It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 200

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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 200

“The Emperor… has an illness?”

“I’m just throwing out possibilities. Only he would know the truth.”

“An illness…”

Even Ailesia, who had voiced the theory, wasn’t very confident in her own reasoning.

Even assuming he didn’t have much time left, it would still be strange.

Then what about the past 10 years? Was there really a need to waste all that time?

Back then, the princes were young, so formal crown prince investiture might have been difficult, but there was plenty of time to raise them as heirs.

If he had made them compete openly from childhood, by now it would be clear who was suitable to be crown prince. Either way, it didn’t add up.

“What if we look at it separately?”

“What do you mean?”

“If the Emperor truly intended to pass the throne to Retis from the beginning, it would resolve one part that’s always puzzled me.”

“What’s that?”

“The reason he neglected Kalior in such a way.”

“…You’re right.”

No matter how strong the First Imperial Consort’s influence was, Kalior, the legitimate son born to the Empress, had an unreasonably difficult childhood.

Wasn’t the reason he brought in Viola as Second Imperial Consort because she resembled the Empress?

It made no sense to abandon the son of the Empress he cherished so dearly, as if telling him to die on his own.

To put it a bit harshly, it was incomprehensible unless he was insane.

“I just thought he was a cunning schemer… Now I don’t know what to think.”

“We’re all just speculating anyway. Who knows? Maybe the Emperor was also affected by dark magic and lost his mind.”

“If that were the case, he would have made the First Prince crown prince long ago.”

“…Ah, I don’t know.”

Not enough that it’s a political drama, now it’s a mystery too? I never really read detective novels because they’re not my taste.

Ailesia, frowning deeply, reached her hand toward the table.

She had unexpectedly overworked her brain. At times like this, rapid sugar intake was essential.

Crunch.

With a crisp sound, sweet apple fragrance filled her mouth. It felt like her dampened mood was coming back to life.

“This is so delicious, mmm.”

“Is it to your liking?”

“It’s the best apple pie I’ve ever had in my life. I want to ask them to teach me how to make it.”

“I’ll ask them next time we go.”

“Huh?”

It was a casual remark, but the listener didn’t seem to take it as a joke. Termion was staring at the apple pie with a quite serious expression.

“Is it okay to abuse your power so carelessly?”

“Pardon?”

“If someone as high-ranking as a Grand Duke suddenly demands trade secrets, wouldn’t the owner be flustered?”

“What are you talking about? I could just purchase the recipe with the condition that it’s only used within the family house, not for commercial purposes.”

“…”

Right. Money solves everything. Retis had plenty of money anyway.

Just as she felt embarrassed for thinking in such a crude way, Termion narrowed his eyes.

“What exactly is my image in your head?”

“Well, obviously…”

…I’ve never seriously thought about it? Oh my, how surprising.

When I first met him, I had all sorts of wild thoughts like ‘This guy will later be called a demon?’

But experiencing it firsthand, he was just a boy worn down by life.

Now? What’s the point of saying it now.

He’s so wonderful that I wonder if there could be a more perfect man. The fun of discovering new sides of him every day is quite enjoyable too.

“The uncle of my one and only disciple?”

“Ha.”

Since it was a bit embarrassing to tell him honestly, I chose the most safe answer.

“That’s not an image, that’s a factual relationship.”

“What kind of answer do you want?”

“…Well.”

When I asked back, he seemed at a loss for an answer himself.

Look at that sullen expression. Even in the past, when I teased him, he used to react like that, and even though he’s grown up, that face from back then still remains slightly.

“What about you then?”

“Pardon?”

“What kind of person am I in your head?”

Let’s see how you handle being on the receiving end.

Ailesia smiled triumphantly, thinking this was her perfect counterattack.

However, Termion gave his answer immediately without any sign of contemplation.

“A star.”

“A star…?”

“Because when I suddenly look back, you’re always shining brightly as usual.”

“…”

“Even during the day when you’re hidden by the sun, even during dark nights when the moon doesn’t rise, you silently keep your place.”

He leaned forward slightly and met her gaze directly.

It’s the same again.

Just like at the banquet hall last time, she felt the illusion that Termion’s black eyes were embracing her blue eyes.

“No matter how much I reach out, it seems like I could never touch you, and so you make me dream.”

“…Termion.”

“You are that kind of person to me.”

They were clearly sitting across from each other with a table between them.

Whether it was because of those passionate eyes looking at her so desperately.

Or because of that composed, restrained posture in contrast.

She felt as if she were trapped in his embrace, and couldn’t help but shudder.

I thought confessions were usually just saying things like ‘I like you’ or ‘let’s date.’ I wondered if there could be more direct expressions than that.

But this man throws all his emotions at me with his whole being.

While leaving exactly one step, just close enough to grab if I reach out my hand.

He seemed like he was surrounding my castle, waiting only for a white flag to be raised.

He probably wouldn’t budge until the castle gates opened.

“Does that answer your question?”

“…Yes.”

While he smiled leisurely as if nothing was wrong, that sight only looked sad to me, and I felt an urge to embrace him.

‘Not yet… I can’t.’

How dare I approach with such vague feelings.

That would be rude to both Termion, who approaches with sincerity, and to myself.

Rather than treating him with half-hearted sympathy or pity, the excuse of being attracted to his looks would be a million times better.

At least then I could package it as pure emotion.

“It’s difficult.”

“What is?”

“Just, things like that.”

Ailesia always thought of her mental age as being in her mid-to-late twenties.

Fortunately, her ageless appearance meant she didn’t feel much disconnect.

Perhaps it was unconscious self-brainwashing.

No matter how superhuman her mental strength was, she probably couldn’t have endured those long years intact without even such defense mechanisms.

However, he couldn’t ignore the experience of having lived so long.

The side effects of moderately suppressing emotions and maintaining even his own life with detached observation to avoid being swept away by time were now fully revealed here.

‘…I can’t immerse myself in it.’

When receiving such a heartfelt confession from someone as wonderful as Termion, it would be normal for her heart to flutter and for interest to surge into genuine affection.

Her pounding heart was only momentary, quickly returning to indifference once it passed.

Like watching and enjoying someone else’s romance.

That’s why even after noticing Termion’s feelings for her, she ended up taking the strange stance of wanting to cheer him on.

Her attitude of trying to play along wasn’t because she genuinely liked it, but because she was curious about Termion’s reactions.

Even that was no different from praise stickers given to children.

It was like feeling generous, thinking he was trying so hard that she should give him something at least once.

‘I need to lower my perspective.’

Whether she accepts his feelings or pushes them away.

Unless she treats him with ordinary human emotions, whatever conclusion she reaches won’t be a proper answer.

But how could that happen overnight?

It was a solid wall that had built up unknowingly over hundreds of years. It couldn’t be easily torn down just by deciding to do so.

“Sigh.”

Ailesia unconsciously let out a quiet sigh and picked up the apple pie again.

Crunch, crunch.

Seeing her move her jaw much more intensely than before, Termion’s eyes curved subtly.

“What? First time seeing someone eat bread?”

“That’s not it, here.”

Termion tapped the corner of his own lips with his finger.

“You have jam on you.”

“…You really have a terrible personality.”

“Pardon?”

Here I am, worrying my head off because of someone.

‘Are you pretending not to know on purpose, or do you really not know?’

Did he secretly read some dating manual somewhere? He approaches so skillfully that I can only be caught off guard.

“That was delicious.”

When Ailesia stood up from her seat, Termion followed her to the door without saying much.

“Did Elly work hard today?”

“Didn’t you hear the sound of my lifespan increasing in real time?”

“That’s a unique way of showing filial piety.”

“She was whining that Uncle is mean. She wanted to go play at the Second Prince’s Palace with her friends.”

“I should send someone early in the morning. It would be more convenient for Kalior to come this way too.”

Such overflowing consideration, as if to prove he’s a doting uncle. Ailesia shook her head and turned around.

“Sleep well. Sweet dreams.”

Seeing him smile and wave at her, another impulse suddenly surged up.

In the end, she was also unfamiliar with expressing emotions.

Now that she knew her shortcomings, she had no choice but to do her best too.

So from now on, this was war.

“Good night.”

Ailesia lightly bumped her forehead against Termion’s shoulder. Then she immediately disappeared using Spatial Transfer Magic.

“…I’m going to go crazy.”

Termion firmly grasped his shoulder with his hand.

As if he had gotten a bruise, the spot where Ailesia’s forehead had touched seemed to throb.

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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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