There Is No Place For Fakes

ther others would treat her the same way.

If things suddenly went according to the development of , Le Guin’s help was essential to her. 

Although he gave up in the end, Le Guin was the only one who protected ‘Philomel’ in .

 And… 

‘I’m afraid of Ellencia.’

To save Catherine, Ellencia’s words and actions in front of Eustis were contrary. 

“I love her! I know my dad hates my mom, but she’s more like a mother to me than the mother who gave birth to me.”

Did Ellencia really try to save Catherine? Maybe she rather wanted to get her killed.

In the conversation she had with Philomel just before running towards Eustis, Ellensia was visibly taken aback after hearing Catherine’s words.

Catherine felt that Ellensia had changed into a different person.
What if Ellencia deliberately tried to anger his Majesty with those words in order to get rid of Catherine…? 

Philomel’s shoulders trembled slightly at the heavy, shady malice.

It may be a rather far-fetched thought, but it wasn’t an unreasonable doubt either.
And if Ellencia’s malice was directed at Philomel at some point, there was no suitable solution.

Ellencia was a princess who would one day take over the throne, in case she turned against Philomel, she’d be helpless without Le Guin’s support.

‘I need to ease Le Guin’s mood.’

In an emergency situation, he was the most reliable shield.

Philomel spoke to Le Guin with a sociable smile.

“Ah, don’t be like that, relax.
Le Guin can come out to sightsee with me later.”

“… when?”

“Well, when we both have time? I’ll give you a special tour of the capital then.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

‘It seems a bit tempting, but let’s also add a little lie.’

Philomel lowered her voice, so Jeremiah wouldn’t be able to hear her.

“Actually, I came out this time to do a sort of rehearsal with Jeremiah.
.”

“Rehearsal?”

“Yes, I want to get a better look around and discover the good places so I can take Le Guin there directly next time.” 

“… really?”

He thought about it as if he didn’t understand.

‘It is a ridiculous excuse after all…’

 However, a clear conclusion soon emerged.

“Then… It means that I have more priority than Jeremiah!”

It was an attitude that had no doubts at the ridiculous excuse Philomel’s came up with, like a clear sky.

Philomel realized at that moment.

‘This person is simpler than I thought.’

She added flattering words to cheer him up.

“Of course, Le Guin has priority.
Le Guin is the master of the Mage Tower, is skilled in magic, and passes through the barriers of the Imperial Palace, and uh, um… his magic is very…”

Gradually, the reasons why Le Guin was better than Jeremiah disappeared.
No, if you looked carefully, that’s all.
In the end, it was only that his magic skills were better than Jeremiah’s.

What else was there? His appearance? But he looks just like Jeremiah.

However, Le Guin’s expression brightened, it seemed that he didn’t care that much about the rest. 

“Yes, that’s what it was.
As expected.”

“That’s right.
That’s what it is.”

‘I don’t know what that is, but I roughly agreed.’

After that, Le Guin kindly left after leaving the words to call him through the communication device if she wanted to return to the imperial palace.

Philomel let out a sigh while holding her chest.

That’s a relief.
He’s as simple as he’s childish and easy to handle.

Taking a breather, she approached Jeremiah, who was far away.

Jeremiah didn’t even want to be in the same place as his father, so as soon as they teleported to the back alley, he went a block away by himself.

“The Palace is not a place that I want to stay at for long because I can’t use magic.”

Jeremiah murmured as he played with a magic formation on his fingertips.

Unlike his brothers, who became court Mages and were exempted from the magic suppression barrier, he was unable to exert himself within the imperial palace.

In , he becomes a court wizard.
To protect Elencia at all times.

For the sake of a woman who considered him just a friend, he killed his character of seeking isolation and joined an organization.

Perhaps because she sympathized with his unrequited love, Philomel somehow became attached to Jeremiah while reading the book.

Although he was a character who regarded ‘Philomel’ in the book as an eyesore, it was understandable because ‘Philomel’ committed so many sins. 

To him who hovered around Ellencia, ‘Philomel’, who was the princess’s handmaid, tried to quarrel with him about everything.

The relationship between ‘Philomel’ and Jeremiah was really bitter. 

‘Would have anything changed if they knew that they were siblings by blood?’

Jeremiah leaves far away due to the scars of a broken heart before ‘Philomel’ commits herself to the magic tower.

‘Philomel’ might have later learned that Jeremiah was her brother while living in the Mage Tower…

As soon as Jeremiah left Ellencia, the weight of ‘Philomel’ also evaporated, so there is no way to know the details.

The only thing I knew about ‘Philomel’s’ next activities was to be caught between the Mage Tower and the Empire, and later she was dragged to the execution table.

‘Anyway, to avoid the worst ending and find the truth about the book, what I have to do now has been decided.’

Looking at Jeremiah’s back, Philomel braced herself.

“I’ll make sure you’re on my side!”