It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 67

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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 067

It seemed Julian, Iolene, and Marquis Havir had been friends for quite some time.

If that was the case, then it made sense why Marquis Havir acted so familiarly with Termion.

‘Illegitimate child or not, he’d be his best friend’s son…’

Still, both Marquis Havir casually mentioning Julian and Iolene responding in kind seemed quite bold.

‘…Is Termion alright?’

Contrary to expectations, he wore a rather indifferent expression.

With his slightly furrowed brow, he looked as bored as a student waiting for adults to finish talking during the holidays.

“My, I’ve been rather tactless. Grand Duchess Dowager, I’ll see you again later. Since you’ve come all the way to the Imperial Capital, perhaps we could share some tea.”

“Wouldn’t alcohol be better than tea? Whether I visit or you come by, we’ll send word later.”

“How delightful. Grand Duke, please enjoy your time. Grand Duchess and Miss Milenov as well.”

“We’ll see you later.”

“Goodbye, Grandpa Marquis!”

After Marquis Havir withdrew with polite farewells, Ailesia shrugged her shoulders and let out a light laugh.

“Termion, did you hear? He called me Miss Milenov.”

“That’s the most appropriate title, isn’t it? He’s not one to scrutinize your origins anyway.”

True, since she was the Grand Duchess’s tutor, it would be hard to think she wasn’t nobility.

From Marquis Havir’s attitude, it seemed he wouldn’t have minded even if he knew she was a commoner.

“Let’s head over there as well. It’s almost time for His Imperial Majesty to make his entrance.”

As soon as Iolene finished speaking, the entrance began to stir with commotion.

Soon the hall doors opened and a loud voice rang out once more.

“The eternal sun of the Blair Empire, His Imperial Majesty, enters!”

All the nobles in the hall bowed in unison. For a moment she wondered what to do, but Termion, who had moved close beside her, whispered quietly.

“We don’t bow deeply. Just nod your head respectfully.”

Glancing sideways, she saw Iolene in the typical noble greeting stance—holding her dress hem with one hand while placing the other on her chest, head bowed. Elenora, childlike, had both hands on her stomach and was tilting her body slightly.

‘Being the Grand Ducal House certainly makes a difference in status.’

But I’m not a member of Retis—is this really okay?

Setting aside her rising doubts for now, Ailesia assumed the same posture as Iolene.

‘…Now, let me get a look at that face.’

Ailesia’s lips curved slightly as she confirmed the brown-haired woman beside the Emperor.

“Oh, Grand Duchess Dowager.”

“Have you been well, Your Majesty?”

“How long has it been since we last met?”

The Emperor, his dignified and solemn appearance forgotten, rose from his seat to greet Iolene.

His action of coming down from the platform and clasping hands felt truly like greeting a family elder.

“Seeing you so healthy from the new year brings me joy.”

“I am deeply honored.”

“…Though much delayed, I offer my condolences once more. Not being able to attend the funeral in person still weighs on my heart.”

“I am simply grateful. With Your Majesty’s generous heart, Landrit must have departed in peace.”

For a ceremonial exchange of greetings, the conversation was overflowing with warmth. Ailesia, who had been quietly keeping her head bowed, glanced at the Emperor with surprise.

‘If they get along so well, why did they fight so bitterly in the novel?’

In the middle of Part 1, the conflict between Retis and the Imperial Family reaches its peak.

It was because Termion, enraged over marriage issues, constantly defied the Emperor.

Eventually, the marriage the Emperor had been pushing for Termion was canceled, and the situation concluded with an engagement between Elenora and the Second Prince. It was an episode that received as much criticism as praise.

‘Is it simply a lack of plausibility, or perhaps…’

Ailesia’s gaze quietly shifted to the side.

The woman who had been standing beside the Emperor, silently smiling.

The greatest villainess of the original work, First Imperial Consort Rabienosha Kaif La Blair.

The second daughter of Duke Kaif, who could be called the leader of the Empire’s nobles, she was also a schemer who had pushed aside her own sister, who had originally been designated as Imperial Consort.

“Is this child the Grand Duchess? She has the same beautiful green eyes as the Grand Duchess Dowager.”

