There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 22

* * *

After Eustice left.

Poland instructed the knights to roughly tend to Katrin’s wounds and lock her in the dungeon.

Katrin should consider herself fortunate that the real daughter resembled her. Otherwise, she would already be dead.

“I knew it; that Katrin was the culprit! I told Isabella not to associate with that lowly wench!”

The nanny, who belatedly grasped the situation, jumped up and down.

As Katrin had been the Empress’s friend since childhood, the nanny seemed to know her well.

“Madam, you’ve done well. I’ll have you taken home by carriage, so you may return now.”

At Poland’s words, the nanny clung to Elencia.

“Oh, Count! You’re so insensitive. Who else would the Princess trust and rely on but me right now? Isn’t that right, Princess Elencia?”

“Yes? Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Elencia, who had been lost in thought, nodded.

“So, I’ll stay in the Imperial Palace for a while and take good care of the Princess. Just prepare a room next to the Princess’s residence.”

*She’s planning to use Elencia as an excuse to settle down here.*

Poland thought, watching the nanny’s artificial smile.

Even at a glance, her attire was shabby, and her wrinkles were deep, revealing that her life outside the Imperial Palace had been difficult.

Considering the nanny’s past, he was reluctant, but what she said made sense.

Elencia was now in a strange place where she didn’t know anyone. It would be helpful to have the nanny, with her long experience, by Elencia’s side.

“I understand. I’ll prepare a place for you to stay.”

“Hoho! You’re reasonable.”

“However, this is only until a new maid is chosen to serve Elencia. Always remember why you were expelled and be mindful of your actions.”

“Ah, I understand. You’re so harsh. Come on, Princess, let’s go to your room.”

Elencia, who was following the nanny, turned to look at Poland. Her expression was dark.

“Um, Count.”

“Yes, Princess Elencia.”

Poland replied politely.

The priest had already confirmed that Elencia possessed divine power. It was an immense amount that an ordinary country girl, unless she was royalty, would hardly possess.

Moreover, the nanny revealed that Elencia looked exactly like the Empress in her childhood. It was confirmed that she was the real daughter.

“Is Father not happy to have found me?”

“That’s….”

Poland chose his words carefully to reassure the girl.

“Of course not. He just needs time to accept it. He has lived for over a decade considering Philomell as his own daughter. Don’t be too disheartened.”

Elencia may have lived her whole life longing for her father, but for Eustice, she was an unexpected daughter.

“…I guess so? Thank you for your words. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes. Rest well.”

The new princess returned to her chambers.

* * *

Four or five men sat around a table laden with food, chattering.

“Did you hear? Princess Philomell isn’t the Emperor’s real daughter.”

“I heard. That’s all anyone’s talking about these days. The officials are frantically searching for the real princess.”

“Princess, my foot! According to rumors, she’s the daughter of the woman who kidnapped the real princess.”

“So, all this time, the daughter of a criminal has been living as a princess?”

“Hey. Keep the unconfirmed stories to yourself. If it turns out to be a false rumor, we’ll all lose our heads!”

“Come on. Would everyone be talking about it so much if there wasn’t some basis?”

“I find it hard to believe. I can’t imagine someone so renowned for their benevolence being the blood of a kidnapper.”

“She was hiding her true nature, afraid of being exposed as a fake. Don’t you know that? You naive fools.”

“Well, wouldn’t she run away if she had something to hide?”

“How about we find the fake princess and make our fortune with the reward?”

“If we could do that, your runaway wife might even come back!”

“Why are you bringing that up again!”

Raucous laughter erupted.

Afterward, they changed the topic from the fake princess to runaway wives, chattering so loudly that the restaurant seemed to shake.

Philomell pressed her hat down deeper. Even though she had woken up early this morning to change her hair color with dye bought at the market, she still didn’t feel safe.

She was currently having breakfast in the restaurant attached to her lodging.

When she arrived in Angelium yesterday, it was too late to visit the Magic Tower. The Magic Tower was only open to the public during the day.

A server approached and asked.

“Miss, would you like me to bring tea now that you’ve finished your meal?”

“No, thank you. I’m going out now, so I’m fine.”

Philomell put down her utensils and stood up.

“Are you staying here again tonight?”

“Um. I’ll decide later depending on the situation.”

As Philomell left the restaurant, a few people glanced at her before quickly looking away. It was the effect of the presence-erasing magic.

Outside, people were gathered in small groups in front of the bulletin board.

“Is this woman the fake princess?”

