Pretending to Be Human Is Exhausting Again Today - Chapter 87

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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 087

As I admired Gilbert’s expression, I sent him a sorrowful gaze, as though my heart ached.

“But I don’t wish for such a catastrophe either. It’s too horrible to think of your beloved family being harmed, isn’t it?”

“….”

“That’s why I’ve prepared an antidote. Enough for everyone to drink.”

Of course, Gilbert would have prepared an antidote as well. Anyone who prepares poison always leaves a means of negotiation behind.

But there was no reason it would be for three or four people.

‘At best, it would be for one or two. If he’d prepared a large supply of antidote, he would have rushed straight to the VIP Seating Area without sparing me a glance.’

His panicked reaction was also evidence that he had no antidote. Realizing this belatedly, Gilbert’s face contorted.

Then he spoke with all the bluster he could muster.

“So what? If things proceed like this, the culprit will look like you, not me. Think about it logically. Wouldn’t the person who didn’t collapse from poison seem more suspicious?”

I smiled at his feeble struggle.

“How foolish. The source of the poison and the chamberlain’s master are clearly you—there’s no way you could escape suspicion. Haven’t you heard? I’ve bought off the chamberlain.”

“…He betrayed me?”

“That’s not all. I’ve heard everything—where you obtained the poison, how you exploit its volatile properties, all of it.”

In truth, the chamberlain was loyal enough to poison the Princess on command, but that information was convenient for me regardless.

“Of course, I’ll be named as a suspect too. But what of it? Have I ever had a good reputation?”

Gilbert, backed by the Temple, and I, with no faction, stood in different positions. Moreover, it would be difficult to find motive in me, who refuses to participate in the succession struggle.

“Ugh….”

“Is there anything else you’d like to hear? If you don’t accept the antidote soon, something irreversible will happen.”

At my teasing tone, Gilbert bit his lip. After a long moment of deliberation, he spoke as if chewing sand.

“Fine. What do you want?”

“I already told you—state your purpose.”

“…Is that all it takes?”

“Of course.”

I said this aloud, but inwardly, I denied it completely.

‘Does he really think I’ll let this slide so easily?’

I was determined to repay him someday for attempting to poison me.

Gilbert’s eyes narrowed, as if he didn’t entirely believe my words either. But knowing he had no other choice left, he opened his mouth reluctantly.

“I was planning to have you removed from the Spring Flower Ball. Needless to say, I had no intention of killing you.”

“And why did you want to remove me?”

“Because the High Priest from the Temple is attending the ball today.”

“…What?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected answer, I found myself asking again.

“Why would the High Priest come here?”

The High Priest was someone I rarely saw unless it was New Year’s celebrations or a festival of the Sun God.

He was a true priest who wielded the sacred power of the Sun God.

“I don’t know the exact reason. But my guess is that he’s coming to meet you.”

“Me? Because of the rumors that I’m a Demon’s reincarnation?”

The Temple had never officially declared me a Demon. Before I realized I had been reincarnated, I was a perfect human without any magical power, so it was only natural.

Of course, most of the Priests still regarded me with suspicion.

“Perhaps they want to verify whether I’ve cast some spell, given that I suddenly became healthy. Black magic—it sounds absurd, but they seem skeptical.”

Gilbert, who dismissed superstition, let out a scoff.

“I hear they’ve even brought the Golden Mirror, the artifact that identifies Demons. What do they expect to accomplish with such a relic?”

‘Fool, that’s a genuine treasure!’

The Golden Mirror possessed by the Sun God was a true magical artifact capable of discerning those with magical power. When a sacred incantation was recited before it, the Illusion reflected in the mirror would be stripped away, revealing one’s true form.

If that Golden Mirror were turned toward me, my identity as a Demon might be exposed.

‘No, wait. My body is human now—I merely possess magical power. Even if they look into the Golden Mirror, my identity shouldn’t be revealed… should it?’

The odds were, at best, fifty-fifty.

‘Besides, the fact that they brought the Golden Mirror means they’re openly suspicious of me, doesn’t it? Why, though? I’ve caused a stir, but not enough to warrant suspicion of being a Demon. And if my identity had been exposed, the Emperor would have made contact first, not the Temple…’

My mind reeled at this sudden crisis.

Then, a question suddenly arose about Gilbert’s reasoning.

“But why were you trying to have me removed? What does the Temple have to do with this?”

“What, do I need to explain everything? You’re still foolish in the strangest ways, Deina.”

