There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 66

* * *

Philomell’s residence, the same day.

Philomell scolded Le Guin, who had returned to his human form.

“Why were you up in the tree?”

“Just because. I liked it there. Is that not allowed?”

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but you could have come down when Ellensia went up to save you.”

“Ah. That rather dim-witted kid? Why should I have?”

“Well, Ellensia could have gotten hurt……”

“What do I care if she gets hurt?”

Come to think of it, that was true.

Philomell knew very well that he wasn’t the kind of person to care about that.

But she felt a little strange. If his interest in Philomell faded, she might receive the same treatment.

‘I need to wrap things up here before that happens.’

As she resolved this, she noticed the clock.

“Oh, it’s already this late. I have some business to take care of.”

Philomell tried to stand up but faltered. A sharp pain shot from her buttocks.

“Ugh.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Yes. I think I got a little hurt when I fell earlier.”

“Want me to heal you?”

“No, thank you. It’s really nothing.”

It was embarrassing to ask him to heal that particular area.

Philomell tried her best to act as if nothing was wrong as she left the palace. But her gait became increasingly strange.

‘It’s getting more and more painful…….’

Since she was already out, she decided to quickly finish her business and visit a doctor to get some medicine.

Philomell’s destination was the Emperor’s office. She had received a message through a servant to visit him sometime. She guessed it was related to her treatment as a state guest.

Philomell mustered her strength and barely made it to the Emperor’s office.

“Good morning. I hope you had a pleasant night.”

She greeted him normally, but a chill ran down her neck. The Emperor was staring at her with fierce eyes.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Philomell’s heart shrank involuntarily.

“Philomell.”

He called her name very softly and approached slowly.

“……Why, why are you doing this?”

“Are you unwell? Your gait is not good.”

“Ah, I fell. It doesn’t hurt much, so you don’t have to worry……”

“No. You are seriously injured.”

Seriously injured? What was he talking about?

“Your condition is very serious. It’s a miracle you’re walking.”

Justis’s demeanor was ten times more serious as he said this.

“I’ll call the court physician right away!”

“I can just go myself! Why are you doing this!”

“Why did you fall?”

“I tripped on a tree root……”

“I see. I will have every tree in the Imperial Palace uprooted.”

“Why does it have to come to that!”

“Philomell, don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

He wasn’t making any sense.

‘Is he crazy?’

Philomell looked at Count Polan with pleading eyes, but Polan, looking pale, simply turned his head away.

As Philomell’s expression gradually turned as if she had seen something terrible, the Emperor slowly realized that something was wrong.

“……Polan.”

“……Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll see you separately later.”

That’s not what I meant by expressing it that way!

Polan screamed silently.

Philomell’s misunderstanding was cleared up after receiving treatment from the physician.

* * *

Finally, the day of the debutante arrived.

Philomell looked in the mirror and checked the dress she was wearing. She didn’t need a new dress, but the Emperor had insisted on sending a tailor to make one.

She tried to send him back, saying she could just wear one of the dresses she already had, but the tailor pleaded.

He couldn’t abandon the work that the Emperor and Princess had entrusted to him.

Philomell could roughly guess the tailor’s intentions.

Philomell was going to attract as much attention as Ellensia at this debutante. It was an opportunity for the tailor to have his dress worn not only by the Princess but also by Philomell, so he didn’t want to give it up.

‘It’s surprising that Ellensia asked for my dress.’

Is Ellensia really kind?

If so, why doesn’t she show her kind side in front of Philomell?

The obvious answer was ‘hypocrisy,’ but Philomell decided not to jump to conclusions for now. The debutante was the immediate priority.

She would calmly consider later how Margaret, who was not yet famous at this point, came to be in charge of Ellensia’s dress.

“I clearly asked for it to be as simple as possible.”

The cream-colored dress sent by Margaret was elegant and simple, but it couldn’t hide the luxury that permeated every detail. She could only be satisfied that it wasn’t too flashy.

Le Guin, who had been watching Philomell, opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it a bit plain? The noble attire I’ve seen was more extravagant.”

“What’s the point of a guest living in the Imperial Palace being extravagant? I’d only get criticized for splurging with taxes.”

“If anyone criticizes you, should I take care of them?”

“……Just staying still is helping me.”

“Hmph. You tell me not to do anything every day.”

Feeling like she had been too honest, Philomell resorted to flattery for the first time in a while.

“Nothing good will come of incidents happening. And just having you by my side is a great help to me, Le Guin.”

Since he cast enhancement magic, he was physically helpful. Philomell’s whole body was overflowing with power after receiving Le Guin’s magic today.

She looked forward to reuniting with Rozanne.

For some reason, Le Guin, who was in a good mood, chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything today. I just had a good idea.”

“I don’t know what it is, but wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t……?”

However, Le Guin disappeared with a burst of light, ignoring her.

‘I have a bad feeling about this…… Am I just worrying too much?’

Philomell sighed softly and thought.

Afterward, Jeremiah was in charge of escorting her to the ballroom.

