In This Life, I Will Be The Lord

 

"It's a flower that I've never seen before. Bomnia, its name is pretty, too."

Gallahan laughed as he rolled the name 'Bomnia' several times in his mouth.

"I brought it with me when I left my hometown. It's a common wildflower that blooms there."

"Did you bring this all the way here?"

"Yes. It wasn't that hard."

"But..."

"It is a very precious flower to me. I'm thinking of finding a place where it will grow well and planting it."

Shan smiled as she said that.

"Hey, Shan. May I ask you a question?"

Gallahan's voice as he spoke his words was infinitely cautious.

"Of course. What are you curious about?"

"Shan... Why did you leave your hometown?"

He has been curious ever since he got to know her.

Listening to the story, Shan's hometown seemed to be very south of the continent.

But what was the reason for coming all the way to Lombardi from such a distant place?

"I'm sorry if this is too much of a question. You don't have to answer, Shan."

Gallahan hurriedly added.

"There was something I could only do if I left the village." (TN: To marry you, Gally.)

Shan answered Gallahan without hesitation.

"Weren't you afraid? Leaving behind familiar things and going somewhere you don't know at all. It must have been a huge challenge."

"I was afraid."

Again, Shan's answer was as light as her smile.

"Still, there were things I had to do, I could do, and I wanted to do."

Gallahan stared blankly at her as she spoke so calmly.

It was because Shan with a very small body looked large.

Gallahan, who had been hesitating for a while, opened his mouth with difficulty.

"Actually... there is a top run by my family."

"Top?"

"Yes. But this time, I was given the opportunity to work at the top."

"It's something to celebrate, Gallahan."

"Yes. But I don't know if I can do it well, Shan. I have to take a lot of responsibility..."

Shan, who was quietly listening to the story, suddenly remembered the dream she had last night.

 

His appearance that was passionately working with many people.

And with a face as lively as that figure, Gallahan said in front of her right now.

"But I'm going to try to be brave like Shan."

She wanted to support Gallahan, who tried to stop hesitating and take a big step.

Until her eyes suddenly turn black.

Flop.

Several scenes crossed her head as the sound of the watering pot falling down.

It was the future of herself and Gallahan that she saw when she had a long dream.

However, unlike before, it was cloudy as if it was foggy.

Shan realized instinctively.

Gallahan's future was changing.

The decision he made now has created a big crossroads.

If so, there was only one thing to do.

She can change Gallahan's choice now.

Perhaps a single word like 'I think it would be better not to overdo it' would solve the problem.

But she couldn't do that.

He finally got courage and she wanted to protect that happy face with redness like spring.

"Gallahan."

Shan picked up the watering pot he had dropped for a while and smiled as if nothing had happened.

"I believe Gallahan will do a great job."

"...Thank you, Shan."

Turning her back on Gallahan, who answered shyly, Shan secretly took a breath.

There wasn't just one way for Gallahan to be happy.

And he had the right to choose the path he took.

***

Gallahan became very busy.

At first, he made frequent mistakes as he began to go to work at the top of Lombardi.

But now, after a few months, he enjoy working.

It was partly because there was a great teacher and guide named Romassie Dillard, the top owner of Lombardi, but aside from that, Gallahan was quick to learn the job.

"Thanks to Gallahan, my work has decreased these days."

Romassie Dillard spoke with his eyes as if he was looking at a well-grown disciple.

"If anyone hears it, they'll think it's real, top's Lord. Don't say that."

Gallahan was embarrassed, but Romassie Dillard shook his head.

"I'm not lying. It's Gallahan's strength that his work is delicate."

It was the work of the top of Lombardi that touched a lot of money and moved a lot of people.

"No matter how busy you are, if you make several small mistakes, it's the profit at the top that disappears in an instant like sand escaping between your fingers."

Gallahan's face turned red even more at the praise that followed.

"Of course, you still lack a lot of bold and active determination."

