Chapter 2
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: There Is No Place for the Fake
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'In the novel, I... No, it's not me!'
She didn't want to accept that she was the villainess who met such a miserable end.
It was just a coincidence that their names were the same. The name 'Philomel' wasn't common, but it wasn't all that rare either.
Still, Philomel had felt an unsettling twinge multiple times because the 'Philomel' in the novel seemed eerily similar to her real self.
For example, there was a childhood anecdote described to highlight 'Philomel's' wicked nature.
'Philomel' loses a necklace given to her by her father as a birthday gift and, fearing his disapproval, accuses a maid of stealing it and tries to have her executed.
Something similar had actually happened to her.
But she hadn't deliberately framed the maid.
Philomel truly believed the maid had taken it. The necklace had vanished, and that maid was the last one to clean her room, so it was an easy mistake.
Once the maid's innocence was proven, Philomel got an earful from Nanny and apologized properly.
She hadn't really meant to kill her. Digging through her memories, she vaguely recalled shouting something like 'I'll kill you!', but that was just in the heat of the moment.
It wasn't entirely false, but since the novel never delved into 'Philomel's' inner thoughts or the aftermath, she came off as a thorough villain.
"No. It's probably just some outsider who heard rumors and wrote whatever they wanted."
Philomel shook her head and muttered to reassure herself.
"Princess, may I come in?"
Nanny's voice suddenly came from beyond the door.
"W-Wait a second!"
She dashed to the desk and shoved the novel into a drawer.
If she got caught reading a romance novel while under confinement, she'd be in for a barrage of nagging for sure.
"You weren't slacking off again instead of studying, were you?"
Nanny barged in without waiting for permission, frowning as she glanced around the room.
"Slacking? I was studying properly!"
She pointed to the thick history book on the desk, but suspicious Nanny only stepped up to her after scanning the room a few more times.
"Please, just grow up already. When the princess causes trouble, the ones who suffer are us, your servants."
"Ugh..."
And so Nanny's lecture began.
Nanny was the only one, aside from the Emperor, who could treat her so freely.
She had been the Empress's nanny, and even though she had never nursed Philomel herself, everyone still called her Nanny.
The Empress had trusted her like a birth mother and brought her into the palace upon marriage.
Emperor Justis respected his wife's wishes and appointed Nanny as his daughter's governess, granting her full authority over Philomel's upbringing and education.
Since he showed little interest in his daughter, Nanny essentially handled all matters concerning Philomel single-handedly.
"His Majesty specifically ordered me this time to straighten out the princess's behavior."
"Tch. Liar."
Emperor Justis wasn't the kind of father to give special instructions like that out of concern for his daughter.
But Nanny knew it worked well on Philomel, so she'd long used his name to manipulate the princess whenever possible.
For instance, she'd promise a meal with Justis if she attended etiquette lessons diligently, or a visit to his office if she aced an exam.
Then, when Philomel met the conditions, Nanny would make excuses and delay fulfilling the promises bit by bit.
It took dozens of broken promises for Philomel to realize she'd been fooled. Nanny was largely to blame for her losing interest in heir training.
"What did you just say? Liar? Doubting people's words is a bad habit. Do I really need to bring out the rod of love?"
Caught in her thoughts, Nanny put on an exaggerated fuss.
"Okay, okay, I get it. I'll be careful from now on."
Philomel backed down first.
Nanny was nearing old age but still sturdy and strong. She never beat the princess harshly with the rod, but it was intimidating enough for a child.
"I'm begging you. Really, who did you take after? Empress Isabella was so sensible even at that age..."
Philomel had heard it so often her ears should have callused over, but today, the words about not resembling her mother stung her heart.
"Nanny..."
"Yes?"
"Do I really not look like Mother at all?"
Philomel asked cautiously.
"No, not at all. It's astonishing. Empress Isabella was clever from a young age, mature beyond her years, and yet sometimes innocently pure..."
Comparing her head to toe with the late Empress and chipping away at Philomel's self-esteem was Nanny's favorite pastime.
Today, even her routine scolding sounded like confirmation from the book that she wasn't the real princess, leaving her feeling down.
"So on Founding Festival day, you need to behave yourself..."
