There Is No Place For Fakes - Chapter 8.1

After the distracting people disappeared, Philomel’s daily life became smoother.  Her tight schedule, the fear of being ostracized, and the fear of dying made her feel like she was suffocating, but she didn’t let anything show through.  Luckily the nanny and the servants were no longer there, which made her life a little more comfortable. In addition, the new maids did their homework well. However, the new maids did their homework well.

« It’s not enough, » Philomel whispered as she turned the pages of the book she was reading, alone in her room before breakfast. It was a good thing that the nanny and her clique had disappeared and that she was beginning to gain recognition from people. But it was far too early to be relieved. At least she had to do everything in her power to survive until she was old enough to run away on her own.The next few years were going to be difficult, and since she couldn’t do anything with that nine-year-old body, she would be able to eat and live well when she left the imperial palace.

« I’m going to put my pocket money aside to use as an escape fund. What else do I need? »

How to escape?

She had some ideas, but keeping those ideas alive was a great challenge. She had to rise in the emperor’s esteem because there was one thing she needed to escape. The problem? This object was part of the treasure of the imperial family. A treasure that could only be used by an emperor or an heir recognized by the emperor.

« But how can I rise in his esteem? »

Her relationship with the emperor had not changed dramatically, he called from time to time to see her, but that was all. They weren’t close to each other, they had a meal together but nothing more. There was no progress in their relationship.

« Well…what should I do? »

It had nothing that could replace the treasure of the imperial family. Philomel was rereading <The Empress Ellencia> for the umpteenth time, and suddenly her eyes began to shine.

« Yes, that’s it! »

She stood up and immediately pulled the rope to call Countess Delesse and asked her to bring something with her.  The Countess entered the room after a while with a bottle of green powder.

« Here is the powder made from the breading of sansalcho you told me about. »

« Thank you. »

« What are you going to do with it? May I ask why you need the sansalcho powder. It’s generally used as a medicinal ingredient.

« I’m going to make some tea to give to His Majesty. I’m concerned about his health. »

« …….To His Majesty the Emperor? »

« Yes! His Majesty likes to drink alcohol often! I have read that boiled water with sansalcho is good for a hangover, » Philomel replied with childlike innocence. She had this reaction on purpose because she knew that the good Countess Delesse was a kind adult who would do anything to protect the innocent heart of a child.

« Well…I see. I am sure His Majesty will be pleased with the filial piety of the Imperial Princess. »

As expected the maid had an expression that faded for a moment, but soon she smiled and cheered Philomel on.

» Then, shall we prepare a teapot and a teacup?

« And a filter paper, please! »

« Whoa, I’ll get that for you, just give me a few minutes. »

As soon as Countess Delesse left the room, Philomel opened the lid of the vial and stuck her nose in.

« Oh, it smells strong! »

A pungent sour smell vibrated in the air. That was the reason why the Countess had reacted vaguely when she told him that she wanted to offer the emperor some sansalcho tea.   It was well known to everyone that sansalcho was good for hangovers, but few people drink it after drinking a lot. It tasted as awful as it smelled.

‘But it’s good to have this.’

The little girl got up and went straight to the hidden vault at the back of her room, opened the door and pulled out a vial as big as her forearm. The light came dancing with the golden liquid that filled the bottle making it shine.   It was the fruit juice from the world tree that the emperor had sent to her. Once the juice was mixed with the sansalcho, surprisingly the bitter taste of the sansalcho was neutralized. In the novel, Ellancia had discovered it accidentally when the emperor had given her juice from the fruit of the world tree. She had put it in the sansalcho tea.

She couldn’t believe the wonderful coincidence that came from the simple idea of « if you mix one good thing with another good thing, it will be healthier ».

‘Well yes, the real princess was on another level,’ Philomel thought with a bitter laugh.

In any case, this tea so-called « exclusive sansalcho tea » is much more effective in relieving hangovers than just basic sansalcho tea. It was created by Ellencia and not only relieves hangovers better, but it also allows you to regain your vitality thanks to the fruit of the world tree. Until now, no one had dared to mix the precious juice of the world tree with this horrible tasting tea. In a few words, Ellencia was the true inventor of the « special sansalcho tea ».

Of course, Philomel was going to take her place.

‘I’m sorry Ellencia, but you’re going to have my father, my statut, you’re going to be able to live well and eat well…you can make me this concession’, mumbled the little girl, asking the real one to understand.

Shortly afterwards, the countess returned with the filter paper and the necessary to make tea. Philomel gently filtered the tea sansalcho into the tea pot and finally she added a teaspoon of the golden liquid. The ratio was very important to make the best taste. Philomel added in the teapot two teaspoons as written in the book. Sweat formed on the top of her nose as she was concentrated on carefully mixing the water and tea with a teaspoon.

« It’s done! »

She tasted it, and it was strangely sweet.

‘Ellencia, you have a kind heart because you would have given this precious drink to anyone with a hangover, but I’m different.’

Give what’s good to the powerful!

With these words, which she had learned earlier in her mind, Philomel went to the Emperor’s room.