The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 68

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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 68】

 

“That means you have enough feelings to spare your words out of consideration for me.”

 

Rianel stared at her student as if looking at a terminal patient with axe disease.

 

“That’s an overly emotional inference. That cannot be logical grounds that I can accept.”

 

“It’s because I’m desperate. I’m an ungrateful student who thinks of clinging first whenever given even the slightest opening.”

 

In the midst of all this, this crazy student was properly self-aware.

 

While Rianel fell silent, at a loss for words, Asil demonstrated his resilience.

 

Acting as light as the world while penetrating the other’s inner thoughts—that was Asil’s true ability.

 

“Now that everything is over, will you be returning?”

 

“I have recovered completely and have no discomfort in my body. There is no reason to receive help from others.”

 

“Perhaps my pretty behavior didn’t please you?”

 

“Pretty…”

 

Unable to definitively say that Asil wasn’t pretty, Rianel trailed off.

 

Young Asil had been like a doll made of sugar. White and sparkling, with a precariousness that seemed like he might melt and disappear if you looked away.

 

Now that he had grown properly, maturity and ennui had been added instead of instability, creating an even more dangerous atmosphere.

 

Like a blanket from midwinter, a season full of cold air.

 

If you stepped in without thinking, you’d be submerged in that comfort and never be able to escape again.

 

When Rianel turned her gaze away to avoid looking at him, Asil’s voice followed.

 

“You used to praise my shoulders before, but now you won’t even look at my face.”

 

Rianel felt ashamed at the voice tinged with subtle laughter.

 

She hadn’t expected the words she’d blurted out carelessly, not knowing her student would discover her identity, to come back like this.

 

“Don’t tell me you only liked my body?”

 

“Wh-where did you learn such wicked words.”

 

Rianel was so greatly flustered that she forgot even the formal speech she’d maintained to keep distance from Asil.

 

“Everything about me originated from Master.”

 

“Don’t lie.”

 

“Of course it was a lie.”

 

Asil’s face drew closer, and his shadow settled down as if to cover Rianel’s breath.

 

“But your heart fluttered, didn’t it?”

 

“What nonsense—”

 

“Please look favorably upon my face as well. I polish and refine it daily, wanting to please Master.”

 

So.

 

“Where’s the harm in saying I’m handsome?”

 

Rianel glanced up briefly, but when her eyes met Asil’s, she hurriedly looked away.

 

“…You’re ugly!”

 

“Oh my, would you look into my eyes and say that again?”

 

Asil moved a few steps to sit in the direction Rianel’s gaze was directed. Since Rianel was sitting across from him at the table placed in the center of the room, it was difficult to avoid Asil’s gaze.

 

Rianel looked around for an escape route, then as a last resort raised her hands to cover her face.

 

“You’re being too cruel.”

 

“…”

 

“Is my face really that hideous?”

 

Even knowing he was deliberately acting dejected and putting on airs, Rianel’s heart softened.

 

‘Was I too harsh?’

 

To someone clinging to her out of affection, she’d suddenly poured out criticism and even covered her face.

 

Rianel became displeased as she recalled the Emperor who had turned away from her until the very end as she was dying.

 

‘Surely I’m not doing the same trashy thing as that bastard?’

 

Unable to bear it any longer, Rianel slightly parted her fingers.

 

After confirming that Asil was right there in front of her nose, Rianel’s fingers snapped shut again.

 

“…”

 

After a moment of silence.

 

“You are cute though.”

 

Rianel’s earlobes instantly turned bright red.

 

Asil couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

 

‘At least it means this appearance is to her taste.’

 

Just confirming that fact had great significance.

 

The beast that had gotten what it wanted was satisfied.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

 

Having solidified his conviction, Hulbert called Asil to an empty room.

 

“Answer me.”

 

What he had to say was exactly the kind of question that would sound like crazy talk to anyone who didn’t know the context.

 

Even so, Hulbert secretly hoped his speculation was wrong.

 

“Is the woman you brought, is she really that woman who was the Former Empress?”

 

“You’re quite perceptive. How long have you known?”

 

Far from denying it, Asil brazenly countered. Hulbert wanted to grab the back of his neck.

 

“Are you truly in your right mind!”

 

Even when he thought Asil had brought a woman who resembled his master, his stomach had turned upside down.

 

But it turned out he’d dragged home a woman possessed by that master’s spirit!

 

“Do you truly intend to embrace that specter and die?”

 

Even if Asil had said he’d lie down on his master’s grave and be buried with her, it would have been less shocking than this.

 

“You crazy fool! You’re completely bewitched!”

 

Hulbert grabbed Asil’s ear and scolded him as he had when Asil was young.

 

Asil brushed away his hand and rubbed his ear.

 

“Please don’t do that. My already ugly face will become even more unsightly.”

 

Even in the midst of this, Asil was rubbing his ear, worried that its shape might be deformed.

 

Seeing his grandson who was being scolded yet was still obsessed with Rianel, Hulbert shouted in disbelief.

