It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 178

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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 178

“Uh…”

Elenora couldn’t continue speaking for a while, wearing a dazed expression.

Perhaps it was unexpectedly shocking that Uncle liked someone.

And that the object of his affection was her most beloved Teacher—I thought she might even feel a bit betrayed.

But Elenora showed a completely unexpected reaction.

“Uncle likes Teacher? Why?”

“Huh?”

“Of course Teacher is wonderful enough for anyone to fall for… But what happened between them? When I was little, I always asked if they were dating, but he would just put on a serious face.”

“Well, I’m not sure about that either.”

According to what Kubera and Baron Gavin said at the time, Termion often showed signs of being conscious of Ailesia.

But no one in Retis, including Iolene, knew the details of what had happened between those two.

The only thing that came to mind was that sometime after the New Year banquet ended, the two of them had gone to explore the Gardbale Mountains together.

Whether they had spent time together privately, away from others’ eyes, was something no one could know.

“This grandmother thinks Teacher might be Uncle’s first love.”

“Wow… It’s kind of romantic, but. Ugh, gives me goosebumps.”

Perhaps that aspect of Termion she knew didn’t quite resonate with her, as Elenora hugged her arms and shuddered.

“They’ve been apart for 10 years, so he’s probably quite composed about it now. But I still think he keeps Teacher in his heart.”

“For someone like that, Uncle isn’t doing anything about it.”

“That’s the problem.”

Regardless of Termion’s romantic feelings, to Iolene, Ailesia was perfectly suitable Grand Duchess material.

Not to mention her abilities and character, what pleased her most was that she cherished and loved Elenora more than anyone.

“But you can’t force someone to do something, can you? They need time to grow close again, as much time as they spent apart.”

“…It’s complicated.”

Why can’t he just honestly say he likes her and then hold hands? At this rate, if Teacher suddenly falls for another man, it would be a real disaster.

She simply wanted to see Uncle and Teacher together in fine attire. It would be even better if they danced and grew closer while at it.

But after hearing this story, she was starting to wonder if she should have come to the Imperial Palace banquet with them.

Elenora crossed her arms and wore an even more serious expression.

“If he keeps hesitating and ends up unable to even say he likes her, that would be even sadder.”

“…That would be true.”

“Grandmother, I…”

Elenora, who had bitten her lip slightly, continued with difficulty.

“I’ve already let 10 years fly away into midair.”

“Little One.”

“It wasn’t entirely wasted time. I received truly excessive affection from Teacher, and it was more rewarding than that. But…”

“…But?”

“I regret not being able to watch Uncle grow into an adult, and not being able to spend my childhood with Uncle and Grandmother. My past 10 years are filled with Teacher and animal friends, but that’s all there is.”

A wistful smile was inevitable.

Back then, she was simply relieved to have saved her life, and grateful that Termion and other family members hadn’t been caught up in the curse.

But after returning to Retis, she felt greed constantly welling up even over trivial matters.

“So from now on… I want to always be with the people I love. All of us together, happily.”

“That will surely happen.”

“For that to happen…”

Before long, the carriage stopped. It seemed they had arrived in front of the Imperial Palace’s grand banquet hall.

“I’ll need to bring Uncle and Teacher closer together, and deal with Retis’s enemies too, right?”

“The adults will handle such things, so don’t worry too much.”

“No, Grandmother.”

Elenora, who opened the carriage door, spoke with an expression of firm resolve.

“I’ll also do what I can do. Whatever that may be.”

Perhaps because most nobles except the Imperial Family had gathered, the atmosphere in the grand banquet hall was gradually heating up.

Currently, the nobles were divided into three main groups.

The people gathered around Duke Kaif were the so-called Emperor faction. Strictly speaking, they could be called the First Imperial Consort’s forces rather than the Emperor’s, but they were those who generally supported the Emperor on important matters.

Those with numerical superiority over them were the moderate faction led by Marquis Havir. Since most were scholars, merchants, and professionals, they often strictly considered only justification and practical benefits.

Finally, there was a small group of nobles who always played a decisive role whenever the Emperor faction and moderate faction clashed. They were all united around one boy.

“This year’s banquet seems particularly crowded.”

“That’s probably evidence that the Empire’s reign is stable. We’re planning to reestablish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Melantia, and both the north and south are peaceful.”

“Indeed, I heard Grand Duke Retis had some troubles early last year.”

“I heard the monster subjugation was successfully concluded earlier than usual this year. There are rumors that the pirates on the southern coast have been wiped out too.”

Unlike other factions, the nobles gathered here had a relatively low average age.

Even the oldest person was only in their 40s, so compared to the Emperor faction or moderate faction whose core members were over 50, there was nearly a generation’s difference.

“Your Highness the Prince, I heard you’ll soon reach the 7th rank. Congratulations in advance.”

The boy who heard this smiled awkwardly and waved his hand dismissively.

It was the Third Prince, with dark blue hair that looked exactly like the Emperor’s and a charming beauty mark under his left eye.

“Not at all. Compared to the Magic Tower Master, I still have a long way to go.”

“Haha, isn’t Duke Windrak the Empire’s greatest mage? Considering Your Highness the Prince’s age, it’s a remarkable achievement.”

“You keep flattering me, making me embarrassed.”

“By the way… I don’t see Duke Windrak.”

“I’m sure he was at the Imperial Palace earlier.”

Several nobles expressed puzzlement at the sight of him, who should normally be by the Third Prince’s side, not even casting a shadow in the banquet hall.

The reason other factions couldn’t ignore the noble faction was clear. They were the third force that could exercise decision-making power in the noble council, but above all, the presence of Melbarik, who could be called their representative, had a great influence.

Melbarik himself rarely attended the noble council directly, and even when he occasionally kept his seat, he often abstained using ‘the Magic Tower’s political neutrality’ as justification.

However, since the other nobles except Melbarik always reached consensus, both the Emperor faction and moderate faction had no choice but to often watch their reactions.

“He stepped away briefly, saying he had business to attend to. He’ll probably return before His Majesty enters.”

“Ah, did he give Your Highness advance notice?”

“I would have been disappointed if he didn’t come. On a day like this, the Duke should be firmly supporting Your Highness the Prince by your side.”

“Hahaha, the Duke is quite a free-spirited person.”

While laughing it off as if it were nothing, the Third Prince was also harboring doubts deep down.

He just didn’t show it for fear of dampening the noble faction’s mood, but Melbarik was someone who avoided political activities almost pathologically.

The Third Prince had once directly asked him the reason, but he offered no explanation other than an apology.

“Oh my, he’s coming just in time.”

Just then, a sharp-eyed noble spotted Melbarik approaching from afar and spoke up.

Soon after, Melbarik appeared beside the Third Prince and bowed his head gently.

“I apologize for leaving my post, Your Highness.”

“It’s fine, Duke. You must have had your reasons.”

The Third Prince showed a hint of curiosity, but Melbarik simply bowed his head once more and said nothing.

‘Always so consistent, really.’

When would his master ever open his heart to him?

He had been learning magic from him for over 10 years, but Melbarik still wouldn’t allow the Third Prince to call him ‘Master.’

His reason was that they should consider it only after the crown prince investiture was over and the Third Prince came of age.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but may I say something?”

“Duke, really. Please speak freely about anything.”

“They will come soon.”

“They…? Who?”

“The Retis Grand Duchy.”

“I’ve heard the news. There were stories from gossips who claimed to have spotted Grand Duke Retis on the streets of the Imperial Capital, so it must have been true?”

“You don’t particularly need to make a good impression on them… But you absolutely must not antagonize them.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Melbarik issued a stern warning not only to the Third Prince but also to the surrounding nobles with a serious expression.

“The same goes for all of you. You must not displease Grand Duke Retis and his family. If the situation becomes utterly unmanageable, don’t worry about etiquette or anything else—just call for me. I beg of you.”

Before the Third Prince and nobles could even express their bewilderment, a resounding voice echoed from the entrance of the Grand Banquet Hall.

“The guardian of the North who walks with the great light, Grand Duke Termion Haran von Retis! And Grand Duchess Elenora Vies von Retis are entering!”

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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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