Queen of Revenge - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 26
* * *
That night, after parting ways with Commander Winterbark and his entourage, a secret meeting was convened.
Led by Lucian Perein, knights from the Elovis Royal Guard gathered around the table. It was a tactical meeting to execute the Crown Princess’s orders.
“Vice Commander. We’ll arrive at the Border Command Tower by tomorrow. We should begin the operation soon.”
The operation referred to the assassination of Princess Iolet, directly ordered by the Crown Princess.
Even in the remote reaches of the kingdom, a princess with the Empire’s finest elite as her escort suddenly dying would raise suspicion.
Worse, if Commander Winterbark—with whom she had formed a betrothal—grew suspicious, the hard-won peace between the two nations risked unraveling.
Therefore, the princess’s death had to appear natural to any observer.
Yet Commander Winterbark repeatedly sought out the princess during their journey, positioning himself beside her as if daring anyone to approach, leaving little opportunity to strike.
Now that the Commander had separated from us, the moment was ripe.
The North was cold, and the snow-covered mountains were merciless enough to swallow a small-framed princess without a trace.
“The Crown Princess clearly ordered us to settle the matter before reaching the Command Tower. Shouldn’t we finish this today or tomorrow? Should we inform the Command Tower of the situation?”
The knights studied Lucian’s demeanor.
The Vice Commander, whose expression rarely changed, was now visibly scowling, his brow furrowed deeply.
In truth, though they grandly called it an “operation,” nothing had been decided. The man in charge, Lucian, had issued no orders to his subordinates.
“There’s no need to involve the Command Tower. The fewer people involved, the better.”
“Then today or tomorrow—”
“We’ll likely arrive at the Command Tower earlier than scheduled, so we have a grace period of three or four days. The Crown Princess’s original timeframe was a fortnight anyway.”
“…Understood. Then how do you intend to handle the disposal?”
It was an uncomfortable topic to broach directly, yet it could not be left undiscussed.
After a silence, the knights began speaking one by one.
“Poison would be the cleanest and most certain method, but its origin would be unclear, and Kalande would surely grow suspicious. Disguising it as an accident caused by a third party would be best, but…”
“I’ve heard that Demons devour human hearts. To make it appear as a Demon attack, we’d need at least similar wounds, wouldn’t we?”
“There’s a steep canyon just beyond the border. A fall could work well too. Once she plummets from the cliff, there’s no way she survives.”
“Then all we need do is recover the body.”
“It seems best that we keep our hands as clean as possible. What do you think?”
Poisoning. Accident. A fall.
Terrible words hung in the air.
The simmering displeasure churning within me rose to an unbearable boil.
“Silence.”
Among my bewildered subordinates, I felt a sharp headache.
‘Is there truly no one who questions why the Crown Princess issued such an order?’
The alienation, as if I’d fallen into a world of one-eyed men, sent chills down my spine.
At least I, Lucian, felt the world crack the moment I received the Crown Princess’s command.
It was not merely because of the baseness or injustice of an assassination order without proper cause.
“By any means necessary, end her life and prove your loyalty to me and your House.”
The Crown Princess had invoked not only my loyalty but the very honor of House Perein.
It was blackmail.
A vile threat—that if I did not obey unconditionally, my house too would not escape unscathed—something I had never dared imagine.
For the first time since he had known the Crown Princess, he felt an intense surge of defiance.
Could someone who coerced loyal subjects in such a manner truly be fit to be a just ruler?
The exploiter and the exploited.
Which side walked the righteous path, and where should he stand?
“….”
In truth, there was nothing to deliberate. The answer was already determined.
Lucian raked his fingers roughly through his hair. His subordinates exchanged suspicious glances with one another.
“The fewer people involved in the Princess’s assassination, the better. I will take on that role myself—you are to keep watch over the golden-haired girl at the Princess’s side. She is certainly no ordinary human.”
“Yes, Vice Commander.”
