95 - The Crown I Will Take From You
95
“…….”
Gallo was also nervous because of Cesare's lack of response. He hoped that crazy master of his wasn't going to stand up to the Queen Dowager.
“It was an honor.”
However, he finally sighed in relief when he heard a cool voice not too late.
The Queen Dowager turned to the cheering crowd.
“I guess we should end the banquet here. Everyone, go back and have a comfortable night. Wouldn’t the people be happy if they knew about today’s auspicious event?”
“Of course!”
The people shouted in unison.
Those who attended today's banquet were also old nobles, so they immediately understood the Queen Dowager's intentions.
“Mother, the Kazen delegation has not yet left Baldina, and if you humiliate them like this, the relationship between the two countries will deteriorate.”
Regent Duke Joaquin interjected urgently.
“You saw with your own eyes their ugliness in trampling on our Baldina while shouting for cooperation, and you're still not satisfied? They don't care about our situation, so why should we?”
The Queen Dowager coldly rebuked the Regent Duke and walked past him. Catherine and Samon were also ignored.
“Joaquin, you are so generous to worry about the Kazen people even in this situation. By the way, when Princess Medeia asked you for help, why wasn't that generosity shown?”
Marquis Montega said, not hiding his contemptuous eyes.
As if it wasn't a question, he left without even thinking of listening to the Regent Duke's answer.
Starting with him, people left the banquet hall like a receding tide. This was because many people agreed with the Montega's point.
“Y-Your Grace. Please don’t be too disheartened. Everyone is just excited because of today’s bet.”
His vassals, who cautiously watched and approached him, comforted the Regent Duke, but he only glared at the empty hall with eerie eyes.
“Medeia……. Are you really…….”
\ \ *
Royal Palace.
Even though Medeia's victory filled every corner of the palace with exclamations of joy, the Princess's bedroom was still gray.
“What should we do, the wound is so deep……. Your Highness, how did you endure it?”
Saya sobbed.
She thought the sword had only lightly grazed her, but when she came back and checked, her skin was torn.
“There’s not much Holy Water left, so there will be a scar.”
Saya felt heartbroken at the thought of a scar on her flawless arm.
Everyone only knows how to be happy and rejoice! Our Princess is hurt and in pain like this!
Neril was also in a terrible mood. Her Princess always used even herself as a chess piece without hesitation.
If she could capture the King, she didn't care at all about being destroyed in the process.
Neril knew.
When the 4th Princess swung her last sword, Medeia deliberately didn't avoid it.
This was a move that Medeia had hidden alone, not even revealing it to Neril.
‘It must have been to elicit the 4th Princess's embarrassment and further imprint that image on the audience.’
Now that the Princess has seen blood,
Even if the Empire tries to dismiss today's duel as a childish competition between young girls, it will not be easy.
There is no denying that it is the best action to achieve the layered goals.
So the result went exactly as Medeia had predicted.
Neril didn't know whether to be amazed at the precision of her master, who accurately achieved her goals, or to stop her master, who was running uncontrollably.
But one thing was certain,
The Princess's back, standing alone against the Kazen people in the hall, looked very small and lonely.
It was the back of a leader. It was the weight of a prophet.
So the lacking me could only stand behind her, but could not dare to keep pace with her.
The Princess's efforts to save Baldina from the crisis beneath the surface will probably not receive proper recognition.
She felt sorry and sad for her master, who knew that but was silently preparing to take the next step.
It was when Neril blinked to cover her reddened eyes.
Something rolled in front of Saya, who was sobbing.
The small vial with the shimmering blue water…… Holy Water?
“Use this.”
At that moment, the maids jumped up at the rich voice they heard in their ears.
This was because they discovered the Facade's mercenary, wearing a white half-mask and leaning against the bedroom window, who had decorated the finale of today's banquet.
It was the moment Neril, who had drawn her sword in an instant, was about to rush at Cesare.
“Neril, Saya. Both of you go out.”
“Your Highness-!”
Medeia was calm alone.
Seeing her not surprised, Neril realized that this rude intruder was not visiting her master's bedroom for the first time.
“This outrageous-!”
“Hurry.”
At the command that fell again, Neril barely sheathed her sword. But she didn't forget to glare at Cesare.
“If you do anything reckless to Her Highness, I will burn all of Facade to the ground.”
Then, she added a gruesome threat until the last moment of leaving.
“You have good subordinates.”
Cesare praised. It is not easy to find a loyal person who fearlessly rushes at him even after seeing his performance today.
Medeia stared at him silently. The moonlight eerily illuminated her pale white face.
It was like a fairy of the night predicting death.
He felt a precariousness as if she would crumble away at any moment. A cold chill rose in his heart.
“How should I repay a favor I didn’t ask for?”
But as if that was just Cesare's delusion, the Princess asked him with clear eyes.
It was only a question in form, but the intention was clear.
You helped me as you pleased without me asking for it, so don't expect any reward.
Yes, this was the Princess he knew. Cesare swallowed a laugh and tapped the light green handkerchief tied to his arm.
“Consider it received.”
Cesare gained more from Medeia crushing the 4th Princess, Jared, and Iason all at once.
All three were hyenas looking for an opportunity to undermine the First Prince's power.
“What would you have done if I hadn’t stepped in today? Did you think that maid could win against Kazen’s First Army General?”
“Jared is a bit lacking to be called the First Army.”
Medeia smiled faintly and picked up the Holy Water he had given her earlier.
“I might have needed a little more Holy Water, but the result would have been the same. I won’t refuse this.”
Medeia unwrapped the bandage. A red wound was revealed on her white arm.
It was hideous, but she thought he wouldn't care since he had seen her injure herself with a knife.
“Is that why you deliberately touched Jared’s right hand?”
The hand holding and pouring the Holy Water stopped.
During the duel, Cesare accurately understood Medeia's instructions.
No, beyond understanding, he handled it to an excessive degree. He completely blew away Jared's ring finger.
From the beginning, Medeia's plan was to inflict a deep wound on his ring finger.
If the properties of Violetta and Belladonna were added to the injury, Jared's finger would gradually harden and eventually stop moving.
‘I deliberately chose a slow method to prevent anyone from knowing what I did.’
Since Facade took the blame instead, Medeia was able to leisurely escape from suspicion.
“He was already unstable due to his injury, but now that he’s missing a finger, it will be difficult for him to hold a sword again.”
It was a more fatal result than death for a swordsman.
“That’s a pity.”
Medeia replied with an indifferent face. Rather, a burning flame rose in her green eyes. Even a cruel joy was felt.
“I sent a subordinate, so keep him by your side.”
“Are you worried that Jared will retaliate against me? I’m not afraid.”
She really wasn't afraid. Rather, she was looking forward to it. Because now she has no intention of letting anything go.
However, Cesare was speechless when he saw Medeia, who was instead fueling her competitive spirit.
“Have you forgotten that you have completely turned Kazen into an enemy as of today? Your enemy is no longer just the crippled 10-Star Knight.”
He could vaguely sympathize with Gallo's feelings of tearing his hair out and beating his chest every time he saw him.