Chapter 66
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Debutante Surprise
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Same day, Philomel's quarters.
Philomel chided Rguin, who had returned to his human form.
"Why were you up in the tree?"
"Just. I liked it there. Can't I?"
"It's not that you can't, but when Ellensia climbed up to save you, you could have come down."
"Ah, that kid who looked a bit dumb? But why should I?"
"Because Ellensia almost got hurt..."
"What does it matter to me if she gets hurt."
Strictly speaking, that was true.
Philomel knew full well that he wasn't the type to be that considerate.
But her mood felt a little off. If his interest in her faded, she might end up getting the same treatment one day.
'I need to wrap things up here before that happens.'
As she resolved herself, her eyes fell on the clock.
"It's already this late. I have some business to attend to, so I'll be stepping out."
Philomel tried to stand, but she staggered awkwardly. A sharp sting shot through her from her rear.
"Ugh."
"You hurt?"
"Yeah. I must've injured myself a bit when I collapsed earlier."
"Want me to heal it?"
"No thanks. It's really nothing."
The location was too embarrassing to ask for treatment on.
Philomel exited the chamber, trying her best to act normal. But her gait grew increasingly odd.
'It's starting to hurt more...'
Since she was already out, she figured she'd handle her errand quickly and then visit a physician for some medicine.
Philomel's destination was the emperor's office. She'd received a message via attendant asking her to stop by sometime. She guessed it had to do with her treatment as a state guest.
Philomel mustered her strength and barely made it to the emperor's office.
"Good day, Your Majesty. I trust you slept well?"
She offered a casual greeting, but a chill ran down her neck. The emperor was glaring at her sharply.
'Did I do something wrong?'
Philomel's heart shrank on its own.
"Philomel."
He called her name in an extremely low voice and approached slowly.
"...W-Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"
"You're unwell. Your gait is off."
"Ah, I tripped. It's not that painful, so no need to worry..."
"No. You're gravely injured."
Gravely injured? What was this about?
"Your condition is dire. Walking is a miracle."
Emperor Justis's intensity was dozens of times more severe as he spoke.
"I'll summon the court physician right now!"
"I can go myself! Why are you making such a fuss?!"
"Why did you trip?"
"I caught my foot on a tree root..."
"Understood. I'll uproot every tree in the palace."
"How does it lead to that?!"
"Philomel, don't worry. I'll take care of everything."
His words... they weren't connecting at all.
'Is he crazy?'
Philomel looked to Count Polan with pleading eyes for an explanation. But Polan, pale as a ghost, just turned his head away.
As Philomel's expression shifted to one like she'd witnessed something awful, even the emperor began to sense something was wrong.
"...Polan."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"We'll discuss this later."
That wasn't how he was supposed to phrase it!
Polan screamed silently inside.
Philomel's misunderstanding cleared up after the physician finished treating her.
Finally, the day of the debutante arrived.
Philomel checked her dress in the mirror. She hadn't needed a new one, but this was made by the tailor the emperor had insisted on sending.
She'd tried to send him back saying any of her existing dresses would do, but the tailor had pleaded.
He couldn't betray the commissions from both the emperor and the princess.
Philomel could roughly guess his intentions.
At this debutante, Philomel would draw as much attention as Ellensia. It was a chance for him to dress not just the princess, but Philomel too—he wouldn't want to pass that up.
'Ellensia requesting my dress is unexpected, though.'
Was Ellensia truly kind after all?
If so, then why didn't she show that side around Philomel?
The obvious answer was 'hypocrisy', but Philomel decided not to jump to conclusions. Right now, the debutante right in front of her was the priority.
She could calmly ponder later how Margaret, who wasn't famous yet, had ended up handling Ellensia's dress.
"I specifically asked for the simplest design possible."
The cream-colored dress from Margaret was elegant and understated, but it couldn't hide the subtle luxury in places. At least it wasn't flashy—that was the best she could hope for.
Tower Master Rguin, who had been watching Philomel, spoke up.
"Isn't it a bit plain? The noble attire I've seen was more extravagant."
"What's the point of a palace guest dressing extravagantly? I'd just get accused of wasting taxes."
"Want me to deal with anyone who badmouths you?"
"...Just staying out of sight is the best way you can help me."
"Hmph. You always tell me not to do anything."
Maybe she'd been too blunt. Philomel offered some flattery for the first time in a while.
"Incidents would be the last thing we need. And just having you by my side gives me great strength."
His enhancement magic did provide literal strength. After receiving it today as well, power surged through Philomel's entire body.
She looked forward to reuniting with Rozanne.
Rguin chuckled, his mood lifting for some reason.
"Don't worry. I'll handle things today too. I've got a great idea."
"I don't know what it is, but it'd be better if you didn't..."
But Rguin vanished in a shimmer of light, ignoring her.
