Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 5

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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 005

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The moment I handed the letter to Emma, she set off toward the Main Palace. Since she had connections with the Main Palace’s administrator, the letter would surely reach the Emperor quickly.

‘I was worried about her reaction, but it seems she understood well enough.’

As I recalled our conversation, I realized my emotions had welled up unexpectedly.

I had worried that I might have frightened Emma, but instead, she had graciously agreed to my request without asking for any particular reason.

‘I suppose I should be grateful.’

In any case, thanks to Emma’s efforts, the Emperor’s response arrived within two days.

The problem was that the person who brought that response was entirely unexpected.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Princess. I am Loreil Delchis.”

Standing before the gates of the Separate Palace, I was astounded to see the man offering such a formal greeting.

‘Delchis? That’s the Prime Minister!’

The Prime Minister of the Empire—the head of the Nobility Council, said to wield the second-greatest power after the Emperor himself.

I never would have imagined that the Delchis Family would send someone on such an errand.

Moreover, the fact that he bore the family name itself made it clear that Loreil was the Duke’s child.

Whether he was the heir or a younger son, he was certainly not someone of a station to be dispatched for such a task.

‘Why would this be? The Emperor could not have asked the Delchis Family for such a favor.’

“Your Highness the Princess?”

“…It is a pleasure to meet you, Loreil. I am Deina Ripeon.”

My surprise was brief. I accepted his greeting with proper courtesy.

‘I’ll figure out the reason later. Right now, it’s important not to invite unnecessary suspicion.’

Loreil’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly composed himself and spoke.

“You seem far healthier than the rumors suggest.”

“Rumors tend to be exaggerated, don’t they?”

“A fair point.”

Loreil offered a brief smile—a mask-like expression devoid of genuine warmth.

‘He’s certainly not what one would expect of an Imperial subject.’

Only then did his features truly register. His deep crimson eyes were striking, but it was his raven-black hair—the way it seemed to absorb light itself—that evoked an unmistakable resemblance to the Demon Clan.

His stern, unwavering brow and piercing gaze, combined with the solid frame evident even beneath his clothing, spoke of a seasoned warrior’s bearing.

There was something almost nostalgic about him—as if I were gazing upon a soldier from the Demon Realm itself.

‘I need to stop this.’

It was quite rude to measure someone’s combat ability the moment you met them. Setting aside Asmodina’s habits for now, I guided Loreil.

“Shall we head to the Garden? It’s tea time, and I’ve had refreshments prepared.”

“Then I shall impose upon your hospitality.”

We made our way toward the Garden of the Separate Palace.

Though it bore the name of a Separate Palace, its size was modest—scarcely larger than a small manor—so we arrived at the Garden in no time.

Upon seeing the Garden, Loreil hesitated before speaking.

“The Garden is quite… intimate, isn’t it?”

He seemed to be struggling to offer a compliment out of courtesy, grasping for words that wouldn’t come.

“Thank you for the kind words.”

There was no real need for such effort, but I smiled back at his earnest gesture.

Truth be told, the Separate Palace’s garden was not particularly beautiful. Weeds grew quite abundantly, and the fountain had fallen into disrepair, its basin now choked with vines. Moreover, the garden’s true character was defined by the dense wildflowers that flourished in its center.

‘I actually think this is quite pleasant.’

Of course, it could not compare to the Main Palace’s garden, but it possessed its own understated charm.

We seated ourselves across from each other at a small table beside the fountain. Emma approached and poured tea for us.

“Then, I shall convey His Majesty’s message.”

“Yes.”

“His Majesty wishes for you to oversee an event, both to announce Princess Deina’s recovery and to celebrate the occasion.”

“An event, you say….”

“It is the closing ceremony of the year-end festivities.”

The duties of the Imperial Family were diverse. Beyond matters of diplomacy and finance for the Empire, I was frequently required to make appearances at events meant to strengthen internal bonds. Harvest festivals and year-end celebrations were prime examples, and it seemed the Emperor intended to entrust one of the year-end events to me.

By successfully concluding that event, I would prove that I was healthy enough to resume my duties.

Success in this endeavor would also make it easier to secure a betrothed.

‘Since there are so many year-end events held in the Capital, perhaps he intends to give me one where failure would be inconsequential.’

But the answer that came was not what I had anticipated.

“The event is the Arena held in the Capital. Are you aware of it?”

“…Yes, I am aware of it.”

The Arena. Also called the fighting grounds—a martial tournament for warriors.

Though I had never attended in person, it was regarded as the greatest event among the Empire’s young citizens.

‘That old fox….’

I sipped my tea with a faint smile, but beneath the surface, my anger toward the Emperor roiled like a tempest.

‘He’s entrusting the Arena to the Princess?’

It was common for the Imperial Family to oversee traditional events, but assigning a bloodstained spectacle to a Princess was unheard of.

I had been foolish to assume he would delegate something refined—an exhibition or concert.

‘That old fool intends to make me a laughingstock.’

Me, already rumored to be a cursed Princess, now presiding over the Arena. I could already feel the icy stares of the spectators boring into me.

