84 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Chapter 84
"This was sent by the younger sister of the maid who died in place of Princess Birna last time." She has changed her identity and is working as a maid at Duke Claudio's residence.”
The younger sister was ready to do anything to avenge her unjustly deceased sister.
She bided her time, and finally, last night, she got her hands on Catherine's secret.
“Robert Lazue……”
Medeia's white hand tapped the table.
“Perhaps, do you know him?”
“Of course, I do.”
He was my ally who made Iason the emperor.
This Imperial Count, born in Baldina, was also a strong supporter of Duke Claudio's family in my previous life.
He helped Duke Claudio's family settle in Kazen without any problems, and he even used his own money to debut Birna in Imperial society.
He spared no support so that Birna could mingle with the imperial family, such as the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
Come to think of it, his affection and effort toward Birna were somewhat excessive.
‘It would make sense if it were for his own daughter, not his goddaughter.’
“Robert Lazue.”
Birna's middle name is Robin. It was also an abbreviation of Robert.
“Birna Claudio……”
The Princess, who had been silent for a while as if thinking about something, burst into a hollow laugh.
“Indeed, my aunt is a romantic person. To leave the name of the man she loved on her child in any way.”
No wonder Birna's personality didn't resemble her father, the Regent Duke, or her brother at all.
Her simple and passionate roots were elsewhere.
Medeia felt like bursting into laughter.
‘Birna, you were so jealous of me, your cousin. Under the pretext of the same blood flowing, you tried to take everything from me.’
My place. My child. And finally, even my husband.
Does Birna know? The truth is that even the position of Princess Claudio was too much for her.
“If this fact becomes known, not only will Princess Claudio fall, but it will also be a shameful scandal for the Regent Duke.”
Neril's expression was bright.
“No. I won't use it now. Even without this secret, the Regent Duke is bound to collapse anyway.”
Medeia already held their leashes with the Sealed letter.
‘I can't let you off so easily for selling my daughter into a death trap. Wait, Birna.’
Medeia's eyes shone blue. A streak of joy flashed.
The Princess, with her back to the darkness and a gentle smile, exuded an eerie atmosphere.
“Everything is at the time and season I say.”
I'll come to you after the Regent Duke.
\ \ *
Royal Palace.
“Your Highness, Grand Duke Castulo has left another gift and letter. This bouquet is from General Jared.”
Medeia's steps paused for a moment. She looked at the pile of gifts in front of the fireplace with cold eyes.
“Throw them away.”
“All of them?”
Instead of answering, Medeia threw one of his letters on the table into the fireplace.
Saya nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, Your Highness. Then, please rest comfortably.”
In the bedroom, left alone after Saya left,
Medeia's eyes turned to the blazing fireplace.
The letter had long since turned into a handful of ashes.
Medeia, who had been staring at the burning flames, felt a presence and raised her head.
A man wearing a white half-mask was sitting on the windowsill of the bedroom. The mask, bathed in moonlight, shone gracefully.
Medeia paused for a moment.
“Achares.”
“Pleasant night, Princess.”
A leisurely greeting returned.
Behind his shoulders, silver silk curtains fluttered slightly in the night breeze, and the black night with twinkling stars replaced the background.
The scene was very natural, like a scene from a painting that an artist had painstakingly drawn.
Medeia let out a hollow laugh and reached out to the man's presence, which blended into the background of the Royal Palace without any sense of incongruity.
“If you've lost your way in the dark, I'll show you.”
She grabbed the Crossbow she had placed not far away and aimed it at him.
A light laugh was heard behind the white half-mask. Medeia almost mistook him for being amused.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
As if he had been granted entry by Medeia, he leaped over the windowsill as gracefully as a leopard. Then, he sat there comfortably.
Anyway, sitting on the windowsill without going directly inside seemed to be his own line.
Should I be glad that he was at least keeping the minimum courtesy, or should I punish him for audaciously infiltrating the Royal Palace, mentioning an invitation, and sitting face to face with me?
“If I pull this string now, will you be able to get out of here safely?”
The moment she pulled the string in the bedroom, all the guards of the Royal Palace would converge on him.
Then, an arrogant voice without a trace of doubt asked back.
“Princess, do you really think so? That you can confine me?”
“……”
Unfortunately, it was true. There was no one in the Baldina Royal Palace who could stand up to that audacious man.
Even Neril would not be a match for him. Both of them knew that fact.
Cesare continued nonchalantly, as if he didn't expect an answer.
“I brought a gift. It's incomparable to those trash over there. So, keep it for a long time.”
“Since when have you been watching me?”
Medeia asked in an indifferent tone.
It seemed he had seen her burning Iason's letter.
“If you had a Communication device, a reply would have been enough. You are clumsy in both humility and memory.”
When Medeia let out a hollow laugh, something flew toward her.
It was a bundle of cloth wrapped in a small cloth. It was tied neatly with a string. It was in the form of a Communication device, which was usually sent when attaching news to a carrier pigeon.
“……”
When her white hand pulled the string, the cloth was untied, revealing a piece of orange flag inside.
“The military provisions of the transport procession that departed from Osof are now gone. I was going to bring the head of the person in charge as proof, but,”
Clean walls and carpets with beautiful patterns. Golden eyes behind the white half-mask scanned the interior of the bedroom.
“I was worried that a precious person might be surprised.”
“……”
Medeia looked down at the piece of flag.
On the half-burnt orange cloth was embroidered the Badger Crest, the symbol of the Rasai Tribe.
She unknowingly swallowed the breath that was bursting out.
‘He really did it in just ten days?’
It's not something that can be done simply with excellent mercenaries and weapons.
The Rasai Tribe were the most picky and aggressive of the nomadic peoples. Even Peleus had trouble every time he fought them.
Unbelievable speed and the ability to accurately fulfill requests.
Only then could Medeia truly realize the fame of Facade, which was spread across the continent.
“Excellent.”
“I told you. Facade is different.”
Cesare said in an arrogant and confident tone, as if it were natural.
“Yes, I'll praise you. But a reply would have been enough.”
Seeing her elegantly expressing the meaning of why he had bothered to show his face, Cesare smirked.
“I heard that the Princess is planning to appear quite plainly at this banquet.”
An official banquet will be held on Sunday evening to welcome the Kazen delegation.
“I should let Pinatelli know that there are still people to weed out.”
Matters concerning women's adornment are private matters. Medeia pointed out that Facade had ears even in the Royal Palace.
“I was curious as to why it was rejected.”
Cesare stroked his chin.
His words reminded her of the splendid sapphire necklace among the gifts returned to Facade.
“Alphensia's skills can't be lacking, and you didn't like the color?”
Alphensia is a dwarf village located at the end of the continent. They were masters of craftsmanship that were second to none.
However, they were very reclusive and did not accept requests, so even the Kazen imperial family could not easily obtain Alphensia's jewels.
“I thought emeralds would be better.”
A leisurely voice flowed toward Medeia's green eyes.