Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 37

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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 037

‘What in the world is she angry about?’

Jeina’s sudden fury was equally puzzling.

‘Ah, perhaps she thinks it’s audacious for a mere Jabok to presume upon the Imperial Family?’

Given her ideology of Imperial supremacy, it was the sort of anger that would naturally arise.

In any case, now was not the time to concern myself with Jeina or Loreil.

I reached beneath the table and kicked Gregory’s leg.

‘Dial it back. Just play the partner role.’

Understanding my meaning, Gregory gave a subtle nod.

The Emperor took a sip of wine and spoke with an inscrutable expression.

“How curious. As I recall, Britz Jabok has shown little interest in such gatherings until now.”

The real Britz Jabok, despite his favorable public reputation, rarely graced High Society with his presence.

People assumed he was too devoted to his duties to indulge in socializing, but…

‘The truth is, he was out murdering people. He found that far more entertaining than the romantic games of the nobility.’

The Emperor’s words could therefore be interpreted in two ways.

Either a genuine inquiry into what his interests were, or a question about why he’d abandoned that pastime to choose me instead.

I leaned toward the latter interpretation.

‘Deflect gracefully. There’s no evidence anyway.’

I signaled Gregory with a glance. He gave a subtle nod and spoke toward the Emperor.

“It is true that I held little interest in High Society. However, Her Highness the Princess has changed my perspective.”

“Change your hobbies, you say? Is that one of yours as well?”

“Yes, that’s correct. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Her Highness the Princess saved me.”

‘Why must he speak in such a manner!’

His words had begun to carry an almost reverent tone.

‘Does he not understand my intent? How many years have we spent together!’

I had trusted my comrade-in-arms, with whom I had fought on countless battlefields for decades, and exchanged a knowing glance. Yet it had all become meaningless.

The Emperor could never accept such an absurd answer. I worried what question he would ask next.

“Hmm, I see.”

“…?”

Yet the Emperor posed no further questions, merely savoring his wine in silence.

That peculiar silence persisted until the meal concluded.

‘Something feels amiss.’

The banquet I had anticipated was nothing like this. I had expected the Emperor to press me aggressively about why I had recovered, why I had survived the Assassin’s attack.

Indeed, the other Imperial Family members and Noblemen seemed equally curious about it.

Yet the Emperor appeared utterly disinterested in such matters.

‘I haven’t spoken directly with the Emperor in years, yet he treats me as though he saw me yesterday.’

Did he anticipate my return? Or does it simply mean he cares nothing for such trivial matters?

“Your Highness the Princess.”

“….”

“Your Highness the Princess?”

“Ah, yes?”

While I was lost in thought, the meal had apparently concluded. My mind was so cluttered that I couldn’t even recall how I’d eaten. Gregory spoke to me carefully, noticing my bewilderment.

“The banquet has ended, and the guests will now proceed to the Banquet Hall for conversation and entertainment. It was mentioned as optional attendance.”

I wiped my mouth with the napkin and glanced at the Noblemen filing toward the Banquet Hall one by one.

“Let’s return. I’m feeling rather tired.”

“Understood.”

Gregory naturally offered his arm to escort me. As I reached to take it and rise, Loreil appeared before me—I hadn’t even noticed his approach.

“Your Highness the Princess, you don’t look well. Are you alright?”

‘Why is he acting so familiar?’

Suspicion flickered through me, but I offered him a formal smile in return.

“Thank you for your concern, Loreil. It’s been so long since I’ve visited the Main Palace that many things feel unfamiliar. Aren’t you attending the Banquet Hall?”

“I have few acquaintances here, so I thought I’d decline this time.”

‘Of course. Most of the Noblemen here are aligned with the Emperor.’

Loreil was the heir to the Prime Minister’s Family and effectively the representative of the Nobility Council. His participation in such an event was itself unusual.

So naturally, I’d assumed he’d been invited as Jeina’s partner.

‘As for why he didn’t come with Jeina… I won’t ask.’

Sometimes it’s safer not to know.

“That’s unfortunate. There are surely those who would wish to become better acquainted with you, Loreil.”

“Your Highness the Princess likely harbors similar sentiments.”

“If so, then all is well.”

We exchanged brief, light laughter between us.

“Then I shall take my leave now.”

“Let us go together.”

“…Very well.”

I nodded reluctantly.

