There Is No Place For Fakes - Chapter 12

Judging that Humprey could not provide him with any useful information regarding the book « Princess Ellencia, » Philomel moved on to the next question.

« Perhaps a great wizard will be able to tell if he is using his magic? »

« No matter how great he is, he can’t be accurate… »

« Even if he’s a great Magic Tower Master? »

This was the key information Philomel asked. The grandmaster of the magic tower. That was the title that referred to the owner of the Magic Tower. He had also been described as Philomel’s biological father in the novel < Princess Ellencia>.

‘I can’t imagine what kind of person he is, as there is very little information about him in the book…’

Humphrey should have a little more information regarding the owner of the Tower since he was there until recently. But Humphrey’s hand holding the teacup began to dip mercilessly.

« Who, who? The…Owner of the Tower……? »

« Yes, the Grandmaster of the Tower. »

« Why do you ask that ….? »

« I was thinking that maybe the Grandmaster of the Tower might be able to see the future accurately. »

‘What’s with the reaction? He’s reacting as if he doesn’t want to hear anything.’

Still, Philomel continued her questioning with a slight shake of her head.

« By the way, who is the owner of the tower? »

« …Uh……He’s a grand wizard. »

« Yes, I know that. »

« He’s a Sage from the north. »

« I know. »

« And, and…. »

Humphrey suddenly grips his stomach.

« Ouch, stomach ache! I’m sorry your highness. Please allow me to withdraw. »

« What? Oh, okay, go ahead. »

Humphrey, who was holding his stomach, slipped out of the room. Judging by his yellow face, it didn’t look like a fake illness: he was really sick.

‘What is this…?’

After Humphrey’s hasty departure, Philomel finished her tea before leaving the magic building. From then on, Philomel asked similar questions of several wizards in the court.

The wizards snorted at the Prophecy, and knew nothing in particular about the Master of the Magic Tower, or said much about her issues.

‘As expected, I have no choice but to meet him in person,’ Philomel swore to herself as she walked painfully on her way back. As soon as she managed to escape from the palace, she would visit her biological father, who had been the first to become the master of the tower. Perhaps the owner of the Tower would know something about the book <Princess Ellencia>.

‘And….’

She wondered what kind of person he was. Back at the palace, in her residence, Philomel went straight to check if the book was still safe in the lockbox. For now, it was best to keep it here.

« Why did you come into my hands? After all, didn’t you fall in my garden? »

Of course, she got no answer. With a sigh, Philomel closed the door of the coffer.

Time passed again and Philomel turned twelve. Entering the Emperor’s study, Philomel bowed gently to Eustis, delicately lifting the end of her dress.

« Your Majesty, it’s a beautiful afternoon. »

« Yes. » replied Eustis in a placid tone.

Although her etiquette teacher was full of praise for her to the point where her mouth had gone dry, Eustis said nothing. The young girl was not disappointed, however. Originally, the emperor was not a warm person. Before, she would have been distressed not to get any compliments from him, but now she was satisfied.

‘I’m glad I’m not hated.’

Today she was having tea with Eustis, as she did once a week. This was due to Count Polan’s insistence that he reduce his drinking, the Emperor had started drinking tea more often. So Philomel would ask him to drink tea together occasionally. She looked at him, feeling the warmth of the tea cup in her hand. Eustis was busy, drinking his tea with one hand and looking at the documents with the other. Since he had not remarried, he not only had to deal with managing the politics of the empire but also take on the responsibilities of the empress, namely managing the internal affairs of the palace.

« Do you have a lot of work? »

« ……Not really. »

« It seems like a lot. »

Philomel was seated in a chair that was much too high for her and her legs did not reach the floor. Annoyed, she began to shake them before stopping abruptly.

‘Stop, you are not a child anymore. You have to be more dignified.’

Philomel tried to show interest in the Emperor’s work in order to appear as the suitable successor.

« May I ask what kind of documents this is? »

« It is about an international event that will take place. A date for the event has been set …… »

The answer he was formulating stopped in the middle.

