It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 198
—————
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 198
The Emperor owed Iolene a life debt. It was one of the secrets of the previous imperial family that those in the know were all aware of.
However, the Emperor did not carelessly speak of this matter. Iolene, the person involved, was the same.
“Do you remember? There was a time when you sent me a letter of protest regarding the Grand Duchess.”
“It was youthful folly from my inexperienced days. Though late, I apologize for making Your Majesty uncomfortable.”
“Not at all. Your response was excellent. Even if there had been problems, I didn’t bring this up to find fault.”
When Termion bowed his head, the Emperor waved his hand with a slightly flustered expression.
“I’m only confessing this now, but I committed a great discourtesy to the Grand Duchess Dowager at that time and was thoroughly scolded.”
“…Was there such an incident?”
Iolene at that time had only told him that she had given the Emperor a moderate warning.
He hadn’t asked for details, thinking there was no need to know specifically, but seeing the Emperor express it that way, the atmosphere must have been quite hostile.
“Did the Grand Duchess Dowager not tell you?”
“Other than saying she had met with Your Majesty, there were no other words.”
“Hmm…”
The Emperor let out a low sigh and closed his mouth for a moment. Then he rubbed around his eyes a few times with his hand and composed his expression.
“Before Mother passed away, you know she left a separate will to the Grand Duchess Dowager. I don’t know the details, but she must have mentioned me as well.”
“…”
“Even though we don’t share a drop of blood, I think of the Grand Duchess Dowager as my aunt. From that perspective, you would be something like my cousin. Is that too forced?”
“…Not at all. I am simply moved by Your Majesty’s consideration.”
“I won’t shamelessly ask you to treat me as an older brother. I only hope you know that my desire for Retis’s continued existence is sincere.”
“I understand.”
It wasn’t an answer given as empty words. He had never doubted that the Emperor respected Iolene as an elder or the goodwill he showed toward Retis.
“So please consider it seriously at least once. How about marrying the Princess of the Melantia Kingdom?”
“…That is.”
“I literally mean just think about it. I have no intention of bringing it up in official settings.”
Marriage with the Melantia Kingdom meant the Empire’s influence would expand. So he could understand the Emperor’s position to some degree.
However, he questioned whether this was something the Emperor needed to personally step forward and put so much effort into.
“Is there a particular reason you’re recommending this marriage?”
“I simply thought it would be an opportunity for Retis to welcome a good Grand Duchess. Who knows? Your thoughts might change after meeting her.”
“That will absolutely never happen.”
Termion’s expression changed. As if he didn’t want to discuss this any further, his voice carried firmness.
“Perhaps, do you have someone else you’re keeping in your heart?”
“…If Your Majesty has nothing more to say, I shall take my leave.”
Termion stood up abruptly as he answered.
Rudeness or not, he was filled only with the desire to leave this room immediately.
The Emperor did not stop him. Rather, he only slowly looked Termion over from head to toe with hollow eyes.
‘What a pity…’
That spirit that never knew how to bend even before the Emperor, the firm conviction radiating from his entire body.
If only one of his sons resembled even half, no, even a quarter of that appearance.
If that had been the case, he wouldn’t have had to drag out time with the crown prince investiture like this.
“Give my regards to the Grand Duchess Dowager.”
“Please take care of yourself.”
Only after Termion, who had bowed his head, disappeared beyond the door did the Emperor let out a deep sigh.
Throughout dinner, Termion seemed uncomfortable about something.
More precisely, his thoughts kept wandering elsewhere.
His reactions were half-hearted while listening to others, and he would stop his fork mid-way with a stiff expression.
‘What did he hear to be acting like that?’
Because of that, Ailesia, who was also concerned, couldn’t concentrate on her meal either.
He had seemed to be in a good mood when he contacted her. Something must have gone wrong during his private audience with the Emperor.
Elenora must have noticed the atmosphere too, as her expression wasn’t very bright on the way back to the West Wing after dinner.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Uncle doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood, does he?”
“Right. He must have had a lot to deal with at the Imperial Palace.”
Even for Ailesia, it was difficult to readily guess what the Emperor had said to Termion. This period wasn’t even mentioned in the original work.
