TCIWTFY - Chapter 135

Conversations with the Princess were always like this.

Even if you let go of the flow just a little, it strikes you sharply like a sword thrust into your chin.

"..."

"Kensington, you're the only person I've put this much effort into."

"I am deeply moved by your special treatment of a lowly criminal. However, my answer remains the same."

This was Kensington's answer after much deliberation.

"I dare not hide the fact that I am fascinated by Your Highness's wit and morale. If I were not a Katzenian, I would certainly be loyal to Your Highness."

He was curious about where and how far the Princess could see. He also wanted to confirm it by being by her side.

If it had been the young and vibrant Louisa, there would have been no hesitation.

But she was now a middle-aged woman who had to bear the weight of a surname like Kensington rather than a name.

It was an age where it was right to suppress the unknown blood that was welling up in his chest instead of following it.

"It has been a long time, and there have been many attempts at persuasion, but this is the first time I have encountered someone like Your Highness."

In gratitude for the sincerity shown to him, Kensington prostrated himself before the Princess.

As of today, the only person Kensington has ever bowed to, other than his lord Perdiccas II, is the Princess of Valdina.

"One, I am old-fashioned and do not want to become a traitor who would go back on my oath of loyalty to His Majesty."

The Princess's expression did not change as if she had expected Kensington's rejection. She simply asked back.

"Will your loyalty be valid even if you die at the hands of the Emperor?"

"That will not happen. Our Majesty would rather cut off his own hand than throw away a sharp sword with his own hands."

As Kensington asserted, Medea silently handed him something: a cloth bag containing several small, shiny stones.

"The mountain goats living in the Asiliph Mountains are exposed to poisonous plants from birth. That's why their stomach stones are mainly used as an antidote."

Kensington also knew about the Asiliph goat's stomach stone. The Asiliph Mountains were also a famous producer of the hornbeam flower on the continent.

The pitcher plant is a poison commonly used by the Katzen royal family when eliminating their enemies.

"Nothing in this world lasts forever. I realized that too late."

The Princess, who was only seventeen years old, spoke like an old woman reflecting on her life before her death.

"..."

"I'm giving this to you out of concern, so please take it. If nothing happens, just keep it as a memory for the future."

Kensington, who was about to return the bag, let out a short sigh at Medea's words.

"Yes, I too will never forget Your Highness the Princess and this country."

The ending of the greeting, which was not typical of him, was bitter.

King Peleus won the ten-year war and finally took control of the plain.

It will be difficult for the two countries of Valdina and Katzen to return to their former friendly relations.

The Emperor will be even more wary of Valdina, and his subject Kensington will also have to follow his will.

After leaving Valdina, the next time he sees this Princess, she may be his enemy.

"I will be sorry too. Don't forget that Valdina's door is always open."

Kensington couldn't figure out the source of the bitterness.

'Stop here. You must not delve too deeply. You must not forget that your master is the Emperor of Katzen.''

He let the fleeting thoughts sink back into his consciousness.

***

In the end, Joaquin Claudio's ambitious rebellion ended disastrously without achieving any benefits.

The vassals of the Regent family, Including the Duke Claudio family, were tied up like sausages and imprisoned one after another.

His vassals took the surrounding nobles as hostages and pressured Medea to abdicate, leaving him even more uncertain.

It was time for those who had been recklessly destroying the royal family and the country to pay the price.

Loud voices were saying that this was the time to root out the subversive elements.

"Get in! Search everything. Don't let even one rat go unchecked."

The Agemas stormed into Duke Claudio's home.

Thanks to the vassals voluntarily reporting the regent with their own mouths, the investigation into the treason went quite smoothly.

This is how the life of the one and only powerful man in Valdina, who was once said to be able to bring down even birds, ended.

The title of Duke Regent was thrown to the ground, and the Duke's family property was confiscated.

It had been a long time since the Agemas had visited the hideout where he had hidden his slush funds.

The person most intention uncovering the Regent's assets was the Prime Minister, Sissair.

"The Regent Prince has accumulated more assets personally than the current national treasury of the Royal Family of Valdina. He is truly an amazing person."

