Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 164

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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 164
“To stop Franz’s conspiracy, I need help from someone outside the Imperial Family. Since he and I are under the Emperor’s intensive surveillance, we can’t move freely.”
“Don’t you have nobles on your side?”
“They won’t act if the opponent is Franz. They believe Franz will become the next Emperor. Even though they’re my allies, they don’t want to antagonize the Emperor.”
In a way, it was only natural.
Those who sided with Jeina were mostly neutral nobles. They had joined hands simply because they didn’t want to become deeply involved in politics, and they certainly weren’t prepared to confront Franz, the future Emperor.
They had become her allies primarily because she was a Princess.
“Alberto, on the other hand, is different. He’s rumored to be an eccentric who’s grown tired of high society, but in truth, he’s sharpening his blade for revenge against Franz. The Golden Plains he possesses also has abundant utility.”
“You’ve investigated quite thoroughly. It seems like I might not need to accompany you at all.”
“No, I need you. Because I previously proposed an alliance to Alberto and was rejected.”
“What?”
My eyes widened at this unexpected revelation, and Jeina answered with an indifferent expression.
“I once consulted with him about my younger sister’s situation. I asked him to gather private information about Franz so I could expose him. He refused.”
“Why did he refuse? You consider Franz a disgrace to the Imperial Family.”
“The justification was insufficient. Do you really think high society would cast out Franz merely for ruining one woman’s life?”
It was a cold assessment, but undeniable. Before such immense power, scandals of that magnitude could easily be laughed off in high society. Moreover, Alberto’s family didn’t wield significant influence in the Capital’s social circles.
‘So that’s why she was trying to rely on Jeina…’
Alberto must have calculated that, as a fellow member of the Imperial Family, she might use this justification to expose Franz on his behalf.
But Jeina was cold-blooded.
She judged that this information alone wasn’t enough to attack him, so she rejected his proposal.
“But the situation has changed now. If I can only secure evidence of the crop plague in my Direct Dominion, I can definitely attack Franz. To do that, I’m planning to propose an alliance to Alberto again.”
“…So what you’re saying is, the justification of crop plague in your Direct Dominion is more solid than the justification of your sister’s death, so you’ll use that to strike at Franz? And you’re planning to tell Alberto the same thing?”
“That’s right. What’s the problem?”
‘Of course there is, you cold-blooded monster.’
I felt like pinching her cheek.
To someone who had lost family,
‘A more solid justification has emerged than your sister’s death, so cooperate with me.’
Who would willingly follow such words?
Even Asmo-rina, who had been listening with apparent indifference, clicked her tongue.
“I’ve never seen anyone worse than Gregory in all my life. Are you really human?”
“What exactly is the problem? Back then, I refused because it was difficult to help with his revenge. Now the situation has changed so that I can help achieve his revenge as well.”
“No, it’s not about the situation… Never mind, let’s drop it.”
Asmo-rina let out a deep sigh. I smiled wryly and spoke to Jeina.
“I’ll handle the conversation with Count Alberto.”
“…I wasn’t planning to interfere anyway.”
Jeina turned her head away with a sullen expression.
Just then, the carriage arrived at Bindani.
Jeina, who had stepped out of the carriage first, spoke upon seeing the Bindani soldiers who had come to greet us.
“I’m going to meet with Count Bindani. Since we’ll need to maintain relations with this region for Alberto’s activities going forward, make sure the alliance is concluded.”
“I’ll do my best.”
She headed to the Manor where Count Bindani resided.
I donned the robe that Jeina’s Chamberlain had prepared and made my way to the Back Alley where the Golden Plains was located.
Asmo-rina protested, claiming it was suffocating, but her striking violet hair left me no choice but to force it upon her.
With her grumbling in tow, I arrived at the Golden Plains.
“Oh, goodness! Princess Deina!”
The staff who spotted me caused a brief commotion, but unlike last time, I was able to meet Alberto quickly.
Alberto welcomed me with his characteristic exaggerated demeanor.
“Welcome, Your Highness! It’s been quite some time since we last met!”
“It has been a while, Alberto. I apologize for arriving without notice.”
“Haha, as I mentioned before, a visit from someone of your station is always welcome. Please, do sit. I’ll prepare the same tea as last time….”
His gaze fell upon Asmo-rina. Noticing she was a different person from my previous Guard Knight, he asked with curious interest.
“Is she a friend? Or perhaps….”
Just as I was about to introduce her as my new Guard Knight, Asmo-rina beat me to it.
“I’m her daughter.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“I said I’m this person’s daughter. So don’t concern yourself.”
“….”
A heavy silence descended upon the room.
Alberto stared at me with a bewildered expression, as if questioning whether this could possibly be true, and unable to deny it, I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Ahem, well. I had no idea you had such a grown daughter. My, this will certainly be quite a shock to those men who admire Your Highness.”
“There are men like that? Who are they?”
As Asmo-rina began to emanate killing intent, I hastily stepped in front of her.
“It’s just something he said. You know how rumors spread. Would there really be anyone like that?”
A year ago, I had heard whispers that merely looking upon me brought curses. While I was explaining that Alberto’s thoughtless jest shouldn’t be taken seriously, he muttered something from behind.
“This will be difficult. I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”
“Pardon? What did you say?”
“Nothing at all. Then please, do have your daughter sit as well. What sort of tea does she prefer?”
Asmo-rina scoffed and spoke.
“I don’t need any foul-smelling liquid. Plain water will do.”
“Then perhaps some pastries? I’ve just received some excellent apples and baked a pie.”
‘Surely he didn’t bake it himself?’
Given Alberto’s eccentric nature, it seemed entirely possible he had done so.
Asmo-rina’s interest was piqued at the mention of pastries, and she quietly settled onto the Sofa.
“If you’re offering, there’s no reason to refuse.”
“Haha, it’s my honor to serve you.”
Alberto smiled warmly and winked at me. Feeling somewhat apologetic, I gave a subtle nod where Asmo-rina couldn’t see, and took a seat beside her.
As Alberto busied himself preparing refreshments, he spoke to me.
“By the way, what brings you here today? Seeing that you’ve come with Princess Jeina, could it be regarding that rumored grain problem?”
“As expected, you were already aware.”
“Working in the Underworld has a way of sharpening one’s ears to such matters.”
Alberto wore a leisurely smile, yet his eyes remained cold and unsmiling.
His true feelings toward Jeina were laid bare—they were far from kind.
I paused to choose my words carefully, then slowly explained what I had heard in the carriage.
“This matter is also connected to Prince Franz. It’s that….”
Naturally, I omitted the conversation between Jeina and Alberto. What mattered was that we intended to thwart Prince Franz’s conspiracy, and whether he would participate in our plan.
Since the story was straightforward, my explanation concluded just as the refreshments were being prepared.
As Alberto set down glasses and plates before Asmo-rina and me, he murmured softly.
“How peculiar. To receive a proposal to attack Prince Franz from Princess Jeina herself.”
“This is also my own will. If I’ve caused you any discomfort, I apologize….”
“No, Your Highness has nothing to apologize for. After all, it was my own foolishness at the time that was the truth.”
However, he continued calmly.
“Had this been Your Highness’s plan, I would have gladly followed. But if it involves Princess Jeina…it’s difficult for me to consent easily.”
“There will be no harm to you, Alberto. And there’s an opportunity to damage Prince Franz’s reputation….”
“I’m not doubting the plan’s effectiveness. Rather, I mean that too many people are involved in this matter.”
As I looked at him with questioning eyes, Alberto paused to choose his words.
“Hmm, as I suspected, you didn’t know. Prince Franz is not the true mastermind behind this.”
“Don’t dance around it. Who is it then?”
Asmo-rina, who had finished all the refreshments by now, wiped her mouth with her hand and asked.
Alberto smiled bitterly and spoke.
“It’s the Empress. She ordered this entire affair.”
“That can’t be… The Empress sided with Prince Franz and attacked Jeina?”
“Indeed. According to my information, she has already resolved to abandon Jeina.”
It was information I couldn’t believe. To the Empress, Jeina was essentially a second version of herself. How could the Empress target her?
Seeing my bewilderment, Alberto leisurely crossed his legs.
“That’s why the risk is substantial. If it were only Prince Franz, that would be one thing, but with the Empress involved as well… we lack sufficient justification.”
At his words, which brought back memories of Jeina from the past, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

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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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