It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 189

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

500 Years as Just an Extra,

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

Episode 189

Lukiere wondered if he had misheard something.

“Grand Duchess, what did you just say?”

“Huh? What did I say?”

At Elenora’s attitude of blinking innocently as if she knew nothing, Lukiere’s expression immediately hardened.

“You should know that you can be punished for insulting the imperial family.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Kal, did you hear anything?”

“Not at all.”

Only then did Lukiere, who grasped the situation, furrow his brow in anger. He had been completely played by such a trivial prank.

“…You two really stick together, don’t you.”

“Insight is also one of a ruler’s virtues, so why don’t you try harder?”

Kalior didn’t smile leisurely like Lukiere. He simply raised his aura along with a cold smile.

As a faint blue energy began to swirl around his shoulders, Lukiere unconsciously took half a step back.

There was no immediate way to deal with Kalior. It was only natural that his gaze turned back to Elenora.

However, Elenora had already hidden behind Kalior and was whining.

“Kal, I’m scared.”

“Suddenly?”

“It feels like some mad dog is glaring at me from somewhere.”

“It’s probably your imagination.”

When Kalior replied rather indifferently, Elenora pressed close to his shoulder and made a fuss.

“What if I can’t sleep at night because I’m scared? Should I tell Uncle to chase it away?”

“If you do that, the Grand Duke might chase it all the way to the mad dog’s house.”

“Do you know where that is?”

“That’s not what’s important.”

Kalior gently wrapped his hand around Elenora’s hand that was gripping his shoulder and raised his aura presence even more.

“He’s the type who would burn everything down until it crawls out on its own.”

“Our Uncle isn’t that violent of a person though?”

“You’re being deceived.”

Watching the two who had begun to fall into their own world, Lukiere gritted his teeth.

“…Are you confident you won’t regret today?”

Though he should have given up by now, Lukiere glared at Kalior until the end.

More precisely, at Elenora who only poked her head out from behind his shoulder.

“Huh? You still haven’t left?”

“He’s someone who lacks insight, so you should understand.”

“Really? Then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

You have to speak directly to people who are clueless. Elenora smiled brightly and opened her mouth.

“Close your stinking mouth and please just get lost. Especially with that ugly face.”

“It’s been a while, Grand Duke. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been fine, thanks to your concern. You look well, which is fortunate, Second Imperial Consort.”

The Second Imperial Consort greeted Termion with a rather warm expression.

The nobles gathered around also didn’t seem particularly wary or reluctant. From their attitude of maintaining polite courtesy while smiling lightly, she could even sense subtle goodwill.

“I heard the news that the Grand Duchess has returned from her long recovery. You must be very happy.”

“I’m relieved she’s healthy, but… I’m worried she’s become quite a tomboy.”

“Isn’t that the right age for such things? Our Belor also causes quite a bit of trouble in his own way.”

“The Third Prince is quite well-behaved though, isn’t he? I only ever hear praise about him.”

“Hoho, Grand Duke, really.”

…For a conversation between an Imperial Consort and a Grand Duke, doesn’t this seem more like a parent-teacher meeting?

Ailesia, who was watching from the side, barely managed to suppress a laugh that was about to escape.

“Who is the person beside you? I don’t think I’ve met them before.”

“My apologies. I was late with introductions.”

At Termion’s glance, Ailesia gracefully performed a curtsy.

“I am Ailesia Milenov, Second Imperial Consort. I am humbly teaching magic to the Grand Duchess.”

“Oh my… So you’re the Grand Duchess’s teacher. I’m Viola Kandel la Blair.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Seeing her up close, she had a surprisingly refined and elegant image. Her age appeared to be around late thirties to early forties.

‘Her name is quite ordinary.’

Compared to the First Imperial Consort’s name, which was striking enough to stick in one’s mind immediately upon hearing it, this was truly a common name for a noble family’s daughter.

Still, thanks to this greeting, she had learned her name and family background, so there was some gain.

“If you’re a mage, Miss Milenov, you should get along quite well with Duke Windrak. Same with our Belor.”

“You flatter me.”

Since there was no need to reveal that she was friends with Melbarik here, Ailesia gave a vague response.

If it were a private conversation with the Second Imperial Consort, it might be different, but there were too many listening ears around.

If she, the Grand Duchess’s teacher, suddenly mentioned being acquainted with Melbarik, there was no telling what stories the gossips might concoct.

“Since you’re here, it would be nice if you could greet Belor and Duke Windrak too, but I don’t see either of them anywhere. How unfortunate.”

“Today isn’t the only day, so there will be other opportunities.”

Termion tried to steer the conversation toward leaving, but the Second Imperial Consort made a proposal that was kind to the point of being burdensome.

“This actually works out well. Grand Duke, when you have time, would you visit with the Grand Duchess? I recently received some items through the Southern Trade Route. It would be nice to give them as gifts to celebrate the Grand Duchess’s return.”

“…I can’t give you a definite answer, but I’ll do my best.”

“I wonder if I’m making too unreasonable a request of such a busy person.”

“Not at all. Even if I can’t make time, I’ll speak to the Grand Duchess about it separately.”

“Good. If it’s alright, Miss Milenov should come along too.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then I’ll take my leave now. Take care of yourself.”

“Go safely, Grand Duke. It was nice meeting you too, Miss Milenov.”

Leaving behind the Second Imperial Consort who saw them off with a bright face, the two crossed the banquet hall and headed straight to the terrace.

Only after drawing the curtains, locking the door completely, and even using soundproof magic did Ailesia speak.

“Is she always like that?”

“The Second Imperial Consort?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not sure what you mean exactly.”

How should she put this? She just seemed like a harmless person at first glance, but so harmless that it was actually suspicious?

“She seems to have too little wariness toward people she’s meeting for the first time. If I met her outside, I wouldn’t even know she’s an Imperial Consort.”

“That’s not wrong. She has completely opposite tendencies from the First Imperial Consort.”

Termion leaned slightly against the railing and checked for any presence around them.

Perhaps because it was quite late, there seemed to be almost no one outside.

“I used soundproof magic, so speak comfortably.”

“…You’re still the same.”

Come to think of it, Ailesia had always silently used various magic spells like this in the past too.

Feeling the time that had passed between them, he swallowed a bitter smile.

“The Kandel Count family is an extremely ordinary noble house. Originally they were a viscount family, but they received a count title when the Second Imperial Consort entered the palace.”

“Any particular characteristics? They must have at least some decent business.”

“I understand they operate ranches in the southwestern region. It’s not on the level of the Gardbale Mountains, but there are several fairly high mountains in that area too.”

“And?”

“That’s it.”

Even Termion seemed a bit incredulous after saying it, shaking his head.

“In some ways, she’s harder to meet than the Emperor himself. She only shows herself at big events like this, and usually just stays in the Imperial Palace. She leaves the palace at most once or twice a year?”

“Is there any particular reason?”

“They say he has a weak constitution.”

“He seemed fine earlier though?”

“It’s probably not some serious illness. The exact details aren’t publicly known.”

“Then he probably has almost no political influence either?”

“Given his position, we can’t completely ignore him… but compared to the First Imperial Consort, it would be like child’s play.”

“Is he close with Retis?”

“They’re not on bad terms.”

There didn’t seem to be anything particularly suspicious, but the more I heard, the more an inexplicable anxiety crept up on me.

Usually characters like that turn out to be the mastermind behind everything in the final chapters of novels. Like, it was all an act! Something along those lines.

Perhaps sensing her unnecessary worry, Termion gently covered her hand with his.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Hm?”

“The nobility faction led by the Third Prince is too weak a force to lead anything. Even if they all band together, they wouldn’t amount to even 30% of our power.”

“Well, that’s reassuring at least.”

“The Third Prince is someone who openly says he has no interest in the throne. The Magic Tower Master always proclaims political neutrality and doesn’t even participate in the nobility council. Wouldn’t it be better to focus only on the enemies we can see for now?”

“…Right.”

Termion was right. There was no point in being suspicious without any evidence – it would only scatter our attention needlessly.

The First Imperial Consort and Duke Kaif, who could pull something at any moment, were the bigger problem.

After organizing my thoughts simply, I became aware of the sensation that had been bothering me.

“How long are you going to keep holding it?”

“Pardon?”

“My hand, I mean.”

Then Termion stepped away from the railing and closed the distance between us.

“Do you dislike it? You said it was your preference.”

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