47 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Chapter 47
Standing next to the dazzlingly adorned Birna, Medeia's black satin dress seemed rather simple.
Rather, it accentuated her clear skin, red lips, and the white pearls on her ears.
Unwavering gait, upright posture, calm gaze, and neat voice. Medeia exuded a subtle noble grace.
On the contrary, the lack of excessive adornment seemed to elevate her dignity as a Princess even further.
“Birna wanted this dress so much. It should go to someone who suits it better.”
She fanned herself and lowered her eyes slightly.
“Duke Claudio always gives me excessive gifts, so shouldn’t I return them sometimes?”
A hint of trouble was mixed in her calm voice.
‘When, when did I ever!’
It sounded to people as if Birna had forgotten her place and insisted on wearing the Princess's dress.
Catherine quickly stepped forward.
“I sincerely apologize as her mother for that thoughtless child causing Your Highness concern. However, I also sent other outfits for Your Highness, so why did you choose to wear this black dress?”
It was an insinuation that Medeia had deliberately dressed her cousin lavishly while trying to receive praise for her own simple dress.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Aunt. However, we are currently at war.”
Medeia continued smoothly, without a hint of embarrassment.
“Everyone knows that His Majesty has not yet returned from the battlefield and that the people are starving. How could I wear such extravagant clothes?”
At that moment, Marquise Aspasia, who had been watching the situation with interest from a step away, retorted.
As a leading figure in Baldina's high society, she was also a fierce rival of her aunt, Catherine.
“But Princess, you are the King's only sibling. No one would dare criticize you for what you wear or where you go.”
“That’s right. I am the one and only Princess of Baldina.”
Medeia raised her chin. Her expression held arrogance beyond dignity.
“So, whether I wear silk or cheap cloth, that is an unchanging truth. What do I have to fear?”
Marquise Aspasia nodded.
“Your Highness is right. The Princess doesn’t need to add anything to prove herself.”
It was a meaningful remark aimed at someone.
Then, Medeia added gently, as if shielding a troublesome prodigal.
“But it’s not Birna’s fault. She’s a young girl in her prime, so how could wanting to dress more brightly be a flaw?”
However, the age difference between the Princess and Birna was only one year.
Medeia’s words only served to prove that Birna was immature.
To think that even with the same blood flowing, their sense of responsibility could be so different.
People thought that even a young, unwanted Princess couldn’t hide the blood of the royal family.
Some even shook their heads as they looked at Birna.
‘How dare, how dare she!’
Birna bit her lip.
She felt like a monkey in a zoo. It was humiliating.
‘Foolish girl. You can’t even do one thing right.’
The Regent Duke frowned as he looked at his daughter's reddened face.
‘It’s alright. This banquet itself will become a shackle to bind Medeia.’
Soon, he stepped in front of the Princess to erase his daughter's disgrace and bring the conversation back on track.
“How admirable, Medeia.”
The moment her name was called, a hint of murderous intent flashed in her green eyes, but it was fleeting.
Medeia raised her head and gazed at his face.
“It’s been a while, Uncle Claudio.”
It was the first time she had faced him since her regression.
“I’m so glad you’ve recovered, or Baldina would have lost such a thoughtful Princess.”
His refreshing attitude and affectionate greeting made him seem like the kindest person imaginable.
But Medeia knew his true nature.
Why hadn’t she recognized those wolf-like eyes?
“Medeia. Don’t get too close to your uncle. They are…”
“Why? Do you hate me that much, Brother? Why do you try to take away even the only people left by my side?”
In her past life, Peleus had realized his ambition in advance. That’s why he had tried to warn Medeia.
However, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth, fearing that his sister would be hurt.
‘After I died, Claudio, you became the King of Baldina, didn’t you?’
While Peleus was being torn apart by the Demon Beast and still protecting the country, you ran away to the Empire and didn’t lift a finger?
Medeia gripped her fan tightly. She regretted not being able to stab the hard bamboo into his heart right now.
But if she killed him now, he would remain a pitiful, kind man who was murdered for no reason by his niece, whom he cherished more than his own daughter.
‘I can’t let you have such a good reputation.’
“I appreciate your concern.”
Suppressing her murderous intent, Medeia smiled brightly.
“Now then.”
As if the time had come, the Regent Duke stepped onto the platform.
Clang- Clang- Clang-
The clear sound of a silver spoon striking a crystal glass echoed.
“As you all know, tonight’s banquet is a celebration solely for Medeia, the one and only Princess of our Baldina royal family.”
His appearance, looking down at the audience like the host of the banquet, was quite majestic.
“The Princess has been diligently leading the country on behalf of His Majesty. She has been so focused on managing state affairs with only Baldina in mind that she has pushed herself to the point of harming her health.”
The eyes of the distinguished guests widened in bewilderment.
Wasn’t the riding accident that injured her just a result of a leisurely picnic?
“These humble preparations may not compare to the dignity of the noble Princess, but she has graciously accepted our sincerity.”
As if unaware that his words sounded as if the Princess had pressured Duke Claudio into holding an unnecessary banquet, the Regent Duke enthusiastically praised the Princess.
“Therefore, everyone must never forget that the Princess’s very existence adds to the glory of the kingdom.”
The Princess wasn’t the King, so why did they have to bow down so much?
The Regent Duke’s excessive exaggeration rather offended the pride of the nobles.
The Queen Dowager’s eyes also hardened slightly.
It was good for Medeia to establish her dignity, but wouldn’t it be difficult later when the King returned if it went too far?
Two suns cannot rise in the same sky.
“Let us all wish for the Princess’s well-being and peace tonight! For Princess Medeia!”
The Regent Duke’s sincere praise for his niece was, in reality, a piece of meat thrown to them to tear Medeia apart.
The atmosphere of the banquet cooled down.
This was because all the attendees felt repulsed by the mindless praise of the Princess.
The nobles of the royalist faction who supported Peleus were so angry that their faces turned red.
What help had the Princess, who had been recklessly stamping the Seal as the Regent Duke’s puppet, been to the country? She had only been a troublemaker!
Duke Claudio was very pleased to see even his mother, the Queen Dowager, looking uncomfortable.
He gazed at the empty King’s throne as if swallowing it.
‘Just wait a little longer, and everything will be in my hands. That seat, and the King’s crown too.’
Tonight seemed likely to end easily according to their plan.
At that moment, the hem of the black dress rippled neatly.
“I am deeply moved that Duke Claudio cherishes me so much. I also know my uncle’s heart well.”
Medeia raised her arm and pointed to the window.
She had no intention of letting the banquet proceed as the Regent Duke intended.
“In fact, today is Saint Esther's Night, when the star of eternal victory rises.”
Following her fingertip, people’s eyes turned to the dark night sky visible outside the window.
Dong, dong, the sound of a distant bell tolling the hour was heard.
“Isn’t this grand banquet being held in the hope that Saint Esther's luck will reach His Majesty and the soldiers of Baldina on the battlefield?”
Saint Esther.
The strongest and most valiant attack priest in the history of the temple, recorded in the mythology of the Holy Kingdom.
Coincidentally, at that moment, a white streak of light was seen in the distance.
“Just now, between those mountain ridges-!”
It was when the conversations of those who had seen the fleeting moment and those who had missed it were buzzing.
“Ah, there, there!”
Several white streaks of light rose simultaneously.
The streaks of light, which seemed to rush endlessly towards the sky, suddenly spread out as if exploding.
The streaks that rose as points turned into lines and connected each other. Then, a shape was created.
“But the shape is just like…”
“…Saint Esther! It’s Saint Esther's Spear!”
Someone who recognized it shouted.
