It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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500 Years as Just an Extra,

 

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

 

Episode 121

 

“M-my deepest apologies.”

 

As the Chief Chamberlain broke out in cold sweat and bowed his head, the First Imperial Consort beside him soothed the Emperor with a gentle voice.

 

“Your Majesty, what fault could the Chief Chamberlain possibly have? It’s only natural to be flustered when someone of the Grand Duchess Dowager’s stature arrives so suddenly at this hour.”

 

“Are you blaming the Grand Duchess Dowager for entering the palace so abruptly?”

 

The Emperor’s expression instantly turned cold. Having caught the First Imperial Consort’s subtle omission of honorifics, his eyes filled with even greater fury.

 

“…How could that be? Since the Grand Duchess Dowager said she would wait, the Chief Chamberlain had no choice in the matter.”

 

The First Imperial Consort hesitated briefly before gracefully bowing her head. Only then did the Emperor, suddenly coming to his senses, command the Chief Chamberlain.

 

“My, I was in such a state. Lead the way immediately.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“First Imperial Consort, come slowly. I’ll need to walk rather quickly.”

 

The Emperor strode toward the Inner Palace with such large steps that his fur cloak fluttered over his shoulders.

 

“Damn it…”

 

Crack.

 

A dull sound escaped from between the First Imperial Consort’s teeth.

 

The Emperor reacted with unusual sensitivity to any matter concerning the Grand Duchess Dowager. Yet he himself had never once taken the initiative to grant direct benefits to the Grand Duchess Dowager or House of Retis.

 

‘Why on earth does he act that way toward that woman who was just lucky enough to become a Grand Duchess?’

 

At the time, there was all that commotion about the love of the century and such, but in the end, wasn’t it just a young lady from a fallen baronial house who happened to catch the Grand Duke’s eye?

 

She had even lived as an adventurer before her family’s decline, so it was obvious what kind of life she must have led mingling with those vulgar riffraff.

 

It was insufferably grating to see such a woman acting high and mighty as an elder, but the Emperor always fawned over that woman to the point of death.

 

If it had been that kind of relationship, she could have forced herself to understand it, however disgusting and sordid it might be. But the Emperor genuinely revered her like an elder of the Imperial House and emphasized proper etiquette to those around him, which was infuriating.

 

‘He doesn’t even show Father that level of devoted courtesy…!’

 

The Emperor had never once used honorifics with Duke Kaif. Not before she became First Imperial Consort, and not after either.

 

“Where did His Majesty head?”

 

“I’ve sent an attendant, so you should be able to confirm before Your Highness reaches the Inner Palace.”

 

Upon hearing the Court Lady’s response, the First Imperial Consort began walking. Rather than just badmouthing the Grand Duchess Dowager inwardly, she felt she needed to see that shameless face directly and fire off a word or two to feel satisfied.

 

‘I might need to hurry depending on the situation.’

 

The plan she had been carefully crafting for years was not far from completion. If the Grand Duchess Dowager had rushed here after noticing something, she had to somehow separate the two to prevent any unwanted words from reaching the Emperor’s ears.

 

“I’ll go to the office.”

 

The Emperor always met with the Grand Duchess Dowager privately in his office. She thought this time would be no exception.

 

“Your Imperial Highness.”

 

“Did you find out?”

 

“His Majesty has headed to the greenhouse in the Imperial Garden with the Grand Duchess Dowager.”

 

“…Of all places.”

 

What sudden whim was this? The anxious First Imperial Consort’s steps became more urgent than before.

 

* * *

 

“How did you come here like this, without even sending word ahead?”

 

The Emperor openly displayed his joy as he took Iolene’s hand.

 

According to proper etiquette, it would be impossible for the Emperor to greet first before a subject bowed their head, but he showed no awareness of such protocol at all.

 

“…I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s warm welcome.”

 

“Please don’t say such disappointing things. I had no way to console my regret at not seeing you often, so I’m simply delighted that you’ve appeared like a gift.”

 

The Emperor, who always showed only a solemn and restrained demeanor, was excited like a child. Though the Emperor had always been friendly toward Iolene, today felt particularly intense.

 

“This worked out perfectly. The Moon Laurel has bloomed beautifully in the greenhouse of the Imperial Garden, so let’s enjoy tea while admiring them together.”

 

“Moon Laurel… you say.”

 

Moon Laurel was the flower that the late Empress Dowager loved most.

 

The Empress Dowager’s Moon Laurel was a symbol of favor. The nobles who occasionally received one or two stems would treasure them so much that they would even cast preservation magic on them to use as decorations at official events.

 

Soon arriving at the greenhouse, Iolene bent her waist and savored the fragrance deep in her heart.

