Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 76

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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 076

Asmo-rina’s lips curved into a sinister smile, delighted that an interesting matter had finally emerged.

“Of course I can kill them. Who’s the target? The Emperor?”

“You can kill the Emperor?”

“Who do you think I am? I could handle that with my eyes closed.”

Loreil fell silent for a moment at Asmo-rina’s confidence before continuing.

“Fine, I’ll trust you. But I can’t tell you now. The target might change.”

“You have many enemies, it seems?”

“I haven’t yet identified who the true threat to the Empire is.”

‘Does he actually have patriotic feelings?’

It didn’t seem that way, which was surprising.

Of course, I had no intention of asking further questions. My curiosity about Loreil evaporated in exactly three seconds.

What I wanted was to find my mother, Asmodina. For that purpose, the fall of this human kingdom meant nothing to me.

‘The problem is those mysterious Baobhan sith… They seem to have burrowed deep into this country. If I press that creature for answers, something might come out.’

Watching Asmo-rina sink into yet another train of thought, Loreil leaned back against the sofa and rested his chin on his hand.

Asmo-rina, having already lost interest in Loreil, couldn’t have guessed what he was thinking.

‘So Deina is Asmodina. I must never let them meet. …If I want to use this fool for any length of time.’

He too was treating Asmo-rina as nothing more than a tool.

* * *

With the power of the Node Diamond, our journey was remarkably peaceful. Ivan, who served as our guard, was so bored that he even complained about it from inside the carriage.

‘This is what travel should normally be like.’

With spring flowers soon to bloom, the weather had grown clear and the cold was gradually receding. Unlike Ivan, who couldn’t tolerate boredom, I welcomed this kind of journey wholeheartedly.

Yet it seemed Ivan wasn’t the only one growing restless—Princess Chloe, who shared the carriage with us, initiated conversation whenever she felt bored.

We exchanged all manner of topics: legends of the Empire, the Temple of the Sun God, the latest fashion trends, and more. We enjoyed the journey in comfortable companionship.

And finally, we arrived at the Capital.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”

Hearing Ivan’s words, I opened the window. The familiar sights of the Capital came into view.

“Let’s head straight to the Imperial Palace. Chloe, prepare yourself.”

“Yes, yes!”

We underwent a brief inspection at the city gates before proceeding to the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, they seemed intent on showing proper courtesy to an exile—members of the Imperial Family were waiting for us at the palace entrance.

“Welcome to the Land of the Sun, the Ripeon Empire, Princess Chloe.”

The Imperial Family member who greeted Chloe was none other than Jeina. She and Chloe exchanged formal greetings with one another.

“Thank you for your efforts in guiding Princess Chloe, Princess Deina. I shall arrange an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Jeina naturally drew Chloe to her side. Chloe glanced at me, silently asking what she should do.

“Go ahead, Chloe. You must meet with His Majesty the Emperor before you can settle in the Empire.”

“Yes… but would it be alright if I visited the Separate Palace another time?”

Uncertain whether an exile’s residence would be in the Imperial Palace itself, I offered only a wry smile.

Chloe seemed dejected for a moment, but soon clenched her fists and spoke with determination.

“I will definitely come visit you! Please take care of yourself until then!”

With that, she strode confidently toward Jeina’s side. Jeina entrusted Chloe to the chamberlains accompanying her and issued her instructions.

“Let us first proceed to the Main Palace. After you have rested and composed yourself, we shall meet again in the reception hall.”

“Ah, yes.”

After sending Chloe ahead, Jeina turned her gaze toward me. Our business had concluded and we were about to part ways, yet her eyes held an unmistakable sharpness.

‘Did I get something on my clothes?’

Just as I lowered my head to inspect my garments, Jeina spoke in a low voice.

“Your neck—are you alright?”

“My neck?”

Without thinking, my fingers rose to touch my throat. The wound had healed completely, leaving no scar behind.

“Ah, yes. I’m fine. It has fully recovered.”

“I’m relieved to hear it. From now on, conduct yourself with proper decorum. Now that His Majesty has recognized you as a member of the Imperial Family, your body is no longer yours alone.”

With that, she turned sharply and walked toward the Main Palace.

I stood gazing blankly at her retreating figure when Grid, who had drawn near without my notice, spoke with playful amusement.

“Did you tell that Princess about the wound on your neck, sir?”

“Of course not.”

There had been no spy among our traveling party this time. Yet somehow, Jeina knew of my wound. How was that possible?

I exhaled a weary sigh and spoke to my companions.

“Enough. I don’t want to think about this anymore. Let’s return home.”

For now, returning to the Separate Palace and resting was far more important. I dragged my exhausted body toward the home I had missed so dearly.

