restaurant and inn?"

"Yes. Because she's old now. I think they are trying to sort things out when someone who lives there appears."

"I see..."

"They said it was just like changing owners."

At the end of Shan's words, a bitter smile flowed.

"Still, I think I will miss her a lot. Because she was the first to reach out to me, who was the first to come to Lombardi and had nowhere to go."

***

After breaking up with Gallahan, Shan walked slowly.

In the meantime, she has been thinking about whether there's anything she can give as a gift to Mrs. Marge.

When she arrived in front of the 'Blue Wave', she saw a very large carriage standing in front of it.

"Is it a customer carriage?"

However, it was a carriage that looked too expensive for commoners who mainly visited the 'Blue Wave'.

Even after a busy time, the quiet restaurant was somewhat cluttered, unlike usual.

Upon entering, Shan looked around and saw the figure of the owner, Marge.

"...Ma'am Marge?"

The owner of 'Blue Wave', who was always confident and did not hesitate to raise her voice even to customers, was politely bowing her head to someone.

'...Who is it?'

She saw a man getting up from his seat as if he had just finished talking.

He had brown hair and brown eyes, and had an ordinary appearance, but he had a deep, grumpy and cold impression.

But nonetheless, what caught his attention was his head-to-toe attire as if he was a nobleman, and his arrogant attitude as if he looked down on everyone.

As the man drew closer, Shan, who was still standing at the doorway, greeted him with the same respect as Mrs. Marge.

It was according to the Imperial etiquette she had learned over the past few months.

However, she could feel the gaze from the back of her head as she was looking down at the tip of her own toes.

Stomp.

The man's footsteps stopped in front of Shan.

Even so, he did not move for a long time.

'I guess you have something to ask me.'

Shan slowly straightened up.

At the same time, the man's brown eyebrows wriggled unpleasantly.

"Oh."

Shan exclaimed without realizing it.

It was because the man's face looked familiar.

Viege Lombardi.

Viege, Gallahan's older brother, was evident.

Shan did not avoid Viege's gaze.

She absolutely did not want to lose to this man.

"Spit!"

The situation, which continued as if it were a brief confrontation, ended with Viege spitting at Shan's feet and turning around.

Only contempt for Shan remained in the place where Viege got on the huge carriage he had ridden and disappeared.

"Shan, are you here?"

"Oh, ma'am Marge."

Shan smiled awkwardly, pulling the corners of her mouth.

As if to understand her heart, Marge's warm hands patted her shoulders.

"Shan, we don't have any customers. Shall we have a cup of tea?"

Drinking tea together.

It had never happened since several months had passed since Shan started working in the 'Blue Wave', where there was always a pile of work to do.

After a while, a cup of tea was placed in front of Shan and Marge.

It was a rough cup, but the scent that touched the tip of the nose was fragrant.

A few times, Marge opened her mouth with difficulty as she swallowed steaming tea instead of talking.

"In fact, the contract ended today."

"Oh..."

It was so unfortunate.

Mrs. Marge is making her retirement safely, so it's something she should celebrate together.

Shan couldn't hide her regret.

"But contrary to what I said at first, it looks like another building will be built on this site."

"...What?"

"He said he was going to tear down the building altogether."

Mrs. Marge's wrinkled hand touched the apron she took off on the table.

As Shan looked at those rough hands, she realized what Mrs. Marge was trying to say.

"I'll have to look other places..."

Shan suddenly lost her place to stay and her job.

"I'm ashamed of myself. Because he paid a lot of money... I had no choice but to... I'm sorry, Shan."

"No, ma'am."

Shan took Marge's hand, which still rested on her apron.

"You don't have to be sorry at all."

It was natural to make a deal that would pay a better price.

"This is where ma'am poured her whole life. Why are you apologizing to me when you are getting paid for that value?"

Shan gave more strength to her clasped hands.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Shan..."

"Thanks to that, I was able to adapt well to Lombardi. It's all thanks to ma'am."

She smiled brighter on purpose, trying to ease Marge's mind even a little.

"It's a place to stay and work. I'll find it soon!"

"...Thank you for understanding, Shan."

Marge gently wiped Shan's hand on the back of her hand.

"By the way, do I have to empty the shop from tomorrow?"

"Oh, my. No! That can't happen. We have manners for our regulars, and we decided to give them an end for ten days."

"Ten days..."

It was not enough time to find a new place to live and work.

***

"We have arrived at the mansion."

Gallahan raised his tired body at the coachman's voice and got off the carriage.

Due to the lack of preparation for the festival, he was also responsible for logistics of the wedding part of Crown Prince Yovanes a few days ago, and every day continued.

'I want to go to bed and sleep.'

There was only one thought in Gallahan's head.

It was already late at night, and there were quiet footsteps approaching Gallahan, who had entered the dimly lit hallway.

"Mr. Gallahan, Mr. Viege is calling you".

"...My brother?"

He was tired enough to drag his feet on the floor, but he couldn't help it.

If he ignored Viege's call, something annoying would have happened again.

"...I'm going."

Gallahan headed to Viege's residence.

"You went around late."

As soon as he arrived at the drawing room, Viege frowned at Gallahan.

In recent years, Gallahan's position has been growing.

That coward Gallahan as Lombardi's successor.

No way.

Fortunately, Viege knew how to cut off such Gallahan's sprout at once.

"You seem busy these days?"

"Yes. The top is probably..."

"Yeah, I guess so. Because I'm short of top work beyond your place."

Viege twisted his thin lips.

"To have a relationship with the lowly thing hidden in the inn."