“Hello, Your Majesty!”

Though somewhat improper in etiquette, Elenora charmed the Emperor with her characteristic boldness and cuteness.

He gently patted the child’s shoulder with a kind smile.

“Yes, I am the Emperor. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Me too! I was very curious about what kind of person Your Majesty would be!”

“Well, now that you’ve seen me in person, what do you think?”

“Hmm… The third most handsome uncle in the world?”

“What? How impudent. To think there are two uncles more handsome than me—who are they?”

“Daddy and Uncle!”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter at the purely innocent answer. Even to his eyes, having met countless nobles, Termion’s appearance was admirable enough to draw spontaneous praise.

“The Grand Duchess has excellent taste. I was quite confident in my younger days, but I’m no match for you.”

“I apologize for the child’s rudeness, Your Majesty. How could I dare compare myself to Your Majesty?”

“Not at all. How much must she love her uncle to say such things? Children should be childlike—pay it no mind.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

“This is your first time meeting the First Imperial Consort, isn’t it? Take your time with introductions. Grand Duchess Dowager, I’ll see you again.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll come see you again later.”

After the Emperor returned to his seat, the First Imperial Consort, who had been waiting silently, finally spoke.

“It’s been a long time, Grand Duchess Dowager. His Majesty was so delighted that I hesitated to interrupt the mood with greetings.”

“I’m grateful that you still welcome this old woman so warmly. You seem to be glowing even more than before.”

Between Iolene and the First Imperial Consort, who faced each other with bright expressions, invisible sparks seemed to fly.

‘This is serious from the very first exchange.’

She thought she was fairly accustomed to the elegant sarcasm of noble ladies, but she hadn’t expected such sharp edges.

The First Imperial Consort, displeased with the Emperor’s excessive hospitality, and Iolene, chiding her to read the room.

This thrill from a conversation between those at the pinnacle of Imperial high society. The tension was comparable to a morning drama.

However, listening to their conversation only strengthened her resolve.

‘I need to find out what the First Imperial Consort’s real intentions are.’

The Emperor she actually met was strangely warm toward Iolene, but in the novel, he showed no particular favor to Retis.

This was clear from the fact that despite having enough money to decorate the banquet hall so lavishly, he never sent relief supplies even once during winter.

‘And it’s not like he provided any political protection either.’

In the original work, he was often depicted as going along with other nobles’ attitudes and attempting petty schemes to collect more taxes.

Perhaps it was the influence of Duke Kaif, the First Imperial Consort’s father.

There was content about Duke Kaif harboring considerable complex toward Julian, the Previous Grand Duke.

But the Emperor was quite skilled at managing relationships and had the ability to delicately balance noble factions.

His friendly treatment of Iolene should be seen as mere performance to maintain both dignity and substance.

‘…No matter how I think about it, there’s no reason for the First Imperial Consort to bother with Iolene, or Retis for that matter.’

It was a doubt that had vaguely occurred to her before, but now it had moved beyond doubt to suspicion.

Without some hidden circumstances, nothing added up.

“Grand Duchess Dowager, won’t you introduce this beautiful young lady beside you? I’m beginning to feel a bit slighted.”

“My, this old woman has been so forgetful lately. Teacher, please introduce yourself.”

Unlike the First Imperial Consort who consistently used proper titles, Iolene had been subtly omitting subjects from her speech throughout their conversation.

Thanks to this, the First Imperial Consort’s lips twitching with subtle irritation was quite amusing to watch.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Ailesia Milenov. Though humble, I am in charge of the Grand Duchess’s education.”

“A personal tutor for a Grand Duke’s daughter who’s only six years old? Are you teaching etiquette or general education?”

“There are many people more skilled than I am in such matters. I’m simply teaching her some basic magic.”

“Magic…? At that age already?”

The First Imperial Consort raised her eyebrows slightly, seeming genuinely surprised. For some reason, Iolene added an explanation in a triumphant voice.

“Teacher Milenov may look young, but she possesses skills beyond that of a High Mage. Her appearance and elegance are flawless in every way.”

…Wait, why are you suddenly gilding my face like that? If you were going to do that, you could have at least given me a heads up.

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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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