There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 113

Philomel’s face brightened, while the other two looked like they had chewed something bitter.

Philomel barely managed to transform Le Guin into a cat, who was resisting, before greeting the visitor. They met in Philomel’s private room, not the drawing room.

The change in their relationship was evident in such minor details.

Nasar entered Philomel’s room with a clearly nervous expression.

“Nasar, welcome. But what’s with your hair?”

Nasar, whom she hadn’t seen in a few days, had hair like a bird’s nest.

“A bird appeared on the way and messed up my hair.”

“That’s quite something.”

“Actually…”

He hesitated before telling his story.

“Since my last visit, unexplained incidents have been happening around me.”

“What kind of incidents?”

“The wheel of my carriage fell off in the middle of the road, and both the door and window broke at the same time, trapping me in the room.”

“…”

“Most of all, whenever I tried to contact Lady Philomel, the communication stone became unusable, which was difficult.”

“…I see.”

Although there was no basis, Philomel guessed the cause of the series of events.

However, Nasar, who had no idea, said seriously,

“Perhaps this is the price for excessive good fortune…”

“What good fortune?”

“That you think of me as more than a friend. What greater fortune could there be in life?”

“…Are you perhaps preparing these lines on purpose to make me feel good?”

“Huh? Not at all.”

He sometimes casually uttered cheesy words.

“Anyway, don’t worry, it’s probably not that.”

Philomel said, glancing at the cat. The cat exuded a very displeased aura as it approached them.

Nasar greeted the cat and reached out his hand.

“Hello, GuinGuin. Ouch…”

A drop of blood formed on his hand from the sharp claws.

“Oh my! Nasar, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“You’re bleeding. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”

“I’m really okay.”

Nasar quickly stopped Philomel, who was glaring at the cat.

“Please don’t scold him. Looking at it closely, it’s my fault for reaching out my hand rashly. From GuinGuin’s perspective, it was naturally unpleasant.”

“Nasar…”

How could he be so kind?

Since the men she had been seeing most recently were Le Guin and Jeremiah, Nasar’s goodness seemed even more radiant in her eyes.

Philomel brought medicine and a bandage and treated his hand herself. Nasar was troubled, saying it wasn’t that serious of an injury, but he didn’t refuse the treatment.

In the process of applying the medicine and bandage, their hands naturally touched for a long time.

“…”

“…”

The two blushed slightly and remained silent.

Zzzzzzz. Zzzzzzz.

The cat, who was watching, raised its claws and furiously scratched the carpet.

Hiding the disappointment that was seeping out, Nasar said,

“GuinGuin seems to dislike me a lot. Did I unknowingly do something to be hated?”

“I think he’s jealous that I’m dating Nasar.”

His red eyes widened.

“…Are we dating?”

“Aren’t we? I just assumed…”

“No! No! I… I haven’t even thought about that.”

Nasar jumped up and clenched his fists tightly.

“I see. Philomel and I are dating. Dating, dating…”

He muttered for a while, then burst into the happiest smile in the world.

He was so happy that Philomel was a little afraid to say the next words.

“If it’s okay, can I ask Nasar for a favor?”

“Yes! Anything!”

“I want to secretly meet the hero Killian, could you arrange a meeting?”

The ecstatic smile vanished in an instant.

Philomel had to reassure Nasar several times before she could go to meet Killian.

“I thought this might happen since you were my fiancée a long time ago.”

“Pardon?”

“My father and His Majesty the Emperor are just special, but originally, supreme beings have many lovers…”

“What are you thinking? It’s not like that!”

It was really hard to correct his misunderstanding.

‘Do I look like a playboy? How long has it been since I agreed to date him, and I’m already looking for someone else?’

She was a little dumbfounded, but even his anxious appearance looked cute to her. She was seriously ill.

Anyway, after Philomel explained it well, Nasar quickly calmed down and granted her request.

Currently, the two are traveling to Count Escal’s residence in the Averidean family’s carriage. Outwardly, Nasar is the one meeting Killian. This was to avoid Ellensia’s eyes.

“Is Nasar close to Killian?”

At Philomel’s question, Nasar shook his head.

“We have acquaintances, but not to the extent of being close. I was busy with my own things, and the Escal heir has been training since childhood to become a hero.”

Killian Escal.

The man who defeated the high-level monster Cerberus.

He was undoubtedly the closest person to the title of ‘hero’ in this era.

Not like herself, who happened to have the title of hero, but a genuine hero who was admired by those around him.

‘He’s a suitable partner for the princess, even if not as much as Nasar.’

Moreover, Killian escorted Ellensia at various banquets, following their first dance at the debutante ball. People thought the two would soon be engaged.

‘But…’

The Scripture of God stated that only a true hero could defeat the invaders from another world.

That meant Killian was the one who would defeat the fake Ellensia.

Le Guin suggested that they shouldn’t believe in outdated prophecies and just get rid of Ellensia.

Philomel opposed. There must be a reason why the prophecy emphasized the hero.

‘And the body is that of the real Ellensia…’

Although she had never met the real Ellensia, Philomel felt a strange sense of pity for her.

A child who had lived her whole life without knowing her real parents and then had her body stolen. Should she be driven to death?

Moreover, the Emperor’s existence had to be taken into account. Even if he knew the truth, he would not want his daughter’s body to die.

‘Perhaps the hero has a way to separate only the soul attached to Ellensia’s body.’

To confirm this, she had to meet Killian at least once.

* * *

Escal Manor, drawing room.

Killian was puzzled by Nasar’s unexpected companion.

“Who is this?”

After the servant who had guided them left and only the three of them were in the room, Philomel took off the hood she was wearing.

Killian’s hazel eyes were filled with surprise.

“…Lady Philomel, what brings you here?”

He openly alternated his gaze between Philomel and Nasar.

“And with the Duke of Averidean. I heard you two broke off your engagement, but did I hear wrong?”

Obvious hostility felt beneath the light attitude. It was impossible not to know.

He hated her.

‘0%’

The favorability bar, which had not been visible in the carriage, suddenly reappeared. If it were possible to display the negative range, his favorability would not be 0 but negative.

Philomel clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘Well, it seems like there was no need to trouble Nasar.’

If she wanted to meet Killian, there were plenty of ways. For example, Le Guin could summon him with magic.

The reason she went through Nasar was because she wanted to meet him discreetly, as politely as possible.

Still, thinking she should at least say something, Philomel opened her mouth.

“Hello, Hero Killian. The reason I have come to see you today, despite being rude, is because there is a matter I would like to discuss.”

His eyebrows, which were blue like his hair, furrowed.

“Could that matter perhaps be about Her Highness Princess Ellensia?”

“Yes.”

“Then go back. I have nothing to say to you.”

“It’s an important matter.”

“Butler, are you there? The guests say they are leaving. No need to see them off…”

“Hero Killian. Are you unaware of what Her Highness the Princess has plotted with your father and uncle?”

Killian, momentarily silenced as if caught off guard, shrugged.

“I don’t understand the meaning. If you’re jumping to conclusions because the two have been visiting the West Palace frequently lately…”

“It seems you haven’t received any contact from Princess Ellensia yet. The Escal Merchant Guild’s plan to monopolize Sansalcho [a rare medicinal herb] is useless.”

Philomel smiled brightly.

“As for Sansalcho, which is needed for the cure, we secured enough of it several months ago.”

“…”

At that moment, the composure disappeared from Killian’s face. As expected, this man knew about Ellensia’s plan.