There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 14

* * *

Time passed, and Philomell turned fourteen.

She was about to make her debut. It was common for young ladies aged sixteen or older to have their debut, but with the Empress’s seat vacant, Philomell would have hers somewhat early. This was because there was a need for a member of the Imperial Family to lead high society.

Previously, Duchess Elos, as a former Imperial Princess, had led high society, but after she was ousted, there was no suitable person. Among the remaining collateral relatives of the Imperial Family, there was no one close enough to the direct line to replace the Empress.

Although no major incidents occurred, it was said that without someone to maintain balance, the conflicts between factions within high society were sharp, and the atmosphere was not good.

‘Can I fulfill that role?’

Philomell felt like she was taking on an unnecessary burden, but she couldn’t abandon her duties as a princess. After all, before Ellensia appeared, she was the princess.

‘I have no choice but to fulfill the given role.’

Moreover, Countess Delles said it wouldn’t be too difficult. She said that the ladies would be watching her every move just by Philomell holding her position.

Although it was questionable how much the high-nosed nobles would respect her, who had been an unwanted princess until recently…

“Oh my! You look so beautiful!”

At Countess Delles’s exclamation next to her, Philomell realized her situation.

The debutante ball was today. The banquet would begin in just a few hours.

Philomell turned back and forth to check her appearance in the mirror.

“Isn’t this too flashy?”

Philomell asked, troubled, looking at the dress adorned with countless red ribbons on white fabric.

The Countess shook her head and adjusted the dress.

“Not at all! Your Highness has been dressing too plainly all this time. You don’t have to do that even at your debutante ball.”

The maids also helped her, carefully checking that the ribbons were not loose.

“This dress may be very different from Your Highness’s taste, but please bear with it just for today. Everyone else will be dressed to the nines.”

“Well, that’s true.”

In fact, it was very much to Philomell’s taste. Rather, the other dresses in her closet were far from her preferences.

Until she was nine years old, Philomell preferred dresses that were so flashy they made her eyes spin. As many decorations as possible, and the highest quality materials.

But if she kept buying such dresses, it would only be a matter of time before she became the extravagant ‘Philomell’ from the book.

Besides, she wasn’t thick-faced enough to spend the Emperor’s money, who was a complete stranger, so lavishly.

So Philomell changed her taste. She mainly wore simple and elegant dresses, and she was as frugal as possible without compromising the dignity of the Imperial Family.

As a result, others thought that Philomell’s taste had naturally changed as she got older. The Countess, who had secretly regretted not being able to dress Philomell in cute and flashy dresses, actively encouraged her to wear the dress she had chosen for her debutante ball.

‘It’s a bit awkward, but not bad.’

Philomell, who had been looking at herself in the mirror, realized that quite a bit of time had passed and quickly left the room.

The Emperor was waiting in front of the carriage.

“Your Majesty! Have you been waiting long?”

“Not really. More than that…”

Justis’s gaze went to the dress.

Although it was unlikely given his personality, Philomell felt uneasy, as if his eyes were reproaching her for the expensive dress.

“Is it very strange?”

“No. It suits you well.”

“Your Majesty, your uniform suits you very well too.”

The Emperor chuckled at the flattering words and reached out his hand as he got into the carriage. Since some time ago, he often smiled at Philomell.

“Get in.”

He was the one who would escort Philomell today. Philomell took his hand without hesitation.

The carriage traveled from the inner palace, located deep within the Imperial Palace grounds, to the outer palace. The inner palace was mainly the living space for the Imperial Family, while the outer palace was where officials worked, palace staff resided, and banquets were held.

Soon they arrived at the banquet hall.

“The sun of the great Empire and the small sun, Emperor and Princess Philomell Meitias Vellerop, are entering!”

As they appeared with the herald’s cry, the eyes of the audience were focused on them.

“Glory to Vellerop!”

People bowed and placed their right hands on their chests. And the debutante ball began.

According to general custom, a young lady participating in a debutante ball enters with the escort of her family and dances with a peer of the opposite sex.

There is a rumor that the first dance partner is the one you end up with, so finding the first dance partner is the biggest concern for the young ladies.

It was said that there were young ladies who ended up crying at the debutante ball because they couldn’t find a partner they liked. Of course, this was not the case for those who already had a partner.

Philomell, who found her fiancé in the distance, told the Emperor.

“Then I will go and have my first dance with Duke Averide.”

