Chapter 17
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Pretending to Be Human is Hard Work Today Too
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"That's far enough."
The moment their blades were about to cross paths, sealing their fates.
Deyna wedged herself between the two of them.
In one hand, she gripped her own sword. In the other, the blade the man had hurled.
"No... way..."
The weak, trailing voice came from the man.
He had witnessed it with his own eyes just before Deyna intervened—his prized throwing technique had failed utterly.
'She anticipated my last-ditch sword toss?'
Rusla, with no time to parry the downward slash, had ducked low and charged straight at him instead.
His sword veered off course, slicing toward her shoulder rather than her heart. Meanwhile, Rusla's blade, rising from below as she lifted her head, zeroed in perfectly on his chest.
If Deyna had been even a second slower, the man would have been dead.
Rusla flashed a small smile at his dazed expression.
"You seemed desperate to lose that sword. Maybe some training would help?"
"......"
He had no idea that this was the exact advice Rusla had received from Deyna on her first day.
With even his ambush failed, the assassin had no excuses left. He hung his head, conceding defeat.
"I lost. Do what you want. Kill me, torture me... whatever."
"What are you talking about? Don't you remember our deal?"
Confused, he lifted his head again.
Deyna, realizing she hadn't explained, casually tossed both swords to the floor.
"Truth is, it was a deal you'd only honor if you lost."
"Wh-what?"
"Even when I laid out the terms earlier, I never said anything about what happens if you win."
"But... that's..."
Then what was the point of this duel? Just to boost Rusla's pride with a victory?
Deyna shrugged at his bewilderment.
"Anyway, you're alive. That's what matters. Now, let's start with introductions?"
'Somehow... this feels worse than losing.'
But with defeat acknowledged, he couldn't complain. Grimacing reluctantly, the man spoke up.
"...My name is Ivan. Just came of age..."
Unaware of Rusla channeling her mana behind him, he began slipping into a subtle hypnosis with his introduction.
After the assassin Ivan departed, I collapsed onto the bed, utterly spent.
My body wasn't tired, but with so much happening, my mind was a whirlwind.
I buried my face in the pillow and let out a short sigh.
'Should've asked the Empress to introduce me to one of her subordinates.'
No, that would've just led to suspecting them as spies and wearing myself out all over again.
Living as royalty was no easy feat.
I might've had an easier time unleashing my demonic powers freely.
I could've empowered Rusla with mana for an easy win, then tracked down the assassin's backer and crushed them physically.
'But that would've meant coughing up blood like crazy.'
Even now, Liribel turned pale at the slightest sign of internal bleeding. I didn't want to worry her needlessly—she was precious as the one human treating me like a proper princess.
Besides, I didn't want freedom that way.
'If they find out I'm a demon, peace goes out the window. This method's the best.'
I brainwashed myself into seeing this exhaustion as the fruit of my efforts.
I mumbled that I wanted to hole up in my bedroom for three days straight.
"Y-Your Highness."
Liribel called softly through the cracked door.
"Whaaat?"
At my listless reply, she spoke timidly, as if ashamed.
"A guest has arrived..."
"Who now?"
"Um, from the Prime Minister's house..."
'Loreil, huh.'
I'd figured he'd show up eventually, but this was too soon.
I waved her off lazily, saying I'd be right there.
'Heard he was busy, but he made time anyway.'
His unannounced visit only confirmed the secret I'd suspected.
I threw on a robe and headed to the drawing room.
Loreil, impeccably composed as always, greeted me politely.
"Forgive my unannounced visit, Your Highness. I was worried about Her Imperial Majesty the Empress..."
"Don't worry about it. I promised to tell you what you discussed with her, so it's my fault for not making time."
I gave a small smile to show it was fine—we'd both slipped up. He smiled back gratefully.
"Here to hear about the conversation?"
"For starters."
For starters.
Meaning he had more to probe.
Pretending not to notice, I continued.
"Truth is, it seemed like Her Imperial Majesty took a liking to you, Lord Loreil. So..."
I embellished the details of their talk just enough.
In the original, I'd uncovered the Empress's true intentions. But in my version, she confessed them first.
I framed it as me reluctantly going along, no choice in the matter.
"She's considering a betrothal between Princess Jeina and me."
"Exactly. Haven't heard anything?"
"Nothing at all."
For a split second, raw fury flashed in Loreil's eyes. He probably thought he'd hidden it well, but I could read battle intent better than anyone.
"A betrothal... So you two were in cahoots from the start."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. More importantly, Your Highness agreed to the proposal."
"Yes, sorry. I had no choice. I couldn't defy Her Imperial Majesty..."
"I understand."
He didn't press that point, backing off neatly.
Instead, he shifted targets.
"By the way, Your Highness, anything unusual in the gardens?"
"Like what...?"
"I heard from the palace guards there was a fight. Since Your Highness was there, I thought you might've seen something."
'Knew it. That's the real goal.'
So bold with the question—he must be desperate.
I rested my chin on my hand, feigning thought.
"You're right, there was a commotion. But I don't know the details. The weather was so cold outside, I hurried back to the annex."
"I see. ...Actually, I heard the suspect from that garden fight headed toward the annex."
"Oh? Really?"
Loreil nodded, his face a mask of duty.
"The culprit might be hiding nearby. Would it be alright if I investigated the area?"
"......"
"His Imperial Majesty tasked me with Your Highness Deyna's safety. And just in case, I'd like to station guards around here."
'Well, well?'
It was dressed up as a safety check, but it was basically a house search.
'He brought up the assassin to justify searching the annex.'
He was dying to find proof I was a demon.
He'd already admitted knowing about the fight, so I had no grounds to refuse.
Especially since he claimed orders from the Emperor. If he came with palace guards, I couldn't stop him.
But agreeing meant danger for Ivan, asleep in the guest room.
'The magic's aftereffects will keep him out till tomorrow... If they find him, we're done.'
Loreil might even sense Ivan's lingering mana from the hypnosis.
Blind refusal or consent—both impossible.
Only one option left.
'Tried to let you slide, but if you push this far... no choice.'
I had to make him back off myself.
"Oh, right!"
I clapped as if it just hit me.
"When the commotion happened, Her Imperial Majesty seemed furious. Wondering how something like this could occur."
"Well, with an intruder and all..."
"So I casually mentioned it. That whoever it was moved so swiftly, it was just like..."
I let my lip curl slightly.
"The Black Hand from the imperial fairy tales."
"......"
I'd just flipped Ivan to our side. Time-wise, Loreil couldn't know about his defection—maybe just that he'd vanished.
But me suddenly knowing the assassin's group? Only one conclusion.
—Princess Deyna might know the assassin's identity, their backer.
And who was the real backer?
'Obvious. Loreil, or the Prime Minister's family.'
Only the Empress, me, and Loreil knew she'd meet me in the gardens. Narrowing it to him was natural.
The Empress had probably realized it too but would stay silent—no solid proof.
Me? I'd indirectly signaled proof by name-dropping the Black Hand.
'I know you tailed the Empress and sent that killer after me.'
Or,
'I've got that assassin in custody.'
The follow-up was obvious: 'So don't try anything stupid. Back off.'
Loreil wasn't the type to miss such a pointed hint.
"That's... quite the amusing joke, Your Highness."
He smiled, lips curling. His eyes stayed cold.
"Ah, but Your Highness, something's come up. Looks like I'll have to postpone the investigation."
"I figured as much."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Of course."
I smiled back.
With my mouth only.