However, they gave off an air closer to knights than mercenaries.
"The man who takes the lead is the leader?"
Jason, who learned their identity from the Valdinans whispering, paused.
The straw-colored-haired man walking in front was wearing a more colorful evening gown than ever before.
On his head, he wore a red hat with a peacock feather.
It was overflowing with fresh and cheerful energy, like something you would see on the coast in midsummer.
If you didn't know their identity, you wouldn't have guessed that they were the continent's infamous weapons dealers.
"Why is the Facade here?"
The Katzen people were equally taken aback by their appearance.
Some of the members of this delegation had participated in wars of conquest.
In that war, Facade provided weapons for Katzen and also served as a mercenary. So he knew better.
Those people who are now entering the banquet hall pretending to be normal are literally living messengers of death.
The Facade rarely shows itself and only works in the shadows, so why does it suddenly appear in the Valdina Palace?
'I guess you didn't join hands with Valdina? What are you planning?"
It was when 4th Princess Angelique frowned.
"The Facade's Gallo reflects Valdina's old brilliance."
Gallo walked majestically through the crowd of people. He took off her hat and greeted the Queen Mother.
"Facade also wants to participate in today's glorious event to promote cooperation between the two countries and create a foundation for peace on the continent, so we hope that the Queen Mother will generously allow it."
Although his voice was cheerful, his attitude was quite polite compared to the Katzen delegation, which had not even bothered to say hello to the Queen Mother earlier.
Even the Queen Mother, who had been secluded for a long time, had heard of Facade.
The Queen Mother's face softened a little as a magnate who was treated as if he were a countryman approached her first, no matter where he went on the continent, and made his face in front of the Katzen delegation.
"I just want to thank you for honoring me. When it comes to peace, borders and origins don't matter."
Gallo turned around.
Playful eyes met those of the 4th Princess. He lifted his chin as if the Princess was recognizing him. At today's banquet, she was decorated very extravagantly and had the symbol of Katzen wrapped all over her body.
A tiara decorated with 15 sapphires was placed on her head, and a medal with a portrait of her father, Emperor Katzen, was attached to the ribbon on her shoulder. The intention to use the empire's prestige to suppress the opponent was clearly visible.
Gallo twitched and tried to back away.
Just as his existence was about to be completely ignored, the angry Princess shot back.
"It seems that a businessman selling weapons cannot judge the seriousness of an ambassador. For a large country, you have to get permission from a small country first."
She was already displeased with the fact that the head of Facade greeted the Queen Mother of Valdina before her.
"When guests visit, they have to ask the landlord for permission. Does this mean that other guests pretending to be hosts come first?"
However, Gallo continued to smile and ask questions.
"Katzen has a truly unique culture. In fact, even when I was in the empire, Katzen's public servants came looking for me first."
The Princess bit her lip at the remark that was sarcastic about the Princess but also subtly showed off her top status in Katzen.
For the first time, the Valdina people felt very close to the head of Facade.
"You dare-"
At that time, the Princess's maid caught her.
"Your Highness, please be patient. It is said that the mercenary wearing a white half-mask standing as a guard behind that leader is truly dangerous. They said that regardless of social status, if you make a mistake, you will be cut down."
The maid, who was familiar with the notoriety of the white-masked mercenary Acares, hoped that her master would pass over quietly.
If that mercenary pulls out his sword. The maid, the one who was supposed to stand in front of the Princess, will lose her life.
"It is said that even in the Continental War, every hundred thousand people on the Facade were the authors."
"..."
The Princess chewed her lips. Despite her frightened maid's words, the 4th Princess was still blushing from the humiliation suffered by Gallo.
She turned and stared at the Valdinians.
It was easier to take out one's anger on the easy-going Valdina people, rather than on the arms dealers who were strong and hard to mess with all over the continent.
"Everyone, stop being pretentious. Isn't this a peace that wouldn't exist without our Katzen-everyday slogans?"
Her eyes scanned the crowd of VaIdina people with disdain.
"If the previous King had not been a warmonger, the people would have been able to eat well and not have to worry about surviving the cold winter. It is truly pitiful that innocent people are dying because of the King's vain ambitions."
Her criticism was an act of pouring cold water into the faces of the Valdina people.
"4th Princess!"
