There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 118

* * *

Nangung, the State Guest House.

Philomel informed the four men about the nanny’s death and her suspicion that Ellensia was the culprit.

“How did the Emperor react to your words?”

At Jeremiah’s question, Philomel recalled what had happened at the Imperial Palace.

She had confessed to Eustis that she had peeked into the Book of God. Thanks to their improved relationship, she wasn’t as afraid as before.

As expected, the Emperor did not scold Philomel for that. In a way, it seemed like he already knew.

He had also read the Book of God and knew about the intruder from another world, so the story progressed quickly.

Philomel told him that the intruder had entered Ellensia’s body and played the recorded conversation from the recording stone.

The Emperor, with a confused look, said this:

“…Could you give me some time to think?”

She understood. Philomel didn’t expect him to believe this shocking fact right away.

However, after visiting the West Palace to confirm the nanny’s death, the doubt on his face deepened.

Today, he headed to the East Tower to hear about Ellensia from Katrin.

‘Katrin will say that Ellensia suddenly changed one day.’

Even if the Emperor disliked Katrin, he couldn’t ignore the words of someone who had raised his daughter for over a decade.

Philomel sensed it. Before long, the scales in the Emperor’s heart would completely tip.

The years she had spent watching his every move told her so.

She said with conviction:

“He seemed to need some time, but he will soon acknowledge the truth.”

If that happened, she would be able to subdue Ellensia with the Emperor’s tacit permission.

Jeremiah rested his chin on his hand.

“Things are going smoothly so far. It seems the Emperor trusts you more than I thought.”

Philomel felt a little embarrassed.

“Is that so? It seems my hard work as a princess has paid off.”

Lexion asked:

“But is there anything left to do with that diary?”

He pointed to Ellensia’s diary that Philomel was holding.

“I’m going to take it to His Majesty. It’s also evidence of Ellensia’s change.”

“Indeed, the script she uses suddenly changed.”

“It’s also a trace left by the real Ellensia. If he sees this, His Majesty will also gain strength…”

Just then, a sulky voice was heard.

“Aren’t you thinking about him too much?”

Lergwin glared at Philomel with eyes full of dissatisfaction.

“Do you really need to care about him that much?”

“No… I’m just giving him a diary.”

“Hmph.”

Lergwin turned his head away like a sulky child.

‘Just like with the Nasar issue, he’s been particularly sensitive lately.’

But she understood. It had been almost four months since Lergwin had been hiding his identity and living as a cat. It was understandable that he was getting restless.

Kardin also often muttered, ‘Ah, I want to catch monsters! I want to fight!’ and Jeremiah constantly fiddled with the hilt of his sword. Except for Lexion, all three seemed to be itching for action.

Philomel soothed her father.

“Please be patient a little longer. Once everything is over, I’ll take you sightseeing here as I said before.”

She had said that to Lergwin when she took Jeremiah to the market. His eyes lit up.

“If I want something other than sightseeing, will you grant it?”

“As long as it’s not impossible or difficult for me, anything.”

“In that case…”

And Lergwin’s wish that followed was somewhat unexpected. After a moment of consideration, she readily nodded.

“Okay.”

It was a bit embarrassing, but when she thought about it, it wasn’t an impossible wish to grant.

“Really?”

Lergwin was overjoyed.

“Of course. You’ve worked hard for me all this time, and now our business here is almost over.”

“Great! Then I’ll do it the way I want.”

“You have a preferred way too? Well, let me know when you’ve decided on the specifics.”

“Got it!”

Why was he so happy? She felt pleased.

She watched the four men discuss the matter for a while, stroking the cracked marble.

Ellensia killed the nanny. But she had sworn in the past, invoking her middle name, that she would take care of the nanny herself.

‘Then perhaps…’

The day to peek into the remaining memories of that person with the marble of truth may not be far off.

She was finally reaching the complete truth she had so desired.

Thinking so, she felt nervous and couldn’t stay still.

“Lergwin.”

“Huh, why?”

“I want to experiment with the Shooting Star Rock, would you help me?”

She decided to check everything related, one by one, before the moment of the final battle approached.

* * *

West Palace.

The princess bit her lip in her room.

‘Things are going wrong…!’

They were going very wrong.

By the Emperor’s order, Ellensia was almost imprisoned in her temporary residence. She could only go out at designated times, and even then, she couldn’t leave the West Palace.

At that moment, Emily entered the room, watching the princess’s expression.

Ellensia had originally planned to eliminate Emily, but it was impossible in the current situation where the Emperor was watching her. In the end, she had no choice but to be attended to by Emily again.

Emily said:

“Your Highness, Duchess Sasha Muriel has arrived.”

“She’s finally here. Tell her to come in quickly.”

On the first day of her confinement, Ellensia cried and even fainted, demanding to be released.

‘The result of making such a fuss was just one meeting.’

And even that was only possible with young ladies called ‘friends,’ not with useful people like Killian or his father.

Soon after, Ellensia questioned Sasha, who appeared, about the situation outside.

“There are strange rumors circulating among the people. That Her Highness has incurred the wrath of His Majesty…”

It was as expected. Because of the disciplinary action, she had to cancel all her schedules. It was only natural that there would be gossip about the princess, who had been actively engaged in social activities and then suddenly disappeared.

In addition, when the Escal Merchant Group was subjected to a major investigation regarding the Sansalcho case, speculation arose that the princess was also involved.

Everyone had seen Ellensia associating closely with the Escal family. Their suspicions would soon turn into certainty.

The Emperor’s birthday banquet is in two days. And Ellensia was not allowed to attend. What could be more indicative of discord between father and daughter than the daughter not attending her father’s birthday party?

Ellensia scratched the armrest of the chair with her fingernails.

‘It’s all because of Philomel!’

The Emperor changed his attitude in an instant. He must be doubting whether she is his real daughter. The only one who could plant such doubts in him was Philomel.

She couldn’t just be defeated like this. She had to dispel the Emperor’s doubts and divert the impure attention focused on her elsewhere.

‘Preferably towards Philomel.’

Ellensia chased Emily, who was still in the room, out and then put on a friendly smile.

“Young Lady Muriel.”

“Yes, yes!”

“You are the only one I can trust now. Can you do me a favor?”

After hearing the request, Sasha Muriel looked frightened.

“That would be breaking the law…”

“It’s not a difficult task. You just need to deliver one person.”

“But…”

When coaxing didn’t work, Ellensia scolded Sasha.

“Young Lady! How can you revive your family with that kind of mindset? I’m really disappointed!”

“…Your, Your Highness.”

“If I become Emperor, the Muriel Dukedom can regain its former status!”

Sasha trembled and eventually accepted Ellensia’s request.

The reason she chose Sasha from among the many young ladies was this. She wanted to revive her family, which had declined due to the Rozanne incident.

‘If you have a desperate desire, you will be forced to obey.’

After Sasha left, Ellensia took repeated deep breaths.

“Let’s think as positively as possible.”

It had already been five days since the nanny died.

Since there had been no news in the meantime, it was safe to assume that no evidence of murder had been found.

The task she had given Sasha Muriel was simple. She just needed to bring someone Ellensia had prepared in advance into the Imperial Palace.

Originally, it was never easy to bring someone whose identity had not been verified into the Imperial Palace, even if they were a high-ranking noble. Tibolt had also had a lot of trouble bringing in the fake Ellie.

‘But the story is different when a large-scale banquet is held.’

As many people come and go, the security checks become somewhat lax.

In two days, the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

That day is Ellensia’s last chance to overcome this crisis.