81 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Episode 81
Unlike the rude Fourth Princess, the Baldinians finally hid their uncomfortable expressions at the words that elegantly praised Baldina.
'For the Grand Duke to acknowledge our country like this, the imperial bloodline is indeed different.'
The evaluation of 'Grand Duke Castulo,' who was pushed aside from the throne due to his unfortunate fate, also increased.
Kensington also gave the Grand Duke a grateful look for smoothly resolving the atmosphere.
"Seeing it, I feel comfortable and even moved..."
Medeia scoffed.
It was clear that Iason's intention was to jump in at this moment, as if he had been waiting.
'Iason, do you want to use my country?'
If so, this time you will have to pay a fair price.
"Grand Duke Castulo, I have heard much about the brave martial prowess of your father, the late Emperor."
A clear voice echoed among the Baldinians.
"My father often set foot in our Baldina before..."
Medeia's words reminded people.
That his father, Alkettas II, had once invaded Baldina frequently, trampling its soil.
No matter how good the Grand Duke in front of them spoke of Baldina, the fact that he was the son of Alkettas II remained unchanged.
"The Grand Duke's high praise for Baldina must have come from your father, wouldn't it? We can only be grateful for your generous words."
The air instantly turned cold.
As if they had never been friendly, the nobles turned their heads and ignored the Grand Duke of Kazen.
"..."
Iason was momentarily speechless.
'Why is she attacking me as soon as she sees me?'
Iason's plan to impress the Baldinians went down the drain.
It would be fortunate if he didn't evoke even more antipathy than the Fourth Princess, let alone goodwill.
With just a few words from that veiled woman.
The woman who launched a silent attack on him was wearing a black veil, making it impossible to see her face properly. Her attire was also plain.
She didn't seem like a great noble or royalty.
Iason barely managed to smooth out his frowning expression and put on a smile.
"What meaning would there be in lamenting the past in a place gathered to promote peace on the continent?"
The Fourth Princess also raised her voice as if seizing on a pretext.
"Who are you to dare interfere in matters between nations? Open your veil and show yourself."
A commanding tone.
The Baldinians were offended. What gave the Kazen Princess the right to order them around?
Annoyed by the Princess's arrogant attitude, no one volunteered to reveal Medeia's identity.
"Doesn't Her Highness the Princess ask—"
Thanks to that, just as the Regent Duke, who was getting impatient, turned towards Medeia,
"As you said, this is an official place to discuss matters between the two countries, and even the Emperor of Kazen cannot force the Baldinians to act."
A clear and pure voice echoed from under the veil.
"Does the Fourth Princess perhaps want to surpass her father's majesty?"
The Princess's face froze. She hurriedly looked at the members of the delegation.
No matter how much the Emperor cherished his children, he became ruthlessly cold when it came to imperial power.
If this matter reached his father's ears later, he would be wary of even her.
Her mother's position, competing with different Empresses at every moment, could also be threatened. She bit her lip.
She could neither further pressure that strange woman who mentioned the Emperor, nor could she simply let it pass.
As the Fourth Princess's situation became difficult, Count Raju stepped forward to rebuke the veiled woman.
"To dare insult our Princess's loyalty to His Majesty, do you have two lives to live!"
Raju intended to gain the Princess's favor in this opportunity.
"What are you doing, bring that person here and make her kneel!"
Ciseo, who had been watching the arrogant behavior of the Kazen people with his arms crossed and a frown on his face, frowned.
"Oh, Count Raju, is that you? How does it feel to return to your homeland after so long? We all welcome you."
Ciseo deliberately spread his arms in front of Raju as if welcoming a dear friend, fueling the Baldinians' anger.
At Ciseo's words, the Fourth Princess looked back at Raju as if she had forgotten.
She recalled that Count Raju, who was stepping forward to defend her, was originally a Baldinian who had caught the eye of the late Emperor and naturalized to the Kazen Empire.
'That's why Father doesn't highly employ that guy. Is that dirty bastard trying to win my favor at this moment?'
Does she look so foolish that a mongrel from such a small country would step forward?
"You shut up!"
The Princess slapped Raju's cheek. Count Raju, who was caught off guard, couldn't understand why the Princess was angry.
While Count Raju was in a daze, the Fourth Princess shouted again.
"Are all Baldinians so uncivilized? What does it mean to hide your face in a place to welcome the delegation?"
The enraged Princess huffed.
"Count Kensington, bring that wench before me and make her kneel. I must show the majesty of my great empire."
"Your Highness."
It was when Kensington was about to swallow a sigh.
"Fourth Princess, please show some respect."
A white hand reached out and removed the veil herself. As the black veil disappeared, the girl's face was revealed.
The girl's upright figure exuded a subtle aura and unwavering dignity. Her delicate features were pure, and her clear green eyes were calm.
"She is Princess Medeia, the Princess of Baldina and the King's only sister."
Only Ciseo's voice, introducing her, echoed coldly, and the Kazen people gasped.
That girl is a Princess?
They also knew well about Baldina's foolish Princess.
The puppet Princess who was being used here and there in the palace where the King was absent due to war.
They were speechless at the Princess's appearance, which was completely different from what they had heard.
The Fourth Princess also stopped as if frozen.
'Why is the girl I had a quarrel with yesterday here...'
While everyone held their breath and swallowed their surprise, a clear voice was heard.
"Fourth Princess, please do not worry. You have already personally shown us what the majesty of the great empire you desired is like."
The Baldinians felt a sense of relief at the Princess's calm remark, and the Kazen people felt ashamed.
"..."
The Fourth Princess's face turned red.
'That, that wench...'
In addition to pointing out that they were arrogantly acting like a powerful country, she was clearly subtly threatening her by pointing out the rampage she had caused yesterday.
No matter how powerful the Kazen Empire was, if it was revealed that she had tried to harm an innocent Baldinian citizen at such an official event, not only the Fourth Princess herself but also the Kazen delegation could not avoid trouble.
'Surely she's not thinking of bringing up that story at this event?'
However, no matter who she was, she couldn't openly make the King of Baldina's sister kneel.
The Fourth Princess bit her lips and could only glare at Medeia without causing any more trouble.
"Her Highness the Princess is tired from her journey, so the honored guests of Baldina will have to be understanding."
Count Kensington sighed and stepped forward at the unsightly scene that was shown as soon as the delegation arrived.
Because General Jared, who had his arms behind his back, and the Grand Duke, who was watching, didn't seem to have any intention of resolving this situation.
"Of course, I know you have been very busy preparing for today's meeting. I fully understand."
When Medeia pointed it out again in a roundabout way, even the smile disappeared from the Fourth Princess's face.
"Since Her Highness the Princess is generously understanding, I can only be grateful."
Kensington conveyed his greetings instead. The two gazes met.
'Finally, I've met you, Kensington.'
'Is this girl 'that' Princess? She is indeed not easy to deal with.'
Fortunately, the ice-cold atmosphere was safely diffused.
However, it was clear that it was far from the overwhelming momentum that the Kazen delegation had wanted.