It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 177

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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 177

“Oh my, Marquis Windrake!”

“I didn’t expect you to arrive so early.”

“I heard you’ve been quite busy lately…”

The women who recognized Melbarik all rushed to greet him. Other men watched this scene with envious gazes.

“I met with His Highness the Third Prince this morning and stayed at the Imperial Palace the whole time. The timing was awkward to go back to the Magic Tower.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Will His Highness the Third Prince also attend the banquet?”

“Yes. He said he would definitely attend, even if late.”

Melbarik, now approaching his late thirties, was still an object of admiration.

As befitting an Upper Mage, his appearance had barely aged with time, remaining as handsome as a man in his twenties.

The monocle he always wore and his neatly tied shoulder-length hair further enhanced his refined and gentle atmosphere.

“By the way, if you don’t mind, could we continue hearing the story you were telling earlier?”

“You mean about His Highness the Grand Duke of Retis?”

“The person who knows the most details would be… the Countess of Devishe, wouldn’t it?”

At someone’s remark, all eyes turned in one direction. A middle-aged woman with neatly pinned pale blonde hair smiled somewhat awkwardly and bowed gracefully.

“It’s been a while, Marquis Windrake.”

“Have you been well, Countess of Devishe? I’m glad to see you looking healthy.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Marquis.”

The Countess of Devishe was well-regarded in high society for her sociable nature and gentle personality.

Especially after recovering from a serious illness with Melbarik’s help, she had been maintaining a good relationship by regularly investing research funds in the Magic Tower.

“It’s nothing major… It was about ten days ago, I think? I was enjoying tea time on the cafe street in the Imperial Capital when the Retis Grand Duchy’s carriage passed by. His Highness the Grand Duke stopped by Madam Merisa’s fashion shop with some ladies.”

“Ladies, you say…?”

“One appeared to be in her mid-teens with black hair. I assume it was the Grand Duchess of Retis who was said to be recuperating.”

“Was there another person as well?”

“Yes. She was much taller than the Grand Duchess, with impressive blonde hair that reached her waist. She seemed very close to the Grand Duchess, staying right by her side. She also appeared quite comfortable with His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“…I see.”

After hearing the Countess of Devishe’s words, Melbarik bowed his head slightly with a bitter smile.

It had been ten years since he heard that the Grand Duchess of Retis had left for recuperation. The natural assumption followed that her tutor had also gone along to care for her.

‘Then and now, that’s just like you, Lady Milenov.’

Perhaps she would contact him first – he had waited through two winters, desperately suppressing his worried heart.

Eventually, swallowing his embarrassment, he sent a letter to the Retis Grand Duchy, but only received a cold reply saying ‘contact is difficult due to internal family matters.’

After such helpless waiting, he had finally reached today.

“Thank you for telling me. Will your husband also be attending today?”

“Yes. He has some business, so he’ll arrive in about two hours.”

“Then I’ll see you again then. We recently had some research results that Count Devishe might find interesting.”

“Is that really true?”

“You’ll like it too, Countess. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yes, Marquis. I’ll see you later.”

Melbarik politely bid farewell to the Countess of Devishe and left. Behind him, he could faintly hear other people’s voices.

“My goodness, Marquis Windrake personally requesting a meeting!”

“It must be tremendous results. Seeing how he spoke about it so openly.”

“Oh no, it’s just that the Marquis looks favorably upon our family, for which I’m grateful.”

Unlike the excited voices, Melbarik’s heart was sinking deeper.

Even the nobles who had intended to greet him quietly averted their gazes upon seeing his hardened expression.

“Sigh.”

Only after reaching somewhere in the empty garden did a sigh escape Melbarik’s lips.

‘I’m really something, aren’t I.’

It had been a connection that started with one-sided affection and was forcibly tied together. Even calling it friendship was merely clumsy packaging at best.

Knowing this, he still couldn’t help the jealousy that crept up.

If Ailesia had really stayed close to the Grand Duchess for ten whole years, it would be fair to consider them almost family, beyond a simple master-disciple relationship.

