There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 119

Time passed, and finally, the Emperor’s birthday arrived.

Ellencia received joyful news from her maids. Philomell had expressed her intention to attend the birthday banquet!

It was an unusual occurrence, as Philomell usually refused all such invitations.

‘Foolish girl, unaware of the shame that awaits her there,’ Ellencia thought.

She was already letting her guard down, thinking she had won.

It was even better for Ellencia if Philomell attended.

The Princess muttered darkly.

“This will allow for a very dramatic production.”

* * *

The Imperial Palace ballroom.

“Announcing the arrival of the Imperial Family’s esteemed guest, Lady Philomell, and Duke Averidean!”

With the herald’s announcement, Philomell and Nasar entered the ballroom.

The appearance of the two caused a slight stir among the attendees.

“Weren’t they broken up?”

“Is the rumor that they’re back together true?”

“They say the Duke has been wearing out the doorstep of the state guesthouse [a residence provided for visiting dignitaries].”

Philomell felt a little embarrassed and whispered to Nasar, who was escorting her.

“I’m sorry. If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have broken off the engagement…”

She seemed to have left him with deep scars for no reason.

However, he replied, unconcerned.

“Of course, it was difficult at the time, but looking back, I think it was a good choice.”

“Why?”

“Thanks to that, I feel like I’ve started over with you from the beginning.”

He looked around the hall, glancing at the attendees.

“And the people who are important to me are not these people, but your family. I should visit the Magic Tower soon, and I wonder if His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased with me…”

Philomell smiled brightly.

“His Majesty was rooting for us.”

“…Amazing.”

Philomell was also quite surprised. She was sure the Emperor would be dumbfounded, asking why she had asked to break off the engagement back then.

It happened when she went to the Imperial Palace to deliver Ellencia’s diary.

Justis, who had been reading his daughter’s diary for a while, said wistfully, as if reminiscing about the past.

“Come to think of it, Isabella was quite a glutton.”

Looking at his profile, Philomell thought she had done well to show him the diary.

After discussing other matters, she informed him of her relationship with Nasar before leaving.

It was only a matter of time before the Emperor found out anyway.

At first, he showed displeasure, but then he changed his expression and asked this question.

“If you end up with that guy, will you be living in the capital?”

“Well… I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, but if I become the Duchess, I’ll probably have to stay here for half the year, right?”

Half the year in the capital, and the other half in the territory. Nobles who had residences in the capital usually lived like that.

Justis said with a strange expression, as if mixed with dissatisfaction and satisfaction.

“If that’s the path you truly want, I welcome it. But if your mind ever changes, don’t hesitate to dump him.”

Although his expression was strange, Philomell decided to take the Emperor’s reaction as ‘support’.

However, Nasar seemed to think differently.

“…It doesn’t sound like support. I’ll have to do my best to never be dumped.”

“Are you nervous? Don’t worry. Our opinions are the most important.”

Philomell stuck close to him and linked arms.

“…Philomell.”

The nape of his neck, visible beneath his golden hair, turned red.

Philomell was also a little embarrassed. It was the first time she had boldly displayed affection in front of others.

The gazes around them also changed. They seemed to have noticed that Philomell and Nasar’s atmosphere was more intimate than when they were engaged.

At that moment, the herald’s voice echoed loudly throughout the hall.

“Announcing the arrival of the Empire’s sun, His Majesty the Emperor!”

Everyone paid their respects to the Emperor, who soon appeared.

“Your Majesty, congratulations on your thirty-sixth birthday!”

“Congratulations. May you continue to be healthy as you are now!”

And then, their gaze naturally turned to the seat next to the Emperor.

It was empty.

The Emperor appeared at the event alone.

‘The rumors that there is discord between His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess are true!’

It was the most notable concern among the nobles recently. Compared to that, Philomell and Nasar’s reunion was just a peculiar event.

They waited to see if the Emperor would mention the Princess’s absence.

“Enjoy yourselves as you see fit.”

However, he only left a short remark and sat down. It was a bleak encouragement that didn’t seem like it came from the protagonist of the banquet.

Soon, the ball began, and elegant music flowed.

“Now, let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”

Philomell led Nasar to the center of the hall. They stepped between the other men and women and faced each other, matching their steps.

Nasar was right.

She had danced with him countless times as his fiancée, but it had never been as enjoyable as this time. The two danced joyfully, feeling excitement as if they had just met.

Perhaps it was because they moved their bodies too vigorously. Philomell was exhausted after only one song.

“Shall we get some fresh air for a moment?”

Nasar, who had keenly noticed Philomell’s condition, pointed to the terrace at the far end.

As they moved away from the dancing crowd towards the terrace, they ran into an unexpected person. It was the Hero, Killian.

Because Ellencia was under house arrest, he attended the banquet alone, resembling a lost bird.

Nasar’s face stiffened.

“What are you looking at?”

“You’re sensitive. I wasn’t particularly looking at you.”

Philomell stepped between the two men, who were trying to create a tense atmosphere, and glared coldly at Killian.

“How brazen. What brings you here?”

“…That’s quite harsh.”

Killian frowned and looked at Philomell, but…

‘7%’

The favorability rating floating above his head had risen by a whopping 4%.

‘I wondered if it was true…’

Killian Escal was indeed the type whose favorability increased when he was insulted!

It was terrifying in a different way from his actions of cooperating with the Sansalcho monopoly plan.

Philomell tried saying other things as a test.

“Your father and uncle are under investigation, but you wanted to attend the banquet alone?”

‘9%’

“I didn’t know you were such an unfilial son.”

‘11%’

“Are you even a Hero? Return the title of Hero.”

‘16%’

The favorability bar grew with every word she spoke. It was getting a little scary.

‘How much did Ellencia insult him?’

Philomell continued to speak.

“You womanizer! You look so greasy!”

‘16%’

However, the favorability rating remained the same with such accusations. There must be some kind of standard.

Nasar whispered in her ear from the side.

“Philomell, aren’t you provoking him too much? If you have a separate plan…”

Oh, right, she was so fascinated that she just said anything.

Killian’s face was a mess of red. In fact, the last words were just raw insults. No matter how much you dislike someone, it wasn’t right to pick on their appearance.

Philomell opened her mouth to apologize.

“The last words were too much. I made you feel bad…”

Killian, who had been grinding his teeth as if he was about to retort immediately, suddenly turned around.

“That’s enough. I don’t know why, but talking to you for too long gives me a headache.”

The man, who frowned with his hand on his forehead, walked away. As she came out to the terrace, Philomell trembled slightly. The season was entering early autumn, and it was a little chilly.

Nasar took off his coat and offered it to her.

“Would you like to wear this?”

“Thank you.”

Philomell didn’t refuse and the coat she put on her shoulders smelled of grass.

His scent. Thinking of Nasar practicing swordsmanship on the lawn, she opened her mouth.

“There’s another thing I’m grateful to Nasar for.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for coming here with me as my partner today, even though it was sudden.”

“Rather, I’m grateful. And if you had given this role to someone else, I would have sulked.”

Philomell burst into laughter at the unexpected answer.

“You sulk too?”

“Yes, I sulk.”

“I want to see it once.”

“Shall I sulk now?”

She playfully poked his soft cheek.

“Yes, try it.”

Nasar closed his eyes and frowned as if he was sulking. Then he grabbed Philomell’s hand and smiled.

“I can’t do it. I just laugh when I think of you.”

He put his face on Philomell’s palm and rubbed it.

The soft skin felt in her hand, the captivating red eyes.

At that moment, a chilling sensation ran from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.