“We will settle this within three days of arriving at the Command Tower. There is no need to worry prematurely—simply exercise caution in your individual movements.”
“Yes.”
Three days.
Lucian now had only three days left in which to persuade the Princess.
* * *
The Command Tower where the Border Guard was stationed presented a scene entirely at odds with Iolet’s expectations.
“Are all military installations at the border like this, Lucian?”
“They certainly should not be.”
Lucian had been frowning deeply from the moment he stepped into the Command Tower.
Given that direct contact with the Demon Tribe remained frequent in this region, he had anticipated either urgent wartime conditions or at least an atmosphere of strict military discipline.
Yet reality was the complete opposite.
Before the Command Tower, instead of weapons and provisions needed for combat, oak barrels filled with aged liquor were stacked in heaps.
Despite the hour being midday, the tavern was packed with soldiers, and no small number of knights reeking of intoxication were shambling back toward their quarters. The entire garrison was in disarray.
Soldiers sitting slumped before the tavern, their faces flushed with drink, spotted Iolet.
“A woman…?”
“A woman, a woman. How long has it been since we’ve seen one?”
“And a beauty at that. Hey there, miss. Where are you from? Do you have a moment?”
Crude laughter and leering gazes clung to Iolet.
Lucian immediately stepped forward, but Iolet held him back.
“Leave it, Lucian. These are border soldiers suffering from bitter cold—they lack the refinement of the Capital Guard.”
“This is not a matter of degree. How dare they fail to recognize royalty, and where do they find the audacity for such vulgar insults….”
“I’ve endured insults all my life. There’s nothing new about it.”
Iolet replied with indifference and gestured to Bara.
Bara, her crimson eyes flashing, raised the staff and handed it to Iolet.
Crack!
Iolet’s staff, swung without mercy, came crashing down upon the soldiers’ heads in rapid succession.
“Ugh!”
Returning the staff to Bara, Iolet issued a cold command.
“Still, they should sleep off the drink. Finish the job, Bara.”
Soon, the crisp sound of the staff striking echoed sharply through the command post.
* * *
One thing was certain: the Border Guard did not welcome Iolet.
The Capital must have sent word in advance that the Crown Princess would arrive, yet only the Border Guard’s Commander-in-Chief and a single knight under his command had come to greet her.
“Your Highness, I am Marcel Lefebvre, Commander of the Northern Border Command Tower.”
The Commander was the same age as the King, yet the hardships of the frontier had aged him far more visibly.
The Commander cast a cold glance toward Iolet, then turned his attention elsewhere.
“Lord Lucian, it has been quite some time. When last we met, you were still a boy, yet now you have become a man.”
“Yes. It is good to see you again. I trust you have been well?”
“The journey here must have been arduous. You have my gratitude for your efforts.”
His words of concern for Lucian were far warmer than any greeting extended to Iolet.
Lucian appeared uncomfortable, glancing nervously at Iolet. The Commander ignored even this.
“Then let us proceed. As for where Your Highness shall reside—”
“You may have received royal orders, but His Majesty the King has delegated to me all diplomatic authority over the Border Territory.”
Iolet cut off the Commander’s words.
The Commander-in-Chief flinched at the chill in her gaze.
“Though we have formed an alliance with the Kalande Kingdom, the detailed terms must be coordinated before the formal marriage takes place. Therefore, I wish to review the complete operational records of the Northern Command Tower for the past ten years.”
Of course, the King had entrusted no such task to Iolet.
‘But he did not forbid it either.’
Then it would be done. What did she care for the King’s intentions?
This place lay far from the Capital, and it took ten days to journey there and back to confirm the King’s will.
In a place where royal authority could not reach directly, there was nothing one could not do—just as the soldiers of the Command Tower had grown complacent and forgotten their duties entirely.
The Commander merely furrowed his brow slightly, offering no objection.
“Shall we begin the work immediately, Your Highness? Would it not be better to rest from your travels first?”
“There is no need. The sooner matters are handled, the better.”
“Then I shall prepare everything at once.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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