100 - The Crown I Will Take From You
100
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Duke Claudio's residence, Birna's room.
"Birna, you can't speak so rudely to your godfather. Don't you know who made it possible for you to return from the convent so early?"
Catherine grabbed Birna's arm and scolded her.
"Hmph, well, I accepted his greeting, didn't I? You should be grateful I didn't just ignore him."
"Birna!"
Birna frowned.
"Mom, I don't like that man. Besides, why is he staying at our house? He has money and power, doesn't he have anywhere else to go?"
"That man! Birna, Count Raju is a noble of the Empire. Moreover, he's an important figure favored by the Kazen Emperor. Do you know how significant that is? It's on par with the Baldina Dukedom."
Catherine elaborated.
No matter what her mother said, Birna saw it all as a Baldina commoner trying to flirt with her after gaining some success.
'How much has that unpleasant man been flattering my parents?'
The way his face brightened like a full moon whenever he saw her, the way he tried to win her favor with gifts, it all seemed pathetic.
As if I, the daughter of this country's Regent Duke, would associate with such pathetic blood.
"I also don't like how he's been making Dad drink every night since he arrived! Dad's not usually a drunk, but he's always heavily intoxicated! He's definitely up to something."
Birna pouted.
"The Maid said she heard a woman moaning from that man's room a few days ago. It's disgusting and filthy. What on earth is he doing in our house?"
Birna, who had been venting her frustration without realizing she was slapping her mother's cheek, paused and looked up at Catherine.
"Mom, why does your face look like that?"
"Huh? Wh, what..."
Catherine tried to smooth down her cheeks, which were flushed with shame.
"It's as red as if you've been drinking."
"W, well, it's hot because the doors are closed. And you, don't say such unnecessary things in front of guests. You mustn't be rude. Have you forgotten all the etiquette of a lady that I taught you?"
Birna, annoyed that her mother wasn't listening to her at all, slammed the pillow and threw a tantrum.
"In the end, it's always about some lowly commoner. He even sold out our country. If I become a Grand Duchess, I won't even associate with such traitors."
Birna recalled Iason's handsome face.
The Grand Duke of Kazen, whom she had only heard about, was extremely handsome. He had even visited the Duke's residence recently and greeted her kindly.
That perfect appearance, noble lineage, and gentle manners.
Only then could she understand her mother's words that there was no match for her in Baldina.
"Mom, when is Grand Duke Castulo coming? Is there no chance he'll come here again?"
Catherine could see right through Birna's thoughts.
"Then be respectful to Count Raju. Since he's a close aide to the Grand Duke, he might bring him again if you ask him."
"Kyaa, I understand!"
If it meant seeing Iason again, she could tolerate that greasy, repulsive face a little longer!
As Birna was getting excited, Catherine asked with a dark expression.
"Birna, you said you hated your godfather just a moment ago, but your mind changed because he's bringing the Grand Duke?"
"Of course. Do you think I'd bow down to some lowly commoner when there's nothing to gain? "
"You really, he's not a commoner-"
"No matter what, the lowly blood flowing through his veins is still the same. I understand, so stop nagging. I'll never show it in front of that man. Okay?"
Watching her daughter, who was shining her eyes and admiring her new dress, Catherine swallowed a sigh.
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"Greetings, Princess."
As Achares had said he would send someone soon, a new Maid had entered the Royal Palace.
"You were the one who helped guide me at the theater last time, weren't you? Thank you."
Zeta suppressed her surprise.
To think she would recognize her so quickly, even though she was in disguise at the time. The Princess's eye for detail was remarkable.
"What is your name?"
"...Zeta."
"Are you dissatisfied with being transferred from your master to me? You can go back if you wish."
Zeta hesitated for a moment, then answered calmly.
"I do not mind. My original master was not Achares, but his maternal grandfather. I was ordered to protect you, and I will be faithful to that."
Medeia sensed the aura of a strong warrior from the calluses and faint scars on the Maid's hands.
She seemed to be standing respectfully, but there were no gaps in her defense.
However, at the same time, she was skilled enough not to reveal that energy easily.
Her indistinct eyebrows and hair color seemed to be deliberately chosen to erase her distinctiveness and conceal her presence.
"I apologize, but may I ask for a match?"
Medeia was not the only one who recognized Zeta's skills.
After observing her persistently for several days, Neril asked for a match, and Zeta looked at the Princess as if seeking permission.
Medeia nodded.
"Sir Neril, I yield the first move."
"I will not refuse."
Bang-! However, Neril was knocked away before they could even exchange a few blows.
'As expected of someone from Facade.'
The silent movements were those of an assassin, and the sword she wielded was that of a knight.
Zeta flinched and glanced at Medeia's reaction.
'Oh dear, I should have been more careful, but they came at me so sincerely...'
However, Neril's eyes only shone brighter as she charged again.
'A strong one.'
Facing Zeta was like quenching a burning thirst.
'If I want to follow in Her Highness's footsteps, I need to become even better than I am now.'
"Please, another match!"
For a while, the clanging of metal did not cease in the small training ground behind the Royal Palace.
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Meanwhile, Medeia's other Maid, Mariu, was also quite busy.
Because she couldn't refuse the call of her long-lost lover.
"Mariu! You idiot...! How could you do something so big without consulting me, and fail so miserably?"
After trying to scheme against Medeia and being kicked out along with Cuisine, Samon was very angry and cut off contact.
He didn't even bother to check on his lover, who had been punished with having her tendons severed.
But now, as if he had completely forgotten about her, he had returned to her.
"D, darling, a little gentler-"
"Shut your mouth?"
Her lover, who was treating her very roughly, was like a tyrant. Was he trying to vent his anger on her instead of the Princess?
But it was okay. If it was the price for him not abandoning her, Mariu could endure it.
"Oh my, Samon. What are all those injuries?"
A moment later, after their rough reunion, Mariu, who was looking up at Samon with loving eyes, widened her eyes.
It was because she had discovered blue bruises and wounds peeking out from the collar that he hadn't fully adjusted.
Come to think of it, his face seemed a little flushed as well. As if someone had slapped his cheek.
"Who dared to hit you?"
Was that why he hadn't taken off his clothes?
"Are you crazy? This is the Royal Palace. Where do you think you're touching?"
Thwack. Samon irritably brushed off the hand that was reaching out with concern.
His pride was hurt that Mariu would see the evidence of how the 4th Princess had treated him like a dog.
Mariu hurriedly put her hand back down.
"I, I'm sorry. I... I haven't seen you lately, so I was just worried..."
"Get out of here, I don't need your presumptuous worries, so please just do your job."
Samon snapped and hurriedly left.
However, something small fell out of his pocket due to his nervous movements.
"Wait, Samon, you left this-"
Mariu, who picked up the small, glittering object, paused.
'...A hairpin?'
It was a luxurious hairpin with rubies embedded in it.
The craftsmanship was so exquisite and ornate that it didn't seem like something an ordinary woman would carry around.
Mariu's eyes wavered aimlessly for a moment.
'It can't be. I'm the only one for him. Only me...'
Mariu shook her head, trying to force herself to believe it, and pressed the hairpin tightly into her bosom.
She hoped that the rising anxiety and suspicion would be suppressed in the same way.
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Baldina Royal Palace, Grand Duke Castulo's residence.
Iason's aide, who had been busily going in and out of the palace for several days, whispered to him.
"Your Highness, the Grand Duke. It is said that the Princess secretly transported a Wolf pack along with this relief supplies. She brought them in secretly without Kensington's knowledge."
Iason stopped as if frozen.
"Wolves...?"