There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 29

It was an embarrassing position, but this was no time to dwell on such things.

“If I go to the Imperial Palace, I’ll die. Nassar doesn’t want me to end up like that, does he?”

“Please calm down. That won’t happen. Who would dare harm a princess?”

“Why, the Emperor, of course!”

“……Pardon? That’s a misunderstanding. His Majesty is genuinely worried about you, Your Highness.”

I suppressed the urge to argue about whether that made sense.

“Why would he worry about me, who isn’t even his real daughter? He must be grinding his teeth.”

“The rumors that you’re not the real princess are just that—rumors…….”

“No. I’m definitely not the Emperor’s daughter.”

Philomel replied, trying to keep her frustration in check.

“I can’t believe it…….”

He paused, momentarily shocked, then shook his head.

“No, even if that were the case, it’s true that His Majesty is worried about you. Count Polan said so as well.”

“That must be the Count’s misunderstanding.”

Polan tended to view the world with a somewhat rosy outlook.

“…….”

Philomel’s resolute attitude confused Nassar.

He only knew what he had heard from Polan; he hadn’t faced the Emperor directly.

‘Could it be that the Emperor truly……?’

Philomel didn’t miss the confusion that surfaced on his face.

“Please, Nassar……. Just let me go. If you do, I’ll do anything you want.”

Nassar’s eyes wavered greatly.

Looking at his face, Philomel was certain there was a chance to survive.

Nassar was fundamentally upright and kind. Like the ‘Philomel’ in the book, he was merciless when it came to tormenting Ellensia, but he was kind to others. He wasn’t the type to push the current Philomel to her death.

Over the past few years, she had maintained a cordial relationship with Nassar, neither bothering him nor getting too close.

Everyone who saw the princess and the young duke agreed that they were an ideal betrothed couple. She thought that if she appealed to his sympathy, he might turn a blind eye to her situation.

It wouldn’t be difficult for Nassar to silence the knights of the ducal family and the guards of Angelium.

In truth, she had said she would do anything, but it was an empty promise, as the kind Nassar wouldn’t make unreasonable demands.

“…….”

However, Nassar’s reaction was unusual.

“Why, why do you test me with such words?”

Nassar, looking distressed, gently pulled Philomel away with overly polite hands and seated her back in her place. His fingers were trembling slightly.

“What did I……?”

Philomel was bewildered.

‘What did I do!’

Was it wrong to beg for her life? And what did he mean by testing him?

Nassar, who had been sweeping back his hair, lowered his head.

“My previous statement was presumptuous of me towards Your Highness. I apologize.”

“……I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s no need to apologize.”

After the inexplicable apology, only silence filled the air.

Nassar stared out the carriage window with a disappointed expression. It seemed to be directed more at himself than at Philomel.

Was there anything in their previous conversation that he could have blamed himself for?

There was no time for this, but it was difficult to speak with Nassar acting like that.

Suddenly, Nassar spoke.

“I cannot grant your request not to inform the Emperor.”

“Why?”

Nassar looked at Philomel and said with a truly apologetic tone.

“Actually…… before getting on the carriage, I instructed them to send word to the Imperial Palace.”

The image of Nassar saying something to the knight flashed through her mind.

“I’m truly sorry. I wanted to quickly share the joyful news that we found you, Your Highness……. I sent it through a magical messenger bird, so it will reach the Emperor by morning at the earliest.”

“…….”

Philomel tried to calmly assess the situation. It was fortunate that there were no mages in their group, so they used a messenger bird instead of a communication stone.

Communication stones required a mage, whereas messenger birds could be used by anyone as long as they were pre-charged with magic.

“It’s unavoidable that the Emperor will learn of this. But I still want to help you, Your Highness.”

Nassar said, carefully watching her reaction.

“How about staying at the Averdeen’s private villa in Senz? I’ll report to the Emperor that we lost you, or that it turned out to be someone else.”

“Do you think he’ll believe that? Even if he does, the Young Duke will just look like a fool.”

It was hard to believe that several grown men could lose one woman, or that someone could mistake their betrothed.

Especially the supposedly brilliant Young Duke Averdeen? Not even a toddler passing by would believe it, let alone Justice [likely referring to the Emperor, Justice].

“I don’t mind being treated like a fool. Your safety is my only concern.”

It was a touching line, but it was misdirected. She wasn’t Ellensia.

“I’m not okay with it. More than anything, I don’t understand why the Young Duke would go so far for me. If I stay at the ducal family’s villa and get caught, the ducal family will also be suspected.”

It was too much kindness compared to simply turning a blind eye.

“That’s because I……”

“You?”

“I……”

Nassar only moved his lips.

Even with persistent waiting, the rest of the words didn’t come out.

“I understand. Let’s just say I ran away. I’ll gratefully accept the Young Duke’s kindness.”

Whatever the reason, Philomel wasn’t in a position to hesitate.

“But I won’t go to the Averdeen villa. I don’t want to cause trouble for the ducal family.”

And even if Nassar was trustworthy, she couldn’t trust his father, Duke Averdeen, at all.

Now that the real princess had appeared, Philomel was just a nuisance to the Duke.

The person the Duke wanted as his son’s partner was the princess, not Philomel.

“Then what are your plans for the future?”

“I plan to leave for another place as soon as I arrive in Senz.”

“Where to?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll have to think about it. Anywhere far from the Imperial Palace is fine.”

That’s what she said, but she intended to return to Angelium and go to the Magic Tower.

Time was of the essence, and there wasn’t enough time to find a new place and leave. She was just reluctant to let Nassar know this fact.

‘I know he’s a good person, but I can’t completely trust him.’

Philomel glanced furtively at the opposite side.

Nassar Averdeen.

He had been a good fiancé for nearly ten years, but nothing more, nothing less.

When they were young, they often ate together and played strange chanting games, but those were old stories. As Philomel and Nassar grew up, they both became busy, and the number of times they met drastically decreased.

‘He’s the one who will eventually become Ellensia’s lover.’

She didn’t dislike him, but there was no point in getting closer than necessary.

Nassar, who looked somehow sad, said resolutely.

“Even so, I want to help you in any way I can on your journey.”

“……Do as you please.”

Philomel replied, too tired to pay any more attention to him. Once she had made a decision, fatigue washed over her.

The sky outside the window was dim. It was already dawn.

“You must be tired, Your Highness? Get some sleep, even if just for a little while.”

Philomel didn’t refuse Nassar’s suggestion and leaned back comfortably in her seat.

Even with her eyes closed, she couldn’t easily fall asleep due to the tension. After tossing and turning a few times, Nassar’s coat, which she had been wearing, slipped off.

Nassar picked it up and covered Philomel with it. His touch was delicate as he adjusted it to cover as much of her body as possible.

“I hope you can rest comfortably, even in your dreams.”

The whispering sound tickled her ear.

Despite his wishes, Philomel couldn’t sleep a wink until dawn. She was exhausted, but strangely, she couldn’t fall asleep.

“We have arrived in Senz.”

The scenery of Senz, which she hadn’t seen in days, was no different than before.

Since they didn’t need to detour like Philomel, they were able to travel overnight. The carriage stopped near the hotel where the ducal family’s party was staying.

“Thank you for everything so far. I won’t forget today’s kindness.”

“Are you leaving right away? You must be hungry; please allow me to treat you to breakfast.”

“I don’t have much time. It wouldn’t be good to show those around us that we’re together.”

“……That is true.”

“Then, farewell.”

She was thinking of going to the communication center to contact Lexion and ask him to come and pick her up, even if it cost her some money.

She had been pondering it in the carriage, and that was the fastest way to get to the Magic Tower.

It would be great if Lexion could use teleportation magic, but even if he couldn’t, at least one of his acquaintances would be a mage who could.

Nassar’s voice caught Philomel as she was about to leave.

“Just a moment. I will instruct them to prepare something simple for you to eat on your way. Please, don’t refuse even this.”

What should she do?

She was indeed hungry, so she hesitated slightly.

The hotel where the Averdeen ducal family’s party was staying was the best hotel in Senz, exclusively for nobles. It was renowned for its excellent food.

Nassar didn’t miss Philomel’s hesitation and quickly instructed one of the knights who had come with him.

“Tell the hotel kitchen to prepare a menu that is delicious, easy to digest, nutritious, easy to eat, and quick to prepare, and to pack it well for carrying. And make sure the taste is mild.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knight, flustered by the long and detailed order, quickly ran into the hotel.

‘He knew I liked mild food.’

Philomel bit her lip tightly, feeling a pang in her heart.