I'm Not the Hero (5)
Late at night. Moonlight streamed gracefully over Elina's blonde hair outside the window.
She sighed while gazing at the letter clenched in her fist.
"…I'm so tired."
Her fiancé, the forbidden flower of the Ortini ducal family, Derek.
Since their first meeting at that party, their engagement had been swiftly decided.
It was practically a political marriage decided before either of them was even born.
It was simply a marriage of convenience for each other's needs.
For ordinary noble families, it was an utterly routine passage.
To be honest, she didn't think much of her fiancé Derek.
He was handsome and from a capable family, but that was all.
Of course, they might manage a peaceful married life if they both remained satisfied.
Even if he kept a mistress, they could simply pretend not to notice it.
As long as he maintained his position as the salon’s favorite cushion.
"Haa, I can't believe it."
In her mind and heart, the black-haired foreigner had already taken root.
She herself couldn't understand how.
Elina Arita was the next emperor who would lead the Aritina Empire.
It didn't make sense that she, who had always managed her emotions so meticulously, would be shaken by just one man.
"…Well."
It was simply curiosity about a man from another world.
Elina quickly shook her head to correct her thoughts.
"Your Highness, are you really planning to leave?
If so, I will accompany you.
Please accept it."
The armored knight knelt beside Elina.
Elina stared at her indifferently and answered.
"You don't have to do that.
I have already negotiated with my mother.
If I go with the hero party, I'll feel better about it."
If I stayed here any longer and my heart truly stirred, who knows what I might do to lose my reason.
She had even suspected it might be that man's ability.
But he had no characteristics in the first place.
If the imperial family didn't take him in, what would become of that foreign man without abilities?
He would face a cruel reality when he stepped outside the palace.
Generally, men with fewer numbers receive protection from the state and villagers.
But the phenomenon of kidnapping human males by goblins and orcs had become severe.
It was already too harsh to leave the capital as a man.
"I'll quickly exterminate the Demon King and send him back to his original world.
Since he's invisible, it should be easy to forget."
Then he would return to his true self.
He couldn't let his body and mind be shaken by just a man.
"Your Highness, I mention this only in case, but there is no method.
It isn't impossible."
The knight captain's worried gaze was felt.
But Elina rubbed her sleepy eyes with her hand and answered.
"Forget about keeping a mistress.
And while I'm away…"
"You need not worry about that.
His Highness the Crown Prince is the one you're worried about, right?"
"Yes.
Make sure he doesn't do anything strange."
Only then did Elina feel relieved and offered a faint smile.
The knight captain, seeing that expression, nodded firmly and left the room.
She was worried that Karsen might try something while she was gone.
Of course, if her trusted subordinate was looking after him, she could be a little at ease.
"Maybe I should really make him my mistress."
She muttered the words in an extremely small voice so no one would hear.
Startled by the words that slipped out of her mouth, Elina flinched.
If she didn't exterminate the Demon King and forcibly made him her mistress, it would be the method that would make her happiest while connecting with the Ortini ducal family.
But she couldn't do everything as she wished.
Reality was complicated, and the foreign man had a free will.
Of course, being a mistress was morally wrong.
How many queens had been laughed at by later generations just because of men?
She didn't want to become that kind of person.
Since it was an era of summoning a hero to exterminate the Demon King, she would become the most celebrated emperor in the empire.
"Finally, tomorrow."
Elina gazed at the large full-length mirror.
She smiled slightly, and a beautiful blonde hair strand flowed softly down below her shoulder.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Early morning, her eyes opened automatically.
Finally, that day had come.
"The day the hero party departs to exterminate the Demon King."
She closed her eyes tightly inside the fluffy blanket and opened them again.
She stretched her arms and yawned before stepping out of the bed.
She wanted the day to come quickly, but she also wished it would come late.
The honest truth was that she wanted the latter.
"Sir Seonghyun, ah.
You're awake.
Shall I prepare right away?"
"…Yeah.
Let's hurry."
Yuse, who woke up even earlier than him, gave instructions to the servants.
They brought the clothes to change into along with the face-washing water.
Honestly, she was nervous.
But the one who was probably more nervous than her was Yu Inna.
They were all probably ready too.
She would also attend the ceremony as an imperial guest.
"When does it start?"
"It will start in three hours.
You need to prepare in a hurry."
Is it really that much time left?
She opened her surprised eyes and looked at Yuse.
He gave a strange smile.
Somehow it gave her goosebumps.
"Don't worry, Sir Seonghyun.
I will dress you more beautifully than the noble ladies of the empire."
Yuse's pupils sparkled like stars.
He didn't stutter or make any mistake even one word.
He was completely soaked in the water.
"…I hate flashy clothes.
Make it as plain and neat as possible."
"Of course, Sir Seonghyun."
It was a battle-like morning.
Starting with skin care, she put on and took off several layers of clothes.
Yuse directed the makeup with a very excited look, as if he was customizing a game character.
"Um, a little makeup."
"I'm sorry to say this, Sir Seonghyun, but.
Her Highness the Crown Princess is also leaving the palace with the hero.
If that happens, Sir Seonghyun's position will become very difficult."
"No.
Even if that's the case…"
Anyway, she would live as if she wasn't there in the palace.
Until they came back.
They wouldn't touch her, right?
Yuse, seeing her indifferent expression, looked around warily.
And then whispered cautiously, like worrying for a younger brother.
"You can't trust anyone here.
I don't know what kind of place Sir Seonghyun was in.