‘What kind of business would the Emperor have to call only Termion separately…’
The first thing that came to mind was diplomatic matters with the Melantia Kingdom. But that didn’t seem like a serious enough problem to make Termion worry.
‘Did he say something nonsensical after being influenced by the First Imperial Consort?’
That would be even stranger. If that had been his intention, there would have been no reason for the Emperor to specifically request a private audience.
Termion’s respectfulness toward the Emperor was only out of consideration for others’ eyes. The Emperor would have that much sense too.
“Haven’t you heard anything from Uncle?”
“Not really? I was with you the whole time and only saw him during dinner.”
“Tch.”
Elenora’s grumbling attitude made her laugh involuntarily.
What on earth was this child thinking?
If he wanted to confess, she would quietly listen, but she and Termion weren’t the type to share every little detail with each other.
…Not yet, anyway.
‘Again, again with the useless thoughts!’
She was being drawn in first even though the other side wasn’t pulling. Ailesia shook her head vigorously to dispel the idle thoughts.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing at all. You need to go to your room and finish studying, right?”
“Ugh.”
As if she had never been worried, Elenora’s face was full of resentment toward Termion.
“Uncle is so mean. It’s still the New Year banquet period until tomorrow and I can’t even play.”
“You don’t really have anything to do anyway, right?”
“I need to go play at the Imperial Palace! Kal said he’d be waiting!”
“Alright, alright.”
The Imperial Palace would be open on the third day, so she must have been looking forward to it.
Of course, she would have gotten permission from the Emperor too. Elenora could visit the Imperial Palace anytime she wanted.
“I was going to go with Sheryl and Kiril too, but now…”
She had been excitedly looking forward to spending time with her friends after a long while, but Termion had thrown her a tremendous amount of homework, so it was understandable that she’d be dejected.
“You agreed to study with Termion in the morning, right? You can go after lunch.”
“What can I do and play for just a few hours? I wanted to go right after breakfast.”
“Tomorrow isn’t the only day, so be patient.”
She barely managed to get the pouting Elenora to sit at the desk while coaxing her.
Fortunately, Elenora had already read through most of the documents.
“I don’t understand this part very well.”
“Which part?”
“What’s the reason for buying grain at high prices and selling it cheap during good harvests? Wouldn’t it be better to just give that money as subsidies?”
“Hmm… Let me give you a simple example. Why are diamonds more expensive than the same weight of gold?”
“…Because they’re pretty?”
“But diamonds are useless except for decoration?”
“Ah, because there’s less of them than gold!”
“Right. That’s called scarcity. The less there is, the higher the value goes. So what happens when grain overflows in the market?”
“Grain prices would fall, right?”
“What would happen if, in the midst of that, we recklessly gave out subsidies and released a lot of money as you suggested?”
“…Huh?”
“Think about it carefully.”
Just giving her the answer outright didn’t seem right either. That probably wasn’t the way Termion wanted it done.
While Elenora was wracking her brain again, Ailesia quietly drew up her magical power.
Termion was curious about what she was doing, so when he checked, he also sensed someone’s intense aura from the office. It seemed like he was in conversation with Iolene.
“…I really have no idea, hmph.”
“Then ask Uncle tomorrow.”
“Why won’t Teacher tell me?”
Well, that’s because I don’t want to interfere with Termion’s successor lessons. There’s no particular reason I need to know about the operational state of the Retis Duchy either.
I refuse to meddle unnecessarily and end up taking on trivial matters. I won’t tolerate any more variables.
“Teacher doesn’t know that stuff.”
“That’s a lie. Teacher knows everything.”
“No? There’s tons I don’t know?”
Just then, a message came flying from Termion.
[Ailesia, are you busy?]
[I was watching Elly study.]
[If it’s alright, please come to the office. I’ve prepared apple pie.]
[I’ll be right there.]
I can’t resist that. Ailesia immediately sprang up from her seat.
“Where are you going?”
“Work hard. Teacher is going out to play.”
“What! With who!”
Feeling a bit mischievous, she gave an answer she normally wouldn’t.
“A handsome man?”
“So who is it exactly!”
“Well, who could it be?”
As Ailesia waved her hand and disappeared, Elenora muttered in a thoroughly sulky voice.
“What are you waiting for instead of making a move quickly, you fool…!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
