The hall of the Royal Palace of Valdina.
A line as long as ever formed in front of the white marble building.
All the people gathered to see Medea.
They cannot express how sad and anxious they were when they heard the news that the Princess who had protected this country against Katzen had disappeared, chased away by a pack of wolves.
However, she recently returned to the palace alive and safe.
With grateful and overwhelmed hearts, they have gathered their courage and come all the way to this hall today, climbing the lofty palace.
From personally dried herbs prepared after hearing rumors of Medea being injured while hunting to carefully embroidered patchwork quilts wishing for Medea's safe return, they willingly offered gifts to pray for the Princess's good fortune and health.
"Come next time!"
Inside the hall, a shabby woman wearing an apron stood timidly on the red carpet.
When it was her turn, the woman walked forward nervously and carefully put down the wooden basket she was holding in her arms.
"Your Highness the Princess ordered that the relief supplies be distributed starting from the outskirts of District 4. Thanks to her, my children were able to stay hungry."
The woman bowed deeply in gratitude and held out a wooden basket.
"I am sorry that I have nothing to offer Your Highness due to my poor financial situation... but I cannot continue like this..."
As she lifted the cloth covering the basket, fluffy chicks pecked out their little beaks.
Medea looked back and forth between the woman's appearance and the chick.
Chicks are not very expensive livestock.
However, for the poor people, chickens were a valuable asset that could be raised as food and a way to make money.
Even seeing that there were only three of them, she could guess how difficult it was to make them.
"The chick is really cute. But if I take it away like this, it'll probably end up being food for the cat I raise in the palace. What should I do...?"
Medea pretended to think for a moment, then clapped her hands.
"How about this? That basket is really elaborate, I'll consider it as winning your heart. Take the chick back and raise it as a chicken."
When Medea winked at Neril, she quickly took the basket and returned the chicks to her in a sturdy wooden box.
"Thank you. Your Highness... You are truly the light of Valdina."
The woman's face was moved.
It was because she realized that the Princessess was looking after the situation while also putting up with the situation of a mere worm like her. Medea greeted each of the people who came to her in the hall warmly and asked about their troubles.
"Thank you, Your Highness. And I apologize again, Your Highness..."
The people felt both a sense of emotion and guilt at the thought that the only Princess in the country would personally bow down to their level.
Despite being branded as someone who sucks the blood of the people, the young Princess did not hesitate to risk her life to pave the way for their survival.
Then, her life was threatened by her evil uncle.
The fate of the pitiful young Princess, who had never had a smooth day, also touched their hearts.
"Your Highness, you must never fall to a man like the Regent!"
"Goddess, please protect Her Highness the Princess from the clutches of those pig-like villains!"
The speech was rough and the gift was simple.
But the Princess nodded with a smile as if she knew that they had done their best.
Moved by her generosity, they praised the Princess even more and raised their voices in criticism of the regent.
'It's funny how the day has come when my uncle and I have switched positions.'
Medea's green eyes, which had been smiling all the way until all the people who had come to see her had left, took on a cool glow.
From the moment she returned, the people's thoughts about the Princess changed.
Now, wherever one went in the palace, one could hear praises for Medea and cries of condemnation against the regent.
'Will my uncle be able to endure this change?'
Medea thought back to the day she returned when the Prince Regent had submitted to the Queen Mother's order to have Samon flogged.
More precisely, his fists were trembling and hidden under his sleeves.
'He's not the kind of person who would do that. Perhaps, he'll try to change this situation."
So that Medea can be turned into a villainess again, and he can be turned into a hero again.
But his poor imagination can only come up with one solution.
'That's probably...'
At that moment, splendidly blooming flowers filled Medea's field of vision.
The fragrant scent of flowers tickled her nose.
The soft, beautiful pink roses were a pain to the eyes.
"Princess."
The voice of the last remaining guest rang in Medea's ears.
Jason was smiling on the red carpet, holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.
"May I also request an audience with you?"
A handsome appearance, a rich voice, and an old-fashioned elegance.
It was the appearance of a perfect royal family, in which it was difficult to find even a single speck of dust.
"...Your Highness, what brings you here?"
"I came here because I heard I could see the Princess. I came despite my rudeness. Everyone brought you heartfelt gifts, so I couldn't come empty-handed..."
Jason smiled sheepishly, lightly touching his bangs.
The maids around them couldn't take their eyes off the handsome man who was bashfully holding a bouquet of flowers.
"I hope you like it."
Jason took a step closer to Medea.
Although he spoke humbly, Medea, who had lived with him her entire life, could tell that he was confident.
“Neril.”
As Medea nodded, Neril stepped forward and took the bouquet instead.
Jason's picturesque expression suddenly hardened.
It was because he never thought she would not even touch the flowers he gave her.
"I'm so glad you're safe. I was really worried."
But Jason soon regained his composure.
"I don't know how much I regretted the day the Princess disappeared. If only I had been a little more careful, you wouldn't have had to go through such hardships..."
A voice soaked in sorrow and genuine concern in the eyes.
Jason was like this in her previous life.
It was a kindness that seemed to quench Medea's thirst for love.
At that time, she was so hungry for love that she lost her mind. Foolishly, pathetically.
"Why, Grand Duke Castullo?"
Medea's voice was quite soft as she asked back. Jason thought he had found a corner to delve into the Princess's heart.
'She was hurt that the regent she trusted tried to kill her.'
"I understand, Princess. We are so alike. I too have been betrayed by the family I trusted the most."
Even as he spoke words of comfort to the Princess, joy welled up deep in Jason's heart.
He was glad that the beautiful girl in front of him and he had something in common.
"Medea, call me Jason. We can be friends who understand each other's pain."
When Jason took another step closer as if drawn by something.
"Grand Duke Castulo, I have no idea what you are talking about."
A voice that was cold rather than touching descended upon Jason like pouring ice water over him.
A look of doubt appeared on the Princess's face.
The indifferent look that asked, "What does it have to do with me?" seemed to scratch Jason's heart.
"It is the Grand Duke's freedom to seek out friends in this way."
A moment passed as if catching one's breath, and then a soft voice followed.
"My brother, the family I trust the most, and His Majesty the King of Valdina, has never betrayed me."
The Princess smiled faintly.
"He is neither an incompetent person with no ability but only ambition, nor a hypocrite who depends on others, nor a beast who harms his own flesh and blood."
Was the single vivid emotion that passed through her beautiful eyes hatred or mockery?
It passed so quickly that Jason couldn't be sure.
"So, please don't get involved in the same trouble as me by saying things like 'I understand."
After finishing speaking, the Princess just left.
"..."
Jason's fingertips trembled as he was left alone.
Even though it was clearly not intended for him, each word the Princess spoke hurt as if she had mercilessly slapped his cheek and back.
"Ugh..."
At that moment, Jason staggered, clutching his chest in excruciating pain.
The pain, for no apparent reason, did not stop for a while, as if its sole purpose was to torment him.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment