It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 190

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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 190

“My preferences aren’t in that direction…!”

Before she could even finish her words, a shadow fell over Ailesia’s head.

When their eyes met at a distance where their bodies were almost touching, Ailesia could only freeze with her head slightly raised.

“If you dislike it that much, you could just push me away.”

“No, that’s…”

Honestly, she didn’t dislike it.

They had held hands many times in the past, so there was no reason to react so sensitively.

But she couldn’t understand why her heart kept pounding like this.

As she tried to turn her head away in embarrassment, a rather lonely voice reached her ears.

“If you’re determined to run away, I have no way to stop you.”

“Huh?”

“Like this… I have to keep confirming that you’re still by my side.”

…If she heard words like that, she couldn’t possibly turn away.

Termion’s eyes looking at her were trembling pitifully.

If the emotion contained within them was deep attachment or longing, she could understand that.

But what was he so afraid of that he was trembling like this?

‘…This is troublesome.’

She had known long ago what kind of feelings Termion harbored for her.

She hadn’t deliberately pretended not to know. She simply couldn’t figure out how to respond, then or now.

Ten years ago, when she first met him, she had only seen him as a character from a novel. Objectively speaking, he was a boy who needed growth in many ways.

So she had treated him purely with fan-like affection and from a guardian’s perspective.

‘But now…’

Termion hadn’t just grown older and taller.

He had perfectly acquired the abilities and character befitting his position as Grand Duke Retis, and weight was carried in his every word and action.

Literally, he had become an adult.

The fact she had already known in her head, she was now accepting with her heart as well.

‘…So what now? I still don’t know.’

What was the relationship between him and herself?

In truth, she had never seriously thought about it even once.

No matter what label she attached to it, it ultimately depended on how Termion thought of her.

“Ha.”

A sigh naturally escaped because she was so frustrated with herself for being unable to reach a conclusion.

I’m really cowardly too. Even in this situation, I’m trying to push the choice onto the other person.

Still, wanting to reassure him somehow, Ailesia forced herself to speak.

“I told you I won’t run away.”

“I know.”

“…You know?”

“As long as Elly is in Retis, I know you won’t leave Retis.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

It wasn’t entirely wrong, but it wasn’t as if only Elenora was important either.

Why was she suddenly getting annoyed? She felt beyond disappointed, even somewhat wronged.

Without realizing it, she grabbed Termion’s necktie tightly and glared up at him.

“I want everyone in Retis to be happy. Not just Elly, but you too, the Grand Duchess Dowager too, and everyone else.”

“…”

“I told you before. Even if you chase me away, I won’t leave. Do my words have so little credibility?”

“Credibility.”

Termion, who had murmured calmly, moved his arm.

He slowly brought Ailesia’s hand, which he had been holding all along, to his face.

“It’s not a matter of believing or not believing.”

His hand stopped at a position barely leaving the width of a finger between his lips and her hand.

As his faint breath brushed past her wrist, she felt as if all the nerves in her body were on edge. Ailesia waited, slightly stiff, for his words to continue.

“You have always been someone who was ahead of me, above me.”

“What’s that supposed to…”

“How long must I wait for that gap to narrow?”

“…You can catch up enough.”

“Like this?”

With his question, their shadows overlapped.

Termion had merely wrapped his arm lightly around her waist. Their bodies weren’t even actually touching.

And yet.

It felt as if invisible walls surrounded her on all sides, binding her so she couldn’t move.

“When I met you again, there was something I definitely wanted to say.”

“…What was it?”

Surely he wasn’t planning to confess right here and now?

Ailesia, trying to keep her expression calm, barely swallowed her dry saliva.

“I missed you, Ailesia.”

“…”

“Really, so much.”

…Perhaps it would have been better to hear him say he liked her.

It was a bit… overwhelming.

Because his heart, which had silently treasured this answer he couldn’t give for all that long time, was conveyed to her completely.

When they had conversed through the pendant, had Termion felt like this too when he heard her final farewell?

If she had known it would be this heartbreaking and desperate, she wouldn’t have just turned away.

And yet still.

His consideration in stopping, saying he wouldn’t come any closer unless she allowed it, was heartbreakingly gentle.

