There Is No Place For Fakes

Ellencia exclaimed in astonishment, “Nassar, you don’t even know the date of my party!”

“Oh no, I apologize. But I have prior commitments scheduled every day for the next year,” Nassar replied.

“That’s ridiculous!”

“It’s true,” Nassar said.

Nassar’s natural demeanor made Philomel momentarily wonder, ‘Is that really the case?’ Of course, no matter how busy he was, it seemed unlikely to have daily commitments. ‘Or… could it be? I remember having a tight study schedule when we were younger.’

Ellencia, momentarily shocked, scowled in anger and tapped her foot. “You’ll regret it! My birthday party is going to be grand and spectacular, thanks to my dad’s efforts! You’ll definitely regret it if you don’t come!”

“I’m sorry,” Nassar replied.

Of course, Nassar couldn’t care less about it.

“This party will be held in a larger hall compared to the previous one. The decorations will be more splendid, and the royal orchestra will perform. After all, a true party should have an orchestra.”

Even after that, Ellencia continued to list more advantages of her own party, but there was no one responding positively. Everyone simply watched the Princess engage in childish behavior.

At that moment, someone interjected, “Um, excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but I have some information to share…”

I don’t know how long they’ve been in the garden, but a servant stood there scratching his head. Ellencia asked irritably, “What is it?”

“I-I apologize, Your Highness,” the messenger stuttered.

“What is it?” Ellencia asked sharply.

The messenger hesitated and then spoke slowly, “The royal orchestra is currently waiting here. With Lady Philomel’s permission, they will add a splendid performance to the party.”

“What? The royal orchestra? Why are they here?” Ellencia asked sharply.

“Well… The Emperor His Majesty heard about Lady Philomel’s party and sent the royal orchestra. Along with words of congratulations…” The messenger’s voice trailed off.

Ellencia’s beautiful face twisted in an unpleasant expression. “This is so unfair!”

With a melancholic look, she left, leaving only those words behind. However, it was truly Ellencia who had gone too far. 

‘Ruining the atmosphere like this…’

Philomel let out a small sigh. Nevertheless, the performance of the royal orchestra played a significant role in changing the mood that Ellencia had spoiled. As the beautiful melodies resounded throughout the venue, people forgot about the bewildering entrance of the Princess and immersed themselves in the music.

While others enjoyed the orchestra’s performance, Philomel quietly slipped away from her seat. It was a little strange. Even though the timing of the orchestra’s arrival was impeccable, it felt too coincidental.

‘Is it possible for them to appear out of nowhere at the exact moment Ellencia mentioned the orchestra?’ Philomel pondered.

The unexpected answer came from an unlikely source. Jeremiah, who was found sitting on a tree in a corner of the venue, nonchalantly spoke up, “Oh, that? I did that.”

Philomel looked up at him on the tree and asked, perplexed.

“How did it happen?”

Well, Lexion actually gave a hint to the messenger. He instructed him to roam around with the royal orchestra.

It was a story I hadn’t heard before. 

“Originally, they were supposed to stay like that until the end of the party, but I noticed the situation inside and decided to release the hint spontaneously. It’s easy to release the hint when you give them a little shock.”

“So, that’s why the messenger had a swollen forehead?”

But that wasn’t the important part.

“Why did Lexion give such a hint?”

“Well, it was Le Guin’s idea…”

“Le Guin? Why?”

Philomel raised an eyebrow at the unexpected response.

“…There’s something like that.”

But Jeremiah didn’t provide a proper answer. Even though Philomel continued to ask afterward, his lips remained tightly sealed.

“What’s with him? He starts saying something and then stops.”

Philomel grumbled quietly.

After the royal orchestra finished all their performances, Philomel and the guests went to the lake for a boat ride.

Philomel’s boat naturally became popular among the young ladies.

“I want to ride!”

“Me too!”

“I saved a spot for myself.”

“In that case, I’ll give mine up. Let one more person ride.”

“No, Lady Philomel, you can’t!”

“Don’t go!”

Since everyone was eager to ride, there was a commotion, so when Philomel said she would ride on a different boat, everyone objected.

After finishing the boat ride, the group returned to the mansion, but somehow the atmosphere seemed gloomy once more.

