There Is No Place For Fakes

The news of Philomel and Nassar’s breakup spread.

In truth, it didn’t become a big topic of discussion because it was an ending many people had anticipated. The emperor and the duke had also worked to keep things quiet.

Philomel, who had been lying on the bed in the state guest chamber, suddenly sat up.

‘I can’t stay like this anymore!’

She lightly slapped her cheeks. Nassar was Nassar, and she had her own tasks to attend to.

Uncovering the truth of the book.

And it seemed to be deeply connected to Ellencia’s secret.

‘Hmm, how did she get her hands on that kind of potion?’

According to Cardin, it was a potion that enhanced intelligence and tasted like lemonade.

Contrary to Le Guin’s speculation that it was a product for sale, they hadn’t yet found a place that handled such potions.

Even after searching through the paths of darkness as well.

So, was it a potion personally made by a magician?

But that also seemed unlikely. Even if Ellencia, who had been in the palace all along, could encounter a magician, it would be limited to the court magicians.

‘Lexion discreetly searched the laboratories of other court magicians and found no traces of such a potion…’

The information they received from Emilie was also insignificant.

Recently, Ellencia has been devoting herself to her studies in order to accumulate knowledge she hasn’t learned before.

The results of her studies are unpredictable. Sometimes she excels like a genius, while other times she’s just average.

“Well, the cause must be the duration of the potions.”

Even though her first potion was stolen, Ellencia continued to drink other potions. It seemed like there were multiple potions from the beginning or that she was receiving a continuous supply.

However, strangely enough, according to Emily, who was always by Ellencia’s side, both sides seemed difficult.

It wasn’t suitable to secretly store a large quantity of potions, and there wasn’t even an opportunity to regularly receive them from someone else.

Philomel, whose mind became tangled, muttered dispiritedly.

“… No, could the potions just appear out of thin air?”

There was truly no doubt about that potion.

“Don’t worry. I will definitely steal it again!”

Although Emily declared that, since the first theft, Ellencia seemed to have become more cautious, and there was no opportunity in sight.

With her current mindset, Philomel wanted to receive Le Guin’s help and install surveillance or eavesdropping devices in Ellencia’s room. However, if caught, it would become a national issue.

Philomel, who was tearing her hair out in frustration, shouted.

“Ah! For now, let’s put the potions aside!”

For now, they had to explore other avenues.

If there was no information coming directly from Ellencia herself, they could ask someone who knew Ellencia well.

Of course, the person who knew Ellencia best would be Catherine, as she had raised the Princess for more than a decade.

“Ellencia has changed.”

And she also played a role in solidifying Philomel’s suspicions about Ellencia.

Catherine, who was imprisoned in the palace dungeon, seemed to have been transferred elsewhere. According to Count Polan, it was said that soon formal visits would be possible.

Philomel intended to meet Catherine and ask specifically how, when, and why Ellencia had changed.

However, Catherine’s name was heard from a completely unexpected place.

Just when Philomel was planning to visit the Count to inquire about the exact timing of Catherine’s visit, a maid named Nancy announced the arrival of a guest.

“A gentleman named William Hounds wishes to meet Miss Philomel.”

William Hounds?

If it was Hounds, it was Catherine’s surname.

Could it be Catherine’s family?

‘Shall I let him in?’

Philomel thought for a moment and nodded. She was curious about why Catherine’s family had come.

Although Catherine was released from prison and moved to a better environment, she was still guilty of a serious crime.

She would never truly obtain freedom in her lifetime.

‘If they came to find Catherine’s whereabouts, what should I say…’

Since leaving their hometown with Ellencia, Catherine had been missing all along. If they were her family, they must have come to Philomel because they were curious about her whereabouts.

If she continued to be missing, they might never give up hope that Catherine would return someday.

“… I don’t feel inclined to do it, but it’s better to lie and say she’s dead.”

However, the reason William Hounds, the man who came, was completely different from Philomel’s expectations.

[ Southern Palace Reception Room.]

The man sitting across from Philomel, crossing his legs, spoke.

“Oh, you must be Catherine’s daughter. I’m William, Catherine’s older brother. I run a few upper-class establishments.”

‘Speaking so informally?’

Philomel was momentarily taken aback but considered it understandable.

If he was Catherine’s brother, he wouldn’t be considered an outsider to her. Uncles could speak casually to their nieces, but… ugh.

‘He’s being so rude!’

Ignoring Philomel’s visible irritation, William openly looked around the reception room and whistled.