'That doesn't feel good at all... Probably just my imagination?'
Philomel let out a small sigh as she thought it over.
Jeremiah handled her escort to the ballroom.
Having learned etiquette and transformed into a proper knight, he firmly supported Philomel's hand as she boarded the carriage.
"If you hate it, come out anytime."
His gruff words carried genuine concern for her.
"I'll just show my face and leave."
"No dancing?"
"I danced plenty before. No plans this time. And I'm not a debutante this year, so no need."
"I see... I was going to offer to partner you."
"You? Dancing?"
It didn't suit him at all, and Philomel burst out laughing.
Sure, as a knight, Jeremiah could attend a ball if he wanted, but she couldn't picture him dancing.
He bristled.
"What's so funny."
"Sorry. I'll take the thought to heart."
As Jeremiah joked to make her laugh, the carriage arrived at the outer palace ballroom.
Philomel dissuaded him from entering with her and went inside alone.
She appreciated her father and brothers' feelings, but this was a burden she couldn't share with anyone.
The fake princess.
A figure surrounded by all sorts of rumors.
No matter what path Philomel chose in life, the public's attention would follow naturally.
If she fled from this moment out of fear, she'd never stand on her own for the rest of her life.
She couldn't rely on someone's protection forever—this was a weight Philomel had to bear alone.
'It's fine. No different from giving that speech at the Founding Festival as a kid.'
Philomel entered the hall with confident strides.
"Lady Philomel enters!"
All eyes turned to Philomel at once.
Shock. Scrutiny. Probing. Curiosity. Scorn.
The mix of it all pressed down on her heavily.
Philomel stiffened her neck, refusing to yield, and headed inside.
The crowd parted to either side, making way for her. Some stared right through her.
'Confident is good, but this is a bit much...'
Just as Philomel sought a less conspicuous spot in the corner...
"The sun of the empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and the little sun, Her Highness the Princess enter!"
With their arrival, the attention focused on Philomel shifted away.
They emerged from the royal family's second-floor entrance, hands clasped.
Philomel felt a wave of sentiment at the familiar yet unfamiliar sight.
Ellensia, stepping into the hall, spotted the crowd and looked surprised before waving happily.
"Oh."
"Her Highness the Princess."
Admiration rose from the onlookers. It went against etiquette, but that very fact made it all the more charming.
How novel and intriguing the princess, raised among commoners for over a decade, must seem to the nobles.
It was described in detail in Princess Ellensia.
Unlike the excessively cold emperor, the merciful and warm princess formed a harmonious contrast with him. Just being together, they made a perfect picture.
Unlike with Philomel.
'I struggled just to follow etiquette, but Ellensia wins favor without even trying.'
Just two years ago at her own debutante, she'd been in that spot. Back then, all she'd wanted was to escape it quickly. She thought freedom awaited if she did.
So why did a corner of her heart ache? That position she'd left was filled so perfectly now.
But Philomel shook her head instead of letting her expression crumble.
No. She had no lingering attachment to that spot. She couldn't.
"Hear ye! This is Her Highness Princess Ellensia!"
Thankfully, Count Polan began Ellensia's introduction, allowing Philomel to redirect her attention.
The count explained her birth, the circumstances of the switch with Philomel, and how she'd returned to the palace.
Of course, the switch story covered up Katrin Hounds's crimes with lies, and the return included fabrications too.
In the count's tale, Philomel was heavily idealized.
The good soul who couldn't ignore a girl who looked just like the late empress.
The benefactor who gave up her position and risked being branded a criminal to find the emperor's true daughter.
In truth, even if Philomel had ignored Ellensia, Katrin's confession a year later would have brought her to the palace anyway.
To those unaware, it wasn't unreasonable to see Philomel's actions as righteous... but still.
"Accordingly, the House of Belleroph expresses profound gratitude for Lady Philomel's grace, bestows the highest medal, and pledges to honor her as a precious state guest!"
Applause erupted from all directions at the count's stirring oration.
Philomel wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole from embarrassment.
Fortunately, the focus soon shifted to Ellensia's middle name, freeing Philomel from the spotlight.
The crowd cheered at the mention of the high priest receiving the revelation. It symbolized that Belleron's blessing still lingered on this land.
Everyone awaited the princess's middle name. Philomel, having read the book, already knew it.
Ellensia's middle name was Hialiposo. Ellensia Hialiposo Belleroph—that was her full name.
It was revealed near the book's end. 'Hialiposo' meant 'unquenchable hope' in ancient tongue. Ellensia's very existence symbolized hope...
"The name the high priest heard is Tasfel!"
'...Huh?'
"This is Her Highness Ellensia Tasfel Belleroph!"
Thunderous cheers and applause filled the hall.
Philomel stared blankly at Ellensia, basking in the crowd's adoration with a smile.
'Tasfel? Not Hialiposo?'