"..."
Because of Cesare's lack of response, Gallo also became nervous. Surely that crazy lord wouldn't extend his attacks to the Queen Dowager.
"It was an honor."
But soon he heard a cool voice and finally let out a sigh.
The Queen Dowager turned to the jubilant crowd.
"I guess we should call an end to the banquet here today. Everyone, go back and have a good night. Wouldn't the people be happy if they knew about today's auspicious event?"
"Of course!"
The people shouted together.
Those who attended the banquet today were also nobles, so they immediately understood the Queen Dowager's intentions.
"Mother, the Katzen delegation has not yet left Valdina. If we embarrass them like this, the relationship between our two countries will worsen."
The regent intervened urgently.
"You have seen with your own eyes the ugliness of those who trample on our Valdina while calling for cooperation, and yet you still feel inadequate? They don't care about our circumstances, so why should we?"
The Queen Mother, who had coldly reprimanded the Regent, simply passed him by. Catherine and Samon were also ignored.
"Joaquin, you are truly generous to worry about the Katzen people even in this situation. But why didn't you show that generosity when your niece, the Princess, asked for your help?"
"Mother", said the Rgent, his eyes unblinking with contempt.
He wondered if it wasn't a question, and the Queen left without even thinking about hearing the Regent's answer.
Starting with her, people left the banquet hall like an ebbing tide. Many people agreed with the Queen Mother's point.
"Oh, Duke. Don't be too upset. Everyone is probably excited because of the bet today."
His vassals approached him, cautiously observing his every move, to comfort him, but he simply glared at the empty hall with eerie eyes.
"Medea... Yes, indeed..."
***
The Princess's palace.
Although Medea's victory filled the palace with shouts of joy, the Princess's bedroom remained gray.
"...Your Highness, how did you endure it?"
Saya sobbed.
She thought it was just a light brush with the sword, but when Medea came back to check, the flesh was torn.
"There won't be much left of the Holy Spirit, so there will be a scar."
She felt like her heart would ache to death at the scars that would remain on Medea's smooth, spotless arm.
Everyone knows how to be happy and joyful! Our Princess is hurt and in pain like this!
Neril was also in a miserable mood. The Princess always used her as a chess piece without hesitation.
As long as she could help the King, she didn't care if I got destroyed in the process.
Neril knew.
When the 4th Princess swung her sword for the last time, Medea did not dodge on purpose.
This was a trick that Medea kept hidden from herself, without even revealing it to Neril.
'It must have been to elicit the Fourth Princess's embarrassment and further imprint that image on the audience.'
Since the Princess saw blood, It would not be easy for the Empire to later dismiss today's duel as a simple childish contest between young girls.
There is no denying that this is the optimal action to achieve the multi-layered goals.
So the result was exactly as Medea had expected.
Neril didn't know whether to be amazed by the master's precision in achieving her goals or to stop her from running away without control.
But one thing is certain.
The Princess's back, standing alone in the hall facing the Katzen people, looked very small and lonely.
It was the back of the leader. It was the weight of the prophet.
So, she, who was lacking, could not dare to step foot in front of her, even though she was standing behind her.
The Princess's efforts to save Valdina from danger under the water will probably not receive the light it deserves.
She felt sorry and sad for the owner who was silently preparing to take the next step even though she could not have been unaware of it.
It was when Neril blinked to cover her reddened eyes.
Something rolled in front of Saya, who was sobbing.
The blue water sloshing in the small bottle is...holy water?
"Let's do this."
At that moment, the maids jumped at the rich voice they heard in their ears. That's why they found the mercenary in a white half-mask leaning against the window of the bedroom, the Facade that decorated the finale of today's banquet.
It was the moment when Neril, who had suddenly drawn his sword, was about to rush at Cesare.
“Neril, Saya. You both go out.”
"Your Highness-!"
Medea was alone and peaceful.
Seeing her unsurprised appearance, Neril realized that this was not the first time this unholy intruder had visited her master's bedroom.
"This is outrageous-!"
"Hurry."
Neril barely managed to put her sword away at the command given again, but she did not forget to glare at Cesare.
"If you do anything foolish to Her Highness, the entire Facade will be burned down."
And then she added a bloody threat until the last moment before she left.
"You have good luggage."
Cesare praised her. It is not easy to find a loyal person who will rush forward without fear even after seeing his performance today.
Medea stared at him silently. The moonlight cast a bleak light on her pale face.
It was like a night fairy foretelling death.
He felt a sense of danger that could crumble at any moment. A cold chill rose up in his chest.
"How can I repay a favor that was never asked for?"
But as if it was only Cesare's mistake, the Princess asked him with clear eyes.
The question was only a formal one, but the mean was clear.
It meant that since you helped me without my permission, you shouldn't expect anything in return.
Yes, this was the Princess he knew. Cesare swallowed a laugh and patted the pink handkerchief on his arm.
"I'll consider it as received."
Cesare's gains were greater when Medea defeated the Four Princesses, Jared, and Jason all at once.
All three were lynxes who were always on the lookout for an opportunity to undermine the First Prince's power.
"What would have happened today if I hadn't stepped forward? Did you think that maid could win against Katzen's first general?"
"Jared is a bit behind for a first-team team."
Medea smiled faintly and picked up the holy water he had given her earlier.
"It might have required a bit more holy water, but the result would have been the same. I won't refuse this."
Medea removed her bandages, revealing red wounds on her white arms.
Although it was ugly, she thought Cesare wouldn't care since he had seen her cut herself on her own hand.
"Is that why you deliberately touched Jared's right hand?"
The hand that was holding the holy water bottle stopped.
During the duel, Cesare understood Medea's instructions accurately. No, he went beyond understanding and overdone it. He blew off Jared's ring finger.
Medea's original plan was to inflict a deep wound on the ring finger.
With the addition of Violetta and Belladonna's weaknesses to his injuries, Jared's fingers will gradually stiffen and eventually become unmovable.
'I deliberately took the slow route so that no one would know what I did.'
Since Facade turned it around for her, Medea was able to escape the spotlight.
"He was already unstable due to his injury, and now that he's lost even one finger, it'll be hard for him to hold a sword again."
For the general, it was a result more fatal than death.
"What a shame."
Medea answered with a calm face. Instead, a burning flame rose in her green eyes. He even felt a wicked delight.
"I sent your luggage, so keep it with you."
"Are you afraid Jared will get back at me? I'm not afraid."
Actually, she wasn't scared. Rather, she was excited. Now, she didn't want to wait for anything.
However, Cesare was speechless at the sight of Medea burning with a competitive spirit.
"Have you forgotten that as of today, you have completely turned Katzen into your enemy? Your enemy is no longer just a crippled ten-star knight."
He felt like he could vaguely sympathize with the way Gallo would tear his hair and beat his chest whenever he saw him.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment