Chapter 12
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Pretending to Be Human is Hard Work Again Today
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'But why on earth?'
No matter what the relationship was like between the Empress and the Emperor, I couldn't have cared less. What really piqued my curiosity was why the Empress wanted to see me.
"Do you have any guesses as to why Her Imperial Majesty wishes to meet with you?"
"None at all. To be honest, even I was taken aback."
Loreil pulled a letter from his pocket. It was elegant stationery trimmed in gold, clearly delivered by the Empress herself.
I took it and unfolded it.
The contents were as straightforward as he'd described.
'I require discreet contact, so I'm sending this to the Prime Minister's estate. I wish to meet with Princess Deyna. To help her...' It was a curt note, lacking even a proper greeting.
If this had been a letter from some ordinary noble, it would've been called downright rude.
That only made it all the more suspicious.
'Help me how, and why?'
The message was so vague and unprepared that Loreil and I exchanged a silent glance, at a loss for words.
But regardless, the sender was the Empress. Having received the letter, I couldn't very well refuse the invitation.
"Alright, I understand. When exactly are we meeting?"
"According to the servant who delivered it, it's midnight tonight. The location is the greenhouse in the main palace garden."
The timing was just as abrupt. The sun was already dipping toward the horizon.
A headache brewing, I pressed a hand to my forehead. Seeming to sense my dilemma, Loreil spoke up.
"Shall I accompany you?"
"No, that's fine. It seems she wants to meet me alone."
Besides, even if he'd delivered the letter, I couldn't fully trust Loreil.
We might be allies in the arena business, but politically speaking, the Prime Minister's family were enemies of the imperial bloodline.
Loreil nodded lightly, as if he'd expected the refusal.
Then, as if it might prove useful, he shared some brief intelligence on the Empress.
As I eyed him curiously—wondering why he was going this far—he added,
"In exchange, I'd appreciate a little hint about whatever conversation you have."
It wasn't a bad deal for me, so I accepted.
With that, he rose, saying his business was concluded and it was time to leave.
Just before exiting the detached palace, he paused as if struck by a sudden thought.
"By the way, who's helping the Helmet Fighter with her training?"
"She's doing it alone."
"Really?"
"...Yes."
He looked at me. His expression was mask-like, but his eyes betrayed his emotions.
'As if to say, "You expect me to believe that?"'
I flashed a bright smile and added,
"What, you think frail little me is helping her?"
"..."
'Did he just snort at me?'
Loreil left the detached palace without another word.
Midnight, in the main palace garden.
As the year-end approached, the empire's cold had reached its peak.
I wrapped myself in a thick overcoat and headed for the greenhouse.
"Your Highness."
"You can head back if it's too cold."
"No way! I'll wait right here."
Liribel had promised to attend me, insisting this chill was nothing compared to her homeland.
I glanced at Rusla standing behind her. Having woken around late evening, the girl had donned her helmet and insisted on serving as my guard.
"I won't let a single soul through."
I eyed Rusla's resolute determination with complicated feelings. I'd told her to reflect on her training results, but somehow her loyalty had only grown.
"No need to block everyone so desperately. This is the main palace—it's safe."
"But for Your Highness's sake..."
"Rusla's too weak anyway, so just stay put."
"...Yes, ma'am."
Only then did Rusla's fervor deflate. I patted her shoulder and stepped into the greenhouse.
'Warm.'
Unlike the biting winds outside, the interior felt like spring had arrived.
Faint traces of magic suggested the imperial palace had spared no expense on high-end enchantments.
"Over here, Princess Deyna."
In the center of the greenhouse, a woman sat waiting at a table.
"I greet Your Imperial Majesty, the Empress."
I approached calmly, standing before her and offering a polite bow. The Empress chuckled that such formality wasn't needed.
"We're mother and daughter, after all. No need to stand on ceremony."
"...Yes."
It threw me for a loop, hearing her invoke our mother-daughter bond when she'd never once called me her daughter.
Ignoring my reaction, she guided me to a chair and personally poured the tea.
A rich, aromatic black tea—unsuited to the late hour—filled my cup.
'This hospitality is over the top.'
A closer look revealed the spread on the table was equally extravagant: fresh-baked scones, glossy brioche, perfectly melted butter... It felt less like a greenhouse and more like an imperial receiving room.
Feigning serenity, I observed the Empress.
Empress Cheryl still wore her radiant smile, looking impossibly young and beautiful for a mother of four.
Platinum hair symbolic of imperial blood, clear sapphire eyes round and bright, hair neatly braided up, an evening dress adorned with jewels.
She shone like the sun, just as always.
Which only made her overt kindness feel heavier. Goodwill from someone like her always came with strings attached.
"You've heard from young Loreil, I take it?"
Loreil 'young'.
The phrasing felt oddly off.
I nodded slightly in response.
"Yes, that Your Imperial Majesty wishes to help me..."
"Exactly. I want to sponsor you, Princess Deyna."
She clasped her hands together and continued.
"I was thrilled to hear your health has recovered enough to oversee the arena. You have no idea!"
That much, at least, I could believe wasn't a lie. Our relationship had never been close enough for genuine joy like that.
"As a congratulatory gesture, I'd like to help you make a smooth return to high society. That's why I summoned you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but... this sudden proposal has me a bit flustered."
"Don't feel burdened! I'm doing this because I want to."
'Anyone would think she was my real mother.'
It was absurd, but I kept my smile in place. To uncover her true intentions, I'd need to keep talking.
"I'd be honored if Your Imperial Majesty lent her support."
Playing along as if touched, I watched her voice brighten even more.
"I knew you'd be on board! So, first off..."
The Empress launched into an effusive explanation of her plans, all bright-eyed innocence.
Compared to the fuss she'd caused, the "help" she offered was disappointingly superficial.
She'd hire an orchestra for a celebratory performance at the arena, sponsor a massive sum of money...
Not unwelcome, per se, but hardly ideal from my perspective.
After all, such flashy assistance would credit her—not me—even if the event succeeded.
'She even slipped in that it'd be "in her name."'
What I needed was proof that Princess Deyna had overcome her curse and regained her health. Not rumors that the merciful Empress had enabled her comeback.
'Is that why she's offering to help? But that's too flimsy a motive...'
It was too petty for a heartwarming tale. I'd never bought the "goodwill from the kindness of her heart" line anyway.
I let her plans wash over me while mentally sorting what I knew of her.
'Flawless in the public eye. Perfect bloodline, exceptional children... She lacks for nothing.'
Someone like that proposing this didn't seem particularly helpful.
Which meant I probably wasn't her real target...
'Wait, I'm not the only one tangled up in this.'
A hunch flashed through my mind.
To test it, I casually added,
"Your kindness is appreciated, but I should probably check with Lord Loreil as well. He's assisting me on His Imperial Majesty's orders..."
"Oh, no need to worry!"
The Empress clapped her hands as if she'd been waiting for this.
"If that's what Princess Deyna desires, I'll speak to young Loreil myself. From now on, my own attendant will serve you."
She emphasized 'desires.'
"And what of Lord Loreil?"
"He'll return to his own duties."
'Bingo.'
I let out a soft chuckle. Finally, a glimpse behind that sunny facade.
The reason she'd needed to evade the Emperor's eyes. Her sudden affection toward me.
And most crucially, her just-now declaration to separate me from Loreil.
The seemingly unrelated clues converged into one clear picture.
'The Empress's goal isn't helping me—it's driving a wedge between me and Loreil.'
I could even guess why.
Elated at piecing it together, I let out an involuntary scoff.
"Your Imperial Majesty, may I ask one more question?"
"Of course, anything at all."
"Does Princess Jeina know about this meeting between Your Majesty and me today?"
Jeina, my younger sister.
The Empress's beloved birth daughter, unlike me.
"...Why do you ask?"
"Well, when a 'mother' goes to such lengths for her daughter's betrothal, shouldn't the daughter at least know about it?"
"..."
"It's an engagement to the Prime Minister's heir, after all."
I smiled brightly, as if offering congratulations.
"She must be thrilled to have such a wonderful mother."
One who'd so eagerly step in to remove the meddlesome older sister blocking her daughter's betrothal.
How many mothers like that existed in the world?
A crack appeared in the Empress's beautiful, confident smile.