Gregory didn’t seem to mind much since he wasn’t my true partner, but it was improper for another man to intrude upon a woman’s departure when she already had a partner.

However, since he showed no sign of backing away, I decided to accompany him for now.

As we exited the Banquet Hall, someone called out to me in the Corridor.

“Deina.”

“Your Majesty.”

The Emperor approached from the end of the Corridor. I had thought he was heading toward the Banquet Hall, but it seemed he had been waiting for me near the exit.

He raised his hand to stop us from bowing, his brow furrowed as he spoke.

“Why are the three of you together?”

‘Indeed, why are we?’

Yet it was clear he hadn’t truly asked out of curiosity, dismissing the matter as unimportant before addressing me directly.

“I have something to discuss with you. Come to the Reception Room.”

“Now, Your Majesty?”

“Do you refuse?”

“No, but they will be waiting for you in the Banquet Hall…”

“There are conversations I can only have without them present. Spare me such trivial excuses.”

“…Yes.”

There was no choice in the matter—the answer was already predetermined. I exhaled quietly where he couldn’t see and turned to Gregory.

“Britz Jabok, then I’ll be going for a moment.”

“Yes, I’ll wait here.”

Then Loreil, who stood beside me, suddenly interjected.

“I’ll guide you to the Rest Area. You can wait there.”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

I didn’t know what he was scheming, and it made me uneasy, but I had no legitimate reason to refuse. I cast Gregory a meaningful glance—a silent warning not to reveal my demonic nature—before following the Emperor.

The Emperor, who had come without even a Chamberlain in attendance, abruptly pushed open the Reception Room door himself and gestured for me to enter.

He dropped heavily onto the Sofa, then fixed me with an unwavering stare, his arms crossed.

‘Now that I think about it, he really does have the build of a giant.’

Those fierce, piercing eyes, the perpetually furrowed brow, the mane-like platinum hair, the beard shadowing his jaw, and a frame that towered a full head above my own.

Had it not been for his ornate garments, one might easily mistake him for a hunter from some distant mountain range rather than an Emperor.

Yet despite all that, the aura of royal authority still radiated from him—truly impressive.

“…Why are you looking at me that way?”

“I’m verifying something.”

“Verifying what?”

“Whether you’re truly Deina. That’s what I’m verifying.”

“…!”

I nearly let my shock show at his unexpected words. I fought desperately to maintain my composure as I spoke.

“You speak as though I were someone else entirely. Do you suspect I’ve become a ghost?”

“No, that’s not it. You are Deina—I’m certain of it. Your speech patterns, your presence, even your dining habits are flawless. Not even a deity-blessed actor could replicate them so perfectly.”

‘The fact that he’s memorized my eating habits down to the detail is genuinely unsettling.’

Still, I chose not to add anything further.

“It’s simply that something feels profoundly wrong. How did you regain your confidence?”

“I am as I have always been.”

“No. You’ve changed. You truly have.”

He rose from his seat and stepped toward me. Then, wielding the privilege of Imperial blood, he gazed down at me with those azure eyes and spoke.

“When you faced insulting remarks from the nobility, when you stood against Franz—your reactions were different from before. Unlike your past self, consumed with worry over propriety, you carried yourself as though such threats posed no danger whatsoever.”

‘As expected. He’s been watching everything from the start.’

Indeed, the Emperor was as sinister and contemptible as his appearance belied. He had likely been observing the movements of the Imperial Family and nobility long before I ever entered the scene.

Had Franz not attempted to lay hands on me, the Emperor might have revealed himself much later.

“That’s what troubled me. What catalyst could have wrought such a transformation? Or perhaps—you haven’t truly changed at all. Perhaps someone else is masquerading as the Princess?”

“I have always been Deina.”

“That must be so. It has to be. If not….”

The Emperor’s azure eyes blazed with a pale, searing light.

“If you are not of Imperial blood, I will sever your limbs and exact payment for your deception.”

A thick, suffocating killing intent emanated from his form—the kind I had only felt on the battlefield. He meant to intimidate me.

Yet strangely, my composure only deepened.

It was the familiar tension I had always known on the battlefield. Before I could stop myself, my lips curved upward into a smile.

‘For a human, you’re quite skilled.’

My evaluation of the Emperor rose ever so slightly.

Direct expressions like this were far more comfortable than the political games of hiding one’s true intentions behind a smiling face.

The Emperor flinched momentarily upon seeing my smile.

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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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