37 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Chapter 37
Medeia suddenly recalled the story that his mother had once been a great beauty who had stirred up society.
Although he looked tired, nervous, and sensitive, she had to admit that Ciseo was handsome.
And that he was one of the few loyal retainers who had remained faithful to Peleus until the very end.
Medeia knew that Ciseo was suspecting her now.
She could understand, since he didn't know what Medeia had gone through in her past life.
In any case, his goal and hers were the same.
To properly establish this country of Baldina, ruled by Peleus.
If so, getting rid of his worries and reassuring him, this troublesome act was meaningful enough.
"The Baldina I want to protect belongs only to Peleus."
Medeia said calmly. It didn't matter if this sincerity didn't reach him.
She had a duty to correct this country properly and return it to Peleus.
It was an atonement and repentance that she had to achieve even if it cost her her entire life.
An unbelievably deep regret was reflected on her fragile face.
"You don't have to trust me, Minister. You'll know soon enough."
Her resolute green eyes flashed with a bluish light. Ciseo swallowed his tea, hiding his embarrassment.
"……."
No conversation took place until he had completely emptied his cup of tea.
"I understand Your Highness's intentions. But Etienne is a hereditary aristocrat who has built a reputation for three generations, and he is in charge of the Inner Palace affairs. He is not an easy target to fall for Your Highness's trap like Cuisine."
"……."
"Moreover, the Regent Duke is a strong ally of Etienne. If he collapses as well, the Regent Duke will lose all control of the Inner Palace, so he will never allow that to happen."
That's why Ciseo had been struggling to deal with the Regent Duke until now.
The Regent Duke alone was overwhelming, but with Etienne joining in, he had to defend against attacks coming from all directions.
Despite Ciseo's dissuasion, the Princess's expression did not change.
"What if we could tear the two apart? Would you still say that?"
Separate the Regent Duke and Count Etienne? Ciseo shook his head briefly.
"Do you think I haven't tried to alienate them? Their bond is strong. It's not an alliance that will collapse in a day."
In the current situation, the best he could do was to support their forces so that they would not be further disintegrated, let alone break their alliance.
"Sometimes a drop of water can divide a river and an ocean. So, don't worry, Minister, and think about how to depose the Minister who has separated from my uncle."
Because the opportunity will come soon. The Princess added.
"I thought Your Highness did not want the fall of Duke Claudio."
"As long as they don't covet our Baldina."
Her tone was quite meaningful.
It seemed that she had undergone a considerable change of heart due to the recent fall from the horse.
Where did the timid and weak Princess go? He couldn't find her previous self.
"Those who have disloyal thoughts for this country must be weeded out. Even if my uncle is among them."
Medeia raised the corner of her lips.
"It will be a very unfortunate thing, but."
There was no intention to save her uncle anywhere in that statement.
"Next time, it would be better to come this way. It's not good for them to know that you and I are meeting."
Medeia handed over a piece of parchment with a small map drawn on it.
Ciseo blinked blankly without realizing it.
Is the Princess really trying to drive out Claudio? Can he trust her?
"Your Excellency, I have brought hot water."
"Come in."
While Ciseo took off his monocle and composed his surprised mind, the Maid came in.
It was the Maid who had brought the tea earlier.
She carefully placed the refreshments on the table with calm steps.
Drizzling. Hot water spread over the tea leaves, and a fragrant scent wafted through the air.
The Maid's movements were natural.
Ciseo recalled Medeia, who hadn't even touched the tea earlier.
"Shall I bring another tea?"
This was something the Maid had roasted herself to suit his taste for bitter and plain tea, so it was unlikely to suit the young Princess's taste.
Originally, he wouldn't have cared whether it suited the Princess's taste or not, but now he was a little concerned.
"No. The scent is amazing. I don't think I've ever smelled it before."
"The Maid made this medicinal tea herself. I'm drinking it because she said she roasted each one by hand and brought it with her, and her sincerity is commendable."