“She’s quite pretty.”

“She’s still a con artist.”

She walked down the street, trying her best not to turn her face toward them.

Magic wasn’t omnipotent [all-powerful]. If someone suspected her of being the princess in the portrait from the start and scrutinized her closely, they might recognize her.

Because of that, it took longer than expected to travel to Angelium, as she had to bypass the intermediate checkpoints.

Copies of Philomell’s portrait were plastered not only on the bulletin boards but also on the walls, and the security forces patrolled frequently with sharp eyes.

It was already difficult enough being a woman alone, so she only traveled during daylight hours, which slowed her down even more, and now there were even more restrictions.

“Haa. Do they hate me that much?”

She had hoped that the affection they had shown her until now would make them turn a blind eye, at least a little.

One of the reasons for finding and bringing Elencia herself was to gain the Emperor’s favor as much as possible. Of course, the biggest reason was to confuse people and escape easily.

In any case, seeing the large-scale search operation mobilizing all available manpower, it seemed they wanted to catch Philomell no matter what.

‘If I get caught, I won’t be safe.’

Perhaps she would be charged with fleeing and go straight to the execution ground.

In her mind, Eustice, who had coldly looked down on the young Philomell, and the gentle Eustice who had given her birthday presents, overlapped.

A stinging sensation ran through her chest. So, she deliberately walked with vigor.

If Regin, whom she was about to meet, accepted Philomell as in the book, she would receive the protection of the Magic Tower, but if not, she planned to leave for a foreign country immediately.

Even in the book, he had accepted ‘Philomell’ who had fled before her execution, so she didn’t have to worry about being reported as a fake princess.

*No matter what anyone said, he was her blood-related father.*

After walking for about ten minutes from Angelium, the Magic Tower came into view.

The massive stone building resembled a fortress or castle more than a tower, except that it stretched high into the sky.

Originally, it was in the form of a tower, but it was said that it became like this as magicians from all over gathered and repeatedly expanded it.

The Magic Tower is geographically adjacent to the Empire and has free passage, but it is treated as a separate administrative district. And the head of this place, the leader of the magicians, is called the Tower Lord.

“Those who want to make a request, please come this way!”

A man shouted in front of a small entrance on the side of the Magic Tower.

A long line started from the entrance. Even by a rough estimate, there were easily over fifty people.

As it originated as a magician’s guild, many people came to the Magic Tower to make requests.

She hesitated. She didn’t know how to meet Regin.

If she suddenly claimed to be the Tower Lord’s hidden daughter, she would surely be treated like a crazy person. But she couldn’t just ask to meet the Tower Lord right away.

She had heard that the veiled Tower Lord Regin didn’t easily meet even high-ranking nobles.

‘Should I just act crazy and reveal that I’m his daughter?’

But if she said that there, she would attract the attention of many people.

At that moment, someone approached Philomell.

“Miss, do you have business at the Magic Tower?”

It was an old man dressed neatly.

“Yes, I do.”

“Aish, it’s hopeless. Look at that line. Even if you stand at the end of it now, you won’t even see a magician’s shadow today.”

“I see. I came relatively early in the morning.”

Philomell became anxious.

The Magic Tower isn’t always open to the outside. If she missed today, she would have to wait until next week, but she didn’t have time. Even now, the fear of the search was tightening her breath every moment.

“There is a way, but.”

“What is it?”

“I’m in the business of supplying sundries to the Magic Tower, so I know a few magicians. I can introduce you if you want.”

This might be an opportunity. If she met a magician and explained the situation well, there was a possibility that they would arrange a meeting with the Tower Lord separately.

“Then, I’d like to ask for an introduction.”

“Good. That’ll be 50 silver.”

“…Was it paid?”

“Nothing in this world is free! I need to earn some pocket money too.”

She understood. This person was a broker.

What Philomell realized after stepping out into the world was that there were different rules outside.

“I’ll give it to you now. Just a moment.”

Philomell took out a pouch from her bosom and counted the money inside.

Considering that a night’s lodging cost 2 silver, 50 silver was quite expensive, but she had enough money.

Unfortunately, she didn’t see the old man’s eyes gleam as he looked at the gold coins in her pouch.

“Give it here!”

“Ah!”

The old man suddenly snatched the pouch and ran away.

No, he tried to run away.

“There are still guys pulling off such petty scams.”

“Ugh!”

The old man suddenly lost his balance and rolled on the ground. All he could see was someone’s outstretched leg.