"I'll try... I'll try, top's Lord."

While tapping Gallahan's shoulder, Romassie Dillard thought there was nothing he could do about it.

 

It was Gallahan's nature to be thoughtful and fearful.

Knowing this, he was especially interested in Gallahan among the four siblings from the Patriarch.

"I'll be happy to help."

As Gallahan began to perform well at the top of Lombardi, more and more people were interested in Lombardi's succession structure.

If this continues, it will only be a matter of time before people will gather under Gallahan.

"Oh, it's already time..."

Gallahan, who had been reading the documents as if to bury his nose, jumped up from his seat and put on a thin robe.

Romassie Dillard and the top's employees who worked in the vicinity nodded their heads as if they were familiar with it.

Despite his busy time, Gallahan went for a 'walk' every few days.

"I'll be back."

In order not to interfere with other people's work, Gallahan, who spoke in a small voice, left the top's building and quickly walked away.

The destination was a secluded park located halfway between the 'Blue Wave' and the top.

When it came time to run out of breath, he could see Shan at the appointment place in advance.

She close her eyes and enjoy the sun, waiting for him.

Gallahan's heart beat hard at that beautiful appearance.

"I believe Gallahan will do a great job."

Shan is a kind and friendly person, so it could have been a word of encouragement that didn't mean much.

But at least to Gallahan, every word felt like a prophecy.

Whenever he wanted to give up after starting his first job, he thought of Shan's smile and found courage.

'If I had a little more courage.'

Gallahan clenched his fist.

When the day comes when he can fully settle down at the top and be proud of himself.

'At that time.'

Gallahan blushed at the imagination that his heart was about to explode just by thinking about it.

"Oh, Gallahan! Here it is!"

Shan, who found him standing tall at the entrance of the park waved her hand loudly.

"Shan."

Gallahan quickly walked over and sat down next to Shan.

"Have you been busy today?"

She asked with a voice as bright as the weather in early summer.

"Yes, a little bit in the morning."

"You said you're at the top of the business run by your family, so how about getting some help?"

Gallahan's eyes fluttered at Shan's worried words.

It was a guilt that he hadn't told her everything yet.

Although he knew his name was 'Gallahan Lombardi' and he had to tell her that his father was the Lord of this land, his mouth didn't fall off.

"My father's friend... help me a lot."

"Then that's a relief. The weather is hotter, so take care of your health."

"...Yes, Shan."

The corners of his mouth, which answered meekly, trembled with joy inevitably.

He was not even a child, but he liked the words she was worried about.

"But for a while, I think I will inevitably be busy with the festival preparations."

"You said there's a wedding for His Highness the Crown Prince, right?"

Gallahan nodded.

Soon, the Crown Prince Jovanes was scheduled to marry Lavini of the Angenas family.

Accordingly, the emperor declared a week-long holiday throughout the empire and ordered a large festival to be held in the Capital.

"When the guests of the restaurant gather, they are busy talking about the festival. I heard it's open for three days."

"That's right. Still, I think I will be able to take a breather when the festival starts..."

Gallahan, who was looking at Shan for a while, asked.

"Wouldn't you like to go to the festival with me, Shan?"

"...Good. Together..."

It was the time as Shan to answer with a slightly red face.

The image of someone passing by the park caught Gallahan's eyes.

He was an employee at the top of Lombardi, who had a meeting in the same space a while ago.

Sure enough.

The employee looked toward Gallahan and tilted his head.

"Shan! Now, wait a minute..."

Gallahan hid his head by putting the robe he was wearing hastily over Shan's head.

"It- it's pretty chilly because it's in the shade."

"It's early summer right now..."

Shan murmured, but Gallahan was busy checking beyond the robe.

Fortunately, the employee tilted his head once more and went his way.

He thought he must have seen it wrong.

"Phew-..."

Without even exhaling a sigh of relief, Gallahan, who turned his head, hardened.

"Heup."

It was because Shan's face was right in front of him.