A sparkle flashed in his eyes behind his monocle. He did not miss a single fairytale that passed through Duke Claudio's family. Claudio's honor and wealth were completely stripped away and dug up. His status was next.

"As of today, Joaquin Claudio and his descendants are removed from the royal lineage."

Now he has become a clear commoner, Joaquin Claudio...

He was a thorough classist, and his pride in looking down on everyone as a member of the royal family was shattered to pieces, not even a speck of dust remaining.

A damp prison, a dark cell with no light.

It was the prison that Minister Etienne had once been terrified of.

The dark, damp, and dirty place was enough to drive the Dukes, who had lived, eaten, and worn only the best clothes their entire lives, crazy.

Joaquin still couldn't admit his failure.

One eye was already irreversible.

Not only is there no lawmaker to visit him in prison, but time has already passed and the debris has dug deep into him.

He was absorbed with dark eyes.

'Where did it start and what went wrong?"

The thoughts continued on and on.

Where did his once-perfect future go awry?

And he finally found the answer.

'It was from the moment Medea woke up from her fall from her horse...'

The chief maid, Cuisine, who had clashed with Medea, collapsed, and Queen Mother, his mother, turned her back.

And with the death of Minister Etienne, Joaquin lost control of the palace.

The Katzen delegation fell for Medea's provocation, and the hunting competition was also a difficult one for the Duke due to Medea's disappearance.

And when he, who had become impatient, brought forward the rebellion...

At every moment when his plans were derailed, there was the Princess, his niece.

"I should have just killed that girl!"

Just as Etienne had once done, a desperate scream echoed through the dark prison cell.

As hard as it was to accept his downfall, Joaquin's hair turned white within a few nights.

His face was covered in wrinkles... and his expression was distorted and hardened, making him look very ugly.

It was difficult to find the middle-aged handsome man who seemed to have time passing by.

Crack, crack. 

He bit his fingernails and muttered Medea's name with bloodshot eyes.

Samon glanced sideways at his father, who seemed to have gone half-mad.

It was pitiful and yet understandable at the same time to see his father unable to accept his downfall.

He, too, hasn't given up yet. No. He couldn't give up.

"Ahhhh! Aahhhh!"

The room opposite the narrow, cramped cell where Claudio was confined was a bit more noisy and noisy.

Because Catherine and Birna were there.

This prison was especially cruel to the mother and daughter who had been surrounded by only pretty and beautiful things their entire lives.

"Ahh, it's filthy! I'm going to die! Let me out! Why should I stay here? Not that girl Medea?! I'll kill you, I'll tear you to pieces!"

Birna screamed so loudly that her ears hurt, not caring that the wounds on her back were widening.

Catherine held her and cried repeatedly.

On the day the rebellion was suppressed, Duke Claudio and the Little Duke were immediately transferred to prison.

However, the Birna, which had been abandoned outside the city walls, was discovered only after a considerable amount of time had passed.

Even that was not to save her, but to arrest her as well, the daughter of the regent.

"Ahh! Birna! My daughter... my baby!"

Catherine cursed as she looked at the deep wound on Virna's back.

How much effort was put into raising her to have beautiful, white skin without a single spot or blemish!

Every time Catherine saw the long, red marks on her daughter's back, she felt as if she had been stabbed with a knife.

"No matter how much of a criminal she is, you must call the assemblyman! You lowly beasts have no manners!"

The guard spat at the ear-piercing screams that burst through the bars.

"Look here, Duchess. Propriety is for people, not animals."

Although the rebellion was successfully suppressed, it was not without casualties.

"My friend was among the soldiers on the walls that you killed to threaten Her Highness the Princess."

Catherine pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders under the venomous gaze of the guard.

'How did we end up being treated like this...'

Her beautiful eyes were filled with a mixture of unexpressed anger and a subtle sense of helplessness.

The past few days have been enough time to experience the reality of the fallen Duke firsthand.

But, as they say, there is hope in any situation.

"Ca...! Duchess, Virna! Are you all right?"

Even though the Duke Claudio family had been thrown into the gutter overnight, there were still those who tried to save them.

The one who secretly visited the prison was Count Raju.

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