"Ha, you dare to cross swords with me?"
Katzen's royal family, who were fiercely competing for succession, all received rigorous martial arts classes.
The 4th Princess, although not as legendary a swordsman as the 1st Prince, was a skilled swordsman with a high level of skill.
On the other hand, the princess of Valdina...
"Are you confident that you can beat me, even when you fell flat on the horse?"
The 4th Princess ridiculed the rumors about Medea that had spread throughout the empire.
"I don't even dare hope for victory against the 4th Princess. But if, as a child, I cannot even draw my sword against the one who tarnished my father's honor..."
Insensitive green eyes stared at the 4th Princess.
"What good is it for me to be here?"
The Princess was embarrassed.
She wonders if she can forgive the crude words that destroyed the reputation of her father and herself, but is this a duel?
Running to her death like this, is that golden spoon blind or unintelligent?
At that time, a calm voice rang out.
"I risked my life. What will the 4th Princess risk to avenge her father's honor?"
The 4th Princess gently bit her molars.
It was a situation where each of them exchanged curses towards their respective fathers.
Medea came out like this, and if she stayed quiet, she was ready to become an immoral person who didn't care whether her father was insulted or not.
"Ha! I accept the challenge."
The 4th Princess gritted her teeth and searched for reason.
She took a deep breath and asked elegantly as if asking when her blood pressure started rising. She even changed her arrogant tone.
"Princess, even though this is a duel between Princesses of both countries, we can't leave nothing at stake, so how about setting the terms of the bet?"
At that time, a bright idea appeared in the 4th Princess's mind.
'You backed me into a corner and you're going to pay for it.'
"If you win, I will hand over Katzen's relief goods without any conditions. But if you lose..."
An insidious cruelty appeared on the 4th Princess's face.
"If I win, I will treat the aid as never having happened."
In an instant, the banquet hall was buzzing. The sound of intake of breath could be heard here and there.
"How is it? Princess, do you still want to avenge your father's honor?"
The 4th Princess raised the corners of her mouth and asked.
If the Princess refuses the duel, she will mock her and ask if she is afraid now and if she agrees, she will win, so it is a valid excuse for refusing the slogan. Medea would suffer great damage no matter which option she chose.
'I think it's an exquisite move.'
The Fourth Princess was so satisfied with her wit that she didn't realize that Medea's eyes were glancing past her.
'I knew you would bite this.'
The 4th Princess, Angelique, had a hot-tempered personality and strong pride.
So, even in her past life, she fell for Medea's tricks every time.
'Angelique, it won't be as easy as you think.'
"Neril, prepare my sword."
A calm voice rang out.
"Your Highness!"
"Medea!"
What was surprising was the people around Valdina.
The Queen Mother was so shocked that she almost fell off her chair and Madam Pinatelli hurriedly helped her up, while Sissair grabbed the glass without realizing it.
The Duke and Duchess of Regent were left speechless by the embarrassing and unexpected situation.
Birna drooped her eyebrows and looked frightened, but could not hide the fierce joy in her eyes. How great would it be if the 4th Princess's sword 'accidentally' stabbed Medea?
Only one person. Medea was quiet.
Not a trace of fear or embarrassment could be read in the brightly shining eyes.
Rather, her unwavering and firm stance, in contrast to that of the arrogant 4th Princess, exuded the righteous spirit of a martyr fighting against a great injustice.
"Ha, you really want to do it? Okay, but keep this in mind. Even if you cry and ask me to leave later, it's absolutely useless."
The 4th Princess was thrilled by Medea's calm reaction.
Okay, let's see how long you can act so proud.
That was when she lifted her chin in triumph.
"However, I am concerned that the Princess may overturn this condition."
"Angelique Graham Katzen, I endorse you on my name! Are you saying you don't trust me, the Emperor's daughter?"
The 4th Princess asked back sharply.
