Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Founding Festival Debut
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Having decided she couldn't extract any useful information about [Princess Ellensia] from Humphrey, Philomel moved on to her next question.
"Couldn't a truly exceptional mage using divination magic see it precisely?"
"No matter how exceptional, precisely... "
"Even the Tower Master?"
This was the core of what Philomel had really wanted to ask.
The Tower Master. The title for the lord of the Magic Tower. And he was the man described in [Princess Ellensia] as Philomel's biological father.
'There's so little information about him that I can't even imagine what he's like...'
Humphrey had only recently come from the Magic Tower, so he should know him well.
But Humphrey's hand, holding the cup, began to tremble violently.
"Wh-who? The T-Tower... Master...?"
"Yes. The Tower Master."
"Why would he...?"
"I was just curious if even a great mage like the Tower Master could see the future accurately..."
'But why is he reacting like this? Like he heard something he shouldn't have.'
Philomel tilted her head and continued.
"So, what kind of person is the Tower Master?"
"Uh... He's a great mage."
"I know that much."
"And the sage of the north."
"I know that too."
"And, and..."
Humphrey suddenly clutched his stomach.
"Ugh, stomach pain! Forgive me, Your Highness. I must excuse myself."
"Pardon? Ah, of course."
Still clutching his stomach, Humphrey shuffled out awkwardly. His ashen face suggested it wasn't just an excuse.
'What on earth...?'
Left alone, Philomel sipped her tea blankly before leaving the mage's quarters empty-handed.
Afterward, she posed similar questions to several court mages.
But the results were the same—no substantial information. They scoffed at the prophecy book and either claimed ignorance about the Tower Master or clammed up.
'Looks like I'll have to meet him myself.'
Trudging back to her chambers, Philomel resolved herself.
The moment she escaped the imperial palace, she planned to head straight to her reclusive father in the tower. If he was the greatest Tower Master, he might know something about [Princess Ellensia].
'And...'
Philomel was curious about what kind of person he was.
Back in her chambers, Philomel first checked if [Princess Ellensia] was safe inside the safe. For now, keeping it here was the best option.
"Why did you end up in my hands? Why did you have to fall into my garden of all places?"
Of course, there was no reply.
With a sigh, Philomel closed the safe door.
Time passed once more, and Philomel turned twelve.
Entering the Emperor's office, Philomel curtsied gracefully, lifting the hem of her dress as she bowed to Justis.
"Your Majesty, what a splendid afternoon."
"Indeed."
Justis, seated at the tea table, replied indifferently.
It was the posture her etiquette teacher had praised endlessly, but Justis showed little reaction.
Still, Philomel wasn't disappointed. The Emperor had always been stingy with warm words. In the past, it might have saddened her to be lumped in with everyone else despite being his daughter, but now she was just grateful.
'Not being hated is blessing enough.'
Today was their weekly tea time with Justis.
Perhaps due to the Count's nagging about cutting back on alcohol, the Emperor had started drinking tea more often. Seizing the chance, Philomel had requested to join him, and somehow it had become a regular thing.
Feeling the warmth of the teacup in her hands, Philomel gazed at Justis.
He seemed busy, barely sipping his tea as he pored over documents.
With no remarriage in sight, even the Empress's duties managing the palace had fallen entirely on him.
"So much work, Your Majesty?"
"...Not particularly."
'It looks like a mountain.'
Bored, Philomel swung her dangling legs one after another before catching herself. 'I'm not a child anymore. I need to act mature.'
To appear like a proper heir taking interest in imperial affairs, Philomel asked,
"May I ask what those documents are about?"
"They're for the upcoming Founding Festival. The date has been set..."
His ready answer suddenly cut off.
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence fell.
The Founding Festival wasn't a welcome topic for Philomel. Even now, people still whispered about her reckless behavior at the previous one when she was nine.
Because of that awful memory, just hearing "Founding Festival" still brought her down.
Tap, tap.
Justis's finger drummed irritably on the hard table surface.
He seemed subtly on edge too, clearly not thrilled with the conversation.
Before the mood soured further, Philomel brightened and said,
"Wow, the Founding Festival at last! I'm so excited for this year's event!"
"...Is that so."
"Yes! Will there be fireworks again? They were beautiful last year."
"Not in the plans, but I'll have them added."
"You don't have to go that far..."
"It's a dull, boring event anyway. Without some fun, there's nothing to see."
What a scandalous thing to say. It was one of the Empire's three major commemorations.
Thinking Bellerophon the God might strike from the heavens, Philomel continued lightly.
"Come on, it's the day the Belleroph Empire was founded. Of course it's important. Your Majesty always gives a commemorative address that day."
"Preparing that speech is the most annoying part for me."
"I love Your Majesty's speech the most during the festival."
Because it's the quickest part of the program.
Hiding her true thoughts, Philomel beamed.
"..."
"When I become Emperor, I'd love to give a speech just as splendid as yours."
Justis's weary face softened a bit. It was the moment Philomel's honed flattery skills shone.
But apparently, one shouldn't overdo empty words—it backfired spectacularly.
"Then why don't you give one this time."
"Pardon? Give what?"
"The commemorative address. There's no rule saying only the Emperor can do it. Predecessors had the crown prince deliver one too."
"...Me? Do I really have to do something that grand?"
"It's nothing much. Just say a few words and come back down. Unless you'd rather not."
The proper response for a prepared heir in this situation was obvious.
"Think positive! A speech is no big deal!"
With paper and pen before her, Philomel declared resolutely.
'Not what I intended, but this is a chance.'
Her improved relationship with the Emperor had silenced the palace staff who once mocked her, but outsiders still saw her as the pitiful princess. Appearing at the Founding Festival with a bang and delivering a stellar speech would make them accept her as the rightful heir.
And if she pulled off this event successfully...
'I'll ask the Emperor for that item!'
Recalling the essential item for her escape, Philomel spent the night scribbling speech drafts.
Days later, the Founding Festival arrived.
Standing below the podium where the Emperor had just ascended, Philomel trembled nervously.
'There are so many people!'
The vast outdoor venue was packed with attendees.
She'd expected it, but facing a speech before this crowd made it feel endless.
Her heart pounded so hard she couldn't even hear Justis's speech.
Nassar, beside her, looked concerned.
"Your Highness, are you alright? You look pale."
"...Thank you for worrying. Just a bit nervous—I'll be fine."
Philomel replied with princessly composure.
Then an attendant approached and whispered,
"Your Highness, it's your turn."
Justis's speech had ended before she knew it.
Philomel climbed the podium with stiff, log-like steps. Tension made her arms and legs on the same side move together.
The attendant placed the amplification device before her. It was a magic item with an Amplification Stone at the end of a long pole. The stone resonated with nearby sounds, amplifying them to carry far.
Philomel cleared her throat into the Amplification Stone.
"Dear citizens of Bell— Belleroph Empire..."
But a huge problem arose.
Her voice didn't amplify. The Amplification Stone was broken or malfunctioning.
She signaled the attendant, but he panicked too, fumbling with no spare suited to her height.
The crowd murmured.
"Why isn't she speaking?"
"It was too much for Her Highness after all..."
Caught off guard, Philomel's mind went blank.
'What do I do, what do I do?'
Then her view suddenly rose. Justis had scooped her up.
He lifted her to use his own working Amplification Stone instead.
The onlookers' eyes widened in shock at the sight.
It was an image of the Emperor—so mismatched, yet so tender.