I'm Not the Hero (4)
Karsen wore a cheerful expression and naturally took Elina's wrist to lead her forward.
The expression on Elina's face when she arrived at the palace felt just as uneasy as if something uncomfortable was lurking inside her.
“...Auntie?”
“Yes.”
“What is it? What are you thinking about? You've been ignoring everything I've said until now, right?”
Karsen puffed out his cheeks and pouted in a childish manner. Elina gave him a gentle smile and gently patted his shoulder.
“Karsen, you're too tired today. Sorry, but can you go back for now?”
Elina rested her hand on her forehead as if she was really exhausted. Karsen sighed helplessly at the sight.
“Both you and Lady Elina are pushing yourselves too hard lately. Prince Derrick worries about you a lot.”
“You don't need to worry about it.”
The moment the Hero was mentioned, a spark of light lit up in Elina's eyes. Overjoyed, Karsen began spilling even more details.
“Lady Elina, when the Hero becomes a hero, I plan to marry him. His beautiful black hair and eyes are so captivating. He would make a perfect wife for me. The only issue is that I worry about his ‘low status.’
Karsen genuinely liked the Hero. His jet-black hair like the night sky and dreamy eyes, plus the unique beauty that couldn't be found in the Empire.
Of course, simply being the Hero was already a huge plus. He had been watching her because there was a high chance she would become his wife someday.
Becoming the wife of the most noble man in the Empire was a tremendous honor and blessing for Yu Inna, the Hero as well.
“You are an official guest of the Imperial Family. How can you call him ‘low’?”
Elina frowned slightly. Karsen's expression turned weird. He soon spoke in a trembling voice with eyes full of suspicion.
“Surely you haven't fallen for that foreign man? My respected Lady...”
“Of course not. I'm going to become the ruler who leads this Empire in the future. Would I care about such petty emotions?”
Karsen nodded inwardly. His sister and crown princess, ‘Elina,’ had a solid future ahead. She wasn't the kind of woman who would ruin her life over a small tremor.
Marriage alliances weren't a joke. She couldn't marry some unknown low-born man who had just crawled out from somewhere.
She was quick to grasp reality and had a cool head. That was why Karsen respected and was proud of her.
“So you do see it that way, right? Should I have said that? Then, Lady Elina, how about you leave the matter of that low, foreign man to me?”
“...Women shouldn't interfere in men's affairs to begin with. But remember, he is a victim and guest who got caught up in the imperial family's mistake.”
Karsen stared intently into Elina's eyes. The eyes of the closest blood relative, identical to his own, let him read her heart easily.
His sister was feeling compassion for an ordinary, powerless foreign man. One must never underestimate a man's instincts. He must not be allowed to turn simple curiosity into affection.
“Indeed, my lady will one day rule this empire. Speaking of which, you keep in contact with Prince Derrick, don't you?”
“...Hah. It's not something you need to worry about. Besides, it's only talk. I have no intention of forming an alliance with him.”
Elina had no choice but to form a political marriage for the stability of the empire and the imperial family. Even without love, she would have to fulfill her role faithfully.
To return to her own quarters, Elina stood up from the chair. Seeing her gloomy expression, Karsen introduced his last resort in a desperate voice.
“Let her go to the government. I'm sorry to Derrick-nim, but it would be better than being tied to the Hero. In that case, both the empire and my lady would be satisfied.”
“The Hero seems to please you that much. But how could I use such a method? When the Hero defeats the Demon King, I plan to go with him as well.”
At that, Karsen shouted with a look of shock. The attendants and maids waiting around flinched at the sound.
“What does that mean? My lady, are you planning to gain glory and merit by defeating the Demon King? How many times have you seen that man? Have you gone mad?”
“...”
“Hah. Yes. Lady, how about going out for a bit to clear your head? But my lady?! My lady!!”
Elina left without looking back. The voice calling after her eventually fell silent.
⁕⁕⁕
How much time had passed since then? Quite a bit of time had passed. The daily life in this world continued.
Yu Inna was still training hard. As a man, I could no longer enter the training ground, so I sometimes went to her room.
Knock knock—!
Just as I was about to leave today, a visitor arrived. Since no one else could come, I naturally thought it was her and opened the door wide.
“...I see you've been waiting for the lady.”
Elina stood there with a somewhat nostalgic expression. I quickly gathered my expression and asked Yuse for two cups of tea.
“I greet the small sun. Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?”
“There isn't. First, stand up.”
I turned my kneeling knees back to their original position. Blue eyes that were icy cold from below looked up at me.
“Whew. You don't seem very welcoming at all.”
“How could that be? I was only startled because you haven't come since that day.”
Elina's pupils shook with surprise. Her first words to me were quite startling.
“Do you use perfume?”
“No. Do I smell like it?”
I pulled my upper shirt and sniffed it. There was no special scent.
“Stop it. Your clothes are rising up. Show your navel! What is this!!”
Elina's face turned red as she breathed irregularly. Quickly composing herself, she apologized to me after steadying her breath.
“I'm sorry about before. I spoiled my younger brother too much.”
“I forgot. You don't have to worry.”
Elina kept silent at my words. In the awkward silence, Yuse brought two cups of warm tea and placed them on the table.
“Thank you. Don't stand, go rest.”
“...Yes, I understand. Call me anytime if you need me.”
Yu glanced at the crown princess and nodded. Watching his retreating back, Elina muttered.
