It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 191

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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 191

“Who said we fought?”

Termion replied in a listless tone. However, Elenora seemed to have no intention of giving up easily, leaning forward with an innocent expression.

“You did fight, didn’t you?”

“We didn’t fight.”

“Then why did Teacher go back alone first?”

“She said she was tired and wanted to rest. Should I have forcibly held her back then?”

Termion deliberately frowned as if annoyed.

He had no intention whatsoever of spilling his circumstances in detail to this perceptive young girl. It wouldn’t be easy for her to understand readily anyway.

“She said she was tired?”

“I offered to call a carriage, but she refused. She said she didn’t need such things and disappeared using spatial transfer magic.”

“That’s it?”

“She said we’d see each other tomorrow morning.”

“…No matter how I think about it, it’s strange. Are you really sure you didn’t fight?”

It was the truth, after all. They had just gotten a little emotional during their conversation, but it wasn’t enough to hurt each other.

…No, it might have been a little hurtful.

Recalling Ailesia’s face as she waved her hand weakly with a smile left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“What would Uncle have to fight with that person about?”

Though he tried to ask back while pretending to be nonchalant, this girl who was cute to the point of being terrible completely turned his insides upside down.

“A lovers’ quarrel?”

“…This one just has a big mouth.”

“A big mouth! How can you say such harsh words to your niece!”

As if the word ‘niece’ was some kind of absolute defense magic, she always acted like this at the drop of a hat.

How did she become such a tomboy? When she was little, she seemed lovely just by looking at her.

“Is it proper for a niece to talk back to her uncle so boldly?”

“But I’m cute, aren’t I?”

“…Just what have you been learning for the past 10 years?”

“Elly is cute even without learning such things, isn’t she?”

Even her tilting her head and smiling was like a little demon.

She was acting cute like this to cheer him up in her own way, so it was hard to say anything about it.

He eventually pressed his forehead with a half-resigned feeling.

“When we arrive, check the adjacent room.”

“Adjacent room? You mean Teacher’s room, right?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re worried, why don’t you go yourself, Uncle?”

“There must be a reason she said we’d see each other tomorrow morning.”

Of course, it might have just been simple pleasantries.

Still, Termion didn’t want to go looking for Ailesia on his own.

He was well aware that what he had said earlier was practically a confession.

Ailesia’s mind must also be complicated with various thoughts.

If they faced each other again in this situation, wouldn’t it be like pressuring her for an answer?

‘I don’t want to give her unnecessary burden.’

Ailesia had already sacrificed much for Elenora and Retis. He couldn’t be greedy by putting his own feelings first at this point.

“Uncle really doesn’t know how to date either.”

“And did our Grand Duchess, who’s so experienced in romance, do such things with the Second Prince?”

“Waaaaah! No! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding?”

Perfect timing. Just when he was trying to change the subject somehow, Elenora had dug her own grave.

“Wasn’t it our cute and lovely Grand Duchess who closed her eyes as if to let him do as he pleased? Hmm?”

“Y-you saw that far?”

“…Won’t you at least pretend to make excuses?”

Indeed, warning Kalior had been the right answer. He wondered who she took after to be so proactive.

“Please, I’m begging you, live quietly. You’re still young.”

“I know everything I need to know too!”

“Someone who claims to know is doing that in the middle of the Imperial Palace? What if others saw?”

“Then I should confidently hold hands with Kalior in front of others too.”

“What a pity. The Empire’s prince is going to lose his wrist at that age.”

“Why are you making threats so menacingly!”

“Elly.”

As if they had never been exchanging jokes, Termion’s expression sank in an instant.

Elenora, who had been fuming, unconsciously hiccupped and straightened her posture.

“It’s still a bit early, but you’ll understand someday too.”

“Understand what?”

“What situation we’re in and what kind of fight we’re fighting.”

“I roughly know too. The First Imperial Consort is plotting with dark magic, right? That’s why I almost died 10 years ago too.”

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Behind it lurks an even greater and deeper danger.”

“It’s okay. I’m the Grand Duchess of Retis. I’m no longer a child who must be protected.”