* * *

Thereafter, Chloe received a noble title as an exile of the Empire. Though the rank of Baron was modest for a member of a foreign royal family, Chloe accepted it readily—suggesting that some political arrangement had been negotiated behind the scenes.

Additionally, she had agreed to receive instruction from Jeina on the laws and etiquette necessary for her stay in the Empire for some time. Letters arrived expressing her regret at being unable to meet me, but I sent back a reply encouraging her to study diligently.

Thus time passed in a blink, and spring—the season of high society—arrived at last.

‘I thought the Emperor would suggest we meet at least once before spring arrived… but surprisingly, he’s been quiet.’

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t forgotten about our arrangement. The Emperor sent a letter along with a modest gift.

The contents were simple.

[I shall inform you of the Direct Dominion within the near future. You are free to engage in high society activities.]

‘How peculiar. I never expected the Emperor to agree so readily.’

I had naturally assumed he would employ some stratagem, yet he conveyed only his straightforward consent.

Whether his heart had undergone some transformation during my travels, or whether he was simply too occupied to spare a thought for it, I could not say.

In any case, thanks to his approval, I proceeded to prepare for my debutante ball with ease, enlisting the help of Grid and Emma to swiftly select a suitable banquet to attend.

‘A gathering where young nobles who are not easily swayed by rumor congregate, where the pretext of seeking a betrothed raises no objections, and above all, where the number of attendees is manageable.’

A banquet held at the Imperial Palace would have been the safest choice, but I deliberately excluded that option. I had no wish to step into the heart of Imperial Family intrigue from the very start.

With so many conditions to consider, the selection proved difficult, but I eventually found the most suitable occasion.

It was the New Year banquet hosted by Count Osla, headmaster of the Military Academy.

‘The students are roughly my age, and as cadets, they’re guaranteed to possess at least a modicum of refinement. The scale is appropriate… this should suffice.’

When I conveyed my intention to attend through Gregory, Count Osla sent back a delighted response, saying he would be overjoyed to receive a visit from the Imperial Family.

True to his reputation as a soldier who kept his distance from politics, his hospitality seemed driven more by sincerity than calculation.

“Well then, shall we go? Emma, Ruslara.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I set out toward Count’s Banquet Hall alongside Emma. Ordinarily, a dedicated lady’s maid would have attended me, but Emma and Ruslara were sufficient for my purposes now.

“Princess Deina has arrived—”

A new life had begun.

I was returning to high society, reclaiming my daily existence as a princess.

The moment I stepped into the glittering banquet hall with resolute determination.

“Atlas! I’m breaking off our engagement!”

An abrupt cry pierced through the banquet hall, echoing across its expanse.

Startled, my eyes widened as I turned toward the source of the commotion.

At the center of the banquet hall, surrounded by dozens of onlookers, stood three figures.

A blonde man cradling a woman in his arms pointed accusingly at the woman standing opposite him.

“Your vile schemes make my blood boil! How dare you wound poor Cocomo, despite being the daughter of a baron’s house!”

Then, as if he were some hero, he proclaimed in an exhilarated voice.

“You are unworthy of being my fiancée, Atlas!”

At those words, whispers rippled throughout the banquet hall.

“My goodness, is it true? I’ve heard rumors that Atlas mistreated Cocomo.”

“There must be witnesses. When we met at the entrance ceremony last year, she was glaring daggers at her….”

“As expected, such lowborn behavior.”

Most nodded in agreement with the man’s words. A few seemed to sense something amiss and averted their gazes, but none stepped forward to speak.

Then, the woman called Atlas carefully raised her hand and asked.

“Count Johan, when exactly did I mistreat Cocomo? Do you have evidence?”

Despite the chaos surrounding her, her voice remained composed and measured.

“Just as I thought—a doll of a woman.”

The onlookers snickered among themselves, but I could see her fingertips trembling faintly.

Regardless, Count Johan, the man who had declared the engagement broken, continued with unbridled confidence.

“There are countless witnesses! You threw Cocomo’s handkerchief into the privy, or you wounded a horse’s hoof during practical training….”

He began rattling off eyewitness accounts so flimsy they could hardly be called evidence—the sort of fabrications anyone could conjure.

The crowd chimed in as though they had been waiting for this moment. The atmosphere in the banquet hall grew increasingly unfavorable toward Atlas.

“Ah, this is ridiculous….”

Despite having just arrived, I had yet to draw a single glance. I spoke quietly to Emma beside me.

“Emma, this situation….”

Emma answered tersely.

“It’s a complete mess.”

It was an uncharacteristically blunt yet incisive assessment from her.

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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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