Having learned etiquette and transformed into a plausible knight, he firmly supported Philomell’s hand as she boarded the carriage.

“Come out anytime if you don’t like it.”

His gruff words contained concern for her.

“I’ll just show my face and come out.”

“Won’t you dance?”

“I danced enough in the past, so I don’t feel like it. I’m not a debutante this year, so there’s no need to dance.”

“I see…… I was going to offer to be your partner if you wanted.”

“Jeremiah? Dancing?”

It was so out of character that Philomell burst out laughing.

Of course, Jeremiah was a knight, so he could attend the ball if he wanted, but she couldn’t imagine him dancing.

He flared up.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the thought.”

While Jeremiah was making her laugh with his jokes, the carriage arrived at the outer palace ballroom.

Philomell dissuaded Jeremiah from entering with her and entered the hall alone.

She was grateful for her father and brothers’ concern, but there was a burden that she couldn’t share with anyone.

A fake princess.

A figure surrounded by all sorts of rumors.

No matter what kind of life Philomell chose, the attention of the masses would naturally follow.

If she avoided this moment out of fear, she would never be able to stand alone for the rest of her life.

She couldn’t be protected by someone forever, and this was a weight that Philomell had to bear alone.

‘It’s okay. It’s not much different from when I gave a speech at the National Foundation Day festival when I was young.’

Philomell entered the hall with a confident gait.

“Lady Philomell is entering!”

Everyone’s eyes immediately turned to Philomell.

Awe. Observation. Scrutiny. Interest. Contempt.

All of that mixed attention weighed heavily on her.

Philomell stiffened her neck, trying not to be defeated, and headed inside.

The crowd parted on both sides, making way for her. Some people stared intently at Philomell.

‘Being confident is good, but this is a bit overwhelming…….’

Philomell was about to go to a corner to find a place where she would be less noticeable.

“The Empire’s sun, His Majesty the Emperor, and the little sun, Her Highness the Princess, are entering!”

Their appearance shifted the attention that had been focused on Philomell.

Holding hands, they emerged from the royal family’s private entrance on the second floor.

Philomell was lost in emotion at the somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar sight.

Ellensia, who had entered the hall, looked surprised to see so many people, then waved her hand with a welcoming expression.

“Oh.”

“Your Highness the Princess.”

Exclamations flowed from among the onlookers. It was an act that violated etiquette, but perhaps that was why it was so charming.

How fresh and interesting would the princess, who had grown up among commoners for over ten years, be to the nobles?

This was described in detail in .

Unlike the overly cold Emperor, the Princess was benevolent and warm. The contrasting yet harmonious father and daughter were a sight to behold just by being together.

Unlike Philomell.

‘It was hard enough for me to follow etiquette, but Ellensia gains favor even without following it.’

Just two years ago, she was in that position at her debutante. At that time, she just wanted to get out of that position as quickly as possible. She thought she would be free if she did.

But why was one corner of her heart aching? Even though the place she had left was so perfect.

But instead of breaking her expression, Philomell shook her head.

No. She had no lingering feelings for that position. She had to.

“Listen! This is Her Highness Princess Ellensia!”

Fortunately, Count Polan began his announcement about Ellensia, so Philomell was able to divert her attention.

The Count explained Ellensia’s birth, the circumstances of her being switched with Philomell, and the process of her returning to the Imperial Palace.

Of course, the circumstances of the switch were a lie to cover up Catherine’s crime, and there were fabrications mixed into the process of her return.

In the Count’s story, Philomell was portrayed in a rather glorified light.

A virtuous person who couldn’t ignore a girl who looked exactly like the Empress, whom she had discovered by chance.

A benefactor who gave up her existing status and risked being driven out as a criminal to find the Emperor’s real daughter.

Even if Philomell had left Ellensia alone, she would have come to the Imperial Palace a year later due to Catherine’s confession of conscience.

It was not unreasonable for those who didn’t know that fact to consider Philomell’s actions righteous, but…….

“Accordingly, the Vellerov Imperial Family expresses its deep gratitude for Lady Philomell’s grace, awards her the highest honor, and promises to treat her as a valued state guest!”

Applause erupted from all directions at the Count’s moving oration.

Philomell was so embarrassed that she wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

Fortunately, the topic soon shifted to Ellensia’s middle name, allowing Philomell to escape from the attention.

People cheered at the passage where the High Priest had received a revelation about Ellensia’s middle name. It was a symbol that the blessing of the Velleron God was still on this land.

Everyone waited for the Princess’s middle name to be announced. Philomell, who had read the book, knew the content without having to hear it.

Ellensia’s middle name was Hialipso. Ellensia Hialipso Vellerov was her full name.

It was revealed in the ending of the book that ‘Hialipso’ meant unfading hope in an ancient language. In other words, Ellensia’s existence itself represented hope…….

“The name the High Priest heard is Tasfel!”

‘……Huh?’

“This is Her Highness Ellensia Tasfel Vellerov!”

A thunderous roar and applause filled the hall.

Philomell blankly stared at Ellensia, who was smiling as she received everyone’s attention.

‘Tasfel? Not Hialipso?’