Philomel was letting Nanny's words go in one ear and out the other while lost in thought when an unfamiliar phrase made her eyes snap wide.
"Founding Festival?"
"You weren't even listening?"
"Can I go to the Founding Festival?"
"Of course. Since it's a national event, it's been arranged for your confinement to be lifted just for that day to allow you out."
Founding Festival. The nine-year-old Founding Festival.
It was a term she remembered from the book!
After Nanny left, Philomel pulled out the novel [Princess Ellensia] and skimmed the early parts.
'Found it.'
What she was looking for was the part where the protagonist Ellensia, also nine years old, plans to attend the Founding Festival event in her village.
Since Ellensia was the same age as Philomel, this Founding Festival matched the one Nanny had just mentioned.
Ellensia tries to go but a massive downpour hits that day, postponing the entire festival.
She remembered scoffing at how ridiculous it was for the Founding Festival to be postponed due to rain.
'Because the Founding Festival is Belleroph Empire's most important event, with the date set each year by divine oracle.'
The empire's top weather mages and scholars had studied it thoroughly, confirming no rain would fall on that date this year as well.
Moreover, in the book, a high priest collapses in an accident, delaying the festival by a full week.
"Of course. It really was just fiction."
Why would a perfectly healthy high priest suddenly collapse?
Her mood lifted considerably. All she had to do now was confirm clear skies on the day of the festival and relax.
Once the festival proceeded smoothly, she'd take the book to her father and have that insolent author punished.
Philomel smiled and closed the book.
It should have turned out that way...
Dressed impeccably, Philomel stared vacantly at the thick raindrops pouring down.
"...Your Majesty, it seems we must postpone the event."
The Emperor's secretary reported to Justis, at a loss over the unprecedented crisis.
They couldn't even reach the outdoor venue in the palace front yard and were huddling under the eaves of a nearby memorial hall to escape the rain.
The sweating event organizer explained it was an unheard-of downpour.
"Understood. Postpone the event. Select a new date and report back."
At the Emperor's words, the assembled royals and nobles who had gathered for the commemorative address began preparing to leave.
'Is it really getting postponed just like in the novel?'
Darkness closed in before her eyes in an instant.
The novel had to remain just a novel. It absolutely could not become reality. If it did, then she really was her father's biological daughter...
"No! Don't postpone it!"
Without thinking, Philomel shouted sharply and rushed out from under the roof.
"Princess! No!"
The others hurriedly tried to retrieve the rain-soaked princess, but Philomel bolted straight to Justis and stood before him.
She looked up at him desperately and opened her mouth.
"Father."
A faint crack appeared in Justis's refined brow.
"Please, I beg you. Don't postpone the Founding Festival. Okay?"
"..."
"We can do the commemorative address inside the memorial hall. So let's proceed as planned."
Everyone, flustered by the princess's sudden outburst, anxiously watched the father and daughter.
"I'm begging you like this. Please..."
Philomel's eyes brimmed with moisture, whether from rain or tears.
"...Princess, we can't do that. Please maintain your dignity."
One of Philomel's maids came up beside her and whispered.
She knew. Philomel knew full well how absurd it was to suggest holding the address indoors.
Belleroph was an empire founded under the sun god's blessing. The Founding Festival only held meaning under a sky blazing with sunlight. It wasn't merely about the inconvenience of an outdoor event.
She knew that very well.
'But, but...'
"Enough. Let's go."
The Emperor's gaze on Philomel withdrew coldly.
"However, Your Majesty, the princess..."
As Count Polan the secretary hesitated, Justis surveyed the secretary and the assembled crowd.
"Must I indulge a child's tantrum every time? Even blocking the Emperor just to see some festival?"
Everyone held their breath at the anger lurking beneath his blue eyes.
Many knew the Emperor could turn devilishly cruel despite his beautiful appearance.
Rumors whispered that to claim the throne, he had assassinated not only his brothers but even the previous Emperor.
"Let's go."
Justis turned away heartlessly.
Following his lead, the attendees began to depart one by one.
They glanced at the princess still standing stunned in the rain but said nothing. There was no benefit in getting involved with someone who had only earned the Emperor's disdain.