It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 56

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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 056

Ailesia patted the child’s shoulder and approached the table. Iolene, who had risen from her seat, greeted her with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Teacher. It feels like it’s been quite a long time since we last met.”

“For me as well. You’ve been well, Grand Duchess Dowager?”

“Of course. Have you had your meal?”

“Ah, well…”

If she had intended to just brush it off, she wouldn’t have come all the way here. Ailesia casually shrugged her shoulders.

“Since it’s late, I thought I’d just have a piece of bread, but apparently that’s not allowed?”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

Hmm, I get it now. When Sophia was going on about rudeness earlier, I probably had the same expression.

‘I said I’d handle it quietly, but I never said I’d pretend it never happened, did I?’

So she was quietly telling the Grand Duchess Dowager about it. It happened to be dessert time after the main meal, so the maids serving had temporarily stepped away.

“Hilda hadn’t eaten either, so I went to the kitchen to ask if there was any leftover bread and milk. Then what did they say? Something about what was I doing when everyone else was eating and what did I expect?”

“…Pardon?”

“They said all the ingredients were used up, and they’re people too who need to rest, so what could I do? As a guest staying here, I couldn’t very well make unreasonable demands, could I? So I just came to pay my respects.”

Iolene’s face had turned pale beyond description and was now trembling. Hilda was turning just as ashen.

“If the Retis family doesn’t even have a single piece of bread to spare, what can you do? It’s not like missing one meal will kill anyone.”

“T-Teacher.”

Hilda urgently tugged at Ailesia’s sleeve, but she responded with even more composure.

“Why? You heard it clearly too, didn’t you?”

After all, Hilda had indeed heard such words. A good witch doesn’t tell lies!

Of course, who asked the question and who heard the answer was omitted, but what did that matter?

“Is what Teacher said true, Hilda?”

“Well…”

Turning her head, Ailesia winked at Hilda quite playfully.

Thanks to Elenora being held in her arms, Iolene couldn’t notice Ailesia’s expression.

“…Yes, she said exactly that, word for word.”

Hilda gulped and answered with her head deeply bowed. By now, she could guess Ailesia’s intentions.

‘She’s going to turn the Grand Duke’s Castle upside down without directly touching Sophia…!’

It was true that Sophia had been rude to Ailesia. But strictly speaking, Ailesia was the one who made the first move.

Of course, Ailesia was someone who deserved proper respect, but that didn’t mean she was the superior of the Grand Duchy’s people.

For instance, Ailesia had even emphasized that she could only make ‘requests’ to Hilda, not ‘orders.’

However, what had just happened in the kitchen was completely different.

The other party had first committed unilateral rudeness toward Ailesia, which meant disobeying the order to treat her as an honored guest. In other words, it constituted insubordination.

Moreover, Hilda had been there. Speaking rudely in front of the Grand Duchess’s personal maid was tantamount to indirectly committing disrespect toward the Grand Duchess herself.

“Teacher, you didn’t eat? Sister Hilda too?”

“It just turned out that way somehow.”

“Then you must be hungry, what should we do! E-Elly ate delicious food without even knowing…!”

In the already confusing situation, her granddaughter was now crying pitifully because her teacher and maid had missed their meal.

Watching this scene, Iolene felt something snap inside her.

“…You two there.”

“Yes, Grand Duchess Dowager.”

As the maids who had just returned from their brief absence bowed respectfully, Iolene gave orders in a rigid voice.

“Send word to the Head Butler and Head Maid. Tell them to come here immediately.”

“Understood.”

After the maids disappeared with hurried steps, Iolene let out a deep sigh. Soon she bowed her head with an apologetic expression.

“I apologize on behalf of my subordinates’ rudeness, Teacher. I have no words for how such a thing could have happened.”

“Oh my, not at all. Why should the Grand Duchess Dowager apologize? The person at fault is someone else entirely.”

Ailesia, startled, set Elenora down from her arms and hurriedly bowed her head. However, her lips hidden behind her hair were subtly curving upward.

‘Let’s use this opportunity to do some proper cleaning.’

Iolene was still undoubtedly the actual head of the Retis family. This was a fact that neither Termion nor Iolene herself could deny.

She had the tremendous authority to summon all retainers belonging to the Retis family and even the council of elders.

Unlike Termion, who only had the support of some retainers and the Tigel Knight Order, when Iolene stepped forward, the impact was on a completely different level.

“I was thinking of giving the Grand Duchess Dowager a gift before leaving, but I feel sorry that things have gotten so complicated.”

“That’s nonsense. But, you mentioned a gift…?”

“You usually bring souvenirs when you return from far away, don’t you?”

And souvenirs are traditionally bought on impulse rather than carefully planned.

Ailesia held out a palm-sized box with a small horn attached.

“This is…?”

“You know what a phonograph is, right? There should be some quite pleasing sounds recorded on it.”

“…I gratefully accept it.”

Iolene looked quite puzzled, but Hilda, who was watching from the side, unconsciously covered her mouth.

There seemed to be no need to check what was recorded on that magic tool.

Whatever she was thinking, Ailesia continued speaking in a calm voice even in this situation.

“I was thinking of taking Hilda out into the castle grounds for a short while, would that be alright?”

“At this hour?”

“The taverns that commoners use stay open late, so I wanted to buy her something to eat.”

“Teacher, what about Elly! Aren’t you taking Elly?”

“If Grandmother gives permission?”

When Elenora quickly turned her head, Iolene, forcing a smile, gently stroked her granddaughter’s head.

“But you must listen well to Teacher and absolutely not leave her side.”

“Yes! I promise!”

“Teacher, I know it’s inconvenient, but please take guard knights with you as well. And please don’t return too late.”

“Of course. Since Elly needs to sleep, I’ll be back before 9 o’clock.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll be back, Grandmother!”

“Yes, have fun.”

Completely oblivious to the serious atmosphere among the adults, Elenora was thoroughly excited, holding onto Ailesia’s sleeve and hopping around.

“Wow! An evening stroll with Teacher!”

“My pretty one, where did you learn such words?”

“I read it in a book!”

“You’re smart today too, aren’t you?”

“Sister Hilda is smart too! Even when Elly asks all sorts of random questions, she answers them all!”

Iolene, who had been watching her granddaughter leave the dining hall, hardened her expression again.

The warm smile she had been wearing just moments before had completely disappeared, and her expression was filled with frost.

‘What a ridiculous state for the head of the house. Making a guest prepare their own meal.’

Just how much had they looked down on Retis for such a thing to happen? If the servants had such attitudes, the retainers went without saying.

While quietly suppressing her anger, the phonograph left alone on the table caught Iolene’s eye.

“…This thing.”

“Teacher, when are you leaving?”

“Hmm… Before sunrise tomorrow morning?”

“Then when Elly wakes up, Teacher won’t be there? We won’t eat together?”

Elenora’s expression was full of disappointment, but Ailesia gently soothed the child with a voice that said it couldn’t be helped.

“Teacher wants to do that too, but then Uncle would have to eat alone.”

“That’s right, Uncle! I miss Uncle!”

“Uncle misses Elly a lot too. I’ll let you talk to Uncle face to face soon.”

“Really? I can talk to Uncle?”

“So listen well to Sister Hilda, and make sure to always wear your necklace. Got it?”

“Yes! Hehe!”

“Sweet dreams.”

“You too, Teacher!”

After exchanging affectionate kisses on each other’s foreheads and cheeks, Elenora quickly drifted off to dreamland. She rarely fussed at bedtime anyway, but seeing Ailesia seemed to put her at ease and made her fall asleep even faster.

“You’ve worked hard, Hilda.”

“Not at all. Just being by the Grand Duchess’s side makes me so happy.”

Hilda, covering her cheek with her hand, was exactly like a girl in love. Her eyes gazing at Elenora’s sleeping face looked like hearts might pop out of them at any moment.

“It’s an honor to serve you tea after such a long time.”

“What honor, really.”

Hilda, who had moved to Ailesia’s room, personally brewed the tea. While they were enjoying the aroma and having a conversation for a moment, the sound of someone knocking on the door was heard.

Knock knock.

“Sorry for the late hour, Teacher Milenov. Are you inside?”

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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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