 

“Aren’t you even suspicious that a dead person appeared wearing a living person’s face? She must have some ulterior motive.”

 

“Then that would be even better. She’ll stay by my side until she achieves her purpose.”

 

“…”

 

Hulbert realized his grandson was truly insane.

 

“Must it really be that woman? What on earth is she that makes her so…!”

 

“The word ‘important’ cannot express it.”

 

From the day Master left, Asil’s world had stopped.

 

Having lost the meaning to breathe and continue living, he became indifferent to the world’s affairs as well.

 

However, the reason he didn’t cut short his feeble breath was because he thought preserving the world Master left behind was his only duty.

 

But that world was moving again.

 

As he began to hear sounds that hadn’t been audible and see things that hadn’t been visible…

 

“Grandfather, now I’m finally breathing.”

 

Hulbert hesitated upon seeing Asil’s smile.

 

His grandson, who had smiled like a preserved corpse even when receiving his ducal title and when sitting in the Bureau Director position he’d so desired.

 

For the first time, he smiled like a human being.

 

“Foolish boy.”

 

Even while clicking his tongue, he ended up acknowledging it.

 

His foolish grandson needed Rianel.

 

* * *

 

After learning that his grandson, who had lost his family, was staying at the Academy assistant professor’s house.

 

Hulbert had gone to find Ensilen.

 

It was to ask her to persuade his grandson on his behalf, since the boy refused to meet with him.

 

[I won’t speak at length. That boy you’re keeping is not someone who should rot away at the Academy. Please persuade him to go to a bigger place.]

 

Ensilen flatly refused his request.

 

[That’s not something I can arbitrarily decide.]

 

[Don’t you know how young that child is? He’s only twelve years old! Why don’t you understand that it’s an age when one is easily caught up in irrational emotions?]

 

[Age and maturity are not proportional. Given that adults also make irrational choices, that premise cannot be established.]

 

[No, but still.]

 

Since the ones who actually killed Asil’s parents were also adults, Hulbert couldn’t argue back.

 

[If someone can think for themselves and express their opinions, it’s right to view them as an independent individual and respect their personal will.]

 

[But, still…!]

 

Hulbert protested, but Ensilen was merciless.

 

The expelled Hulbert trembled with anger.

 

Having grown up as the Novantium heir in his youth and lived as a revered Duke in adulthood, Hulbert found Ensilen detestable for flatly refusing his words.

 

‘How can she refuse a grandfather’s plea for his grandson, of all people?’

 

At that time, Hulbert thought Ensilen was being greedy, blinded by his grandson’s talent.

 

But now that he understood this was her original nature.

 

Hulbert decided to acknowledge and accept her.

 

‘She’s the person who instantly saw through Joseph’s embezzlement that I hadn’t noticed for decades.’

 

Perhaps Rianel becoming the mistress of the house wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

 

So that afternoon.

 

“Some good tea just arrived, shall we savor it together?”

 

“That sounds good.”

 

Hulbert casually brought up the topic while drinking tea with Rianel.

 

“Do you know that my grandson has feelings for you?”

 

“I know.”

 

A shameless answer came back, befitting Asil’s teacher.

 

The fact that she was staying at this mansion while knowing this meant…

 

‘That woman doesn’t dislike my grandson either.’

 

Hulbert steeled his resolve.

 

“I’ll speak directly. I will acknowledge you.”

 

“…?”

 

“I mean I’ll accept you as my grandson’s partner and as the mistress of the ducal house.”

 

What could he do when his grandson said he couldn’t live without that woman?

 

‘His magnanimous self should accept her.’

 

Until he had scolded Asil, he thought he could never accept it.

 

But once he voiced his acceptance, his heart actually felt comfortable and light.

 

However.

 

“I don’t need your acknowledgment.”

 

Rianel showed a reaction he hadn’t expected.

 

“What, what?”

 

“Bureau Director Novantium is not someone who decides his feelings based on others’ approval.”

 

Since when was Asil someone who sought permission to love?

 

Hulbert’s face reddened.

 

Though it was true, he was speaking kindly and she was picking a fight!

 

“I can’t understand it. What exactly about you has that boy Asil so smitten that he’s head over heels?”

 

What good did it do to have decent looks and good abilities?

 

That peculiar personality erased all her advantages!

 

‘Did he find some advantage that offsets that flaw?’

 

“I’m cute.”

 

Pfft—

 

When an answer came to what had been a muttered complaint, Hulbert spat out his tea.

 

“That’s the Bureau Director’s personal opinion.”

 

Of course it would be.

 

But the shamelessness of saying it with her own mouth without changing expression was astounding.

 

‘What kind of woman exists in this world?’

 

However, there was more for Hulbert to be shocked about.

 

“You’re saying that woman left the mansion?”

 

Less than an hour after having a conversation with him, Rianel had left the Duke’s estate.

 

Hulbert let out a silent scream and clutched his head.

 

Wouldn’t this make it look like I drove her away!

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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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