The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100

* * *

Duke Claudio’s mansion, Virna’s room.

“Virna, you can’t speak so rudely to your godfather like that. Don’t you know who made it possible for you to return from the convent so early?”

Catherine scolded her while gripping Virna’s arm.

“Hmph, so I greeted him, didn’t I? You should be grateful I didn’t completely ignore him.”

“Virna!”

Virna frowned.

“Mother, I hate that man. Besides, why is he staying at our house? If he has money and power, doesn’t he have anywhere else to go?”

“That man! Virna, Count Raju is a noble of the Empire. Moreover, he’s someone the Emperor of Kazen values highly. Do you know how incredible that is? It’s equivalent to a duke’s position in Valdina.”

Catherine explained at length.

No matter what her mother said, to Virna it all looked like some Valdina commoner who had gained some success trying to curry favor with her.

‘How much flattery did that disgusting man shower on my parents?’

The way his face lit up like the moon whenever he saw her, constantly fawning over her, and trying to win her favor with gifts – it all just looked pathetic.

Really, did he think that I, the daughter of this country’s Regent, would associate with such pitiful blood?

“I also don’t like how he’s been drinking with Father every night since he arrived! Father isn’t even a heavy drinker, but he gets drunk every day! He must have some ulterior motive.”

Virna pouted her lips.

“The maid said she heard a woman moaning from that man’s room a few days ago. It’s disgusting and filthy. What on earth is he doing in our house?”

Virna vented her irritation without realizing she was slapping her mother’s cheek, then stopped and looked up at Catherine.

“Mother, but why does your face look like that?”

“Huh? Wh-what…?”

Catherine tried to cover her cheeks that were burning with shame.

“It’s bright red like you’ve been drinking.”

“I-it’s hot because the door is closed. And you, don’t say such nonsense in front of guests. You mustn’t be rude. Have you forgotten all the lady’s etiquette I taught you?”

Virna was annoyed that her mother wouldn’t listen to her at all, so she threw her pillow down in a tantrum.

“In the end, what can a lowly commoner do? He even sold out our country. When I become the Grand Duchess, I won’t associate with such traitors.”

Virna recalled Jason’s handsome face.

The Grand Duke of Kazen, whom she had only heard about, was extremely handsome. He had even visited the duke’s mansion recently and given her a kind greeting.

That perfect appearance, noble bloodline, and gentle manners.

Only then could she understand her mother’s words that there was no match for her in Valdina.

“Mother, by the way, when is Duke Castulo coming? Won’t he have any reason to come here again?”

Catherine could see right through Virna’s mind.

“Then be properly respectful to Count Raju. Since he’s the Duke’s close associate, if you ask him, he might bring the Duke here once more.”

“Kyaa, I understand!”

If she could see Jason again, she could put up with that disgusting greasy face a little longer!

While Virna was excited, Catherine asked with a dark expression.

“Virna, you said you hated your godfather just a moment ago, but your mind changed when I mentioned bringing the Duke?”

“Of course. Did you think I would bow and scrape to some lowly commoner when I have nothing to gain from it?”

“You really, he’s not a commoner-“

“Even so, the lowly blood flowing in his body remains the same. I understand, so stop nagging. I absolutely won’t show it in front of that man. Is that enough?”

Watching her daughter’s sparkling eyes as she held up a new dress, Catherine swallowed a sigh.

* * *

“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”

Just as Akaress had said he would send someone, a new maid entered the palace.

“You helped guide me at the theater last time, didn’t you? Thank you.”

Zeta swallowed his surprise.

To recognize him so immediately, even though he had been in disguise at the time. The Princess had remarkable perception.

“What is your name?”

“…Zeta.”

“Are you dissatisfied about coming to me after being under a master? If you want, you can go back.”

Zeta hesitated for a moment, then answered calmly.

“I don’t mind. My original master wasn’t Lord Akaress either, but his maternal grandfather. I received orders to protect Your Highness and will be faithful to that alone.”

Medeia sensed the aura of a strong warrior from the calluses and faint scars remaining on the maid’s hands.

Though she stood respectfully, there were no openings.

Yet she was skilled enough not to easily reveal that energy.

Her faint eyebrows and hair color seemed deliberately unremarkable to hide her presence.

“I’m sorry, but may I request a match?”

Medeia wasn’t the only one who recognized Zeta’s skills.

When Neryl, who had been persistently observing her for days, made the request, Zeta looked to the Princess as if seeking permission.

Medeia nodded.

“Sir Neryl, I’ll yield the first move.”

“I won’t refuse.”

Clang-! However, before they could exchange even a few moves, Neryl was knocked down.

‘Indeed, she belongs to Facade.’

The soundless movement was that of an assassin, and the sword she wielded was that of a knight.

Zeta flinched and observed Medeia’s reaction.

‘Oh no, I should have held back a bit, but the other side came at me too seriously…’

However, Neryl’s eyes lit up even brighter as she charged again.

‘A strong opponent.’

The confrontation with Zeta seemed to quench a burning thirst.

‘I need to become better than I am now to follow in Her Highness’s footsteps.’

“Please, another match!”

For a while, the clanging of metal didn’t cease from the small training ground behind the Princess’s Palace.

* * *

Meanwhile, Medeia’s other maid, Mariyu, was also quite busy.

She couldn’t refuse her lover’s call after so long.

“Mariyu! You stupid…! How could you attempt such a big thing without consulting me, and fail so miserably at that?”

After being expelled along with Quizin for trying to scheme against Medeia, Samon had angrily cut off contact.

He hadn’t even tried to check on his lover who had been punished with severed tendons.

But now, as if he had never forgotten her, he had returned to her.

“D-darling, a little gentler-“

“Won’t you shut your mouth?”

Her lover, who was handling her very roughly, was like a tyrant. Was he taking out his anger at the Princess on her instead?

Still, it was fine. If this was the price for not being abandoned, Mariyu could endure it.

“My goodness, Samon. What are all those wounds?”

A little later, after their rough reunion ended, Mariyu, who had been looking up at Samon with loving eyes, widened her eyes.

She had discovered purple bruises and wounds visible between his disheveled clothes.

Come to think of it, his face also seemed slightly flushed. As if someone had slapped his cheek.

“Who dared to hit you?”

Was this why he hadn’t undressed?

“Are you crazy? This is the palace. Where would you dare touch?”

Slap. Samon irritably swatted away the hand reaching out with concern.

His pride was hurt that Mariyu had discovered evidence of how the 4th Princess had treated him like a dog.

Mariyu hastily pulled her hand back.

“S-sorry. I… I haven’t seen you at all lately, so I was worried…”

“Move aside. I don’t need such presumptuous concern, so please just do your job properly.”

Samon snapped angrily and rushed out.

However, in his agitated movement, something small from his pocket rolled and fell.

“Wait, Samon, you left this-“

Mariyu, who had picked up the small glittering object, stopped short.

‘…A hairpin?’

It was a luxurious hairpin embedded with rubies.

The craftsmanship was extremely intricate and ornate, not something an ordinary woman would carry around.

Mariyu’s eyes wavered aimlessly for a moment.

‘It can’t be. He only has me. Only me….’

Mariyu desperately shook her head and pressed the hairpin deep into her bosom.

She hoped the rising anxiety and suspicion would be crushed down just like this.

* * *

Valdina Palace, Duke Castulo’s quarters.

Jason’s aide, who had been busily going in and out of the palace for several days, whispered to him.

“Your Grace. I hear the Princess secretly transported a pack of wolves along the relief supply route. They say she brought them in covertly without Kensington knowing.”

Jason stopped as if frozen.

“Wolves…?”

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