Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 18

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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 018

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Time passed quickly and smoothly.

Fortunately, Ruslara’s skills had reached the level I considered championship material. At this level, she would surely win unless she faced someone with exceptional abilities.

The assassin Ivan, who had seen Ruslara’s skills, said this:

“This is championship level? You’ve made her into someone with royal guard-level skills…”

To my eyes, she was still far from adequate, but from a human perspective, it seemed more than sufficient.

After training ended, I sent Ruslara back to the Arena. It was so she could do physical training during the remaining time and steel her resolve.

Before leaving the Separate Palace, she said with an expression that looked like she might cry:

“I will definitely return with the championship medal.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Actually, I had planned to tell her she could return to wherever her family was if she won, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. It would be nice for me to have a reliable subordinate too.

The Empress, who had helped with the event behind the scenes, sent a signal through a maid saying it was time to keep our promise.

‘After the event, stand by her side at the New Year banquet instead of Loreil… was it?’

And she probably planned to place Loreil beside Jeina. Seeing that she sent a maid directly, it seemed she no longer needed to worry about the Emperor’s reaction.

In other words, the Emperor was tacitly approving the Empress’s plan.

‘I thought Loreil would approach me at least once during this time, but he’s been surprisingly quiet.’

On that day when he mentioned Black Hand, just before we parted, he said this along with his farewell:

‘Your Highness, I hope we meet often.’

‘Didn’t you say you were busy?’

‘I hate giving up, you see.’

He meant he wouldn’t give up on being suspicious. I waved my hand telling him to do as he pleased, and he left with a bright smile.

By the way, Liribel, who saw that scene, was ecstatic.

‘I knew it! That person definitely likes Your Highness! Kyaa! He said he can’t give up!’

I tried to explain that wasn’t what he meant, but her mind was already in a flower field.

She was definitely thinking of something like ‘the fateful love between a dark mage and a black-haired nobleman.’

Anyway, time passed quickly, and finally the morning of the Arena opening day dawned.

The day was cold but the sun was brilliant – perfect weather for holding an event.

I visited the Arena wearing a veil that covered my eyes.

I wore the veil specifically to avoid increasing the Arena staff’s workload.

“My goodness, is that person that Princess?”

“Don’t look at her eyes. They say you’ll be cursed…”

If I had revealed my eyes carelessly, the staff managing the audience would surely have had a hard time controlling those making remarks bordering on insulting the Imperial Family.

Golden eyes were nothing short of a symbol of demons in the Empire.

The nobles around the organizer’s seats and the commoners in distant seats were all busy watching me nervously.

Some were seriously worried that lightning might strike from the sky, and there was even a young nobleman crying that he might be cursed and turn into a monster.

‘I feel like I’ve caught some plague.’

It was actually fascinating how much they disliked me. When I was young, things like this hurt, but now I didn’t really care.

“Our Princess doesn’t cast such curses…”

But that seemed to apply only to me. Liribel, who had followed behind me, was clutching her skirt tightly and muttering with an expression that looked like she might cry.

Grateful that Liribel was thinking of me, I smiled at her.

“You came out wearing such a pretty dress, so brighten up your expression.”

Though she was a maid, she had come out wearing an outdoor dress so as not to be embarrassed while attending to me.

“But…”

“I said it’s fine.”

I comforted her and sat in the organizer’s seat. It was a splendid seat with a clear view of the entire Arena.

I could see the Imperial Family’s crest on the decorations around the seat.

‘They said all Imperial Family members served as organizers for big matches like New Year or finals.’

It wasn’t strange since it was the Empire’s most popular sport.

Of course, this was the first time a Princess had taken charge of organizing.

“Now, finally, the start of the New Year Arena…!”

While I was looking around, the event began. Amid the boiling enthusiasm of the audience, a staff member in charge of the organizer’s section cautiously approached and said:

“As reported, the national anthem will begin soon. After that…”

“I remember the entire program, so you don’t need to tell me.”

“Yes, yes!”

He looked quite pitiful trembling while explaining. I smiled slightly at the staff member and said:

“You must have had a hard time because of the rumors, so rest well when it’s over. I’ve prepared a bonus too, so take it.”

“Th-thank you.”

He widened his eyes as if he hadn’t expected to receive such praise. Then, as if coming to his senses, he nodded repeatedly and exited.

Near the exit, he showed excitement while talking with his colleagues. He seemed to be sharing news about the bonus.

‘Of course, it’s not money I prepared.’

That was also money the Empress had agreed to give. Where would I get money?

‘Wait, come to think of it, I borrowed money from Loreil too.’

I hadn’t repaid the money I received to sponsor Ruslara.

‘Well, I can pay it back someday.’

Since it was money lent without interest anyway, I wasn’t too worried.

While thinking about this and that, before I knew it, my turn for the opening speech had arrived.

The contestants were also standing in a line in the center of the Arena looking this way, and I could see Ruslara at the very end wearing shabby basic armor.

“Now then, organizing this Arena season, uh, um- Her Highness Princess Deina Ripeon!”

The host, who seemed to have pondered for a while whether it was okay to say this name, hesitated briefly before calling me.

Stumbling over an Imperial Family member’s name was extremely rude, but I didn’t mind.

But I remembered the name.

‘The host was a young master from a noble family, right? From a Count’s family obsessed with entertainment… I’ll deal with him later.’

I slowly stood up from my seat and opened my mouth toward the audience.

“First, I offer my gratitude to the sun of the Empire, His Majesty Emperor Bernhard, for arranging this occasion. Before this event…”

A stuffy and predictable opening speech followed. Knowing no one was interested, I was trying to finish it quickly when.

“Coming with even a veil on, she has no shame.”

“What can we do? If she causes another accident and someone gets hurt…”

“Pfft, keke.”

Sneers and criticism began flowing from the direction of the nobles’ seats.

Even at a glance, they were children of high-ranking nobles.

They were in exactly the position where they couldn’t insult the Emperor or the Prime Minister’s family, but could be forgiven for gossiping about the cursed Princess.

I ignored them and continued with the ceremony, but their mockery began spreading throughout the audience.

“Ugh, so creepy. I think I just saw those yellow eyes for a moment.”

“Why is that dress so tacky? That’s a fashion from 20 years ago. It’s so old-fashioned, just like a grandmother.”

Criticism mixed with jokes was bound to spread like a contagious disease. Soon my voice was drowned out in the Arena and filled with mockery.

‘How childish.’

Since they dared to mock an Imperial Family member, it was originally a serious crime that should send them all to prison, but I couldn’t do that at such a commemorative occasion as the New Year celebration.

‘Even the Imperial Palace soldiers lent by the Empress are just standing there.’

The commoners who had been watching nervously also raised the corners of their mouths seeing the soldiers show no particular reaction. This was as good as the Imperial Palace giving permission that mocking to this degree wouldn’t be a crime.

I could see exactly which instigating nobles had created this situation, but there was nothing I could do.

It was just ridiculous that I was in a position where I couldn’t respond even when treated like this.

‘Let’s just finish this quickly.’

This kind of evaluation would disappear someday too. So I wasn’t even very angry.

I was ignoring them appropriately and continuing to speak alone when I happened to see Ruslara.

“…”

She was looking at me with her fists clenched tight. Her killing intent was so intense that even I, far away, could feel it. Another contestant standing beside her was trembling in fear.

‘Don’t waste your energy on something like this.’

But it was quite pleasant that someone was angry on my behalf.

And I could feel that joy from behind me too. Along with a bit of fear, that is.

“Damn bastards.”

“….”

“I’ll remember every single one of their faces. No, I already have.”

As if her anger had transcended all limits, Liribel was grinding her teeth and muttering curses.

Her vicious profanity and dialect were so terrible they couldn’t be expressed in words, making cold sweat run down my spine even though I hadn’t flinched at the sight of an assassin.

If there were curse magic cast through swearing, it would be exactly like this.

“I’ll chew those bastards to death.”

I decided to try my best to ignore Liribel.

And somehow I managed to finish the opening remarks and announced the start of the event.

“…May you receive the sun’s blessing for a safe and enjoyable competition.”

“Yes, yes! Thank you for the opening remarks!”

Fortunately, the host seemed to have good sense as they quickly settled the commotion in the venue and continued with the event.

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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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