"Even our people who left Valdina many years ago to protect the empire's levees would not have expected it then. As time goes by, Katzen, the strongman of the continent, will not easily give up the relief they promised."
Today, the relief that Katzen promised was not entirely red line. It was a just reward for the sacrifices of the Valdina people.
The Katzen people, who felt embarrassed by the Princess's comments, could not bear to refute her words.
"Unless the Princess confirms that she will keep your promise, I cannot respond."
Medea said, looking at Sissair.
Sissair, who read the Princess's intentions, moved quickly.
"Her Royal Highness."
He presented the golden scroll with the shorthand written on it to Medea, and she unfolded it for all to see.
"It contains the wagering conditions for the duel you just mentioned. Your Royal Highness, please stamp now. Once each other's seals are placed on the words that come out of our mouths, we can no longer dismiss them as childish pranks."
The Princess looked calm and adult-like as if she had been the one to match her rhythm.
The 4th Princess's face turned bright red.
Is that little girl mocking me for not being able to pick up the words I just said?
"Ha! That kind of warranty! Hello! Bring me my seal!"
The 4th Princess shouted angrily. Kensington hurriedly grabbed the Princess and whispered.
"Her Royal Highness, please think again. Don't make a hasty move."
"Move. I am the owner of this mission, not you!"
"Your Highness, no. Please reconsider again."
"Get out of the way!"
Then, Kensington stopped.
This is because the thick ring on the hand of the Princess, who nervously shook off his hand, scratched Kensington's cheek.
"So, why are you so annoying..."
The 4th Princess seemed a little embarrassed when she saw the wound, but she immediately passed it by, perhaps considering the eyes of those around her.
Then she walked forward with a stride and coolly stamped the guarantee for the duel bet.
The Katzen delegation was surprised by the 4th Princess's arbitrary actions.
However, since even the Count of Kensington could not stop the Princess, there was no way anyone could step forward and meet the Princess's glare.
Moreover, the conditions were tough, and the duel itself was not that great.
The 4th Princess had a record of winning against a 4-star knight of the empire.
It would be a piece of cake to win against a half-baked Princess who was said to be confined to the palace, so why should there be any need to come forward and pour cold water on her?
'I needed an appropriate excuse for refusing aid, but you showed your wisdom to the Princess.'
"Yes, Count. Why did you bother to touch an active, burning volcano?"
Some nodded with satisfaction, or others who subtly reprimanded Kensington, saying that his concerns were excessive.
"Count, wipe here."
Jason, who would not miss an opportunity to gain favor from Kensington, approached...
"Grand Duke, please stop Her Highness the 4th Princess. Katzen's national interest is at stake, but if something goes wrong, Her Highness the 4th Princess could be in trouble."
Archduke Castullo has always been considerate and brilliant, so Kensington thought he would not let his hands go once he realized the seriousness of the incident. Naively, too.
"Haha, the Count knows, doesn't you? What I'm saying Is that it doesn't work for Angelique at all. It won't help."
However, contrary to Kensington's expectations, Jason only comforted him. With a frustrated expression, as if he was in trouble.
"Don't worry too much. Even if something happens, I will 'help' Angelique and resolve it safely."
"..."
"Count?"
Kensington pressed his handkerchief to his cheek without saying a word.
'They're not trying to help, they're trying to take away the 4th Princess's authority. Castullo, you've been hiding your ambitions well.'
This is because Jason discovered a lingering ambition that he was unable to hide until the end.
Even the Grand Duke, who had been holding his breath the entire time, bares his teeth when the 1st Prince passes away.
Although it has the name of an envoy, a fierce power struggle is taking place behind the scenes.
'I must not be swept up in the chaotic situation. I only serve the national interest of Katzen.'
That's what he thought, but the tingling pain in his cheek woke him up.
'Does His Majesty remember Kensington?"
Even though he never heard an answer, he always showed his silent loyalty, but feeling skeptical like today...
'Princess of Valdina.'
Maybe it's because of that little girl.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment