There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 38

“Originally, this really isn’t allowed… Please keep it a secret from His Majesty.”

Count Polan repeatedly urged.

“Of course.”

Philomell nodded as she followed Count Polan toward the Imperial Palace prison. Still, he seemed uneasy, letting out a deep sigh.

After coaxing and appeasing Count Polan, who initially refused, insisting that he couldn’t allow her to meet Katrin, a traitor, without the Emperor’s permission, she finally managed to persuade him.

In the process, she made a well-intentioned lie, saying she would seriously consider adoption after meeting her birth mother and sorting out her feelings…

“It’s fine. As long as the Count keeps everyone else quiet.”

Philomell responded somewhat insincerely to the Count, her mind preoccupied with a single question.

‘How is Katrin still alive?’

The prediction that Katrin would eventually be caught, even if she escaped, had come true.

Even Philomell, who possessed the Ring of Red Flame and had prepared for her escape in advance, had been captured. It highlighted how difficult it was to evade the Empire’s pursuit.

Nevertheless, she had told her to escape as a final act of consideration for the mother who had brought her into the world.

There was a faint hope that Katrin might succeed in escaping by some stroke of luck, but Philomell had never anticipated this outcome.

‘She was caught, but she’s alive.’

In the book, Katrin is captured but doesn’t escape execution.

‘Did some variable arise that moved the Emperor’s heart because of Ellensia’s pleas?’

Perhaps Philomell’s actions had brought everything forward by a year, causing some kind of unforeseen change.

Just then, Count Polan pointed ahead and said.

“The Imperial Palace prison is visible.”

Unlike the other buildings in the Imperial Palace, a roughly built stone structure came into view. The bright spring sunlight of the clear day was not enough to dispel the eerie energy emanating from the building.

The gatekeeper standing guard in front of the building recognized them and paid his respects.

“Count Polan… and Princess Philomell.”

Philomell was no longer a princess, but the people here hesitated yet treated her the same as before.

‘Why are they acting so awkward?’

Philomell stood behind Count Polan with a troubled expression.

“I’ve come to see ‘that woman.’”

Count Polan opened his mouth in a low voice.

“You may enter. The prison guard will guide you.”

The gatekeeper opened the door without any suspicion. Being with the Emperor’s secretary meant passing through the strict security without issue.

Count Polan accompanied her only to the entrance, and Philomell decided to face Katrin alone.

She couldn’t keep the incredibly busy man for longer, and Philomell had requested to proceed alone.

Philomell expressed her gratitude to Count Polan before he left.

“Thank you for granting my request, even though it must have been difficult.”

“…Princess.”

Count Polan gazed at Philomell with serious eyes.

“No matter what anyone says, you are His Majesty’s child and the one I serve. In fact, regardless of His Majesty’s intentions, I want to continue serving you.”

“……”

Philomell stood still, unable to say anything.

Count Polan was someone who had continued to care for the Lord’s daughter even before Eustis took an interest in Philomell.

Perhaps he was the adult who had watched Philomell grow up for the longest time.

“I just wanted to convey these words.”

He gave an awkward smile and left the Imperial Palace prison.

“…No, Count. I am not that man’s daughter.”

Philomell spat out a belated answer.

* * *

“This is the place, Princess.”

The prison guard guided her to the prison where Katrin was held. At Philomell’s gesture, he quickly returned the way he had come. This allowed Philomell to talk to Katrin privately.

“Ellen? Is that Ellen?”

At the sound of someone approaching, the woman inside the prison cell pressed her face close to the bars. A clattering sound echoed within the prison.

“I’m sorry. I’m not the Ellensia you were expecting.”

Philomell took a step closer to Katrin and answered quietly.

“Phi, Philomell…!”

The woman’s face, recognizing Philomell’s face, was filled with shock, just like the first time she saw her.

Philomell coldly sneered.

‘In the end, I’m not your daughter.’

Then, after hesitating for a moment, Katrin reached out her hand through the bars. Her fingertips trembled slightly.

“You were caught too? But you’re safe, right? I’m relieved. I’m so glad. Come here and show me your face….”

Smack!

Philomell slapped away her hand.

“Don’t pretend to worry now.”

Was she bothered by her actions of looking for Ellensia? Katrin cried out in a hurried voice.

“No, don’t misunderstand! I didn’t know you were here. I thought there was no one else who would come to see me besides Ellen….”

“Oh, really? Then let’s just say that’s the case.”

Philomell scoffed and took a breath. Uncharacteristically, she was reacting too emotionally. Didn’t she already know that Katrin was this kind of person?

The woman, who had become much paler in the time she hadn’t seen her, couldn’t look Philomell in the eye and only stared at the floor.

“I only have regret towards you. I know it’s a sin that I can’t wash away even if I beg for a lifetime, but….”

Katrin murmured in a small voice that could only be heard with great attention. Philomell quietly stared at her.

A pathetic appearance.

A hand wrapped tightly in bandages, perhaps injured.

Shackles on her ankles.

She didn’t feel any sympathy.

Kidnapping a princess was a crime worthy of death. Ellensia’s plea might have saved her life for now, but Katrin would soon be executed as in the book. So, there was no need for Philomell to pour out her emotions.

“It’s fortunate that you’ve earned some last moments of your life. Spend the time your daughter gave you as meaningfully as possible.”

“Philomell….”

“I will leave this place. I’m going to go somewhere where no one knows me and live quietly.”

Though she didn’t know if there was such a place, now that her face was known all over the continent.

“So, goodbye. I hope you find peace until the very last moment.”

Philomell continued calmly.

Whatever emotions she felt now, she hoped that she would feel at peace until she met her cruel death. Sincerely.

‘The person who gave birth to me but could not become my mother.’

Goodbye. Goodbye forever. Katrin’s eyes welled up as she pleaded.

“Wait! Can’t you stay here a little longer? Huh? I’m begging you. I’m really begging you….”

Was it because she was overwhelmed by emotions at the final farewell? Philomell found Katrin, who suddenly reached out to her with affection, unbearably detestable.

“Why? Oh, shall I tell you about Ellensia, whom you’re so curious about?”

A dark flame soared from Philomell’s heart.

“Ellensia is doing well. She plays dice with her biological father, and her biological mother’s nanny takes good care of her. She lives well, enjoying the things she was originally supposed to enjoy, in a room that is incomparably larger and more luxurious than that shabby house. And she will continue to do so.”

As she spewed out words that came to mind, one question arose.

Why hadn’t Ellensia visited this place yet? Wasn’t she worried about her mother?

‘Simply because Eustis didn’t allow it?’

Katrin replied weakly.

“That’s not what I’m curious about regarding Ellen.”

“Then what is it?”

“…Is Ellen the same as usual?”

What do you mean, not the same? In the end, it’s about Ellensia.

Philomell snorted.

“How would I know what she was like usually?”

“Then is Ellen normal?”

“……Huh?”

It was a strange question. ‘Normal’?

At that moment, an alien light flickered in Katrin’s eyes. A dark distrust and unease could be felt.

“…Ellen has changed.”

She bit her lip and sighed like a scream.

“She’s been strange for the past few months. She’s not the Ellen I knew.”

“……Strange, how?”

It didn’t seem like a lie to get out of the situation. Philomell frowned and asked.

“Everything.”

“Specifically, how?”

Katrin pondered deeply.

“Um. Her way of speaking has changed a bit, her gait has changed, and her eating habits are like someone else’s….”

Then, as if surprised by her own words, she suddenly waved her hands.

“No! I misspoke. Ellen has become someone else. I must be losing my mind from being in a place like this.”

Katrin pulled up the corners of her lips, but in Philomell’s eyes, she looked like someone who was afraid of something.

“……”

“……”

And for a while, both of them were silent. The woman, who was rubbing her hands together, left her last words.

“You should go now. If you’re caught being here, you might be misunderstood as conspiring with me. And thank you for coming to see me one last time.”