Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Pretending to Be Human: Episode 101

After exchanging smiles, the Countess pointed to a mirror on one side of the room and spoke.

“Then, while we’re on the subject, would it be alright to ask one more favor, Your Highness?”

“Of course.”

“Could you destroy that mirror?”

It was a luxurious mirror adorned with platinum fixtures, its surface dulled by accumulated dust.

I belatedly realized it was a mirror the Empress had gifted her.

“Ruslara.”

I looked toward her. She wore a bewildered expression for a moment before regaining her composure and drawing her sword.

Then she swung it forcefully toward the mirror.

The mirror shattered instantly in two, and shards of broken glass scattered in all directions.

“…For a demon that tormented me for so long, you are remarkably fragile.”

The Countess murmured in a hollow voice upon witnessing this. She stared at the fragments for a long while before turning to me with a question.

“Your Highness, is Biki’s spirit anywhere nearby?”

I shook my head.

“It’s daytime now, so the lingering spirit won’t be visible. She expended considerable power, so she won’t manifest for some time.”

“If she regains her strength, would she become visible to me as well?”

“That would be…”

…difficult. Perceiving and conversing with lingering spirits was something only a necromancer could accomplish.

‘There’s a way, but… it would be too cruel to suggest it to a human.’

Biki wouldn’t want that either. I shook my head in denial, and the Countess gazed at me intently before murmuring softly.

“I see. Very well. I shall find another way myself.”

“…”

She clearly had no intention of giving up easily.

At that moment, a commotion erupted from outside.

Looking down through the window, I saw people gathering around my carriage.

‘Are these the people Loreil was supposed to bring?’

The Countess, having assessed the situation first, spoke calmly.

“They’re the local administrators. They’ve come to confirm whether I’m alive or dead. I should go meet them.”

“Loreil said he sent messengers to the County as well. People will likely arrive from there too.”

“The County will manage fine without me.”

I widened my eyes in question, and she let out a small laugh.

“Before I fell under the dream’s spell, I transferred full authority to my proxy. Of course, it wasn’t an official procedure… but even if I were absent from my post for ten years, they would govern the County well.”

“Surely you don’t mean you anticipated never waking from the dream?”

“Of course I did.”

She continued as though it were the most natural thing.

“My people must not suffer the consequences of my choices.”

I found myself exhaling in admiration. Since Viscount Gorden, I had never met a nobleman who took their responsibilities with such gravity.

I realized anew that the title “Flower of High Society” was not merely a compliment born of her beauty.

The Countess glanced around before turning to me.

“I’ll take care of tidying up here. It would be best if you returned to the Palace, Your Highness.”

“Are you certain? There may be those who wish to harm you.”

At my words, her lips curved upward.

“All the more reason for you to leave, Your Highness. If someone is indeed targeting me, I wish to face them directly.”

I sensed her resolve—a determination to confront the architect of this calamity, even if it meant facing death itself.

Her conviction bore the weight of a warrior’s, and I found myself unable to dissuade her.

“I understand. Then let us meet again once matters have settled.”

As Ruslara and I turned to depart, the Countess stopped us.

“Are you currently residing in the Imperial Palace, Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

“Then in five days’ time, let us meet at the tavern frequented by the Palace servants. Mention my name, and they will direct you.”

“…?”

The Countess and the Princess meeting at a servants’ tavern? The notion seemed peculiar.

I cast her a questioning glance, but the Countess offered no immediate explanation, merely bidding me farewell.

“Until then, Your Highness.”

The truth would reveal itself in time. I accepted her parting words and departed the manor.

Viscount Gorden, who had been waiting in the carriage, greeted me as I emerged.

“Your Highness, what has transpired?”

Concern was evident across his features. He had grown anxious during the long minutes of my absence.

I smiled bitterly and pointed toward the carriage.

“Let’s get in the carriage first, and then I’ll explain everything.”

It was a matter too delicate to discuss in front of outsiders. I boarded the carriage with Viscount Gorden and gave orders to the Carriage Driver.

“Take us back to the Imperial Palace. Oh, and not the Separate Palace—the Main Palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The carriage set off. Viscount Gorden seemed curious about why we were heading to the Main Palace instead of the Separate Palace, but I explained what had happened at the Manor first.