"I didn't know you were such a kind person, Minister?"
"Are you just trying to insult me?"
Medeia chuckled. Ciseo was surprised by the light laughter that spread over her beautiful lips.
Was the Princess such a cheerful person?
"I want to keep drinking this tea, too."
"I'll have them pack it for you separately."
"My Maids are unskilled and can't brew it as skillfully as this, so I'll borrow your Maid for a while."
Ciseo replied, looking at the Princess, who was gesturing at the Maid holding the teapot next to her.
"Actually, another child is better at brewing tea. It would be troublesome, so I'll just give that child to Your Highness."
"No, I want this child."
The Princess insisted on the Maid next to her with a expressionless face.
Ciseo stared at her for a moment, trying to gauge her intentions, and then said.
"She is someone I cherish."
"So? Minister, it's just a cup of tea."
The reply came back, telling him not to overreact.
As expected, this arrogant Princess's temperament did not suit him. Ciseo rubbed his temples.
"……Will you return her safely?"
Medeia raised her chin.
Her noble gaze seemed to question whether he dared to tarnish his dignity with just one Maid.
Only then did Ciseo nod.
"Then so be it."
\ \ *
A few days later, the Minister's Maid visited the Royal Palace with tea.
"Raise your head."
It was a peaceful atmosphere, no different from usual.
The sweet floral scent that brushed the tip of her nose, the soft carpet, and the fluffy colors. All the tea utensils needed to brew tea were prepared on the small round table.
Medeia's white and delicate hand grabbed a handful of tea leaves. A handful of tea leaves were placed on the tea strainer.
"Is this enough? Is it too much?"
"……."
At the same time, Mariu, who was standing next to her, poured hot water over the tea leaves that Medeia had transferred.
Steam rose.
The fragrant tea scent of the tea leaves filled the room. To the point of being somewhat strong.
"How long do we have to wait?"
"……."
The Maid did not answer.
Drizzling. Her slender hand tilted the teapot.
The golden tea water was poured directly into the beautiful teacup.
Ciseo's Maid, who was pouring the tea, glanced at the tea water. The dark color, so dark that the bottom of the teacup could not be seen, was ominous.
"It's... done."
"Really?"
When the Maid handed over the teacup, Medeia shook her head.
"Drink it first."
"Yes? How dare I drink Your Highness's... ."
"Drink."
The Princess was firm.
"For your information, it's not a suggestion, it's an order."
"……."
"Drink it."
The Maid of Ciseo did not hide her displeasure at the overbearing attitude that left no room for argument.
"I don't know why Your Highness is persecuting me like this. I have served His Excellency the Minister for a long time. If His Highness knows that you are tormenting me like this-"
"I don't know why everyone is trying to show their loyalty in front of me like this."
Medeia, who cut off the Maid's words, raised her eyes as if bored.
Then, she looked down at Ciseo's Maid with a expressionless face. Her hand suddenly knocked over the container containing the tea leaves.
The tea leaves spilled out, filling the space with a fragrant scent.
'Hallus.'
The memories of her past life were superimposed on the face of the Maid, who paused and was flustered.
It was around the time when the war between Peleus and the nomads was coming to an end.
Ciseo, the young Minister of Baldina, went mad.
An important time when only the final victory or defeat of the war remained.
He tried to hide his illness by secluding himself in a tower and taking care of state affairs.
Then one day.
"Your Highness, the Minister-!"
Ciseo could not overcome his madness and took his own life.
He was at the height of his career.
His death greatly shook the kingdom.
Pelius's foundation was also shaken. Ciseo was one of the few loyal retainers who supported the King.
Even Medeia, who didn't know anything, felt Ciseo's absence.
'Ciseo was too young to go mad. He didn't have any other illnesses either.'
Madness is mainly manifested in magicians or swordsmen who have undergone long training.
I wondered how Ciseo, a young man in his prime, came to suffer from that disease.
'There was a reason.'
