Chapter 34
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How to Survive as the Villain's Younger Sister
Episode 34
Unlike Kanan, who grinned without a shred of tact, Alexis was the very definition of professionalism.
Formally, only the Emperor, who acts as God's representative, could bestow a title.
'Then shouldn't I be shown the same sincerity as one would offer to God?'
But Alexis did only what the law prescribed.
Even when she came to report her succession to the Dukedom to me as Emperor, she presented only a modest gift befitting propriety and departed.
'And I thought a female duke would at least show some flattering deference.'
She possessed more charisma than most seasoned nobles.
If she were an animal, she would be a lion.
'Roel, on the other hand....'
I gazed at Roel, whose face bore an ingratiating smile.
It was almost pathetic to witness.
Though merely the grandson of a second son, he carried the blood of the distinguished Parkision line, yet his expression was as though he would lick my very feet.
I was quite pleased.
The Empress spoke to me.
"The Parkision Territory suffered another poor harvest this year, I hear."
"Parkision is always like that. The late Duke lacked virtue, so only the territory's people suffer. As Emperor, my heart aches for them."
"I too grieve as the Empress Mother. Our son, Prince Theo, is deeply concerned as well. That is precisely why I summoned Administrator Roel—to inquire how matters stand this year."
Ordinarily, to learn of a territory's circumstances, one must consult through the territory's lord.
But the late Duke Parkision had neglected his duties as a duke.
Naturally, Roel had taken over all related reports, bypassing him.
Though Alexis had become the new Duke, the Imperial Court had not abandoned its old habits.
Roel, too, had made no effort to correct this.
"Prince Theo said so?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Prince Theo answered with an unabashed expression.
The Empress spoke as though she found her son utterly admirable.
"Your Majesty, our Theo is always concerned only for the people's welfare."
"His love for the people is befitting of one of imperial blood."
"Is it not?"
"He would be more than capable of assisting the Crown Prince."
I spoke without much thought.
Unaware that veins of fury were rising on the back of the Empress's hand as she gripped her dress hem.
The Empress did not relent and opened her mouth once more.
"The people suffer so, yet I cannot fathom what the Crown Prince does or where he is."
"Indeed. I should summon him and give him a stern rebuke."
Color swiftly returned to the Empress's face.
"In any case, Roel, I am glad you came. I was planning to meet with the Duke Parkision soon anyway."
I said.
Roel seized the moment and opened his mouth.
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you allow me to attend when Duke Parkision comes to pay his respects."
"Attend the audience? That's hardly a difficult matter, but why?"
"The new Duke is an excellent person, but still young and lacks experience. I worry he might inadvertently make a mistake before Your Majesty. I wish to assist him from beside him."
"Ha ha. You think deeply indeed. Very well. Duke Parkision will be delighted to see you."
The Emperor granted his permission.
Roel exulted inwardly.
Alexis's demeanor before the Emperor was predictable.
'She'll be stiff as a board.'
Besides, her lack of experience was genuine.
It would be easy to feign assistance while pointing out her mistakes and creating opportunities to catch her in errors.
Roel concealed his delight and followed the Emperor toward the Audience Chamber.
* * *
At last, the day had come to pay my respects to the Emperor.
'What should I do? I'm so nervous.'
Before entering the Audience Chamber, I checked my appearance.
'What if I look too naive?'
At twelve years old, being young was natural enough.
But if I appeared even more childish than my age, it would be disastrous.
Alexis, meanwhile, seemed like someone who knew nothing of nervousness.
She walked through the towering Imperial Palace Corridor with its high ceilings and golden light as though it were familiar to her.
'She must have visited often before the regression.'
Still, today neither Dain nor Maran, her close associates, were present.
'Instead, it's just me—the younger sister she needs to look after.'
The Emperor had ordered only two people to attend this audience.
'It seems he's going to commend her achievements in a very simple, informal manner.'
I had thought Alexis would bring Dain.
Unlike the original story, Alexis now trusted Dain more than Maran.
But—
"You're coming with me."
Alexis had chosen me.
'Why did she choose me? I'd only be a burden.'