Elenora spoke boldly and loudly, but there was no change in Termion’s expression.

“Then what about Kalior?”

“Why him?”

“Is there a reason Kalior should get involved in this fight of ours?”

“That’s…”

“Kalior is certainly a victim of dark magic too. But can you tell him to risk his life with us just for that reason? Under what justification?”

“…What if he wants revenge himself?”

It seemed Elenora hadn’t grasped the most important part.

No, such a clever child was probably pretending not to know on purpose.

Understanding with your head and accepting with your heart are separate matters.

“I’m asking if you’re prepared to accept even his sacrifice if necessary.”

“Uncle!”

“Shouting won’t change anything. Think carefully and answer, Elenora Vies von Retis.”

At the cold voice calling her full name, Elenora flinched and stiffened.

It was a situation she could never avoid, even if she resented him for being heartless.

Because this wasn’t an uncle asking his niece, but a question thrown by Grand Duke Retis to his successor.

“We just… we just have to work hard so that situation doesn’t come.”

“Can you guarantee it? Based on what?”

“Th-that’s…”

Before Elenora could even continue her words, Termion shook his head with a bitter smile.

“No one can make any guarantees. No one.”

“…”

“I’ve already experienced an unwanted sacrifice once. Because of my weakness and inadequacy, I almost lost someone precious right before my eyes.”

“Uncle…”

It was something he had to say at least once anyway.

It was time for Elenora to know how heavy the debt that Retis owed to someone was.

“I had to pay the price for a long time. And it wasn’t me who paid it, but someone else.”

“…You’re talking about Teacher, aren’t you?”

“Yes. So I hope you won’t have as hard a time as I did.”

After hearing his calm voice, she felt her heart sink heavily.

I was so overjoyed by the fact that I had returned to Retis that I failed to consider the feelings of the person who had been waiting for me.

What must Termion’s days have been like? Perhaps he had spent countless nights sleepless, crushed by self-blame and regret.

Elenora’s eyes reddened in an instant as she hung her head.

She was so ashamed of herself for thinking she knew enough already that she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Termion.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Come here.”

As soon as Elenora moved closer, she tightly embraced his arm. Termion slowly patted her shoulder with his hand.

“You like Kalior, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“I won’t force you to deliberately stay away from him.”

Grind.

The sound of grinding teeth escaped without him realizing it, causing both Elenora, who was listening, and Termion himself to flinch.

“…Isn’t there a bit of a disconnect between your words and actions?”

“At least exercise restraint in places where others can see. I’m sure you understand the reason without me having to explain further.”

As Termion continued speaking as if nothing had happened, Elenora nodded with her forehead resting against his shoulder.

“Thank you, Uncle. I won’t act up anymore from now on.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

He knew better than anyone that these weren’t feelings that would fade away just by forcibly separating them or blindly turning away.

Whether it was Kalior or anyone else, none would be satisfactory, but Elenora’s happiness took priority over such concerns.

So for now, he could only do his best to protect her.

“It seems we’ve arrived.”

“Are you going straight to bed, Uncle?”

“I need to receive a brief report and then rest.”

“You’re really not going to Teacher’s room?”

“Get out.”

She couldn’t hold back and was doing this again. Termion flung open the carriage door and practically pushed Elenora outside.

Because of this, Elenora, who had jumped down without properly stepping on the footboard, shouted indignantly.

“What kind of uncle throws his niece onto the ground!”

“That High Mage thing isn’t a lie, is it?”

“Hmph! Uncle, you’re an idiot! A petty fool!”

“Sleep well. Have sweet dreams.”

At the sight of Termion’s infuriatingly smug smile, Elenora pouted and waved her hand dismissively.

“Go ahead and have nightmares.”

“Whatever appears, I’ll probably win.”

“Aargh! Hurry up and go!”

Despite saying that, Elenora stood there and saw Termion off until the end.

She only entered the annex after the sound of the carriage wheels had grown faint. At the same time, a welcome voice reached her ears.

“Did you have a good trip, Grand Duchess?”

“Huh? Sister Hilda, you weren’t sleeping?”

In the lobby, Hilda was naturally waiting with the maids.

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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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