86 - The Crown I Will Take From You
Episode 86
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Baldina Royal Palace.
Sunday evening, Baldina nobles and Kazen people flocked to the banquet hall.
It was the day of the official welcoming banquet for the Kazen delegation.
From Baldina's perspective, Kazen's aid was desperately needed.
It was no exaggeration to say that the outcome of the war depended on how they treated them.
Therefore, despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, they put their heart and soul into making it a splendid and beautiful banquet.
"Aren't these violets, which are said to bloom in all seasons? It must have been quite a struggle to procure them."
"Indeed. They're truly fragrant. I don't know whose idea it was, but it makes the hall look even more radiant."
A sweet and mysterious floral scent permeated throughout the banquet hall.
The chandeliers sparkled more than ever, and the subtly glowing Ice Stones and gold candlesticks, among other things, showed the painstaking effort put into every corner of the banquet hall.
It was a dedication and extravagance comparable to Medeia's recent convalescence celebration banquet.
The Kazen people's eyes scanned the interior of the banquet hall.
"Oh my, this is more like a tea party than a banquet in the Empire. Is this all they could muster after trying so hard?"
"Hey, this banquet might have cost Baldina half of its national treasury, so don't be too harsh."
They constantly compared everything they saw and heard to Kazen's standards, belittling them.
"Ice Stone from when? A mere gold candlestick? They're presenting this for a national event? Baldina's level is clear."
Some even said it out loud.
"Those wretches never change, no matter how much time passes. How do we always get such rude and arrogant ones?"
The Queen Dowager, bursting with anger, was soothed by Mrs. Pinatelli, who wore a worried expression.
"If it weren't for the aid I promised, I would have kicked those presumptuous things out of this palace right away."
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself. It's still too early."
"I know. I won't show it, so don't worry."
However, the Queen Dowager was well aware of the importance of the aid that Kazen would bring.
For a moment, veins stood out on her wrinkled hand gripping the armrest.
Meanwhile, while the delegates were busy craning their necks like turtles to critique Baldina's banquet hall, Jared was busy for a different reason.
"Baldina's Princess has an undeniably pretty face. Kensington, where is the Princess? I want to see her."
"General, please lower your voice! Please!"
Even considering that he was a Tenth Star Knight and a renowned general of the Empire, Jared's attitude was extremely rude.
While they were aware of his unruly personality, they didn't expect him to act so recklessly even in such an official setting.
It seemed that the moment he left the Imperial Palace, he had completely let go, with no one to watch him.
"She is the only Princess of Baldina. She is not someone you can let your guard down and approach carelessly, General."
"It seems the Princess keeps avoiding me because I look so rough. Kensington, you should set up a meeting. If you can just introduce me, I'll take care of the rest."
The lewd, chuckling voice reached the Baldina nobles on the opposite side of the banquet hall.
The Baldina people frowned.
"Even if Her Highness the Princess is considered a black sheep, she is, in name and reality, the King's only sister. She is not someone that damned bastard can call for as he pleases!"
Among them, Marquis Montega was particularly furious.
"He's not just ignoring Her Highness the Princess. He's looking down on our entire Baldina. Claudio, we can't just stand by and watch. Our relatives should protest first!"
"Hmm, hmm. It is a bit excessive, but... calm down for now. You're not thinking of ruining the banquet that just started, are you?"
The Regent Duke had a headache.
'Still, I have my reputation to maintain, so please keep it moderate...'
This was because the Kazen delegation was acting far more recklessly than he had anticipated.
'If this happens, the repercussions will be huge! They can just go back to Kazen, but I have to stay here...'
The Regent Duke glanced around and signaled Count Raju to restrain his men.
However, Raju was not in a position to be obeyed by the Kazen vassals, so he could only shake his head helplessly.
At the same time, on the Kazen delegation's side.
Jared wasn't the only one searching for the Princess in the crowd.
'She wouldn't be absent from the official banquet welcoming the delegation.'
