Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 12

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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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Struggling to Pretend to Be Human Today Episode 012

‘But why exactly?’

Whatever the relationship between the Empress and Emperor was didn’t matter to me. I was more curious about why the Empress was looking for me.

“Do you have any idea why Her Majesty the Empress is looking for me?”

“I don’t. Honestly, I was quite flustered myself.”

Loreil took out a letter from his chest. It was stationery with gold trim that appeared to be from the Empress.

I took it and unfolded it.

The content was simple, just as Loreil had said.

‘Close contact is needed, so I’m sending this to the Prime Minister’s family. I want to meet Princess Deina. To help her… A simple letter without even proper greetings.’

If this had been a letter from an ordinary nobleman, it would have been criticized for lacking courtesy due to its brevity.

That made it even more puzzling.

‘The reason for helping, and what exactly does she plan to do for me?’

The letter was so thoughtless that both Loreil and I were left speechless, sitting in silence side by side.

But regardless, the other party was the Empress. Having received the letter, I couldn’t refuse the invitation.

“I understand for now. When exactly am I supposed to meet her?”

“According to the servant who delivered the letter, it’s tonight at midnight. The location is the greenhouse in the Imperial Palace Gardens.”

The timing was also sudden. The sun was already about to set.

Getting a headache, I placed my hand on my forehead. Noticing my concern, Loreil spoke up.

“Should I come with you?”

“No, it’s fine. It seems like she wants to meet with just me alone.”

Besides, even though he had delivered the letter, I couldn’t completely trust Loreil.

Even if we were allies regarding the arena matter, politically speaking, the Prime Minister’s family was an enemy of the Imperial Family.

Loreil nodded lightly as if he had expected the refusal.

Then he briefly shared information about the Empress, saying it might be helpful.

When I looked at him as if wondering why he was going this far, Loreil added:

“In return, I’d be grateful if you could give me a hint about what conversation you had.”

It wasn’t a bad deal for me either, so I accepted.

After that, he stood up saying he would return now that his business was finished.

Just before leaving the Separate Palace, he asked as if something had just occurred to him.

“By the way, who’s helping with the Armored Fighter’s training?”

“She’s doing it alone.”

“Really?”

“…Yes.”

He looked at me. Even though his expression was mask-like, emotions showed in his eyes.

‘He seems to be saying he doesn’t believe it.’

I smiled brightly and added:

“Then would frail little me be helping her?”

“…”

‘I think he just snorted slightly.’

Loreil left the Separate Palace without a word.

* * *

Midnight, the Imperial Palace Gardens.

As the year-end approached, the Empire’s cold had reached its peak.

I wrapped myself tightly in a thick coat and headed to the greenhouse in the gardens.

“Your Highness.”

“If it gets too cold, you can go back first.”

“No! I’ll wait here.”

Liribel promised to assist me, saying this level of cold was nothing compared to her hometown.

I glanced at Ruslara standing behind her. She had also woken up around late evening and followed along wearing her helmet, volunteering to be my guard.

“I absolutely won’t let anyone through.”

I looked at Ruslara with complicated eyes as she steeled her resolve. I had told her to reflect on her training results, but somehow it seemed only her loyalty had increased.

“No, you don’t need to block so desperately. This is the Main Palace, so it’s safe.”

“But for Your Highness…”

“Ruslara is weak, so just stay put.”

“…Yes.”

Only then did Ruslara’s momentum deflate. I patted her shoulder and entered the greenhouse.

‘It’s warm.’

Unlike the cutting wind outside, inside the greenhouse felt like spring had arrived.

I could faintly sense magic, so it seemed they had applied expensive magical treatment befitting the Imperial Palace.

“This way, Princess Deina.”

In the center of the greenhouse, a woman sat at a table waiting for me.

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

I walked calmly and stood before the Empress, offering a respectful greeting. The Empress smiled, saying there was no need to be so formal.

“We’re mother and daughter, aren’t we? Feel free to address me casually.”

“…Yes.”

I was momentarily flustered when someone who had never once called me daughter spoke of a mother-daughter relationship.

Regardless, the Empress seated me in a chair and began personally pouring tea for me.

Strong black tea unsuitable for late night was filled to the brim in front of me.

‘The kindness is excessive.’

Looking closely, the refreshments on the table were also extraordinary.

Freshly baked scones, glistening brioche, perfectly melted butter… It felt more like the Imperial Palace Reception Room than a greenhouse.

I observed the Empress while acting calm.

Empress Chersil, who still wore a gentle smile, was so young and beautiful it was hard to believe she had given birth to four children.

Platinum hair that was the symbol of the Imperial Family, clear round sapphire-colored eyes, neatly braided hair, and an evening dress adorned with jewels.

She was someone who shone like the sun, unchanged from before.

That made it all the more burdensome. Kindness from such a person always came with a price.

“You heard from young Loreil, didn’t you?”

Young Loreil.

The expression was somehow awkward.

I nodded and answered.

“Yes, that Your Majesty the Empress would help me…”

“That’s right. I want to support Princess Deina.”

She clasped her hands together and continued.

“I heard your health recovered and you took charge of hosting the arena. I can’t tell you how happy I was!”

If nothing else, I could be certain that her claim of being happy was a lie. The Empress and I had never once had an intimate relationship.

“As a congratulation, I want to help Princess Deina safely return to high society. That’s why I called you here.”

“I’m grateful for the sentiment, but… it’s such a sudden proposal that I’m flustered.”

“Don’t feel burdened! I’m doing this because I want to.”

‘Anyone would think I’m really her daughter.’

It was absurd, but I smiled without showing it. I needed conversation to figure out her true intentions.

“Of course I’d be very grateful if Your Majesty the Empress would help me.”

When I spoke as if moved, the Empress raised her voice even more brightly.

“I knew you’d be pleased! So first of all…”

The Empress began cheerfully rattling off her plans in great detail.

Compared to all the fuss, the help she spoke of lacked substance.

Things like bringing a band to the arena for a congratulatory performance, or sponsoring a huge amount of money…

They wouldn’t be bad to have, but from my position, they weren’t particularly good things.

That’s because if she helped so conspicuously, even if the event succeeded, it would be credited to the Empress rather than me.

‘She subtly added that she would sponsor it under her own name.’

What I wanted was proof that Princess Deina had overcome the curse and become healthy, not rumors that the princess had returned thanks to the merciful Empress.

‘Did she offer to help me for that reason? It seems insufficient as a motive….’

It was too trivial to be called a heartwarming story. I never believed it was goodwill born from a kind heart in the first place.

I half-listened to her plan while organizing information about the Empress in my head.

‘A perfect Empress with no flaws to be found externally. Perfect bloodline, outstanding children… No matter how I think about it, she lacks nothing.’

Since she was such an Empress, that matter didn’t seem like it would be of much help either.

Then that means I’m not the objective….

‘Wait, I’m not the only one involved in this matter.’

At that moment, a certain premonition flashed through my mind.

To confirm it, I casually added.

“I’m grateful for your kindness, but I think I should check Lord Loreil’s opinion as well. He’s helping me under His Majesty the Emperor’s orders….”

“Oh my! Don’t worry about that.”

Then the Empress clapped her hands as if she had been waiting for this and said.

“If Princess Deina wishes it, I’ll speak to Lord Loreil separately. From now on, my attendant will assist Princess Deina.”

The Empress emphasized the words ‘if you wish it.’

“Then what about Lord Loreil?”

“He’ll return to his proper position.”

‘As I thought.’

I let out a small laugh. Finally, I could see a glimpse of that gentle Empress’s true intentions.

The reason she had to avoid the Emperor’s eyes. Her sudden kindness toward me.

And most importantly, her words just now about separating Loreil and me.

The seemingly unrelated clues came together as one.

‘The Empress’s purpose wasn’t to help me, but to separate Loreil from me.’

I had a guess about why she wanted to separate us too.

Joy at finally discovering the answer made me unconsciously let out a hollow laugh.

“Your Majesty the Empress, may I ask just one more question?”

“Oh my, of course. As many as you’d like.”

“Does Jeina know about Your Majesty’s meeting with me today?”

Jeina, my younger sister.

And unlike me, the beloved daughter cherished by the Empress.

“…Why do you ask that?”

“Well, when a ‘mother’ is working so hard to arrange her marriage, shouldn’t the daughter know about it too?”

“….”

“She’s getting engaged to the heir of the Prime Minister’s Family, after all.”

I smiled brightly as if offering congratulations.

“She must be happy to have such a wonderful mother.”

Willingly stepping forward to remove the older sister who’s interfering with her daughter’s engagement.

Where else in the world could you find such a mother?

Cracks appeared in the Empress’s beautiful smile that had been full of confidence.

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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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