But there was no reply.

Turning around in doubt, Justis looked somehow displeased.

“Your Majesty?”

“…The first dance partner is just a superstition. So don’t be too bound by it. You still have countless possibilities.”

‘I wondered what he was saying with such gravity… Is it advice in its own way?’

She knew from long ago that she would not end up with Nassar, even if she didn’t know her own possibilities.

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Philomell answered coolly and moved towards Nassar, greeting the people who approached her.

The heir to a powerful family that was second to none, with both literary and military skills. Moreover, Nassar, who was praised as the most eligible bachelor in the Empire because of his outstanding appearance.

He was looking at Philomell approaching. He seemed very dazed, as if lost in thought.

Philomell called his name.

“Nassar?”

“……”

“Nassar, are you feeling alright?”

“Ah, no. I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“Weren’t you overdoing it yesterday?”

“I’m fine. I rested well yesterday.”

The Duke of Averide’s zeal for education did not cool down. Recently, he had brought in a Sword Master who used Aura [a type of life energy] as Nassar’s swordsmanship teacher.

Whenever she saw the bruises visible inside his sleeves, sympathy welled up inside Philomell. One side of her heart felt cold. Perhaps it was a feeling of camaraderie.

“Your Highness, please give me your hand.”

With a slightly trembling voice, Nassar reached out his hand.

Participants were gathered in a circle around the banquet hall, waiting for the princess and her fiancé to start the dance.

Philomell took his hand without hesitation.

Until she left this place, she would be Ellensia’s substitute as much as possible.

* * *

Again, time passed. Philomell turned fifteen.

“I greet the small sun of the Empire, Her Highness Princess Philomell Meitias Vellerop.”

At a ball, a young lady with a nervous face greeted the princess.

“Oh my. Aren’t you Young Lady Lushan? How is Countess Lushan’s health these days? I wonder if the prescription from the doctor invited from abroad was effective.”

The Count’s daughter, moved that the princess was so concerned about the health of the mistress, even though she was not from a powerful family, replied happily.

“She’s much better. It’s all thanks to Your Highness for helping to call the doctor.”

“It’s not a big deal. I just acted as a bridge in the middle.”

“You’re too kind. If Your Highness hadn’t helped, my mother would still be lying in bed.”

Soon, many nobles flocked to Philomell’s side, eager to speak with the princess.

Nassar Averide held a crystal glass and watched the scene from a distance. Philomell was responding to every word they were saying without showing any signs of annoyance.

The soft brown hair touched and fell on her white skin, swaying whenever she nodded slightly.

Nassar quietly watched the scene until someone hit him on the shoulder.

“Nassar! You were here.”

“Kenny.”

Kenny O’Dellie was the second son of the Marquis O’Dellie family and Nassar’s best friend. He had a playful and talkative personality, but he had a lot in common with Nassar, who was rather taciturn.

“Who are you looking at like that?”

Kenny whistled as he checked the direction Nassar was looking.

“Whew. Very affectionate, very affectionate. You saw her plenty when you danced together earlier, and you still want to see her again?”

“That’s not it.”

“What do you mean it’s not?”

Kenny hit Nassar on the shoulder again.

“Do you like her that much? So much that you’re happy just looking at her?”

After a moment of silence, Nassar gave an answer that was somewhat unrelated to Kenny’s question.

“…You danced with the Princess too.”

“I asked her, and she agreed. You had the first dance.”

“Of course, because she’s my fiancée.”

“Oh ho. Is that all? You only danced because she’s your fiancée?”

Kenny looked at Nassar mischievously, as if telling him to admit it now.

“Yes. That’s all.”

At least to her. Nassar swallowed the rest of his words and turned his gaze back to the princess.

“Don’t lie. Your eyes are dripping with affection.”

“……”

Kenny chattered as he pleased, leaving his friend with his mouth shut.

“Seeing this, this guy is jealous. Why, are you sulking because the Princess is dancing with other guys?”

“Shut up.”

“What are you worried about? You’re the man who will have the honor of marrying her anyway.”

“……Will I really?”

Kenny clicked his tongue at the lack of confidence in his voice. The princess and Nassar were a perfect couple that everyone recognized, but his friend was always strangely defensive.

“What are you talking about? If not you, then who……”

Suddenly, the murmuring stopped, and the people in the hall bowed their heads.

The Emperor had appeared.