When her dead son was insulted, the Queen Mother could no longer bear it.
"It was said that the King should not judge rashly and should not simply pursue immediate interests."
Despite the outcry, the 4th Princess simply shrugged her shoulders.
"I am only saying this out of regret that the people are losing their standards due to the foolish judgment of their leader, so please do not be angry, Lady Valdina. It's not like I said something I didn't mean, right?"
"Well, I..."
The Queen Mother stumbled with anger. Pinatelli quickly came to her aid.
"Katzen is truly arrogant!"
"Am I, the Princess of a great empire, who is now putting up with your mistreatment? Hahaha, I'm sure the Emperor will be aggrieved when he hears."
The Princess laughed as if she were intoxicated.
The Valdina people glared at the Princess as if they were going to kill her. However, they couldn't say anything.
'It's a sin for us to be a powerless country, it's a sin!'
The 4th Princess became even more excited to see the Valdina people holding back their anger while gritting their teeth.
'It's just as Moby said. They can't touch a hair on me.'
She felt a sense of pleasure as if she had the power to sway the country as she wished. Even as an envoy, it would be like this, but if she were to sit on the throne...
"The standards of the 4th Princess are bizarre."
At that time, a calm voice shattered the 4th Princess's pleasant imagination.
"According to your words, does it mean that your father, Perdiccas II, was not greedy for quick gain when he usurped the throne from the Emperor's legitimate son, Archduke Castullo?"
And then it flew fiercely and caught the Princess off guard.
No one on the continent knows the story of Uncle Perdiccas II, who took his nephew's place with force and justification after the death of the previous Emperor.
From then on, he continued to shamelessly show no intention of returning the throne.
The secret story that everyone knew but dared not point out is now coming out of the mouth of Princess Valdina.
"What are you saying now..."
The 4th Princess opened her mouth in shock as if she had been hit in the face.
Medea made her way through the crowd and took a step forward.
A face with a youthful spirit faced the delegation.
The bright green eyes looked beyond the 4th Princess and up to Jason. And she tilted her head.
"With my foolish mind, I cannot judge the difference between a King who makes the people suffer through war and an Emperor who is so blinded by power that he even abandons the love of his flesh and blood. So, I hope that the wise 4th Princess will enlighten us."
Once again, a calm voice slapped her cheek, quoting the words of the 4th Princess a moment ago.
The Queen Mother, who had almost left her seat and was about to engage in a confrontation with the 4th Princess below the podium, sat down again.
Fortunately, thanks to Medea's help, she was able to protect her body. This is because the eldest granddaughter's criticism of crushing Emperor Katzen's face cooled her rising anger.
Valdina people also did not hide their cool feelings.
"Oh my gosh, where are you talking about being a King? I will take proper care of each and every corner of your family."
"Who is it that has forgotten the degree?"
The giggling whispers spread.
The 4th Princess, who had suddenly become a laughing stock, was trembling.
The envoys were also shocked but could not find anything to say in response.
Although they were jealous, they knew their lord Perdiccas II well as subjects.
Rather than receiving an apology from Princess Valdina, their lord would rather not mention the fact that he was forced to take over the throne from his nephew. So even if their stomach boils, I have no choice but to endure it.
Just like the Valdina people who had to endure the Katzen people a little while ago.
"How dare you insult your father!"
However, the 4th Princess, who had grown up peacefully under the Emperor's affection and the shadow of the Empress, was still immature to understand her father's righteous intentions.
She clenched her fists.
It was the first time that she, who had grown up awkwardly, had been publicly humiliated.
The Princess did as she did with a red face that revealed deep shame.
"The Princess of Valdina, your arrogance is sky-high. How dare a small country on the outskirts deceive the Great Katzen Empire? As the proud daughter of my father, I will not leave you alone-"
At that time, something was thrown in front of the Princess.
It was a pair of white gloves.
"..."
Medea, the owner of the gloves, stared straight at the 4th Princess.
In the continent's aristocratic society, the meaning of throwing belongings, especially gloves, at an opponent was self-evident.
Application for a duel.
And since it was an honor duel, there was an explicit rule that the outcome must be fully accepted even if the opponent was injured or killed.
However, the fact that the applicant is the Princess of Valdina and the other party is the Princess of Katzen is only shocking to people now.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment