It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 66

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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 066

Despite it still being the bitter cold of mid-January, the Imperial Grand Banquet Hall was filled with warmth.

People’s attire was as bright and light as a spring day in full bloom. This was because barriers for temperature control were operating not only inside the banquet hall, but also in the surrounding areas.

These barriers, which consumed hundreds of magic stones per day, were also a measure of the Blair Empire’s wealth.

“Oh my, isn’t that dress Madam Merisa’s limited edition design? I was curious about what wonderful owner it would find, and here I see it at this gathering.”

“You flatter me. How could it compare to that necklace that enhances your beauty? That’s from Meister Qualn’s 20th anniversary collection, isn’t it?”

“I happened to have connections, hohoho.”

The nobles gathered in small groups were busy showing off their wealth by praising each other’s clothes and accessories. Yet they were secretly glancing toward the entrance out of the corner of their eyes.

About one year had passed since the news of the deaths of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Retis was delivered less than a month after the last imperial banquet ended.

The fact that the new Grand Duke of Retis was an illegitimate child whose birth was not even clearly established had already spread widely among the nobles.

‘This is his first time appearing at an official occasion, right?’

‘I heard he’s only 18 years old this year.’

‘To already be an Aura Master at such a young age, we must acknowledge his talent at least…’

Some waited for the Grand Duke’s appearance with pure curiosity, while others watched with eyes full of envious suspicion.

The gazes of the noble young ladies, full of dreams, naturally focused on his young age and background, while the seasoned nobles were busy calculating the pros and cons of what kind of relationship they should establish with him.

When less than 10 minutes remained before the banquet began, the attendant’s booming voice announcing the nobles’ entrance echoed throughout the hall.

“Entering now is the Guardian of the North who walks with the Great Light, Grand Duke Termion Haran von Retis and his party!”

Silence fell over the hall in an instant.

The murmuring nobles closed their mouths without exception and focused their gazes on the entrance.

The first person they saw was a woman with blazing red hair.

Iolene, wearing an elegant and sophisticated green dress, surveyed the banquet hall with cold eyes while keeping her back straight.

After briefly admiring the still noble bearing of the Grand Duchess Dowager, people soon widened their eyes at the sight of the small child holding her hand.

“That must be the Grand Duchess who turned six this year…?”

“How adorable she is.”

“Those green eyes are exactly like the Grand Duchess Dowager’s.”

Soft smiles spread across the noble ladies’ faces as they watched Elenora looking around with her large eyes. Her bright expression, in contrast to her grandmother’s, naturally brought laughter to their faces.

However, when a pair of young man and woman appeared behind them, the atmosphere that had just begun to relax was swept up in even greater shock.

“…Good heavens.”

“Indeed, rumors are not to be trusted. Who would doubt his birth after seeing that appearance?”

“It’s as if a sculpture has come to life. Other men wouldn’t dare show their faces in front of him.”

Termion’s black hair and eyes were clear evidence that he was the legitimate heir of the Retis family.

His face, fully revealed with his bangs swept back, harmoniously embodied both elegance and strength without yielding an inch.

Most of the noble young ladies were already holding their breath, clutching their hearts or stamping their feet in distress.

But the real reason they were so agitated lay elsewhere.

It was because the bearing of the woman positioned beside Termion was so overwhelming that they couldn’t even feel jealous.

“Who on earth is that lady beside him…?”

“I can’t believe it even while looking. That I’m the same species as her.”

“Which family’s daughter could she be?”

If Termion’s appearance was shocking, then Ailesia’s appearance was beyond marvelous.

If a goddess from the scriptures were to descend to the mortal world, would she look like this?

Her brilliant golden hair as if molten gold had been poured, and her vivid blue eyes that no jewel could dare compare to, captivated people regardless of age or gender.

The dress with its unique design that none of the noble women had ever encountered made her presence stand out even more.

The vivid silver embroidery on the black background that rippled like waves with each step reminded one of the aurora dancing in the night sky over the Gardbale Mountains.