Even though Alexis had openly debated with the Emperor in her previous life, this life was only her second audience.
This was her first since going to report the succession to the dukedom.
'She must be cautious.'
What could she possibly be trusting me with?
I looked up at Alexis quickly.
Golden hair neatly bound into a single braid.
Because of it, her face was revealed cleanly, appearing all the more beautiful.
"Don't be nervous."
Did she sense my gaze?
Alexis, misinterpreting my thoughts, offered me these words.
"It's nothing special."
No, that's not it at all!
We're going to meet the Emperor!
"Sister, you need to be a bit more nervous."
At my advice, Alexis looked down at me with an expression of utter disbelief.
It was as if she were saying, 'Do you know how many times I've seen the Emperor?'
'But I can't say anything. It's from my past life, after all.'
We entered the Audience Chamber and waited for the Emperor.
Whether intentional or not, he kept us waiting for quite some time before finally appearing.
When the Emperor entered the Audience Chamber, even the incomparable Alexis's brow furrowed slightly.
Though she quickly regained her poker face.
"It's been a while, Duke Parkision. Since you are young and lack experience, I've arranged for Parkision's administrator to attend alongside you out of consideration. There's no need for gratitude."
This was because the Emperor had appeared together with Roel.
"I am grateful for Your Majesty's consideration."
Alexis replied.
It was a formal greeting devoid of emotional disturbance.
But my heart was not so composed.
'If we're talking about experience, my sister would have far more!'
More than the Emperor, certainly.
Because she lived through a past life.
In this life too, the Emperor proves useless to Alexis.
Before regression, I merely watched as Alexis was driven out and the Duke's position passed to Roel.
After regression, when Alexis confronted Roel, the Emperor sided with him.
He eventually approved Alexis's succession to the dukedom, though.
'He did it in exchange for Alexis risking her life to subjugate the monsters.'
The Emperor's true intentions lay elsewhere.
He believed she would die during the monster subjugation anyway.
I lowered my head to avoid glaring at the Emperor and Roel.
At that, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
"The Duke's younger sister is quite shy."
"I am Cyrilia Parkision."
Alexis introduced me.
I greeted the Emperor as I had been taught.
Laughter erupted again.
"Charming. I thought it strange that you would bring your young sister, but now I understand the reason. She's quite pleasant to look at."
His manner treated me as though I were a decorative luxury doll or a pet dog.
I felt offended.
But I showed no sign of it, smiling sweetly instead.
"Thank you for viewing me so kindly, Your Majesty."
"Grateful for grace, and quite impressive at that."
It was then that Alexis spoke up.
"In fact, she's not just adorable—she's quite perceptive."
The Emperor's eyes widened.
"Unexpected. Does the Duke also dote on his younger sister?"
"It's an objective assessment."
Alexis answered sharply.
"It was Cyrilia who discovered that the textile Borja Keren was trying to sell was counterfeit."
"How could this child possibly have figured that out?"
The Emperor asked, as if finding it hard to believe.
Alexis lifted the corners of her mouth slightly as she spoke.
"She has excellent taste. She can spot cheap goods immediately."
"Is that so?"
The Emperor gazed at me again, as if seeing me anew.
"Then tell me—what do you make of me? Am I of high quality or cheap goods?"
And he asked.
I clasped my hands together and spoke innocently, my face dreamy and earnest.
"Your Majesty is Your Majesty—you cannot be evaluated as high quality or cheap goods."
"Ah, but I'm still curious."
"Well, you're simply magnificent. More so than anyone I've ever seen."
"More than anyone?"
"Yes. You're more magnificent than my father, and you're like a god from the myths."
At the words "more magnificent than my father," undisguised satisfaction bloomed across the Emperor's face.
"Ahahaha! The Duke was right. This child is perceptive and has truly excellent taste. Ahaha!"
The Emperor seemed delighted.
Meanwhile, Roel's expression grew increasingly dark.
'Roel must have come here to sabotage things.'
But contrary to his plan, there was no opening for him to intervene.
I was an unexpected variable, and more than that, Alexis's attitude must have differed from what he anticipated.
'Even different from what I expected.'
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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