This meant that Ailesia was now practically a person of the Retis Grand Duchy.

Naturally, she would have become close to the Grand Duke of Retis as well.

Or perhaps, even more than that.

‘…I expected it wouldn’t be easy, but.’

For a while, he had lived forgetting about her. Wherever she was, whatever she was doing, he just hoped she would stay healthy.

They say when bodies grow distant, hearts grow distant too. He actually thought that was the case.

But now that he had heard news of her through someone else’s mouth, the emotions that had settled calmly like a lake were slowly beginning to boil.

“You should have taught me about this kind of thing too, not just magic, Master.”

He felt resentful toward his master who had disappeared, leaving the Magic Tower to him and claiming to go on a training journey.

“Do friends only visit each other when they need help? You can just drop by when you’re bored, or meet outside for a cup of tea.”

He had thought it was just a youthful, immature first love.

Since he had fallen for her at first sight like a passing breeze, he thought he could forget her just as easily like the wind.

“You fool! You should have told me to put magic power into the ring!”

What should I say first when I meet you again? I don’t even understand my own heart.

“Don’t smile. I’m getting attached.”

“…Ailesia.”

Melbarik called out in a low voice the name that was not yet permitted to him.

Inside the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace. The granddaughter sitting across asked her grandmother, who had been smiling contentedly the whole time.

“How should Uncle go about wooing Teacher?”

“…Huh? What do you mean by that?”

To Iolene’s question, thinking she might have misheard, Elenora answered with a newly serious expression.

“I want Teacher and Uncle to get along well, but for that to happen, it’s not important that Uncle likes Teacher. Teacher has to like Uncle.”

“Who told you that?”

“The Head Maid and Hilda.”

“…They weren’t wrong.”

“But Teacher has no greed at all. That’s why I’m worried.”

“That guy isn’t living up to his looks properly, tsk tsk.”

“Uncle? Is Uncle just average?”

Seeing Elenora’s rather lukewarm reaction, Iolene let out a light chuckle.

“Well, our Little One doesn’t know how popular Uncle is.”

“He’s popular just for being tall and having a decent build?”

“Do you know how many marriage proposals Uncle has received so far? Probably several hundred.”

“That’s just because of the family and status.”

The Retis Grand Duchy ranked second only to the Imperial Family in status, and was second to none in family scale and influence. Wasn’t it natural for marriage proposals to pour in?

Perhaps noticing her granddaughter’s doubt, Iolene continued in a calm voice.

“Even without all that, your Uncle would have been a top marriage candidate.”

“Why?”

“He’s a knight with skills that rank among the top handful in the Empire. Though he’s a bit past marriageable age, he’s still considered young. Moreover, he’s never had a single scandal, let alone any ordinary romantic rumors.”

“Huh? How come?”

“There are various reasons, but….”

Iolene mumbled her words without giving a proper explanation.

It was true that Termion rarely participated in official occasions. Still, when possible, he did make appearances at events like the Imperial Palace New Year banquet or the grand summer banquet.

Naturally, whenever he appeared, countless noble young ladies would flock to him, but Termion always kept his distance with the same words.

“My niece is away recuperating due to health issues, so what right does her uncle have to mingle with others, laughing and chatting? I apologize.”

If it had been any other family, there might have been gossip about making such a fuss, but when that niece was the sole heir, the story was different.

Some voiced opinions that he should hurry to find a good match and have children, but no one dared to directly recommend marriage to Grand Duke Retis.

The only person who could speak to him comfortably was the Emperor, but since even Iolene, the family elder, kept her mouth shut, the Emperor had no clear justification to intervene.

“Actually, your uncle.”

Still, it was awkward to spill all these circumstances to Elenora in detail. Iolene decided to boldly change the direction of the conversation.

“It seems like he has someone on his mind.”

“What? That couldn’t possibly be….”

“It’s not impossible.”

Given that even Lady Herman and Hilda had said such things, it was only a matter of time before Elenora noticed anyway.

“While you were away, Termion missed Teacher as much as he missed you.”

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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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