“So what happened was….”

I omitted any mention of magical power or spirit magic. Though this left gaps in my account, when I attributed everything to divine miracles and fortune, he accepted it readily enough.

By the time my explanation ended, the carriage had arrived at the Main Palace.

“As expected of Your Highness the Princess. You didn’t even glance at such a greedy proposal, and instead extended your hand to the place most in need. My eye for talent remains infallible….”

“Please stop overestimating me like that, and wait here for a moment. I have business in the Main Palace.”

“In the Main Palace? Do you have an audience with His Majesty?”

I shook my head.

“No, though I do have matters to discuss with the Emperor… the person I wish to see is someone else.”

“And who might that be?”

“I’ll explain when I return.”

Leaving Viscount Gorden’s questions behind, I proceeded directly into the Main Palace. To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I brought only Ruslara and Ivan, leaving Emma and Liribel behind.

In the worst case, blood might be spilled.

As I crossed through the Main Palace without hesitation, a Chamberlain suddenly appeared and blocked my path urgently.

“Your Highness the Princess? What brings you to this place?”

“Move aside. I have business ahead.”

“I’m afraid entry to the Imperial Palace Garden is currently restricted. There is….”

I exhaled deeply.

How long has it been since I returned to High Society, and yet I’m still treated like this.

“Unless His Majesty the Emperor forbids it, there is nowhere an Imperial Family member such as myself cannot go.”

“However, that place is currently….”

So another noble member of the Imperial Family is using it, and I’m not to enter. Is that it?

I stepped closer to the Chamberlain. He retreated in alarm.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. If I’m going in, I’m going in.”

“B-but….”

“If you want to stop me, call Father. He’d permit it anyway, wouldn’t he?”

“…!”

The Chamberlain’s eyes widened, apparently shocked that I would address the Emperor so casually.

Naturally, I had nothing to fear. Having completed the task of bringing Chloe, I was confident the Emperor would overlook a few instances of such rudeness.

‘That old man’s attitude changes completely when results are involved.’

The Chamberlain, aware of this fact as well, hesitated briefly before slowly stepping aside.

“…I understand. My apologies.”

“Yes, I’m glad you came to your senses so quickly.”

A Chamberlain of the Main Palace was a nobleman with influence equivalent to at least a Count. He bowed his head in shame, clearly unaccustomed to being treated this way.

Finding his expression rather amusing, I let slip a comment as I passed.

“If you ever want to become a gatekeeper, just say the word. I’ll personally ask the Soldier standing by the Main Palace entrance on your behalf.”

“….”

Ivan, who had been observing the scene, whispered to Ruslara.

“Do you know that Chamberlain’s name?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Oh, just thinking I might use his name for a disguise later….”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t do that.”

Ruslara and I rebuked him simultaneously. Ivan’s brow furrowed with indignation.

“How do you know what I was about to say?”

There was no point in listening to him anyway.

I ignored him and made my way toward the Imperial Palace Garden.

If my memory served me correctly, someone regularly used the garden at this hour.

That someone was….

“Hello, Jeina.”

Jeina—my younger sister.

I found her in the center of the garden, sipping tea while gazing at the fountain.

Fortunately, Jeina seemed to have maintained the habits of her childhood.

She set down her teacup and looked at me.

“Showing up without a word—what kind of rudeness is this, Deina?”

Clearly displeased at having her solitary tea time interrupted, she narrowed her eyes and glared at me with unmistakable displeasure.

I instructed Ivan and Ruslara to wait at the Garden entrance, then approached Jeina. Without a word, Jeina dismissed the servants as well.

Once I confirmed that no one else was within earshot, I withdrew a letter from my pocket.

A letter that had been delivered under Biki’s name. The envelope bore the Imperial Palace seal.

“You sent this, didn’t you?”

Jeina stared at the envelope for a moment, then tilted her head.

Then, in a manner most unlike herself, she smiled with a twisted expression and spoke.

“That’s right. I see you witnessed that woman’s pathetic jealousy quite well.”

Who “that woman” referred to was abundantly clear.

Jeina’s biological mother—the Empress.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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