With that, the scheduled events for the party came to an end. Philomel’s birthday celebration concluded successfully.

‘Even though there were unexpected variables in the middle… they say that all’s well that ends well.’

Philomel chose to think positively.

When it was time to return home, Melinda seemed disappointed and whined, saying she didn’t want to go.

“I’m disappointed. I wanted to stay longer.”

“Then how about having dinner and then leaving?”

Upon Philomel’s suggestion, her face brightened.

“Really? Would it be alright even if it’s imposing?”

“Of course.”

“Wow, I’m excited! Let’s eat and then go.”

Some of the young nobles also joined for dinner. Half of them returned home, while the rest had their meal at the mansion.

Nassar stayed as a matter of course.

After the meal, they all played a game of jacks together. The toys Nancy brought when she was bored came in handy.

After finishing the game of jacks, it was dark outside.

Philomel came out to see off those who were leaving.

Today was really fun. It felt like the first time in her life that she had so much fun.

‘It’s amazing. Until recently, I thought my life would only be filled with unhappiness…’ 

After getting caught while she was on the run and being brought back to the imperial Palace, her unhappiness reached its peak.

Philomel looked back at the sight of the palace shrouded in the darkness.

A beautiful prison. The palace had been nothing but a prison to her. It was difficult to develop any attachment to a place she thought she would have to escape from someday.

But ironically, the place where she found herself immersed in true happiness was also the Palace.

That’s when someone shouted,

“It’s a meteor shower!”

People walking towards the entrance of the mansion looked up.

“Wow!”

“It’s beautiful.”

Exclamations filled the air.

Dozens, hundreds of stars were falling from the night sky.

Philomel stopped and blankly gazed at that spectacle.

One by one, the stars traced their paths and disappeared beyond the horizon.

“It’s beautiful.”

Pure awe welled up in her heart. It was as if even the stars were celebrating her happiest day. It could only be described as a fateful coincidence…

Yes, a coincidence?

‘Surely not. It can’t be.’

Philomel, feeling an odd sensation on the back of her head, turned around.

“Meow.”

The cat proudly meowed, as it always did.

You’re killing me.

Later, it was revealed that the meteor shower was also an illusion created by Le Guin’s fantastic magic.

Philomel had been worried about what would happen if the memories of the young maids and other people didn’t match, but Le Guin confidently replied that it was fine.

He said it was a large-scale illusion magic that made the meteor shower visible throughout the capital.

That was the least of her concerns, Philomel thought, and let it go.

Would anyone notice something strange and suspect that it was all done to celebrate one person’s birthday? Surely not.

Philomel had learned to casually overlook Le Guin’s actions. Anyway, that was a matter for later.

At this moment, Philomel was admiring the beautiful meteor shower.

Even though she knew it was an illusion, it was still beautiful. In fact, it seemed even more beautiful to think of it as a meteor shower just for her.

“Philomel.”

She turned her head and saw Nassar right beside her. She hadn’t even noticed him approaching while she was engrossed in the meteor shower.

Nassar spoke softly.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

In the silence of the surroundings, a melodic voice gently spread.

“I adore you.”

Looking into Philomel’s eyes, the red irises of Nassar seemed to glow like stars.

It was a beautiful night.

In the darkness of the night, Count Pollan asked.

“Your Majesty, do you really not want to meet her?”

The Emperor, looking down at the Southern palace from the hill, replied, “It doesn’t matter.”

The crowd heading towards the main gate to board the carriage was clearly visible.

“It seems that my child currently doesn’t need my gift.”

He received the box that the Count was holding and opened the lid.

A tiara adorned with tightly packed pearls revealed its Majestic presence. The blue gem in the center shone brilliantly.

“If it’s that child, she must have already received much more meaningful gifts, so she won’t accept something like this.”

Count Pollan cautiously suggested..

“Well, since you’re here anyway, even if you can’t give the gift, at least see Miss Philomel’s face once.”

“It’s already too late.”

It was due to the prolonged council meeting.

“And…”

A self-deprecating smile crossed the Emperor’s lips.

“If she looks at my face on this fine day, it will only hurt her feelings.”