Chapter 16: 16

Upon returning to the room, Philomel was greeted by Countess Deles.

“Your Highness the Princess. Welcome”

“Did anything happen while I was gone?”

“Nothing. I have prepared the bath water for you.”

“Thank you. I’ll just take off my clothes and go right in.”

The maids helped take off the cramped dress.

“Are you going to bed after the bath?”

“I’m going to see that and sleep.”

She pointed to the stack of papers on the desk. These were documents related to the imperial family’s internal budget plan for the next month.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

The Countess looked anxiously.

“I’m fine. It’s just a lot of numbers, but it’s not that difficult.”

“… Are you sleeping well these days?”

“Of course.”

Philomel smiled flawlessly.

The countess seemed to want to say something more, but she retreated when she was told to go and rest.

Philomel bit off all the maids, washed, came out, dried herself, and changed into her pajamas.

It was more comfortable to be alone, not having to wear a mask.

My body was heavy, but I sat down at my desk to review the paperwork.

The seat next to the Emperor was still vacant. Many women were still targeting the young Eustis, but none had succeeded in seducing him.

Philomel took over some duties of the empress that had been in charge of the Emperor some time ago. After wrestling with the numbers for about an hour, my eyes became tight.

“Did I work too hard?”

Philomel muttered as she leaned against the back of the chair and stretched out.

As the Emperor’s successor, she had a very important job, and she was dying to do the duties of the empress.

‘In the novel, Philomel does nothing but spends money and lives.’

The Emperor and the imperial family were almost in a state of giving up on ‘Philomel’ because she was such a foolish princess. In other words, she is now an exemplary princess who is expected by everyone as she is in charge of many important responsibilities.

‘Living like a rat is dead. I don’t have to pay attention, I don’t even know it’s there.’

When I was alone, I remembered what I overheard six years ago when I went to check on the Emperor’s sincerity.

The first time I heard that I was going to live as he wanted. To be buried in a corner of the imperial palace and forgotten in everyone’s memory.

However, because I was doing various things for the escape plan, I came to live this hard.

I was planning on doing my best in moderation so as not to get criticized, but ‘moderately’ as a successor was a pretty high goal. Philomel raised her arms and pulled herself together.

“I lived such a kind and diligent life, but even if it turned out to be fake, would I have to kill it? They might see you rot for a few years in prison.”

The best thing would be to succeed in escaping and live without being caught for the rest of my life, but I had to prepare for any eventuality.

There’s not much left anyway. 

“You just have to hold on a little longer.”

Philomel took out the key she always carried and opened the safe.

There was a jewelry box, cash, and a book in the safe. I took out a book from them.

On the outside, it was an ordinary foreign language dictionary, but when I opened it, the contents of <Princess Ellencia> caught my eye. It was camouflage, just in case.

I read so much that the yellow paper fluttered over. I stopped at the page I read the most.

It was the scene of Philomel’s execution.

‘I don’t want to die… !’

When I wanted to give up everything since I was young, I opened this part and settled down.

Lately, Philomel’s mind has been very restless. When she thought of the future where she would be free after leaving this place, joy and loneliness came to her at the same time. It was so contradictory.

The goal is to survive first, survive second, and survive third. Let’s just think about that for now.

Philomel sat in the dark room and gently stroked the paper.

* * *

A day before her birthday.

They arrived at Utina with a group of people.

Loved as a resort for generations of royalty.

As much as she received, Utina boasted beautiful scenery. Among them, the best was Utina Lake, and the detached palace was also built near the lakeside.

Philomel was crouching down and looking at the lake. trying to reach into the clear, deep water.

“It’s dangerous to go too close.”

A soft, low-pitched voice was heard.

Philomel brushed off her skirt and stood up.

“Are you worried that I might drown?”

“I apologize if I was worrying unnecessarily.”

Although only a year older than Philomel at the age of seventeen, Nassar, who had matured like an adult, bowed his head.

The height you have to look up at, the platinum hair that’s a bit darker, and even your sculptural appearance. Nassar, who was almost boyish, was more of a perfect male lead described in the novel.

Moreover, now as a minor duke who helped his father led the ducal family, he was a permanent member of the political council.

“It’s okay. I accept the Duke’s concerns, so a lake tour is enough. More than that, do you have anything to say to me?”

“Will you give me the honor of sharing a cup of tea with Your Highness?”

“Coincidentally, I drank tea with His Majesty the Emperor earlier. It would be good for the Little Duke to find another opponent.”

Philomel turned her gaze to the young ladies on the bridge in the distance. The eyes that had been watching this way were busy all at once. They were the daughters of the ministers who accompanied them on the outing.

They wanted their daughters to have a strong relationship with the princess. The purpose was to be the maid of honor for Philomel, which was almost vacant.

Philomel still had only one lady-in-waiting, Countess Deles. If it was a lady-in-waiting position for a princess who might become an emperor in the future, she would be coveted.

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However, the young ladies seemed to be more interested in the handsome little duke.

“No. If Your Highness has already eaten, I’m fine too.”

The tips of Nassar’s eyebrows went down.

It was a beautifully sad impression. She would have been able to do anything for him when she liked him, but it didn’t inspire much for Philomel today.

He only feels sorry for not being able to fulfill his role as the princess’ fiancé. Nassar always did what others expected him to do, so he must be sorry for his only flaw.

Philomel wanted to tell him not to worry if he could. 

‘When Ellencia appears, you will be the perfect match for the princess.’

But I couldn’t say that.

“Then I’m done. The Duke, please enjoy the beautiful scenery.”

“… The lake is really beautiful.”

His voice caught the steps that were about to leave.

“I understand why the princess often visited this place. I think I will like this place deeply from today.”

Philomel went on her way without looking back.

There was not much evidence in the novel to infer the location of Ellencia’s residence. Only the phrase that Ellencia frequently came to play at Utina Lake indicated that it was nearby.

However, there are one or two rural villages nearby. It has been many years since Philomel pretended to visit Utina Lake and visited the village where Ellencia lived.

Thanks to this, people around her knew that the princess had a special affection for Utina Lake.

Even such misunderstandings will end tomorrow. 

It was because she had found Ellencia on her last visit.

“Your Majesty, did you call?”

It was after dinner that the Emperor called.

It is not common to be called at this time of day, so Philomel went to Eustis’s room with a curious mind.

“Sit here.”

Eustis dressed comfortably and pointed to the front seat. There is a chocolate cake on the table.

“I even ate the dessert that came with the meal. Why cake?”

Moreover, it was a whole cake. I used to eat cake at tea time, but it was the first time that it came out as a whole rather than a piece.

As Eustis picked up the cake knife himself, Philomele reached out her hand.

“I will do it.”

“All right. Now, listen.”

“Yes, thank you for the meal.”

Philomel took her share of the cake on the plate.

Why are you giving out a cake that’s so uncomfortable to eat?

He didn’t say anything until Philomel sipped her tea and ate half the cake.

An awkward hour passed as we only looked at each other’s faces.

‘It’s uncomfortable!’

I couldn’t read anything from the expressionless Emperor’s face.

Philomel was desperately looking for something to talk about.

Years of experience have given me the ability to strike up a good conversation with this man. Politics, society, diplomacy, stories about the world, etc.

They were topics that could be talked about without touching each other’s deepest intentions.

‘All right, let’s say fabric woven from fairy wings is being smuggled through Shuburn.’

But before Philomel could speak, he held out something. It was an ebony box the size of an adult’s palm.

“It’s your birthday present.”

“Oh…”

Only then did Philomel realize why the Emperor had called her.

“I was originally going to give it to you tomorrow… I might be busy tomorrow, so just take it now.”

“Thank you”

She accepted the box in a dazed mood.

Opening the box revealed a golden object.

“Is this a model ship… isn’t it?”

Philomel put a ship made of gold in her hand.

The shape is as elaborate as a real ship, but overall it is very sophisticated and luxurious. It was even equipped with an awning to block out the sunlight, like a nobleman’s boat.

“It’s miniature and the real thing is still in production. It took longer to produce than expected.”

“If it’s real…?”

“A boat you can ride. When it is completed, it will be floated on Lake Utina, so feel free to come and ride it anytime.”

“… Yes, thank you.”

Philomel dazedly repeated the words of thanks she had just said.

The first time, I got a present directly from the Emperor, and… I celebrated my birthday.

“It’s just a model, but unlike the real thing, you can decorate your room. After hearing reports that it wouldn’t be finished until the ship left, Pollan recommended something like this. And…”

Oddly enough, Eustis was more talkative than Philomel today. It was always the opposite.

“Your birthday is tomorrow, but let me tell you in advance. Happy sixteenth birthday, Philomel.”

The side face of the Emperor, who said that, seemed somewhat calm. It was a bit embarrassing, but it also seemed embarrassing.

I felt strange. My stomach was boiling.

Tomorrow is your daughter’s birthday, not mine! My real birthday is today!

My mouth was itching to shout right away.

The words that couldn’t come out of her mouth were scattered like bubbles, and Philomel just took the birthday cake to her mouth.

The chocolate flavor of the birthday cake spreading in my mouth was sweet.

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