Medea looked at the mountain ridge covered in darkness in the distance.
'Neril is doing well.'
The appointment time is when the main bell rings 8 times.
The white bombs and siege artillery had already been transported by airlift through Gilliforth.
Medea has already prepared to escape the trap of Duke and Duchess Claudio.
"It is the Spear of Saint Esther. It seems that heaven has finally granted your wishes."
Medea completely changed the reason for the banquet.
"Doesn't this mean that we, Valdina, will definitely win?"
As the war dragged on, the fatigue of the Valdina people, both citizens and nobles, grew stronger.
But it wasn't that they didn't want to win.
No, actually, they were hoping for it more earnestly than anyone else.
Beyond this difficult time, they desperately hoped that there would be even a little confidence that Valdina would win in the end.
Medea filled their thirsty desires with the spear of Saint Esther. Even if it's not real.
"Saint Esther has descended on Valdina!"
"The star of victory is in Valdina!"
Those who were overwhelmed with emotion muttered in joy. The attendees, who had been unable to escape the lingering emotions for a while, finally understood the reason for today's splendid banquet.
"No matter what, I pray for victory, but that sincerity can't be easy. If that were the case, the goddess wouldn't have given her an answer like she did today."
Since victory or defeat in the war depended on it, the level of sincerity offered to God was never insufficient.
The Prince Regent frowned.
"What, Saint Esther, that doesn't make sense..."
The goddess's will is nothing. It's just one of those strange phenomena that happened by chance.
What does it mean so much?
Moreover, the Star of Victory was extremely uncomfortable for Claudio, who did not want the King to win more than anyone else.
"Uncle, did I get it wrong?"
Medea raised her beautiful eyebrows without missing his words.
"I heard that it was a banquet prepared by my aunt and Birna at the Duke's house, so I thought there was no other reason why my uncle, who is a loyalist of Valdina, held the banquet today..."
People's eyes turned to the Regent.
The corners of his mouth trembled as he smiled broadly. Denying it here would be tantamount to admitting that the Duke had other intentions.
"That can't be possible. It's just that you're so smart that you read your uncle's inner thoughts. It's just surprising."
Medea smiled and raised her glass.
"His Majesty will never forget the feelings of my uncle and the Duke. As the Princess of Valdina, I would like to thank you on his behalf. Now, everyone, have a drink."
The golden champagne was flowing.
"A toast to Claudio, Valdina's loyalist!"
"A toast to Claudio!"
Dozens of golden champagne glasses rose like candles at once, as if illuminating the Prince Regent's decaying heart.
***
"Haha, Claudio, the star of victory!"
Margrave Montega's voice rang loudly throughout the banquet hall.
"I apologize for thinking you were a gentleman. I thought you were confined to the capital like a coward, but you still have spirit in your heart! Great!"
With an expression of admiration on his face, he slapped the Prince Regent on the shoulder and said something that he couldn't tell whether it was an insult or a compliment.
Duke Claudio clenched his teeth so hard that his gums were sore.
The Queen Mother also praised her second son.
"Joaquin, you had such a brilliant idea. You are indeed my son."
And then he turned her eyes to Medea.
"Medea, is that why you wore a black dress today?"
"Yes, grandma. I wanted to pay tribute to the soldiers fighting for Valdina on the battlefield."
Medea placed her hand on her heart and made a sacred salute.
"Your thoughts are deep. As a Princess, you never forgot your duty."
The Queen Mother nodded as if she was amazed.
And then she looked at Birna standing next to her. A reprimanding glance passed by.
Birna noticed her grandmother's cold eyes and became even angrier.
Why did she get this result even though she had the best hand?
Why is everyone looking at her with pitiful eyes instead of Medea?
She couldn't understand it at first.
The banquet hall was also agitated after hearing the conversation between the Queen Mother and her granddaughter. Some changes also occurred among the attendees.
"We couldn't even bring ourselves to dress up in these times."
"But look at the authors who are so excited. Tsk, tsk. It's so pathetic that they are also citizens of Valdina."
Even while they were criticizing each other, the topic of discussion was the Princess, the main character of the day.
People crowded around Medea.
