The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 51】

 

“You seem quite flustered.”

 

Asil leaned toward Rianel as if whispering.

 

“Why is that? Is it because it’s about yourself?”

 

What.

 

“It’s because I’m hearing something too personal.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Though she spoke as if calm, Rianel’s heart was pounding.

 

“Yes. Usually people hide it even when they have feelings for someone, don’t they?”

 

‘Damn it.’

 

Rianel also knew that denying her student’s words further would be meaningless.

 

However, she didn’t want to acknowledge it at this timing.

 

If she wasn’t careful, it would end up looking like she was accepting her student’s indirect confession.

 

“Really, why are you doing this…”

 

When Rianel, unable to do this or that, let out her frustration, Asil narrowed his eyes and smiled.

 

“Because I felt like being mischievous.”

 

What’s this about now.

 

“Master, once you acknowledge someone as your person, you tend to give them everything, don’t you?”

 

‘I do…?’

 

“The Princess too. Since you acknowledged her as a student, you accept her bothersome visits, don’t you?”

 

“Her Highness the Princess is a brilliant person. With just a little assistance, she’ll be able to achieve results.”

 

“See, look at this.”

 

Asil deliberately clicked his tongue.

 

“Your first student is hurt. Such blatant discriminatory treatment.”

 

“Bureau Director, you don’t need my help, do you?”

 

Asil was already an adult and an elite who had graduated from the Academy as valedictorian.

 

What kind of help would such a person need?

 

“Right. I’m all grown up so I’m not cute and I must be bothersome. I understand everything.”

 

“No…”

 

“My whining must be disgusting to you, but please forgive me just for today.”

 

Asil leaned over and rested his head on Rianel’s shoulder.

 

His forehead, his warmth was close.

 

“…It was today, wasn’t it.”

 

He whispered quietly.

 

“…”

 

“The day you left.”

 

The air stopped.

 

Asil’s eyes were tightly closed.

 

In that state, he deduced the reason for Rianel’s silence.

 

“It seems you had forgotten.”

 

“It wasn’t a day that held meaning for me.”

 

“Of course it wouldn’t have.”

 

Asil nodded.

 

In reality, that day was just another ordinary winter day.

 

If he had to pick a distinguishing feature, it would be that it snowed more than usual that year.

 

That day too, Asil was spending his routine as an assistant professor.

 

The empty Academic Society office.

 

The moment he turned his head because his neck was stiff from writing a personal research paper.

 

That moment when the campus being covered with snow and the dawn air stung his nose sharply. He never knew it would remain in his memory for so long.

 

“So.”

 

Just once.

 

“Today is okay, isn’t it?”

 

Even if I act like this.

 

Rianel looked down at her student, then slowly raised her hand and stroked his head.

 

From the edge of his forehead to the crown of his head, as the tickling and warm touch spread, the corners of Asil’s mouth slowly curved upward.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Truly long-awaited warmth. His throat felt choked up.

 

“I was lonely.”

 

It was true.

 

“…I missed you.”

 

These words resonated lower and deeper.

 

Rianel’s hand paused for a moment, then stroked his head at a slightly slower but steadier pace.

 

Asil smiled inwardly.

 

As expected, you’re weak to affection.

 

Even while pretending otherwise, you accept everything when someone shows weakness.

 

“I lo-”

 

Of course, there were things even Rianel wouldn’t accept.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

Rianel’s palm covered his mouth.

 

What kind of nonsense is this.

 

Asil blinked his eyes.

 

Then his shoulders trembled slightly.

 

“Don’t laugh.”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Asil barely closed the corners of his mouth and nodded.

 

“Still, this is nice.”

 

Because I never knew I could spend the winter you left with such laughter.

 

Asil calmed his slightly trembling shoulders and let out a slow breath.

 

I really do need you.

 

* * *

 

The coming holiday.

 

“This way.”

 

Asil guided Rianel to the cemetery where Former Empress Ensilen was buried.

 

Since Ensilen was born a scholar and died as an empress, her body was interred in the Imperial Family Cemetery.

 

Originally, family burial grounds could only be visited by direct blood relatives as a rule. The Imperial Family was the same.

 

However, only the section where emperors and empresses were laid to rest was an exception.

 

This was because visiting the tomb of an emperor with great achievements to pay respects was said to inspire loyalty and patriotism toward the Empire. Therefore, entry was permitted as long as one signed the visitor’s log.

 

Rianel silently followed behind Asil, who was finding his way with familiarity.

 

Ensilen’s tomb was located in a remote place, quite far from the rest of the burial ground.

 

‘The Emperor must have really disliked me.’

 

Judging by how he stuck me in such an out-of-the-way place.

 

For Rianel, this was perfectly fine.

 

The two people who arrived in front of the tomb looked around the cemetery area.

 

The Emperor had neglected the tomb’s maintenance after Ensilen passed away.

 

There was no flower dedication ceremony that should have been held on the first anniversary, and he never visited the tomb after that either. He even went so far as to cut the budget for Imperial Family Cemetery maintenance.

 

‘It’s tidier than I expected.’

 

The surroundings were neatly organized, and there was even a small path leading to the burial ground.

 

Rianel suddenly realized.

 

‘I see.’

 

That path wasn’t deliberately paved, but naturally formed by cutting weeds and walking back and forth multiple times.

 

After she died, Asil must have visited this place many times.

 

Asil placed white poinsettias in front of Rianel’s tombstone. The winter wind swayed the leaf veins that hadn’t died despite the bitter cold temperature.

 

“Why do you visit this place so often?”

 

“It’s quiet.”

 

The world was still busy slandering and criticizing you even after your death.

 

The Emperor cherry-picked only the achievements of yours that were favorable to me and packaged them as his own accomplishments, while the Temple fabricated your death as ‘the end of one who went against God’s will.’

 

The nobles dragged your name into use as a tool for political battles.

 

The whole world became so noisy I couldn’t bear it.

 

“…Only this place is so quiet.”

 

You weren’t someone who talked much to begin with.

 

That silence made it feel as if you were by my side…

 

“It was comforting.”

 

Even knowing your body lies beneath here, strangely enough, that’s how it felt.

 

Asil slowly closed his eyes and breathed the winter air deep into his lungs.

 

“It’s quiet.”

 

Just like the day you left.

 

“And it’s snowing.”

 

“….”

 

“The fact that no one comes here is really-,”

 

Just then, the sound of footsteps on snow could be heard, and a small shadow appeared beyond the snowy path.

 

“Oh.”

 

In the middle of winter, unable to find flowers, the Princess who had come carrying an embroidered handkerchief with flower pattern widened her eyes as soon as she saw the two people.

 

As if she hadn’t expected to encounter them, her eyes froze awkwardly like a rabbit’s.

 

“Well then. This leaves me no choice but to acknowledge her as second place.”

 

Of course, Asil felt the same way.

 

He extended his hand to help the Princess come up without slipping on the snowy path.

 

“I didn’t know you’d be here…”

 

“I feel the same way. What brings you here?”

 

“I just wanted to come.”

 

The Emperor didn’t even attend the Empress’s funeral, nor did he show himself when the body was laid to rest.

 

Only that younger sister faithfully visited on memorial days to hold solitary memorial services.

 

“Actually, I came on the memorial day too…”

 

The Princess gently brushed away the snow covering the tombstone with her hand.

 

“Since it’s snowing again today.”

 

“….”

 

“I thought she might feel lonely being alone on a day like this.”

 

She tried clearing the snow a few more times, then seemed to give up, dusted off her hands, and smiled brightly.

 

“But it’s fortunate.”

 

Her face was flushed red from the cold, but there was a strange warmth dwelling within it.

 

“She won’t be as lonely this year.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Even during all this, the snow continued to fall.

 

‘It’s coming down quite heavily.’

 

It fell at a pace that would cover everything, making the world sink into a hazy white.

 

“At this rate, the path might get erased.”

 

Just as people remember you only as ‘the failed Empress.’

 

No one will properly remember you, or us.

 

“That might happen.”

 

Snow will fall next year too.

 

Just as your death did, our footprints will also disappear into the snow someday.

 

But.

 

“You’ll come visit again next year, won’t you?”

 

It will be alright.

 

“Yes, I will.”

 

Someday winter will end, and you who will melt the snow will return.

 

Perhaps it’s already spring.

 

* * *

 

After the winter that made us pull our collars tight passed, and the days became much warmer.

 

The Princess’s business began to catch favorable winds.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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