77 - The Crown I Will Take From You
77
At Iason's praise, Jared chuckled, swallowing the black liquid in his glass.
"Ahahaha, the Archduke is always so kind. He's different from this one from the very beginning. If the late Emperor had seen the Archduke grow up so wonderfully, he would surely have been pleased."
"……."
Jared was not a loyal subject like Count Kensington, who had served one master his entire life.
Being a mercenary, he changed masters as often as he ate. The resulting noise or notoriety was not even a concern for him.
As soon as the late Emperor passed away, he unhesitatingly took the hand of the current Emperor, Perdikkas II.
"My late father cherished the General, saying he was a brave warrior who would protect Kazen. Unlike my uncle, who is now treating the General coldly."
Iason subtly pointed out with a gentle face.
"To treat a hero who gave his life for the empire so coldly because of a few trivial words from the First Prince, I am truly aggrieved."
First Prince.
A surge of anger flashed through Jared's eyes as he quietly repeated the sorrowful and cursed title.
He shook his head as if it were nothing.
"The First Prince has achieved greater feats than this one, so it is only natural that His Majesty would listen to him."
"But isn't that no longer the case? To be unable to spread the General's wings because of a sick man who will soon pass away, I, Iason, cannot help but feel sorry."
Jared's eyes changed as if amused.
"I wondered why you were showing me, a lowly one, around Baldina……."
He chuckled as if he understood, then grabbed the entire vase in front of him.
The flower buds were crushed and fell between his thick fingers, but the vase remained intact.
"It wouldn't be bad for this one to wear the lion's mask instead of the sick lion and carry Your Highness the Archduke. But you must know. Even though I look like this, I only obey those who will become the king of the mountains."
Iason's face brightened.
"Of course. I knew that the ambition of a hero was alive and breathing in the General's heart. If you are with me, you will never regret it."
"Your Highness, this one has not yet worn the lion's mask."
Jared gave a cruel smile as if it was still too early.
"So, show me during this delegation. Show me that the Archduke is the one who can provide this one with a substantial piece of meat every time, the one who will become the master of the empire."
\ \ *
Bang-!
Even after kicking down the door of her lodgings, the Fourth Princess, still not relieved of her anger, chattered incessantly.
"Hmph! Where did you get those eyes, soaked in greed? And look at his physique! I can't even bear to look at him staggering around in that frame. Ha! Did you see him acting all high and mighty just because he's a Viscount? Even a mangy street horse would be better than him!"
"I understand, Your Highness. Please pack your things now. We will be entering the royal palace tomorrow."
Kensington familiarly soothed the Princess.
She swallowed a sigh with difficulty.
The Fourth Princess's temper was no joke, and it seemed to have built up a lot during the journey.
At this rate, she might cause a scene even at the welcoming ceremony for the delegation.
"Your Highness, there is a famous circus troupe in the royal palace. They say they will show off the tricks of amazing animals, which will be a change of pace for Your Highness."
"Hmph. Such a rustic performance."
"I understand that you even had the circus brought directly to the palace for a performance before we departed."
The Fourth Princess glared as if dissatisfied.
"I feel bad. How much do you know, anyway?"
The next day, as promised, Count Kensington took the Fourth Princess to the famous circus troupe.
However, there was one thing she had overlooked, having been away from the capital for so long.
That the Fourth Princess was a ticking time bomb who could go off at any moment.
"What, how boring."
At first, the Princess crossed her arms and pouted, saying it was nothing special, but then she showed interest when she saw a baby tiger jumping through a ring of fire.
"Hmm, Kensington. I want that baby tiger."
The Princess tapped the armrest of her chair.
"Your Highness, are you aware that this is Baldina, not Kazen?"
"Of course. And that if it weren't for our Kazen, the nomadic armies would trample Baldina."
The Princess's eyes shone like polished black stones.
"The cold winter is coming soon. I wonder if this already chilly land will be able to survive the winter? That depends entirely on me, Angelique, doesn't it?"
The Fourth Princess was not just a fool.
The Eastern Concubine wanted her daughter to know what the lifeline of Baldina, which she held in her hands, was.
"You, bring it to me."
"Yes, Princess."
However, the escort knight soon returned empty-handed.
"They say they won't sell it."
"What? Ha! Bring him before my eyes, I need to see the face of whoever is being so stubborn."
Kensington massaged his throbbing head, trying to soothe the Princess, but she was adamant.
"Get out! Get out, all of you!"
"Move!"
"Kyaa!"
The Princess's guards not only abruptly interrupted the performance by barging onto the stage, but also beat up the protesting ringmaster.
And they grabbed the young tamer by the scruff of the neck, dangling him in front of the Princess.
"You? You dared to refuse my offer?"
The girl shrank back with fearful eyes.
"This is your last chance. Sell it."
"No, I can't. Tipi is family. No one sells fa, family."
The girl shook her head, holding the baby tiger in her arms.
"Is that so?"
Princess Angelique smiled crookedly.
"Good. Prove to me how much you love that speechless beast. Then I'll let you go."
"Yes……?"
When will this crazy chronic disease ever be cured? Count Kensington sighed silently.
"Ben! Bring the whip!"
Iason was watching the scene from within the growing crowd.
"Your Highness, should we stop them? Count Kensington alone seems to be having a hard time."
"Leave it be. Just don't let them find out we're here."
Iason did not hide his smile.
"The more that stupid girl makes a mess, the better for me."
He had no intention of simply playing the role of the Fourth Princess's attendant during this delegation.
That's why he deliberately provoked her antipathy and didn't join the delegation's entry procession, which would only last a few days.
Now that the terminally ill First Prince had collapsed, the next competitor he was aiming for was the Fourth Princess, Angelique.
If Angelique collapses, an opportunity will come to him.
Whether she loses the trust of Count Kensington or clashes with the Baldina people, it was all good fortune for Iason.
In the meantime, the Princess's knight had found the whip.
Princess Angelique, who had received the whip, smiled as she tightly pulled the leather-wrapped whip cord taut.
"Then let's see how great your love is."
"Sa, save me."
"Try to survive, both you and that beast you cherish."
The hand firmly gripping the whip was raised high.
If hit by that brutal line, the baby tiger would die instantly. Even if it missed by luck, the girl would not be safe either.
Everyone anticipated the tragedy, and it was the moment the whip was swung.
Thwack-!
Before the whip could wrap around the girl, a steel arrow shot from the sky pierced the whip.
And as it was, the whip pierced by the arrow was pulled away and embedded in a pillar.
"Ouch!"
Naturally, the Princess, who was holding the whip, also tumbled down in an unsightly manner.
Princess Angelique's face, which had been thrown to the dirt floor, turned bright red.
Iason turned his head sharply in the direction the arrow had come from.
"Ah……."
And he opened his mouth blankly, as if possessed by something.
There was a beautiful girl with silver hair.
It was a beauty that seemed to take away the soul, as if she were the Goddess of the moon.