“It’s been a long time, Grand Duchess Dowager.”

The person who broke the silence that wasn’t quite silence was a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance.

Unlike the other men who were dressed to the nines, he wore a loose-fitting robe instead of formal banquet attire.

“Have you been well, Marquis Havir?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve been fine. I wondered how you were doing since there was no news after we met last year.”

Marquis Havir was one of only three Upper Mages in the Empire and the head of the imperial mages.

Since he had attended the Former Grand Duke Couple’s funeral on behalf of the imperial family, he was already acquainted with Termion.

“I was too distracted at the time to greet you properly. Let me express my gratitude once again.”

“Haha, what did I do that deserves such words? You’ve become even more distinguished since I last saw you, Your Highness. And…”

Marquis Havir smiled warmly and lowered his body.

He had long since noticed that bright, curious eyes had been watching him intently.

“This is our first meeting, isn’t it? I’m Bastian Havir, Grand Duchess.”

“Hello! I’m Elenora Vies von Retis!”

“You look exactly like the Former Grand Duchess.”

“Why are you being so formal with a child who’s like a granddaughter to me? It’s burdensome to hear.”

When Iolene scolded him with a displeased expression, Marquis Havir narrowed his brow in response.

“The Grand Duchess Dowager was being formal, so I made an effort to match her, but you have so many complaints, tsk.”

“Are you already going senile? You’re not at that age yet.”

“Hehehe, that damn sharp tongue of yours is still the same.”

“…Have you finally lost your mind?”

“Why don’t you speak nicely first? What do you mean senile?”

“And ‘damn’ is nice language?”

When language that might be exchanged between street mercenaries suddenly popped out, Ailesia’s eyes widened. Termion had already gently covered Elenora’s ears with both hands.

“What’s wrong, Uncle?”

“You can’t use those words yet.”

“What kind of words are those?”

“…The way elders express friendship?”

Iolene and Marquis Havir flinched upon hearing those words.

The two simultaneously smoothed their expressions as if they had never been growling at each other and spoke in refined voices again.

“I’m so happy to see you after so long that I don’t know what to do with myself, Marquis.”

“I feel very similarly, Grand Duchess Dowager. By the way, who is this lovely lady?”

Marquis Havir, who had been inwardly curious about Ailesia, subtly changed the subject. Before Iolene, who realized her mistake, could speak, Ailesia greeted him first.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marquis Havir. I’m Ailesia Milenov, working as the Grand Duchess’s tutor.”

“I’m Bastian Havir. It seems you’re attending as His Highness’s partner?”

“That’s also correct, but I have a separate main job.”

Ailesia smiled gently and stroked Elenora’s head. She meant that she had actually accompanied them as the child’s guardian.

Seeing Elenora immediately cling to her teacher’s skirt at that touch, Marquis Havir burst into hearty laughter.

“Haha, the Grand Duchess seems to like her teacher very much.”

“Our teacher is the prettiest in the world!”

“Indeed.”

Though Marquis Havir had long been detached from worldly affairs, even he could see that Ailesia possessed unparalleled beauty.

For Marquis Havir, who remembered how brilliant Iolene had been in the past, it was also a sight that made him newly realize how much time had passed.

“Youth is truly wonderful, Grand Duchess Dowager.”

Perhaps noticing the wistfulness in his voice, Iolene responded with unnecessary gruffness.

“Hmph, what’s so great about showing your age? We’re still vigorous too.”

“It’s a fact that we’re old, isn’t it? I miss the days when we went on adventures with Julian. Those were truly enjoyable times.”

“Why bring up talk of dead people? Do you know who’s making me suffer even at this age?”

“You really have nothing nice to say about your husband.”

Hearing the two’s conversation, Ailesia briefly recalled the original story’s content in her mind.

The name Julian that Marquis Havir mentioned seemed to definitely refer to the great-grandfather Grand Duke of Retis.

‘He’s someone whose name wasn’t even mentioned in the original story…’

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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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