On Sunday evening, Valdina nobles and Katzen people gathered one after another at the banquet hall.
It was the day when the official welcoming banquet for the Katzen delegation was held.
From Valdina's perspective, Katzen's relief was desperately needed.
It was no exaggeration to say that the outcome of the war depended on how they were treated.
So, despite the difficult circumstances, they worked hard to make it a splendid and beautiful banquet.
"Aren't these flowers called Violetta, which blooms all year round? It must have been a lot of trouble to carry out the airlift."
"I know, right. It's really fragrant. I don't know whose idea it was, but it makes the venue look even brighter."
The sweet yet mysterious scent of flowers wafted throughout the banquet hall.
The chandelier sparkled more than ever, and a lot of effort could be seen throughout the banquet hall, including the softly glowing limestone and gold candlesticks.
It was a show of sincerity and luxury comparable to the banquet held recently to celebrate Medea's recovery.
The eyes of the Katzen people scanned the interior of the banquet hall.
"Oh my, this is like a tea party in the empire, not a banquet. Is this all you can do?"
"Hey, today's banquet may have cost half of Valdina's treasury, so don't be too harsh."
They belittled everything they saw and heard by comparing it to Katzen's.
"When is the enemy? Is he just a gold candlestick? Putting something like this on the national line? It's worth knowing Valdina's level."
Some spoke out loud.
"Those idiots, nothing changes as time goes by. How can it be that only such unscrupulous and arrogant people always come here?"
When the Queen Mother burst into anger, Madame Pinatelli calmed her down with a worried look on her face.
"If it weren't for the relief I promised, those arrogant things would have been kicked out of this palace right away."
"Your Majesty, please fix it. It's still early."
"I know. Rest assured, I won't have to pay a ticket."
However, the Queen Mother also knew well the importance of the aid that Katzen would bring.
Blood briefly appeared on the back of the wrinkled hand holding the armrest.
Meanwhile, while the delegates were busy craning their heads to review Valdina's banquet hall, Jared was busy for a different reason.
"Princess Valdina's smooth face was flawless. Kensington, where is the Princess? I want to see her."
"General, please stop with that voice! Get down."
Even considering that he was a 10-star knight and a hero of the empire, Jared's attitude was extremely rude.
It's not that Kensington doesn't know his asshole-like personality, but he didn't expect him to behave as he pleases in such a formal setting. The moment he left the castle, he seemed to have let go of the reins, thinking that no one would notice him.
"The only Princess in Valdina. The general is not someone to let down his guard and mess with her."
"This guy is so dangerous that the Princess seems to keep avoiding me, so Kensington, please help me bridge the gap. If you just open the way, I will take care of the rest."
The sinister, giggling voice could also be heard by the nobles of Valdina on the other side of the banquet hall.
The Valdina people frowned.
"No matter how much of a bastard the Princess is, she is the King's only sister in name and reality. That damn bastard is not someone you can call whatever you want!"
Among them, the Margrave of Montega was particularly angry.
"I'm not just ignoring Her Highness the Princess. They are looking down on us. Claudio, we can't just leave it like this. Our clan relatives should at least protest first!"
"Hmm, hmm. It's a bit excessive. But... Calm down first. Aren't you planning on throwing away the banquet that started a little while ago?"
The Prince Regent had a headache.
'Still, I have respect, so I'll do it in moderation...'
This is because Katzen's delegation acted recklessly, far exceeding his expectations.
'If you do this, the repercussions will increase! They say I can just go back to Katzen, but I have to stay here.'
The Prince Regent took notice and sent a signal to Count Raju asking him to restrain the members.
However, Raju was also not in a position where his words could be understood by Katzen's subjects, so he just shook his head as if he had no choice.
At the same time, towards the Katzen mission.
Jared wasn't the only one wandering around looking for the Princess in the large crowd.
'She won't even miss the official banquet to welcome the delegation."
Jason frowned.
After the first day, Jason wandered around the Princess's palace and lazily delayed a meeting with members of the former delegation.
But she never saw the Princess.
All the gifts sent to promote friendship also came back.
'You must have seen me.'
Jason had no difficulty winning the hearts of people, especially the opposite sex.
His polished appearance, kind words, and personality would make any woman let down her guard.
However, this was his first time dealing with an opponent who was so unresponsive.
"It is said that the Princess does not like to meet people and usually stays in the palace. She's started to do her outside activities a little bit more recently."
The subordinate added a word to the owner who was looking for traces of the Princess.
Even so, he never thought it would be this difficult to meet.
Jason's fingers twitched. It's like he wants to hold something but he can't.
He didn't know if he was uncharacteristically anxious because it wasn't easy for him to get in.
The back of the silver hair, which was so shiny that it looked like it would break if he held it in his hand, kept getting caught in his eyes.
"But Your Highness, did you know? The castle also has a Facade."
"Facade? You mean here in Valdina?"
"Yes. At a banquet held at the royal palace the other day, the head of the Facade even made an appearance."
Jason narrowed his eyebrows.
How could the gunpowder ghosts of the continent, who were active only in shaded areas, end up in Valdina?
"Wouldn't that mean that the Facade and the Valdina royal family have a fairly close relationship? It's an awkward thing for us as Katzen."
The subordinate looked worried.
"Maybe there will be pressure from Facade when we reject aid."
But Jason's face was bright.
"Anyway, the representative of the delegation is Angelique, so what do we have to worry about? Rather, it went well. At this point, if I could make a connection with Facade..."
There really is nothing to be afraid of.
If he has a Facade, he doesn't have to worry about it. He can overwhelm the 1st Prince's power and forcibly absorb him.
"This Valdina is a land of great opportunity for me."
He smiled contentedly.
***
"I meet Your Highness Princess Medea."
"Marquis Aspasia, how are you?"
Even though it was a familiar banquet in their own country, the faces of Valdina and the nobles did not look at ease.
His face was a mixture of tension and discomfort.
At that time, a small shout of recognition was heard from behind Medea, who was greeting the nobles. She turned her body.
"Sister Medea."
Birna was standing.
People hurriedly retreated.
The story that Princess Claudio left the royal castle in the middle of the night was no longer treated as old gossip.
Birna bit the inside of her cheek at the glance that seemed to be looking at her but kept smiling.
The white dress as pure as an angel went well with her pink hair, and she looked as lovely as ever.
However, she must have suffered a lot in the convent, and even makeup could not hide her gaunt appearance.
“Birna.”
"I'm back."
Birna's eyes shone sinisterly.
"I'm so glad. I was worried about you a lot. How was life at the convent?"
"... It was a faithful time. I prayed to God for my sister's safety."
As if she couldn't read the clear resentment in Birna's eyes, Medea gently pointed out.
"Oh my, Birna. You should call me Your Highness. Today is a banquet attended by the Kazen people, and if Grandma finds out that you made a mistake in etiquette, she will be angry again."
"..."
"Birna, I'm saying this because I'm thinking of you. I know better than anyone else what it's like to be hated by your grandmother."
The Queen Mother's anger toward Duke Claudio still remained.
A little while ago, when the Regent had brought Birna to greet her, the Queen Mother had ignored them.
The raised corners of Birna's mouth trembled as if she was chewing the flesh inside her cheek.
The past few months of harsh convent life taught her deeply.
'I'll never go back to that place a gain.'
That's why she was able to hold back her anger despite Medea's stomach-turning words.
"...Sure, Your Highness."
Birna barely smiled and answered.
At that time, the venue became a little chaotic. This was because the door opened and sturdy men appeared one after another.
"The mercenary of the Facade..."
Although they were wearing similar evening clothes, the sharp energy they gave off caught people's attention.
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