“The youngest son of the Kalento baron family. He entered the imperial service to avoid political marriage. Well, the age of his counterpart's elder brother is middle-aged, so he has a reason to run. His stuttering is his only flaw, but he will serve faithfully as my aid.”
“Was it given by Your Highness?”
“...Yes.”
I was startled for two reasons. First, Elina knew the information of lower nobles well, and second, men being sold as political marriage sacrifices in this era.
It wasn't disappointing that I didn't hear it directly from Yuse. After all, he had no obligation to tell me information that could become his weakness.
“Shocked?”
“...I don't want to lie. Honestly, I'm surprised. It's too different from the world I live in.”
“Where did you live?”
Elina asked with a curious voice. Since it wasn't mocking or filled with hostility, I answered honestly.
“The way men and women think and value things are reversed. There is no such class system, and civilization and society are quite advanced.”
“No imperial family or nobles?”
Her eyes filled with confusion. Her urgent voice revealed her heart.
“Well, there were in the past, but they can't exist forever.”
A silence came suddenly. Did I say something unnecessary? Saying there was no class system to a royal felt like crossing a line.
The light shone on Elina's hair under the ceiling lamp with a sacred gold glow.
“...Do you want to return to your original world?”
“Probably, right? My family and friends are all there. I can't do anything here as a person with no abilities.”
Most of all, I miss my smartphone and computer. I want to eat Korean food. I want to eat chicken while watching TV.
“How can you like this world?”
“I don't dislike it.”
At my immediate answer, Elina looked surprised.
“Next week, the Hero Party will depart. And I will join them with luggage.”
“So soon? Can the next emperor go to such a place?!”
“For the pride of the imperial family and the people of the empire. Also, going together with me will allow us to defeat them faster. Don't you want to return quickly? Of course, I will maintain contact with the imperial family.”
Her words made sense. If the Hero Party alone defeats the Demon King and becomes a hero, ordinary people would feel closer to them than to the imperial family.
It could be a good picture with a capable royal going together. At least, when she becomes the Empress, she won't betray the Hero Party.
I read too many strange novels. Rather, I think she is amazing.
“So, you can cheer for the ‘me’ with the Hero.”
What reason would there be not to? I answered with a faint smile.
“Of course. Please return safely, Your Highness.”
“...You are biased.”
Just as I was about to ask, a sound came from outside the door. I couldn't hear what was being said, but it sounded like Yu Inna's voice.
Probably stopped by the knights of the crown princess guarding the gate. Looking at me bewildered, Elina took a sip of tea leisurely.
“If the Hero defeats the Demon King, he will gain tremendous wealth and honor. And he will marry the prince and become a member of the imperial family.”
“Eh? Isn't that her choice? She could return to her original world...”
“I don't know that. But when selecting a Hero, the one who is most dissatisfied with life is summoned. To avoid attachment. We also have that much conscience.”
That meant Yu Inna saw her life in the modern world as unhappy. But when I recalled her bright expression, I couldn't guess the details.
“In other words, even after defeating the Demon King, there is a possibility she will stay here.”
“Then why are you telling me this?”
I was curious. Honestly, there was no reason to tell me such things.
“So don't get too close to that woman. In the end, only you will get hurt.”
Her tone made it feel like we were lovers.
“I'm saying this because I don't want you to misunderstand. We are closer than friends. To begin with, how many times have I seen her? Would I fall for her?”
“Then how many meetings make you lovers?”
“...”
“I misspoke. I'll go for now.”
After an awkward silence, as I was about to say something, Elina stood up. The moment she opened the door, Yu Inna collided with Elina.
“...?!”
But immediately, the two separated quickly. Yu Inna bowed her posture and greeted.
“The small sun of the empire...”
“The Hero seems quite leisurely.”
Elina's sharp reaction caused Yu Inna's eyebrows to rise slightly. I was in that state, as the saying goes for a whale fight.
“...Your Highness seems the same.”
“Worrying about you entering a young man's room, the Hero who is envied, is an impolite act.”
“It's nothing strange in our world. You envy us, I suppose?”
Yu Inna's spirit was greater than expected. If she wasn't the Hero, her impolite behavior would have been on the verge of death.
“Your Highness, I enjoyed today. Please enter carefully.”
I had to quickly resolve the situation. After quickly finishing the greeting, Elina nodded kindly and left.
The knights and maids followed her closely. Only then could I bring Yu Inna into the room.
“Not to my liking.”
Yu Inna brushed her hair and muttered. I comforted her and added.
“But try to enjoy it. I heard we are going together for the Demon King subjugation this time.”
“What?! No!!”
Seeing her disgusted, I couldn't help but laugh. The hesitant Yu Inna looked at me and soon opened her mouth.
“Next week. This is probably the last day.”
“...”
Should I comfort her? Should I cheer her on? Elina's words about the Hero's condition troubled me.
At the same time, I felt fear. Being left alone in the imperial family with no abilities was terrifying.
“So, brother, just hug me once. I'm scared since I'm going to leave.”
Yu Inna looked up at me with an anxious expression. No matter what ‘protection’ or ‘abilities’ she had, she was just like me, a modern person.
She was younger than me but strong. When I hugged her lightly, she clung to me firmly.
We felt each other's body heat. From the Hero who would save this world, there was a good scent and an unpleasant sweat smell at the same time.