 

“They’ve bloomed beautifully. They’re no less magnificent compared to those the Empress Dowager cultivated.”

 

“You flatter me.”

 

Iolene’s expression became immersed in gentle memories as she admired the lushly bloomed red roses. The Emperor’s filial devotion, still missing his mother, touched her heart deeply.

 

The late Empress Dowager had personally cultivated Moon Laurel in the greenhouse, and every year when the first flowers bloomed, she would arrange them in large baskets and send them to Iolene.

 

“I’ll give you some as a gift when you return.”

 

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

 

Soon refreshments were prepared. The court ladies who entered the greenhouse busily set the table while keeping their heads down and not even making a sound.

 

It was a well-known unwritten rule that the Emperor would not tolerate any interference when meeting with Iolene. Even the knights guarding the Emperor’s side were frozen like statues in a more tense posture than usual.

 

“By the way, what brings you here? I’m truly pleased to see you in good health, but I’m concerned there might be some other trouble.”

 

“I plan to return to the Duchy soon, so I came to pay my respects in advance.”

 

At those words, the Emperor’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he lifted his teacup.

 

Iolene always strictly observed Imperial etiquette, and from the Empress Dowager’s lifetime until now, she had never once asserted her position.

 

It was strange for her to visit so early in the morning simply for the purpose of greeting.

 

Rather, if she had sent someone to request an audience, the Emperor would have gladly prepared a grand banquet for lunch or dinner.

 

“Are Grand Duke Retis and the Grand Duchess doing well?”

 

“…I cannot match Your Majesty’s insight.”

 

Iolene, who had lifted her teacup to lightly moisten her lips, slowly moved her eyes. The story she was about to tell should only be heard by the Emperor.

 

“Would you dismiss those around us?”

 

“Everyone withdraw outside the greenhouse. No one shall enter until I command it.”

 

With those words, the surrounding people withdrew like a receding tide. With the knight who closed the door being the last to leave, now only Iolene and the Emperor remained in the greenhouse.

 

“What on earth is the matter, Grand Duchess Dowager?”

 

“…Your Majesty, this may be presumptuous of me to say.”

 

Confirming that a deep shadow had fallen over Iolene’s face, the Emperor straightened his posture. For none other than the Grand Duchess Dowager to show such hesitation, it certainly didn’t seem like a light matter.

 

“Please speak freely about anything, Grand Duchess Dowager. There’s only me here.”

 

“Four years ago, an epidemic spread through a place called the Montid Barony.”

 

Iolene began to unfold the story step by step from the past. She had spent almost the entire night organizing the story she heard from Termion to make the cause and effect relationships fit.

 

“…The Head Butler who managed the Town House, Baron Baton, said this. Shortly after Landrit’s death, that is, about a year ago from now, he received contact from someone. About half a year later, the Grand Duchess went missing.”

 

“Such a thing happened?”

 

Just as the Emperor was becoming increasingly absorbed in the story with a serious expression, a clear sound of knocking on the glass door was heard.

 

“Who goes there? I said to let no one enter!”

 

“Your Majesty, it is your humble consort.”

 

The First Imperial Consort revealed herself with a bright smile. However, the Emperor frowned with a distinctly displeased look.

 

“Did you not hear my command to the Knights?”

 

“Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. I committed this breach of etiquette out of my desire to pay respects to the Grand Duchess Dowager.”

 

The Emperor’s expression softened slightly at her demure, bowed posture.

 

As the First Imperial Consort naturally moved to take a seat beside the Emperor, Iolene abruptly rose to her feet.

 

Thud!

 

The chair she had been sitting on toppled backward with a dull sound.

 

Overwhelmed by the sharp edge of those green eyes glaring at her, the First Imperial Consort found herself straightening back up despite having been in the midst of bending her knees awkwardly.

 

“Grand Duchess Dowager?”

 

Iolene did not properly meet the Emperor’s eyes. She simply turned her head aside with a forlorn expression.

 

“Even the commoners in the marketplace ask the prior guest’s permission when requesting a seat, and yet.”

 

Iolene’s eyes had turned quite red. Her tightly pressed lips also trembled, unable to suppress her intense emotions.

 

“…When I cannot even receive the treatment of a guest before Your Majesty, what purpose is there in sitting here any longer? If you intend to treat me with such neglect, you might as well simply command me to leave the palace.”

 

“Grand Duchess Dowager! How can you say such things!”

 

The moment the Emperor’s urgent voice burst forth, his etiquette now also becoming ambiguous, the First Imperial Consort’s complexion turned pale.

 

‘This fox-like old woman dares to make the first move…!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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