« ………. «

« ………. »

There was an awkward silence. The National Foundation Day was not a very pleasant topic for Philomel. Even after some time had passed, people often said that Philomel’s actions at the previous National Foundation Day were reckless. To this day, Philomel would get depressed just hearing the word « Foundation » as it was one of her worst memories from her nine years. She watched as Eustis tapped the surface of the hard table with his fingertips, producing a nervous sound.

« If it is necessary to do so, —-. »

« This is a boring event. If it’s not fun, it doesn’t taste good. »

‘You talk to keep out of trouble. It’s one of the three biggest imperial anniversaries.’

Philomel spoke lightly, thinking that Lord Belleron would be angry if he heard it from heaven.

« ‘Hey, it’s the day of the Belerov empire. Of course it’s important. You always give a commemorative speech on that day, right? »

« Thinking about commemorations is the most boring thing to me. »

« What I like most during the National Foundation is your memorial speech. »

Philomel hurriedly sipped her cup of tea to hide her innermost emotions, then smiled.

« …… »

« If I ever become the next emperor, I would like to make a great speech like you. »

Eustis’ tired face straightened slightly. This was the moment when Philomel’s polite flattery skills shone. However, flattery came back like a boomerang with unexpected results, perhaps because people shouldn’t say things they don’t like.

« So, do you want to try it this time? »

« What? What? »

« The memorial speech. It is not written in the law that the congratulatory speech for the founding of the empire should only be given by the emperor. Even in ancient times, the emperor and the Heir, each of them makes a memorial speech. »

« … What? Can I do such a thing? »

« It’s nothing. It’s okay to go out and say a word and come back… Maybe you don’t want to. »

There was only one answer for a prepared successor in such a situation.

« Let’s stay positive! Why not? It’s just a memorial speech «

With paper and pen in front of her, Philomel resolved vigorously.

‘I didn’t intend to, but it’s an opportunity.’

Thanks to her improved relationship with the emperor, the aristocrats who made fun of her disappeared, but she was still considered as a troublemaker outside the palace. Therefore, she will be considered a legitimate successor to the throne if she made a big memorial speech. Moreover, after successfully completing this ceremony.

‘I’m going to ask the emperor for that object!’

Remembering the « object » that was essential to her escape, Philomel spent the night scribbling memorial phrases on paper.

And a few days later, The National Foundation Day arrived. Philomel trembled as she stood at the foot of the platform where the emperor had climbed.

‘There are too many people!’

The vast outdoor hall was filled with attendees. There were a lot of people, but since she had to give her speech, she felt like there were even more people. She had been practicing all day. It wasn’t a problem.

« Are you listening to me? »

Nassar, who was standing next to her, asked with concern.

« Your highness, are you okay? You don’t look very well. »

« ……Thank you for your concern. »

A little nervous, Philomel, like a true princess, held herself upright. A servant approached her and said.

« Your Grace, it is time to go. »

Before she knew it, Eustis’ speech was over. Philomel took her turn at the podium, tense as a bow, her arms at her sides. The servant placed a loudspeaker in front of the young princess. A loudspeaker was a magical object: the sound booster stood at the end of a long par. The loudspeaker carried the sound from near to far so that it could be heard by people far away. Philomel cleared her throat.

« Dear Bel, Belerov…… »

But then a problem suddenly arose. It was also a very big problem. Philomel’s voice had not gotten any louder. The speaker was not working properly. Philomel gave the servant a wary look, but he was also embarrassed. There didn’t seem to be a spare speaker for Philomel’s size.

« As expected, it was too much for you, Your Highness. —–. »

The unexpected difficulty left Philomel’s mind painted white.

‘What shall I do, what shall I do, what shall I do?’

It was then. Philomel’s vision suddenly increased. Eustis had lifted her in his arms. Eustis adjusted the height so that Philomel could use his speaker instead of her broken one. The eyes of those who witnessed the scene were colored with amazement. It looked so sweet, but did not suit the emperor.