Chapter 5
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Pretending to Be Human is Hard Work Today Too
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Emma headed straight to the main palace the moment I handed her the letter. She was acquainted with the administrative officer there, so it should reach the Emperor without delay.
"I was worried because her reaction seemed odd, but it looks like she listened well."
During our conversation with Emma, emotions had welled up in me unbidden.
For a moment, I thought I'd scared her, but instead, she readily agreed to my request without prying for reasons.
"What a relief..."
In any case, thanks to Emma's efforts, the Emperor's reply came back in just two days.
The problem was that the person delivering it was someone completely unexpected.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Loreil Delchis."
I was stunned to see the man standing politely at the gate of my detached palace, offering a formal greeting.
"Delchis? That's the Prime Minister's family!"
The Prime Minister of the Empire, head of the noble council and said to hold power second only to the Emperor.
I hadn't imagined they'd send someone from the Delchis Marquis family for this.
And since he was using the family name outright, Loreil was clearly the Marquis's son.
I didn't know if he was the heir or a younger son, but either way, he wasn't someone who'd normally be dispatched for a task like this.
"Why? The Emperor wouldn't have asked the Delchis Marquis family for help."
"Your Highness?"
"...A pleasure to meet you, Sir Loreil. I am Deyna Ripeon."
My shock was brief. I composed myself and returned the greeting politely.
"I'll figure out the reason later. For now, I need to avoid raising any suspicions."
Loreil raised an eyebrow slightly as if surprised, but quickly schooled his expression and spoke.
"Contrary to the rumors, you look quite healthy."
"Rumors tend to be exaggerated."
"Well said."
Loreil flashed a brief smile. It was a mask-like smile that felt utterly insincere.
"That aside, he's not what I'd expect from an imperial noble."
Only then did I take a proper look at his face. His dark red eyes were striking, but his black hair, which seemed to absorb the light, evoked thoughts of demons.
His straight, stubborn brows, sharp gaze, and the solid build visible even through his clothes all spoke of a seasoned warrior.
It gave off the vibe of a soldier from the demon realm.
"Better stop staring."
Sizing up someone's combat prowess the moment you meet them is incredibly rude. I set aside Asmo-Dina's habits for now and guided Loreil inside.
"Shall we head to the garden? It's teatime, so I've prepared some refreshments."
"Then, if I may."
We made our way to the detached palace's garden.
Though called a detached palace, it was really the size of a small mansion, so we reached the garden quickly.
Loreil hesitated as he took in the sight.
"The garden is very... cozy."
It sounded like he was forcing out a compliment because he had nothing else to say.
"Thank you."
There was no need for him to go that far, but his effort touched me, so I smiled back.
In truth, the detached palace garden wasn't particularly beautiful. Weeds grew thick, the fountain was overgrown with vines from lack of maintenance, and the centerpiece was a dense patch of wildflowers in the middle.
"I think it's pretty nice myself."
Of course, it couldn't compare to the main palace's flower gardens, but it had its own charm.
We sat across from each other at a small table by the fountain. Just then, Emma approached and poured the tea.
"Then, allow me to convey His Imperial Majesty's words."
"Yes."
"His Majesty wishes to announce Your Highness Deyna's recovery by having you oversee an event."
"An event...?"
"The New Year's festival speech."
Royal duties vary widely. Beyond diplomacy or finance, royals often appeared at internal events to bolster the realm. Harvest festivals and New Year's celebrations were prime examples, and it seemed the Emperor planned to assign me one of the New Year's events.
Successfully handling it would prove I was healthy enough to be active.
And succeeding there would make finding a fiancé easier too.
"There are so many New Year's events in the capital; he'll probably give me one that's fine to fail."
But the response was different from what I'd expected.
"The event is at the Arena in the capital. Are you familiar with it?"
"...I know of it."
The Arena. Also called the coliseum, it hosted martial tournaments for warriors.
I'd never attended in person, but it was the premier event for the Empire's young citizens.
"That damn old man..."
I sipped my tea with a faint smile, but inside, fury toward the Emperor boiled over.
"Having a princess oversee a bloodsport?"
It was common for royals to preside over traditional events, but assigning a princess to a gore-filled spectacle like this was unheard of.
I'd foolishly assumed it'd be an exhibition or concert.
"That bastard wants to make a fool of me."
The cursed princess rumored to be jinxed, hosting the coliseum? I could already picture the crowd's cold stares.
"Is he telling me never to leave this detached palace again?"
As anger surged at the Emperor's inscrutable intentions, Loreil spoke up.
"The tournament is next month. It spans three full days, so I recommend clearing your schedule in advance."
I swallowed a sigh and nodded.
With a direct imperial command, there was no basis for refusal.
"To inspect the venue, we should tour the site tomorrow. Is that alright?"
"That's fine, but... wait, Sir Loreil will be coming along too?"
"Yes. Your Highness likely isn't familiar with areas outside the palace, so you'll need a guide, no?"
A guide was necessary, but I hadn't expected the Prime Minister's son to be designated for it.
Hiding my surprise, I asked,
"Did His Imperial Majesty instruct you to assist me, Sir Loreil?"
"Yes."
"Like a secretary?"
"...Yes."
He answered, but there was a momentary hesitation. It wasn't his own desire.
"The Prime Minister's will? Or the Emperor checking the Prime Minister?"
Nothing was certain yet. Loreil, unwilling to give more hints, spoke firmly.
"Of course, if Your Highness is uncomfortable, I can summon a proxy."
His tone pleaded for me to choose the proxy, but I refused.
"No, it's fine. Having someone as reliable as you by my side will be a great help."
"...I see."
For a brief instant, disappointment flickered in Loreil's eyes. He thought he hid it well, but his reluctance to be involved was obvious.
I felt bad for him, but with no maids at my disposal, I needed help for outings.
"The son of the Prime Minister family is valuable enough just for his status."
Hiding my thoughts, I gave him a look of trust. He returned the mask-like smile.
"Then, I'll inform you of the detailed schedule tomorrow."
With business concluded, we rose to part ways. After exchanging pleasantries, as I saw him off, a sudden question occurred to me.
"Come to think of it, the Prime Minister's heir was older than me, right?"
I vaguely recalled hearing as a child that the Prime Minister's successor was quite active. Ten-odd years later, he'd be around thirty.
So, was he the heir's brother?
I asked casually,
"Sir Loreil, don't you have a brother? How is he?"
"...Ah."
In that instant, Loreil's expression hardened.
"You... didn't know?"
"Pardon? Know what?"
"My brother is dead."
"...Oh no."
I instantly sensed I'd touched a landmine.
My fluster was short-lived; I tried to apologize to Loreil somehow. But I lost my words at the change overtaking his body.
"What is that? Smoke?"
Suddenly, strange smoke billowed from his shoulder. Viscous like mud, it climbed up, forming a grotesque shape.
[KeeEEE-]
The smoke soon transformed into a spider with dozens of legs.
Unaware of my shock at the abrupt monster, Loreil continued in a stiff voice.
"My brother died in an unfortunate accident. I am the heir now."
Loreil seemed oblivious to the creature. As he spoke, the monster on his shoulder grew larger.
"...So you didn't know. I under... stand."
The enlarged monster eventually covered even his face, muffling his voice.
A crystallization of malice invisible to humans. I knew what it was.
"A curse."
Loreil was clearly under someone's curse.
"What triggered it? Talk of his brother? The heirship? Anyway, I can't let him keep talking!"
Curses like this drain the host's life force as they grow. As I examined it to uncover its nature...
"So... to me."
[Grrr...]
Sensing my scrutiny, the monster bared its teeth at me and lunged with its horrific face.
"S-Spiders are the worst!"
It hit me anew, but I utterly despised spiders.
Even now, with Asmo-Dina's memories restored, that held true.
The sight of those multi-legged things filled me with instinctive revulsion.
"Your High...?"
[KYAAAHH!]
Noticing my odd reaction, Loreil called out worriedly. At the same time, the spider's legs reached for me.
"S-Stay away!"
In the end, I squeezed my eyes shut and swung at the spider...
"Ah."
...with a mighty punch.
The mana-infused fist struck the spider's face squarely.
[KIIEEEEEEK-!]
BANG-!
A massive explosion rang out as the spider burst apart.
"...?"
When I opened my eyes, Loreil stared blankly at me. Or rather, not at me precisely.
At my fist, hovering perilously close to his nose.
Drip-
At the same moment, blood trickled from his nose, courtesy of the shockwave from my punch.