Gilbert laughed wickedly, pleased to finally have the upper hand. Like Franz’s younger brother, his expression mirrored his brother’s perfectly.

“It does me no good if the Temple confirms you with the Golden Mirror. You’ll obviously be revealed as human, and that would only undermine the position I gained by previously accusing you of being a demon’s reincarnation.”

“…So you’re still maintaining that baseless claim.”

“Of course. I have countless believers among my followers.”

It meant he intended to poison me and forcibly have me removed before the High Priest could arrive.

“And as a bonus, I’d show you the bitter taste of High Society.”

And to settle a personal grudge as well.

‘You should have just told me directly. Then I would have refused the ball invitation altogether.’

I couldn’t bring myself to reveal my complicated feelings, so I spoke to him with feigned composure.

“Right, it was nothing. I made a mistake by setting it as a condition for the deal.”

“If you understand, then hand over the antidote.”

“I already mixed it into the teapot while we were talking. Franz and the Empress are safe.”

“Wait, what about me?”

With a small hint of vengeance, I offered him a crooked smile.

“If you drank a lot, you’ll lose consciousness. If not, you’ll endure. Hold onto your senses tightly.”

“Deina, you…!”

“The music just ended. I’m leaving.”

I released Gilbert’s hand and walked quickly toward the exit of the Ballroom.

Right now, returning to the Separate Palace was urgent. Compared to my identity as a Demon being exposed, the rudeness of leaving abruptly was something I could easily bear.

“My, is that the High Priest?”

“Goodness, such an esteemed guest has arrived!”

But the Demon King was indeed thoughtful—the Temple’s Carriage had already arrived at the entrance of the Ballroom. The carriage door opened, and an old man with age spots on his face stepped out.

‘His holy power is overflowing.’

I exhaled deeply at the overwhelming holy power I could sense from a distance. With that level of skill, using demonic power nearby would be suicide.

‘What do I do about this? Should I pretend to have eaten the paralysis poison right now? No, if I do that, the High Priest might try to examine me. And if he brings out the Golden Mirror…’

As I was contemplating how to escape the situation, I caught sight of Atlas and Gregory whispering to each other in the corner of the Meadow.

Gregory pointed toward a corner of the meadow, while Atlas used both hands to demarcate a range. From the gestures alone, I could discern his intent.

‘They’re measuring the blast radius, aren’t they?’

It meant he would obliterate anyone who stood in my way.

If I let this continue, Gregory and Atlas would become mass murderers. I had to do something.

“Your Highness, the Princess.”

As I wrestled with the dilemma, a familiar voice reached my ears. I turned toward the sound and widened my eyes at the unexpected arrival.

“Lord Loreil?”

It was none other than Loreil. Looking somewhat gaunt, he suddenly seized my arm and pulled me toward the center of the meadow.

“Wait, hold on—why are you doing this?”

“Please follow me. Isn’t this a dangerous moment?”

“I….”

Before I could protest, he began leading me in time with the music. As I hurried to match his steps, he whispered to me.

“Let’s wait until this song ends. Reinforcements will arrive soon.”

“Reinforcements? What are you suddenly talking about?”

“If His Majesty meets the High Priest now, it will become problematic. Not just for me, but for the entire Empire’s fate.”

‘What kind of absurd thing is he saying?’

As I regarded him with confusion, Loreil lowered his voice apologetically.

“I apologize. Please just follow my lead for now. I will resolve this shortly.”

His demeanor, as though burdened by guilt, only deepened my suspicion. The man who had suspected me first was now offering his aid—something felt terribly amiss.

As I turned my body to match his movements, the High Priest, who had noticed we were dancing, halted his steps near the entrance. The Young Priest beside him whispered something to the High Priest.

It seemed they were discussing entering once the song ended.

‘The song will be over soon. If we keep going like this, we’ll definitely run into them.’

My steps faltered from the tension. Loreil steadied me by grasping my waist.

“It’s alright. They’ll be here soon.”

“Who exactly?”

“A devoted admirer of yours.”

“…An admirer?”

At that moment, a massive carriage arrived behind the Temple’s carriage.

“That carriage is….”

The person who descended from it was just as unexpected as Loreil.

“Viscount Gorden?”

It was Viscount Gorden, the lord of the city where the magical plague had occurred. Unlike his shabby past, he now wore a resplendent platinum suit as he walked into the Ballroom.

And the moment he saw me, he dropped to one knee.

“Ah, Holy Maiden of the Sun God!”

Then he unleashed curses that no Demon could accept as praise.

“…?”

The High Priest beside me naturally widened his eyes in shock.

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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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