But this time, please trust me."
Since her expression was so serious, he could only nod his head.
Somehow, the "harem war" from the historical drama he had seen before flashed through his mind.
Yuse added with a relieved face.
"Men's beauty is a weapon.
Just smiling and fixing the makeup."
"Yuse, that's not real power."
Now she thought this peculiar world's concept of gender and gender recognition must be the same.
Just think the opposite and it would be fine.
However, there was a part in his advice she thought was wrong.
Young body and face don't last forever.
Could she even use her body to do something?
No matter how the world changed, she couldn't dress up and act spoiled to someone.
Ugh.
She couldn't do it.
"Sir Seonghyun isn't a flashy handsome man who would be recorded in history.
But I've watched many passing women looking at Sir Seonghyun.
To survive in the imperial palace, this event is important.
Until the two of you return…"
"I get it.
But let's stop there."
The brush that had been approaching him stopped.
He stood up from the chair he was sitting on and looked at the mirror.
"Wow.
Even though I only fixed my skin and eyebrows, my appearance changed quite a bit.
It's not that I'm bragging because it's my face.
"Wow.
This look.
Is it real?"
If she took a photo like this, she would definitely get a life-shot.
It was an urgent feeling that even men needed management.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Waaa!! It's the hero.
Her Highness the Crown Princess is with you!!"
"As expected, he's a hero!
How cool.
Look at his magnificent and cool appearance."
A bustling and chaotic street was visible.
In the carriage marching in splendor, the hero party was showing their faces.
Fortunately, Yu Inna's expression looked bright.
He was currently sitting together with the imperial family and nobles inside the Great Hall.
Of course, compared to them, it was a corner, but he could still see their appearances from the "video camera".
By marching, they were making their faces known to the people.
Now, it couldn't be helped.
Thanks to that, they would gain honor and wealth in the future.
"Speaking of which, elves really exist."
One elf in the hero party stood out.
It was incredibly surprising because the ear shape was different from humans.
"Did that man without any ability really come to this important event?"
Karsen's voice came from the chair on the podium.
Even if he wasn't him, he was clearly a high-ranking person because he was seated in order of rank.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, that's right.
Today is an important day, isn't it?
Look at that hero and Her Highness the Crown Princess.
He's so majestic.
Really solid.
Haha."
Right after that, the voices of the nobles flattering him were heard.
The old emperor sitting in the highest position was only wearing a gentle smile.
"Why is Her Highness the Crown Princess going to the extermination?
Do any of you know the reason?"
"I don't know either.
How could I know her intention?
But the emperor is already senile, so pulling that prince is like eating on a bed."
Whispers from the surrounding nobles were heard.
In any world, greed for power was the same thing.
"It's not that hard to boil one young man and eat him."
"By the way, who is that man?
I've never seen him before.
His gaze is quite noticeable."
He flinched at the dream.
Was it impossible that the man those noble women were talking about was him?
Quickly.
He just hoped this event would end quickly.
After glancing at the drinks on the table, he looked at Yuse waiting behind him.
Now that the procession had started, it would end soon.
Then he could quietly return to his residence.
He would never come out of the residence again.
"Ah.
I remember.
That's him.
The foreign man who came with the hero!!
I didn't know back then, but now looking at it, the image is quite different."
"The one with no characteristics…? Even so, he looks well-dressed, so even if he's a noble lady, it would be believable?"
His words were correct.
His face heated up.
Because he was embarrassed, his throat was terribly parched.
"Enough!!"
Karsen's irritated voice echoed inside the hall.
All the nobles were startled and looked at him on the podium.
His sudden cold atmosphere made him the one who needed to look around.
Clearly, that guy hated him.
Next to the weak old emperor was the prince, who was probably the real power of the empire until the hero party returned.
"It's prohibited to talk nonsense on this solemn anniversary.
Everyone, please seriously cheer for the hero party."
After a moment of silence, voices from the nobles around him answered.
His cold gaze was naturally directed at him.
"You speak truly.
Your Highness.
How about adding one more word, Your Highness?"
With a proposal from one noble, Karsen's eyebrows rose slightly.
Nodding as if pleased, he raised his voice.
"The hero summoned from another world and his sister will definitely exterminate the Demon King.
Failure is not an option.
Because of that, the empire will definitely last forever!"
After his words, the sound of applause hit his ears.
He also clapped his palms lightly in a daze.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has grown well, not inferior to Her Highness the Crown Princess.
The Emperor is very fortunate.
Let there be glory without harm in the Aritina Empire."
Karsen's lips twitched.
Then the old emperor sitting beside him picked up his cane and stood from the chair.
Upon that sight, the maids quickly helped him.
Karsen looked at the old emperor with a bewildered expression.
"Man from another world, you also came here with the hero.
Let me hear your words of encouragement.
Please bless the hero party."
Then everyone's eyes turned to him below.
Since he couldn't ignore the words of the empire's emperor, he stood up from his seat too.
He didn't like this kind of attention.
Since he wasn't the type to step forward, this kind of focus was burdensome.
"The hero has made countless efforts since coming to this world.
Of course, the effect of his characteristics was there, but he had absorbed a considerable amount of training.
From my point of view, if she exterminates the Demon King and lets me go home, that would be good.
But for now, all I want is for the hero party to return safely without getting a big injury or dying.
Regardless of the success of the extermination, the hero party and the empire will remain honorable till the end."
There was no applause.
In the awkward silence, the only thing felt was Karsen's sharp gaze.