At his attitude of cherishing her so preciously, sorrow welled up enough to break her heart.

‘Why…! Why do you always just endure like a fool…!’

What am I worth? What’s so good about a woman like this?

She hated herself so much.

Really, really pathetic.

Slowly.

Ailesia’s two hands slipped down weakly, brushing through the air.

“…Sorry. I’m tired, so I’ll go back first.”

“Please do.”

Termion only gently unwrapped the arm that had been around her waist and stepped back slightly.

“Shall I call a carriage?”

“It’s fine.”

Right now, she didn’t have the face to be with him. Even looking at his face felt like an discourtesy.

Unlike his feelings, which already had clear shape and weight, her own scales were sloppy and not just light but pathetic.

Whatever she said in this situation would be meaningless.

Unless she first looked at herself and thought seriously about it, it would only become an act of disrespecting Termion.

“You worked hard today. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Ailesia, who had already taken out her staff, forced a smile and waved her hand.

Then she disappeared without a trace along with a brief flash of light.

“Hoo…”

A deep sigh flowed from Termion’s lips as he gazed at the spot where she had left.

“Still a long way to go.”

He stroked the necktie around his neck with his fingers, accompanied by a bitter smile.

It felt as if some of Ailesia’s warmth still lingered there.

On the way back to the Town House, a strange silence hung in the carriage.

Elenora was glaring with a sulky expression at Termion across from her, who sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

“Uncle.”

“What.”

“When someone calls you, could you at least open your eyes?”

Termion frowned as if annoyed, then lazily half-opened only his right eye. Elenora was dumbfounded by this sight and let out an exasperated breath.

“Wow, what manners.”

“Says the one who told the First Prince to get lost.”

“Waah! Where did you hear that?”

“Where do you think.”

“Kal, that traitor…!”

Of course, Kalior had only mentioned it subtly out of concern, but such details didn’t matter much to Elenora.

She was simply annoyed that after causing trouble with the First Prince together, he had slipped away as if he’d done nothing wrong.

“You should really tone it down a bit.”

“He suddenly appeared and started spouting nonsense, and I was supposed to just listen? Not only did he insult both Retis and me, but he wanted me to go greet the First Imperial Consort. Isn’t that crazy?”

Termion opened his left eye as well. Though his arms remained crossed, he straightened up slightly from his previously relaxed posture.

He had only heard from Kalior that Elenora had used harsh words with the First Prince, but it seemed there were other circumstances involved.

“Tell me more details.”

“He said I was at the pinnacle of noble ladies. So it was only natural for the First Imperial Consort to take interest in me.”

“…He said that?”

“When he says such things to me, the heir of Retis, it’s an insult. Am I wrong?”

“How ridiculous.”

Since she had already been half-publicly declared as Retis’s heir, Elenora was no longer simply a Grand Ducal House’s daughter.

Not only could she legitimately exercise authority within the Retis family, but she was also scheduled to receive qualifications to attend noble assemblies in place of Termion.

Yet the First Prince had treated such an Elenora as if she were just an ordinary noble lady who only participated in High Society.

This meant he wouldn’t acknowledge her as an heir, and ultimately showed he looked down on Retis itself.

“I’d heard the First Prince was somewhat empty-headed, but this exceeds imagination.”

“And then he acts all high and mighty pretending to care about me, isn’t that ridiculous? Even suggesting I greet the First Imperial Consort? I mean, I nearly died because of whom!”

“Next time, just throw down your gloves.”

“Is that really okay?”

So this seemed to be her goal all along. Judging by how her eyes sparkled openly, she apparently intended to get permission in advance before causing trouble.

“The First Prince is expert level at best, so you won’t lose.”

“What about the Grand Duel? What if suddenly the Imperial Knight Commander appears?”

“In principle, that’s impossible. They’re not from his family house.”

“But if he’s Imperial Family, couldn’t he argue that the Imperial Knights are also his people?”

“Then the commander position would become vacant that very day.”

If Termion had to participate in a Grand Duel, he had no intention of letting anyone survive.

Especially if they were forces of the Imperial House or Duke Kaif.

As he was conjuring murderous thoughts in his mind, Elenora continued in a subtle voice.

“But Uncle.”

“What now.”

“Did you fight with Teacher?”

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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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