99 - The Crown I Will Take From You
99
“Supplies have arrived from Kazen… And this is a letter from the Eastern Marquis.”
“What? My maternal grandfather?”
Although it bore the name of the Kazen Imperial Family, the relief supplies were actually sent by the Eastern Marquis.
To appease His Majesty's anger, we had to show sincerity first.
The Eastern Royal Concubine, upon learning of her daughter's mistake, had requested help from her father. The Eastern Marquis, realizing that things were irreversible once the oath was sent to the Holy Kingdom, acted swiftly.
Samon and the Princess hurriedly changed their clothes and rushed outside.
The long line of carts stretched endlessly.
The crowd that had gathered like clouds cheered, making the streets resound.
“Long live! Princess Saya saved us!”
Behind the cheers, the murmurs of the Baldina people could be heard.
“Did you hear? Originally, Kazen wasn't going to provide any aid at all.”
“They insulted even the Late King and delayed, but our wise and brave Princess challenged the Princess to a duel, preventing her from avoiding it.”
“Damn those bad guys! They're the worst swindlers who don't keep their promises!”
The people spat and cursed Kazen.
The 4th Princess felt as if she had indigestion, not only because she was forced to provide aid after losing the duel, but also because she was being cursed instead of thanked.
But another piece of news turned her stomach even more.
“Urgent news! Urgent news! Our Baldina army has defeated the Rasai Tribe in the Great Plains!”
News of victory in the war had arrived.
“It seems Baldina will finally see some sunshine!”
“Remember the sign of the victorious star Esther that Princess Medeia showed at the banquet a while ago! It was indeed for today!”
People's faces were filled with smiles at the long-awaited good news.
Enraged, the 4th Princess threw the parasol she was holding to the ground.
Crack, crack! She stomped on it wildly until it broke. Broken fragments flew up from Samon's feet.
“Damn Medeia! I can't kill that bitch, I'm so frustrated! I'm frustrated to death!”
Samon secretly gleamed. He nonchalantly brushed off the fragments from his knee and said.
“Princess, if that's what you want, it's not necessarily impossible.”
“What? Kensington said we can't kill the Princess. It would violate the Continental Law and give the Empire an excuse to attack us!”
“Of course, the Count is right. But if the cause of her death isn't just the Princess, wouldn't it be okay?”
A strange light appeared in Samon's eyes.
‘Medeia must be dealt with.’
Since the last banquet, Medeia had rapidly risen to become a hero of Baldina in name and reality.
Now, no matter where you went in the royal castle, it wasn't difficult to hear her name.
The people, knowing that the aid would be doubled, were even trying to worship her like a saint.
‘I can't let this continue. I have to stop the trend of Medeia being revered.’
To do that, he needed the stupid and violent woman in front of him. Someone to eliminate Medeia instead of Duke Claudio.
The Princess stroked her chin as if intrigued.
“Go on.”
She's hooked. Samon swallowed a sneer and moved closer to the 4th Princess.
“I have a good idea. At the upcoming friendly hunting competition…”
\ \ *
News of Peleus's victory was also delivered to Duke Claudio.
“Damn it-!”
The Regent Duke crumpled the news report and threw it away.
“What are we going to do now? It's chaos inside and out. In the royal castle, there's Medeia, and outside, there's Peleus. Those damn nephews are cornering me together.”
“Calm down, Duke. It's not the worst situation yet.”
Raju walked towards the Regent Duke, glancing at Catherine sitting behind him.
“If things continue like this, Peleus will win the war and return. We must deal with him before he sets foot on Baldina again.”
“It's time to use the plan we've prepared.”
Raju said.
“…Regent Duke, what have you been waiting for? If the King returns, the rebellion will become impossible. You don't think you can win against him after he's conquered the plains, do you?”
Raju's point was correct. They couldn't wait any longer. The Regent Duke nodded and ordered his subordinate.
“Tell the Spy of Agema to execute the plan.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Then, knock, knock, a knock on the door was heard.
“Mom, Dad? Are you here?”
Birna appeared through the slightly open door. She paused, sensing the serious atmosphere inside.
“Oh, I didn't know you had a guest. Excuse me. Dad, then I'll come back later…”
“A guest? Why are you saying such a disappointing thing?”
Raju's expression, upon discovering Birna, had brightened as if nothing had happened.
He got up from his seat, opened the door himself, and welcomed Birna inside.
“…Hello, Count Raju.”
“Birna, don't use such a distant title, call me Godfather. Okay?”
Count Raju opened his arms towards her with joy, but Birna slightly twisted her shoulder to avoid him.
Catherine frowned at the clearly reluctant behavior towards Count Raju and scolded her.
“Birna, don't be rude.”
“Haha. Catherine, it's okay. It's only natural to be awkward after seeing each other for so long.”
Even though Count Raju generously covered for her, Birna snorted softly.
“Dad, I want to go to District 2 tomorrow to go shopping. You'll allow me, right?”
Then, she turned around and ran to her father. The Regent Duke frowned.
“…At a time like this?”
“Oh, please allow me. I need to buy a dress to wear to the hunting competition the day after tomorrow. A wonderful person is coming, but I really don't have anything to wear. Please?”
The Regent Duke roughly agreed to his daughter's persistence as she clung to his arm and acted cute.
“Alright, alright. Just don't cause too much trouble.”
“Yay! You're the best, Dad!”
“Okay, go now.”
Birna rubbed her cheek against her father's arm, very pleased.
The Regent Duke waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed, and ordered her to leave.
Count Raju stared blankly at the scene.
“District 2, I was just thinking of sightseeing in Baldina. If it's okay with you, Birna, would you like me to accompany you? In return, this Godfather will gift you anything you like.”
Birna shook her head before Raju could even finish speaking.
“No, I want to look around comfortably by myself. Sorry.”
Then, without waiting for an answer, she ran out.
“This girl, really… Excuse me for a moment.”
Catherine, unable to tolerate her rude daughter's behavior any longer, followed her out.
Only the two of them were left in the office. The Regent Duke poured a drink into a glass and handed it to Raju.
“She grew up too preciously and is still so immature. Please understand, Count Raju.”
“How could I not understand?”
“As she enters puberty, her personality becomes stronger day by day… Even Samon wasn't this reckless. I have no idea who she takes after, it's driving me crazy.”
The Regent Duke joked.
“I can only envy the Regent Duke for having such a cute and lovely daughter.”
Count Raju smiled and raised his glass.
‘Who does she take after? It's me!’
Without showing the deep nail marks on his palm under his unseen sleeve.