Iason frowned.
Since the first day, Iason had been lingering around the Royal Palace and deliberately delaying meetings with the delegation members.
However, he had not seen the Princess even once.
The gifts he had sent to foster goodwill had all been returned.
'She must have seen me.'
Iason had no difficulty winning the hearts of people, especially women.
His handsome appearance, kind words, and personality could disarm any woman.
However, this was the first time he had encountered such an unresponsive, wooden-like opponent.
"The Princess originally doesn't like meeting people and mainly stays confined in the palace. She has only recently started engaging in external activities."
His subordinate added, following his master who was diligently searching for the Princess's whereabouts.
Even so, he didn't expect it to be this difficult to meet her.
Iason's fingers twitched. As if he wanted to grasp something but couldn't.
Perhaps it was because she was so elusive that he was becoming more impatient than usual.
The back of her silver hair, shimmering as if it would break if he held it, kept catching his eye.
"By the way, Your Highness, did you know? There's also a Facade in the Royal Palace."
"Facade? Here in Baldina?"
"Yes. The leader even showed up at the recent banquet held by the royal family."
Iason narrowed his eyebrows.
How could the gunpowder ghosts of the continent, who only operated in the shadows, be in Baldina?
"Doesn't this mean that the Facade and the Baldina royal family have a rather close relationship? It's a troublesome matter for us Kazen."
His subordinate looked worried.
"Perhaps the Facade will put pressure on us if we refuse aid."
However, Iason's face was bright.
"Angelique is the representative of the delegation anyway, so what do we have to worry about? It's a good thing. If we can establish ties with the Facade at this opportunity..."
There would be nothing to fear.
If they had the Facade, there would be no need to be cautious. They could overwhelm the First Prince's forces and forcibly absorb them.
"This Baldina is truly a land of opportunity for me."
He smiled contentedly.
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"Greetings to Her Highness Princess Medeia."
"Marquise Aspasia, how have you been?"
Even though it was a familiar banquet in their own country, the faces of the Baldina nobles were not relaxed.
Their faces were a mixture of heightened tension and displeasure.
At that moment, Medeia, who was exchanging greetings with the nobles, heard a small sound behind her. She turned around.
"Medeia, Sister."
Birna was standing there.
People whispered and stepped back.
The story of Duke Claudio's daughter fleeing the Royal Palace in the middle of the night was no longer even considered stale gossip.
Despite the glances that seemed to pick her apart, Birna maintained her smile.
Her angelic, pure white dress suited her pink hair, and she still looked as lovely as ever.
However, perhaps because she had suffered quite a bit in the convent, even makeup couldn't hide her gaunt appearance.
"Birna."
"I've returned."
Birna's eyes gleamed ominously.
"I'm so glad. I was very worried about you. How was life at the convent?"
"...It was a devout time. I prayed to God for your well-being, Sister."
As if she hadn't read the clear resentment in her eyes, Medeia gently pointed out,
"Oh dear, Birna. You must call me 'Your Highness.' Today is a banquet with Kazen people present, and if Grandmother finds out you've broken etiquette, she'll be angry again."
"..."
"Birna, I'm saying this for your sake. I know better than anyone what it's like to be hated by Grandmother."
The Queen Dowager's anger towards the Duke Claudio family was still as strong as ever.
Just a moment ago, when the Regent Duke and his wife had brought her to greet the Queen Dowager, she had completely ignored them.
Birna's raised lips trembled as if she were chewing on the inside of her cheek.
The harsh convent life of the past few months had taught her a deep lesson.
'I'm never going back to a place like that again.'
So, she was able to suppress the anger that welled up at Medeia's words that turned her stomach.
"...Of course, Your Highness."
She barely managed to smile as she replied.
At that moment, the hall became slightly chaotic. It was because the doors opened and burly men appeared one after another.
"...Facade mercenaries..."
Although they were dressed in similar evening wear, the sharp aura emanating from them drew people's attention.