‘Is he telling me never to leave the Separate Palace again?’

As my fury mounted at the Emperor’s inscrutable intentions, Loreil spoke.

“The tournament is scheduled for next month. Since it will span four days, I recommend you clear your schedule in advance.”

I suppressed a sigh and nodded.

Since the Emperor had issued a direct command, I had no grounds to refuse.

“To familiarize yourself with the venue, we should tour the Event Venue together tomorrow. Does that suit you?”

“It does, but… will you be accompanying me as well, Loreil?”

“Yes. Since Your Highness the Princess would be unfamiliar with the geography beyond the Imperial Palace, a guide is necessary, is it not?”

A guide was indeed necessary, but I had never intended for the Son of the Prime Minister to fill that role.

I asked, concealing my bewilderment.

“Did His Majesty the Emperor instruct Loreil to assist me?”

“Yes.”

“He asked you to volunteer as my guide, like a secretary?”

“…Yes.”

He answered, but I sensed a moment of hesitation. It meant this was not what he wanted.

‘Is this the Prime Minister’s will? Or the Emperor’s way of checking the Prime Minister’s power?’

I had no certainty about anything yet. Loreil, unwilling to offer further clues, spoke in a resolute tone.

“Of course, if Your Highness the Princess finds this inconvenient, I shall summon a substitute.”

His tone suggested he hoped I would call for a substitute, but I refused.

“No, it’s fine. Having someone as reliable as you, Lord Loreil, by my side would be a great help to me.”

“…I see.”

For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of disappointment in Loreil’s eyes. Though he seemed to think he was hiding it well, his reluctance to participate in this matter was unmistakable.

I felt sorry for Loreil, but as someone without even a single lady’s maid, I needed someone to assist with my external engagements.

‘As the child of the Prime Minister’s family, his status alone makes him worth using.’

I concealed my true thoughts and gave him a look of trust. In return, he offered me a smile as artificial as a mask.

“Then I shall inform you of the detailed schedule tomorrow.”

With our business concluded, we rose from our seats to part ways. After exchanging perfunctory courtesies and seeing him out, a sudden question occurred to me.

‘Come to think of it, the heir of the Prime Minister’s family seemed to be older than me.’

In my childhood, I had heard news that the Prime Minister’s heir was actively engaged in his duties. More than a decade had passed since then, so he would be around thirty by now.

If that were the case, were the heir and Loreil brothers?

Without thinking, I posed the question to him.

“Lord Loreil, you have a brother, don’t you? How is he doing?”

“…Ah.”

In that instant, Loreil’s expression hardened.

“You didn’t know…?”

“Know what?”

“My brother is dead.”

‘…Oh no.’

In that instant, I sensed I had touched a landmine.

My shock was brief. I desperately tried to apologize to Loreil, but the transformation unfolding across his body stole my words.

‘What is that? Smoke?’

A strange vapor had suddenly begun rising from his shoulders. The smoke, viscous as mud, crawled up Loreil’s shoulders and twisted into a grotesque form.

[Keeee—]

The smoke transformed into the shape of a spider with dozens of legs.

Loreil continued his explanation in a flat voice, oblivious to my shock at the abrupt monstrosity before me.

“My brother died in an unfortunate accident. I am now the heir.”

Loreil seemed unable to see the creature perched on his shoulder. As he spoke, the monster’s body grew larger and larger.

“…So you didn’t know. I understand…”

The massive creature eventually obscured even Loreil’s face, and his voice became barely audible.

A crystallized manifestation of malice invisible to humans. I knew exactly what it was.

‘A curse.’

Loreil was unmistakably cursed.

‘What triggered it? Talk of his brother? His inheritance? Either way, I can’t let him keep talking!’

Curses of this nature drain the life force of their victim as they grow larger. The moment I began examining it to discern its nature—

“So… come at me.”

[Grrrrr…]

Sensing that I had become its target, the creature bared its fangs at me. It began to thrust that hideous face forward—

‘No, not spiders!’

It struck me anew: I despised spiders with a visceral, overwhelming hatred.

Even now, with Asmodina’s memories restored, that revulsion remained unchanged.

The mere sight of those many-legged creatures sent waves of disgust coursing through me unbidden.

“Your Highness…?”

[Kyaaaaaah!]

Loreil called out to me in a worried voice, sensing something amiss in my reaction. At the same moment, the spider’s legs drew closer.

“D-Don’t come any closer!”

In the end, I squeezed my eyes shut and hurled my fist toward the spider—

“Ah.”

With tremendous force, I drove my punch forward.

My fist, infused with mana, struck the creature’s face with devastating power.

[Kiieeeeek-!]

Boom—!

With a tremendous explosion, I obliterated the spider entirely.

“…”

When I opened my eyes, I saw Loreil staring at me in stunned silence. Or rather, what he was looking at was not precisely me.

My fist hovered mere inches from his nose, trembling with barely restrained force.

Crack—

In that same instant, the shockwave from my extended punch sent blood trickling from his nostrils.

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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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