Even at such a young age, she was full of praise, saying that she cared deeply about her people like a royal.
Even those who maintained neutrality snooped around to say hello to the Princess.
The Prince Regent was trembling.
His face was so red that he was barely able to control his anger, and people who tried to approach him took a step back in surprise. When he was about to turn to Medea again, a thick hand stopped the Prince Regent.
"Stop it. If you come forward any further, it will be suspicious."
"... Minister."
His eyes, pressed by his trembling cheeks, looked pitifully at Duke Claudio, asking if he could not see the current trend like this.
Minister Etienne learned of Duke Claudio's plan today and helped him along.
So he, too, got sick of seeing the young Princess who had so smoothly avoided the trap. However, he shook off his regrets before the Duke did.
To Etienne, the Princess was, in fact, an insignificantly being who could not even become a piece on the chess board.
Today's failure is simply the difference between whether you win the Princess today or tomorrow.
"Tsk, this game is a mess. I have to aim for the next one. Why would someone who knows do this?"
When the minister clicked his tongue, Duke Claudio was upset. He almost shouted, forgetting that the minister was his ally.
'You won't be disappointed!'
"Medea said in front of everyone earlier that it was a 'banquet prepared by the Duke's house."
He said several times that the royal family would not forget the Duke's hard work, and even confirmed it to the Queen Mother.
That meant that all costs incurred today were also the Duke's responsibility.
'I used all the extravagant luxury I could find while preparing a banquet with the intention of pampering the royal family!'
It even became like praying for the victory of his nephew, Peleus, whom he wanted to kill by stealing the Duke's fortune.
Duke Claudio looked like he was going to vomit blood.
"Ha. Wait a minute, I'm going to the break room."
Suppressing his boiling anger, he walked out of the banquet hall without even saying goodbye to the minister.
"Birna, you follow me."
Catherine also hurriedly left the place, taking her daughter with her.
Etienne shook his head.
"I really want it. It's like fire... Bring me some more alcohol. It's expensive and strong."
Now that the plan had gone awry, he planned to enjoy the rest of the night in peace.
He gulped down his drink, scanning the banquet hall with greedy eyes.
The fresh youth under the bright lights made his blood boil.
His whole body began to tremble as he imagined the screams he would make when something so proud was crushed mercilessly.
A dark red tongue came out and licked the lips, leaving behind a shiny greasy residue.
"Yes, Master."
Umberto, the attendant wearing the red fox badge, bowed.
***
"Mom, it hurts! Let go of this hand!"
Catherine who dragged her daughter to the break room, was furious.
"Birna, are you out of your mind? Why are you wearing that, please come wearing that!"
"..."
"What did Mom say! I told you to make sure Medea wears it! Was it that difficult?! Why are you looking at me needlessly?"
However, Birna was not as calm as usual.
The shame she felt in the banquet hall was enormous. However, instead of protecting her, her mother became resentful when she rebuked her.
Catherine, who had no intention of listening to her daughter's insistence any longer, offered her a new dress.
"Quickly change into new clothes. You have to go back to the banquet hall with your mom."
Birna bit her lip when she saw the plain pink muslin dress.
Now, if she changed into other clothes, wouldn't that be proving that she really stole Medea's dress?
"No, I do not want."
"... What? Are you going to be stubborn? Don't you even think about Mom and Dad's reputation?"
"Mom, you just don't want to see me happy even for a moment, right?"
Birna saw her sparkling reflection in the mirror.
Even though she heard all the scolding and criticism, the one thing that was true was that this diamond dress was breathtakingly dazzling.
Never take it off. This is mine. I will never hand it over to Medea.
A flutter rose in Birna's chest.
"No, I do not want! Even Mom doesn't think about me, so I'll do whatever I want!"
"No!'
"I got that dress!"
Before Catherine could catch her, Birna ran away.
“Ha.”
Catherine, whose bones were sore, stumbled and clutched her forehead.
"That stubbornness that needs to be broken is just like her father."
She let out a sigh as if she was talking to herself, and then she shouted loudly.
"What are you doing? Find Birna and bring her back quietly, quickly!”
***
Medea stared at the back of Claudio's family leaving the banquet hall.
Someone approached. She turned around.
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