“Samon.”
"Medea."
Samon, the Prince Regent's son and Birna's brother, stood behind her.
"I was so distracted that I forgot to congratulate you on your recovery. I'm glad you're healthy again."
Contrary to the friendly voice, the blue eyes staring at Medea were dark.
'After falling from a horse, the person changed so much.'
The dignified voice praying for victory earlier did not sound like the insignificant idiot he knew.
'Medea, you girl. Did you catch on to our plan and strike first?"
He secretly suspected Medea.
Wasn't the skill of driving his father and younger sister to their feet with an innocent face so skillful?
"Samon, did I do something wrong?"
At that time, Medea lowered her beautiful eyebrows with a trembling voice.
The worry was reflected in her clear and transparent eyes, making her look like a frightened deer.
"I just said what my aunt and Birna said, but I didn't expect everyone to be so upset."
A white hand grabbed Samon's arm and shook it slightly.
"Do you think I'm being arrogant for giving Birna the dress my aunt gave me?”
It seemed like she was completely dependent on Samon as if she was complaining about her brother.
'Yes, she is such a timid and observant child... I thought something was wrong.'
If she knew about their ambitions, Medea wouldn't treat him this consistently.
Samon laughed at Medea's foolishness and patted her shoulder affectionately.
"No way. You know how much my mother likes you. I'm just trying to crack down on the immature Birna."
Anyway, today is her day, Samon smiled.
But Medea noticed that his eyes were not smiling at all.
'Samon, you were cunning and cruel in nature, and whenever you suffered a loss, you always took revenge.'
One day, a junior servant of the dukedom accidentally damaged Samon's favorite leather shoes.
Samon graciously forgave him at first but later heard that the servant had been kicked out in an accident with one of his ankles cut off.
His character was revealed only to those who were weaker than him. At the time, Medea only thought it was an elaborate thing. But now that Medea knew Samon's true nature, she knew.
'I'm sure he wants to repay me for what happened today. Because his family has been humiliated.'
But she wasn't afraid of Samon.
'I also have a lot to repay you.'
In her previous life, Samon rose to prominence when it became known that Peleus was crippled after injuring his leg in battle.
The King was chosen by God. The most noble being in the country. Therefore, the continental people thought that the body must also be perfect.
Valdinain was no exception.
"Doesn't this mean that God does not recognize His Majesty the King?'
Without even having time to heal his injured leg, Peleus had to calm the strong public opinion threatening his royal authority both internally and externally.
At that time, Samon, who had a similar lineage and appearance to Peleus, emerged as a replacement for Peleus.
In the end, there was even talk that Samon should take the throne instead of Peleus, who had a flaw.
'We won't let you siblings parasite on us anymore.'
"Brother, please speak well, you know how I feel."
"Of course."
Samon nodded.
"Dea, I'll just go. Today is your day, so don't worry and enjoy it."
He bent down, kissed the back of Medea's hand, and left.
Medea did not take her eyes off his back for a long time, like a wild beast watching its prey.
***
Birna ran out and was furious.
If she didn't want her mother to catch her again, she had to quickly return to the banquet hall.
As she took her steps back to the venue, she saw Medea smiling brightly while talking to people in the distance.
"Why are you smiling?"
Birna muttered blankly.
I'm so miserable, but Medea, why are you laughing so happily?
"If I think about it, it's all because of Medea."
That girl gave up her dress on purpose so that she could be laughed at by people.
Otherwise, how could you give away such a precious thing so obediently?
Birna clenched her fists.
If that's the case, she can't stay still either. She called her personal maid, Sheila.
"Sheila, let Medea drink this."
"Yes? Her Highness? Miss, this is still a palace banquet, but it's too dangerous-"
Sheila was horrified when she saw the white powder.
For a moment, stars twinkled in Birna's eyes.
"Are you my dog or my master? Do as you are told. Unless you want to be sold tomorrow without a rat or a bird knowing."
Sheila nodded her head helplessly, cupping her burning cheeks.
"Don't worry. It's not poison. I won't do anything that will kill me."
"Well, then..."
"It just sees strange things and hears some auditory hallucinations. I'm just trying to cause trouble."
She is really scared, so she doesn't know what kind of hallucinations she'll see and cause a fuss, but it will be quite a sight to see.
It's like getting scared and falling off a horse at a tea party.
"So just do what you're told, okay?"
Birna's face was full of its usual lovely malice.
"Yes, falling off the horse... It was from then on. She got weird from then on."
It looked like her cousin had lost her scary head, so she guessed she should imprint it on her pretty little head once again.
"Birna, what are you going to do again?"
It was like that when Medea fell from a horse. Every time Birna made that mischievous expression, Medea's troubles broke out.
Of course, seeing her cousin's reputation fall to the ground was something Samon also wanted, but today was different.
"Not today."
Samon frowned.
Does she know how many people are here today?
If something happens, she can't cover it up and move on as easily as she did then, even if it's because of her eyes.
"Don't do anything stupid. Do you understand?"
"What do you think I did?"
Birna raised her eyebrows as if it were unfair. Samon glared at her warningly and walked away.
"Hmph, is it already too late?"
Birna stuck out her tongue behind Samon.
***
When the banquet was in full swing, a cup was held out in front of Medea.
"Your Highness, aren't you thirsty?"
The courtier was smiling. It happened to be Medea's favorite berry wine.
Medea, who was staring at the flowing red liquid, noticed Birna watching her from a distance.
Even if it weren't for the overwhelmingly strong berry scent, Medea would have known that there was something wrong with this drink.
'As expected, you do not exceed my expectations, Birna.'
Is today really the first time Birna has made such a bad 'prank'?
As soon as she got her temper, the amount of use she made with her hands felt quite natural.
Medea first picked up the glass. She then naturally turned her body and participated in the conversation of the VIPs again.
The courtier wanted to see if Medea drank from the cup, but since she had taken the cup, he could not remain there any longer, so he retreated.
Medea, who was continuing her conversation with the VIPs, caught sight of Minister Etienne.
"Dor a moment."
The long-awaited main character who will decorate today's banquet has appeared.
Medea looked down at her wine. At one point, one of the tricks crossed her shiny head.
'Can I use this gift from Birna?'
It seemed like it would add a richer effect to her plan to end Etienne today.
***
The Minister of the Palace, Count Etienne, saw Medea and his eyes widened.
"Your Highness?"
"Minister Etienne, it's been a while. Why do I think you have become bigger while I haven't seen you?"
To her surprise, the Minister chuckled.
Medea's pale cheeks were trembling and the champagne she was holding wet her hands.
Because he was so drunk, he didn't even notice the Princess's mockery as she criticized his body.
"Ah, I was impressed today, Your Highness. How can you speak so bravely in front of so many people without being the slightest bit nervous? This Etienne, I was impressed. So, I guess Saint Esther was so special that she poured out stars like that?"
Etienne suddenly opened his eyes and looked down at the Princess.
It was an arrogant attitude as if an adult was raising a child.
"Did you see it that way? Well, it is said that Saint Esther so abhorred those who lost their duty and only indulged in greed, that she pierced their stomachs with a spear. As the Lord said, I am still young and innocent, so I guess he took care of me."
The Princess also smiled sweetly and answered. But the choice of words was strange.
"..."
'Is this girl making fun of me now?'
Saint Esther's eccentric anecdote was well-known on the continent.
Etienne's alcohol-soaked head quickly dismissed himself as just being sensitive.
"But, Minister."
"Yes, please do so, Your Highness."
"With whose permission did you throw this party? Can palace events be held without royal approval?"
The minister's eyes narrowed as he mumbled.
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