“Wow, Philomel, you’re living it up.”

Philomel brought a teacup to her lips and decided not to comment about his rude behavior. 

Ignoring her, William continued to chatter on.

“A state guest of the royal family and the former Imperial Princess, huh? Haha, I never expected someone from our family to be doing so well! When Catherine left her position as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress, I thought the connection to the royal family was over.”

Philomel felt a slight disappointment as she looked at the man claiming to be her uncle.

‘This person… seems to care less about his younger sister than a rock by the side road.’

The Hounds Upper-Class establishments that the man mentioned is based in the capital.

‘Meaning, if he intended to meet me, he could have come sooner.’

The fact that Philomel was Catherine’s daughter and her presence in this place had already been known for several weeks.

But it was obvious why William had come to the palace at this particular time.

To assess whether his niece could be to any use to him.

As expected, after rambling on with irrelevant remarks, William finally got to the point.

“… So, Uncle has something to ask of you, niece.”

“What is it?”

“First, take a look at this.”

William took out something from the high-quality leather bag he had brought and handed it to Philomel. The soft texture of the fabric tickled her hand.

It was a translucent material that sparkled beautifully when touched by sunlight.

“… Fairy-wing fabric?”

William flicked his finger and made a ‘click’ sound.

“Just as I expected! Since you grew up in the Palace, you can recognize it at a glance! Yes, this is the famous fairy-wing fabric. It’s a fabric woven with real fairy wings mixed into the threads.”

He continued with a tone as if he were a salesperson.

“If you make a dress out of this, it will be absolutely stunning. Just release it on the market. The ladies of high society will go crazy by not being able to purchase it.”

‘Well, what can you do? It’s illegal to purchase.’

Philomel’s cold gaze turned towards William.

“As far as I know, the production and import of fairy-wing fabric are prohibited by imperial law.”

William’s expression noticeably faltered.

“That, that’s because of those people who forcibly tear the wings off fairies! Our Upper-Class establishment has obtained proper cooperation from the fairies! 

Is that really the case?

Instead of pressing him for answers, Philomel decided to ask about the reason.

“Well, let’s set that aside. Is that why you came to find me?”

“No, the request is secondary. You’re my niece, I came to see…”

“You don’t seem to be asking about your younger sister, despite all that. Just tell me what the matter is.”

He spoke with a sullen expression, even though his mouth was slightly twisted.

“You are a smart girl, so I’ll cut to the chase.I need your help with the legalization of the production and distribution of fairy-wing fabric.”

As expected. I knew it would come to that.

“What power do you think I have to be able to change the law?”

“Are you not enjoying the favor of His Majesty the Emperor? Speak well to him. The law was directly proposed by His Majesty, so it needs to win his favor.”

Philomel was well aware of this fact. After all, she was the one who suggested the law to the Emperor. She had learned about the fabric through <Princess Ellencia.>

In the book, dresses made of that fabric became a great trend. However, they also caused conflicts with the fairy folk. It was because some people, blinded by money, hunted fairies indiscriminately. And the person who resolved that conflict was the protagonist, Ellencia.

‘Ellencia might be able to handle it in the future, but by then, numerous fairies would have already been sacrificed.’ Philomel took preventive measures by enacting related laws. It was to prevent tragedies. William seemed visibly frustrated because of that law.

Philomel placed the fairy-wing fabric she had been holding on the table.

“If that’s the case, I can’t offer any help. You can leave now.”

“W-What? Why?”

“Why should I do what you’re asking?”

“You are also a member of our family! The prosperity of Hounds Upper-Class establishment brings you prosperity, too!”

“Nancy, our guest is leaving. Please see him out.”

William stretched out his hand and gestured towards the room, shouting angrily.

“How long do you think you can keep up with this attitude? Even if His Majesty has taken a liking to you and will consider your well-being! But his own daughter has appeared, how long do you think that will last? Soon enough, His Majesty will forget about insignificant people like you!”

“That’s why it’s still advantageous for our family to have you while you’re still receiving his favor! If this matter goes well, I will support you well in the future!”

Misunderstanding Philomel’s silence, William spoke condescendingly.

“This is all for your own benefit and mine. You’re still young and don’t know how the world works. 

Finally, Philomel spoke up.

“Jeremiah.”

Jeremiah, who had been waiting behind her all this time, stepped forward.

“Hmph…!”

Seeing his sword, William grabbed the fabric that was on the table and quickly rushed out of the room.

Leaving behind his final words.

“I’ll give you some time to think about it! I’ll come back later!”