On the way out of the Princess's palace after sending his niece into a trap.
"They still haven't entered the castle? Did they even eat a maggot?"
Duke Claudio became furious after receiving his subordinate's report.
"The defense of the walls is stronger than expected, and they are unable to find a way through. Even the Marquis of Gilliforth has joined in to block their entry..."
The subordinate couldn't hide his worry.
"Your Highness, what should we do? If the speed slows down any further..."
By now the rebels should have surged over the walls and into the royal palace.
However, the Regent could not believe what he heard when he heard that the garrison and Gilliforth were only setting up camp in front of the walls due to counterattacks.
"You're so confident after receiving so much money!"
The Regent swallowed the anger that was welling up in him.
Now was the time when a cool head was needed rather than a hot heart.
With the throne right in front of him, he couldn't afford to mess things up by being consumed by mere emotions.
"Ha, it's okay. Now that I've gotten Medea out of the way, the most important plan is complete."
Although he was slightly disoriented, he eventually managed to regain his composure.
Anyway, regardless of these small variables, everything had to proceed as planned.
"Tell them to come as close as possible to the wall. Then we can show everyone that the woman we have captured is Medea."
Besides, there was one more thing that made him confident.
"The castle won't last long. The Shadows, the forces of the Grand Duke of Castullo, have decided to support us from below."
"The Shadow?"
The subordinate tilted his head as if he had never heard of it before.
"I don't know the details, but the Grand Duke said that they are the secret guard left behind by the former Emperor. They are said to be a secret force that even Emperor Katzen doesn't know about, so they will be of great help to us."
When rebels climb over the walls and threaten the royal palace, the people will scream in confusion.
And soon they will see Medea, who was caught while running away, and fall into sorrow and despair.
What hope can there be in this country that even abandons its royalty?
When Queen Mother and the nobles are at a loss as to what to do, he, the Regent, will appear as a savior and defeat the rebels.
And to save Valdina from danger, he abdicates the throne.
While Grand Duke Castulo rescues Medea from the rebels, the Regent's private army destroys the rebels.
All of them, including the leader Horrols and his mercenaries.
'I cannot leave alone someone who knows my plans.'
If even those who tried to reclaim the throne for himself are killed and disappear, he can ascend to the throne with complete perfection.
"Mother, where is the Queen Mother?"
The subordinate scratched his head with a troubled expression.
"That's it, she headed for the walls. She said she couldn't just sit back and do nothing when the country was in danger due to the invading rebels."
"Oh, by the way, Mom too..."
The Regent swallowed an annoyed sigh.
"That's it. It doesn't matter if there's one more onlooker. It wouldn't be bad to see it with her own eyes."
The true nature and downfall of her eldest granddaughter.
"Come on, let's go!"
Regent Claudio spurred his horse.
Before the sun sets today, he has no doubt that this country, this sky, this space will all be his.
***
Secret passage in the Royal Palace of Valdina.
Medea, having parted ways with Birna, moved on.
The journey back through the pitch-black darkness did not frighten her at all.
Finally, the door creaked open and Medea came out alone through the door she had entered with Virna.
"Your brother."
Neril and Saya, who had been waiting, approached Medea.
"Princess Claudio hasn't returned yet. Of course, she took the knight with her."
Neril said when she saw Medea appearing alone.
He had expected it to be like that, but it was different from seeing it with her own eyes.
Neril was once again disillusioned by Birna's selfishness in sending Medea back naked, knowing that the rebels who invaded the palace would target Medea first.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. But Birna gave me a torch and said she would send a rescue team to the palace later."
"Ha! Yes, of course. After Your Highness was captured and killed?"
Saya snorted.
"Birna did her best. So it is only natural that I should 'save' her."
Medea looked out over the walls beyond the palace.
"Her Majesty the Queen has already set out for the castle walls. Madame Pinatelli and Sir Sissair tried to get Her Majesty the Queen to a safe place first, but she would not listen."
If she were Queen Mother, she would not be the type to step back and seek safety when faced with a crisis.
Medea could imagine the sound of her scolding, for she was a great woman who would be content to watch her country crumble and fall with her own eyes.
"Grandma must have been looking for me."
"Yes. After Your Highness left and the remaining children were sent away, the people from the Queen Mother's Palace came. We hid ourselves as Your Highness had instructed. In the end, they only saw the empty palace and left."
"Good."
Medea nodded with satisfaction.
She looked at the wall.
"My uncle is probably already explaining my absence, so we should be leaving."
"Yes, I will bring a horse and armor."
While the maids stood aside to prepare to go to the walls, Medea looked up at the sky.
Black smoke was rising from all over the palace.
The palace maids were seen moving around in a panic, seemingly consumed by the fear incited by the Regent.
Most of them had already left the palace and headed towards the castle walls or fled, while those who remained were at a loss as to what to do.
Ashy smoke and crushed grass. The messy palace, which appeared to have been hastily abandoned, gave off an ominous atmosphere.
Medea, who had been watching the sights one by one without paying attention, stiffened her back at the sound of rustling grass.
'Was there still anyone left in the palace?'
As Medea reached for the dagger in her bosom, a firm hand grabbed her and turned her around.
“Haa, ha”
A breath that leaked out without notice and then was quickly extinguished.
Medea recognized the sturdy shadow passing overhead.
"Acares?"
The mercenary of the Facade was in front of her
His complexion was more pale and dark than expected, but his chiseled jawline and mouth were still visible under his white half-mask.
It didn't seem like anything else had happened.
Medea found herself thinking, "Thank goodness."
Then the mercenary said.
"Princess, the rebels will soon invade the castle. This place is not safe."
He was still holding Medea's arm.
Medea waved her sleeve slightly, but it seemed like he had no intention of letting go.
As if waiting for Medea to ask where is safe?
She looked surprised for a moment, then the corners of her lips slightly rose. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"That's right, the timing is not very good. The rebels might soon attack the castle, so you and Facade should both take cover."
"..."
Silence fell.
Time passed, neither false nor true. At that moment. Cesare opened his eyes wide.
He was not fooled by the Princess's sweet, considerate voice.
Cesare stared at the weapon in Medea's hand and the small side door behind her.
Soon, as if he had realized it, he began to hum.
"You did it."
A rebel group suddenly appeared in the palace with its body enlarged.
Do they, and the Regent, know that even their actions were detected and guided by this Princess?
"I thought it was strange that Gilliforth suddenly retreated, abandoning his chance of victory... Was that also to gather the rebels in front of the walls?"
Cesare laughed hollowly and let go of her hand.
"..."
Medea didn't answer. After all, her opponent didn't need her confirmation.
Ha, a hollow smile spread across the corners of the mercenary's handsome lips, and the grip he had been holding was released.
"I don't think I need to tell you to be careful, right?"
"..."
"The power of the Facade too?"
He reached out his hand to Medea.
A platinum dagger rested in his hand.
It was the dagger that he had sent to Medea as a gift and returned to her.
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