Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 18

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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 018

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Time flowed swiftly and smoothly.

Fortunately, Ruslara’s abilities had risen to the championship-level standard I had set. At this point, she could undoubtedly claim victory unless she faced an exceptionally skilled opponent.

The Assassin Ivan, having witnessed Ruslara’s prowess, spoke thus.

“This is championship level? You’ve made her as strong as an Imperial Guard, and yet…”

To my eyes, she was still far from sufficient, but through human perception, she appeared more than adequate.

Once her training concluded, I sent Ruslara back to the Arena. During the remaining time, she would focus on physical conditioning and mental fortitude.

Before leaving the Separate Palace, she spoke with an expression as though she might weep.

“I shall return with the championship medal without fail.”

“Y-yes.”

In truth, I had intended to tell her that if she won, she could return to the place where her family awaited, but my lips would not move. Besides, it was rather convenient to have a reliable subordinate at my disposal.

The Empress, who had supported the event from the shadows, sent word through her maid that the time had come to honor her promise.

‘After the event concludes, stand at her side during the New Year’s banquet—not at Loreil’s side…… was it?’

And she likely intended to position Loreil beside Jeina. Given that she had sent her maid directly, it seemed the situation no longer required deference to the Emperor’s wishes.

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

‘I had expected Loreil to make some approach by now, yet he remains surprisingly quiet.’

On that day when he had mentioned the Black Hand, just before we parted, he spoke thus alongside his farewell.

‘Your Highness the Princess, I hope to see you often.’

‘But you said you were busy?’

‘I despise giving up.’

He meant he wouldn’t abandon his suspicions. I waved my hand dismissively and told him to do as he pleased, and he departed with a faint smile.

Incidentally, Liribel, who witnessed this exchange, was absolutely thrilled.

‘Exactly! He must be in love with the Princess! Oh my! He can’t give up!’

I attempted to explain that wasn’t what he meant, but her mind had already drifted into a garden of fantasies.

She was undoubtedly envisioning some tale of ‘a fateful love between a dark sorcerer and a raven-haired nobleman.’

In any case, time flowed swiftly, and at last, the morning of the Arena’s opening day dawned.

The weather was cold yet brilliant—perfect conditions for the event to unfold.

I arrived at the Arena wearing a veil that obscured my eyes.

I wore the veil deliberately to spare the Arena staff unnecessary trouble.

“Good heavens, is that the Princess?”

“Don’t look at her eyes. You’ll be cursed….”

Had I exposed my eyes carelessly, the staff managing the spectators would surely have been overwhelmed trying to discipline those making remarks bordering on disrespect toward the Imperial Family.

Golden irises were, in the Empire, nothing short of a symbol of demonhood.

The nobles surrounding the Hosting Seat and the commoners in distant rows were all preoccupied with scrutinizing me.

Some spoke gravely of lightning striking from the heavens, while young noblemen wept, fearing I might become a monster through curse.

‘I feel as though I’m afflicted with some plague.’

It was almost curious how intensely they despised me. When I was younger, such things wounded me deeply, but now I scarcely gave them a thought.

“Our Princess doesn’t cast such curses….”

Yet it seemed that sentiment applied only to me. Liribel, who followed in my wake, clutched her skirts tightly, her expression trembling on the verge of tears as she murmured.

I smiled gratefully at Liribel for her thoughtfulness.

“You’re wearing such a lovely dress—brighten that expression of yours.”

Though she was my Maid, I had ensured she wore an elegant gown befitting my attendant, so there would be no shame in her presence.

“But…”

“It’s fine.”

I offered her reassurance and took my seat in the Hosting Seat. It was a magnificent position that overlooked the entire Arena at a glance.

The Imperial Family’s insignia gleamed from the ornaments surrounding the seat.

I recalled that the Imperial Family had always presided over major events—New Year celebrations and championship tournaments alike.

It was hardly surprising, given that this was the Empire’s most beloved sport.

Though this was the first time the Princess had taken on the role of organizer.

“Now then, let us finally begin the New Year Arena—!”

As I surveyed my surroundings, the event commenced. Amid the roaring excitement of the crowd, a staff member responsible for the Hosting Seat approached me cautiously.

“As I reported earlier, the national anthem will begin shortly. After that…”

“I’ve already memorized the entire program—there’s no need to explain.”

“Y-yes, of course!”

His trembling explanation was rather endearing. I offered him a small smile and spoke.

“You must have had quite the ordeal dealing with all the rumors. Once this is over, rest well. I’ve also prepared a bonus for you—be sure to take it.”

“Th-thank you so much!”

His eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected such praise. Then, collecting himself, he nodded repeatedly and withdrew.

Near the exit, he conversed excitedly with his colleagues, clearly sharing news of the bonus.

‘Of course, the money wasn’t something I prepared myself.’

It was money the Empress had given me. Where would I get money from?

‘Wait, now that I think about it, I borrowed money from Loreil too.’

I hadn’t repaid the funds I’d received to sponsor Ruslara.

‘Well, I’ll pay it back eventually.’

Since it was an interest-free loan anyway, I wasn’t particularly worried.

While lost in such thoughts, my turn to open the ceremony arrived before I knew it.

The competitors stood in a line in the center of the Arena, facing toward me, and at the far end, I could see Ruslara dressed in shabby basic armor.

“Now then, presiding over this Arena season, uh, um— we have Her Highness Princess Deina Ripeon!”

The Announcer, who seemed to have deliberated long over whether he could say this name, hesitated briefly before calling me.

Stumbling over the name of Imperial Family was considered deeply disrespectful, but I didn’t mind.

Still, I made a mental note of it.

‘The Announcer was a young nobleman, wasn’t he? From that Count’s Family obsessed with entertainment… I’ll keep an eye on him later.’

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

“First, I offer my gratitude to Emperor Bernhard, the Sun of the Empire, for arranging this occasion. Before we proceed with this event…”

A tedious and predictable opening address followed. Knowing no one was interested, I tried to wrap it up quickly.

“Coming here even wearing a veil—shameless, truly.”

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

“Pfft, hehehehe.”

Sneers and criticism began flowing from the nobles’ seating area.

At first glance, they were clearly the children of high-ranking nobles.

They occupied that precise position where they couldn’t dare insult the Emperor or the Prime Minister’s Family, but could get away with gossiping about a cursed Princess.

I ignored them and continued with the hosting, but their mockery began spreading throughout the spectator stands.

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

“Why is that dress so tacky? It’s from twenty years ago. It looks so old-fashioned, like something a grandmother would wear.”

Ridicule mixed with jest spread like a plague. Soon my voice in the Arena was drowned out, replaced entirely by laughter and sneers.

‘How childish.’

Technically, mocking the Imperial Family was such a grave crime that all of them should have been thrown into prison, but that was impossible at such a commemorative occasion as the New Year’s Celebration.

‘And the Empress even lent soldiers from the Imperial Palace, yet they remain silent.’

The commoners who had been watching for reactions saw the soldiers making no move and smirked. It was as good as the Imperial Palace itself granting permission—this level of mockery carried no crime.

I could see exactly which scheming nobles had orchestrated this situation, but there was nothing I could do about it.

The irony of my helplessness in the face of such treatment was almost laughable.

‘Let’s just finish this quickly.’

These judgments would fade away someday. So I wasn’t particularly angry.

I continued speaking alone, ignoring them appropriately, when I caught sight of Ruslara.

“….”

She was staring at me with her fists clenched. The killing intent radiating from her was so intense that even I, standing far away, could feel it. The other competitor beside her was trembling in fear.

‘Don’t waste your strength here.’

But someone feeling anger on my behalf—that was a genuinely pleasant thing.

And I could sense that same sentiment from behind me as well, though tinged with a hint of fear.

“Damn those bastards.”

“….”

“I’ll remember every single face. No—I already have.”

Liribel’s fury had transcended all bounds. She ground her teeth, muttering curses under her breath.

Her profanities were so vile and her dialect so caustic that even I, who had remained unmoved at the sight of the Assassin, felt cold sweat trickling down my spine.

If curse magic could be woven through obscenities, this would be exactly what it sounded like.

“I’ll chew them to death.”

I made a deliberate choice to ignore Liribel.

Somehow managing to conclude the opening remarks, I announced the beginning of the event.

“…Blessed by the sun, I hope this will be a safe and enjoyable competition.”

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

Fortunately, the Announcer possessed enough tact to quickly restore order to the venue and continue the proceedings.

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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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