The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 12

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

Chapter 12

“If you mean my mentor, I believe he is currently staying at a small estate outside the royal palace.”

After the former king’s death, Marquis Gilliphos retired. Since then, he never interfered in politics and devoted himself solely to nurturing future generations.

He was also a renowned national hero. There were still many in the kingdom who respected his incorruptible character.

Tap. Tap.

The light sound of an index finger tapping the table rang out rhythmically.

“I need to see him. Without anyone knowing.”

At some point, Medeia asked quietly.

“Would that be possible?”

“I will make preparations.”

Neryl nodded resolutely.

Through the window, Valdina’s flag hanging on the distant city walls could be seen faintly white.

“Pull down that flag! Bring down the corrupt Valdina Royal Family!”

In this life, the rebels under that fluttering flag would never cross those walls alive.

* * *

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Your Highness.”

A new maid entered, carefully holding up her dress hem as she walked stealthily.

As if showing that she was being cautious with every action, worried about upsetting Medeia’s mood.

“Your Highness, the wife of Prince Claudio has arrived.”

Medeia raised her head.

Claudio.

This familiar and dear name.

What business could bring someone who hadn’t sent a single word when she was whipping the Maid Supervisor, or when the Princess’s Palace was isolated due to her retaliation, here so early in the morning?

It seemed word had spread that the Maid Supervisor had removed all surveillance from Medeia.

“Tell her to come in.”

She became curious about what she wanted to say. Medeia’s eyes sparkled.

“Your Highness!”

Her aunt, Catherine Claudio, entered with bright makeup.

She was a striking beauty.

Nurtured by the noble marquis family, she had once been the flower who made countless men in high society weep.

The elegant dress hem fitted perfectly to her slender waist rippled gracefully, making it hard to believe she had grown children.

“Originally I wanted to come as soon as Your Highness awakened, but I too collapsed from travel fatigue… When I opened my eyes, it was already today. Please forgive me for coming so late in such a hurry to see Your Highness.”

She hadn’t collapsed, but was probably watching the situation unfold.

“It couldn’t be helped, Mother. Surely my generous sister would understand such circumstances?”

Behind her, a pretty girl with flowing pink hair entered.

“Virna.”

“Yes, sister. I came too. I missed you so much that I pestered Mother when she was entering the palace, you’ll understand, won’t you?”

Her cheeks, glowing the same color as her hair as if filled with sunlight, were lovely.

She showed signs of what would become known as the flower of Valdina, dominating high society in the previous life.

Medeia looked at her beautiful aunt and cousin sister.

“Ahaha! Acting all high and mighty as a princess, look at yourself now. Valdina has fallen, and your brother was torn to pieces by demons. All because of a stupid wench like you!”

Before her eyes stood Medeia’s mortal enemy, carved into her bones, who had not only betrayed her and brought the homeland to ruin, but had driven even her own children to death.

Deep nail marks formed under her calmly folded hands.

“Prince Claudio’s wife.”

However, Medeia showed nothing outwardly. She had no intention of ruining her plans with momentary anger.

Slowly, she would ensnare them until they were at their most miserable and painful.

Catherine hesitated for a moment, then drooped her eyebrows.

As if she couldn’t understand the reason for Medeia’s indifferent demeanor.

“Don’t address me so distantly.”

Delicate hands approached and grasped Medeia’s hands. Catherine used her other hand to embrace Medeia and pat her back.

A sweet and cozy fragrance emanated from the Prince’s wife.

Once, she had wondered if a loving mother’s embrace would feel like this.

But now she knew the foul stench hidden behind this kindness.

“Your head doesn’t hurt, does it, Your Highness? When you fall from a horse, even if you seem fine on the outside, there are many who suffer from deep aftereffects. You absolutely must not take it lightly.”

Catherine’s eyes were full of worry.

“I brought a physician to examine Your Highness. They say he’s a Divine Healer from the Kazen Empire who can make even the paralyzed stand up instantly.”

A Divine Healer from Kazen?

Medeia suppressed a laugh.

No wonder she came to find me so urgently, yet hasn’t mentioned a word about the Maid Supervisor incident.

‘So that’s what this is about.’

“Mother searched everywhere out of concern for sister Medeia’s wellbeing. He’s an imperial citizen with such a high nose that he refused to come to Valdina, so we spent several chests of gold coins, you know.”

“Virna, don’t say unnecessary things. If you wag your tongue carelessly and make Your Highness worry, you’ll be in trouble.”

When Virna complained petulantly, Catherine scolded her sternly.

“Mother is really too much. I don’t know who the real daughter is. Right, sister?”

Medeia didn’t answer and smiled sweetly. Virna, feeling awkward, pursed her lips.

Virna’s complaints, her aunt’s comforting,

‘I used to think this was affection.’

She truly thought they cherished and cared for her as family, like a real daughter.

But now, having experienced all of life’s trials, she could see the hypocrisy hidden behind her uncle’s family’s sweet words.

They exploited Medeia’s deficiency, starved for affection, by invoking real family.

The Kazen Empire, which bordered Valdina, possessed fertile lands and abundant granary regions.

Valdina, surrounded by mountainous terrain with cold weather, often requested aid from Kazen.

The Empire often arbitrarily demanded tribute under the pretext of aid, causing much resentment.

‘Last time they demanded three hundred young knights from Valdina as tribute.’

This was also why the former king and Peleus had started a war despite opposition.

To find a breakthrough by conquering the western plains and escaping Kazen’s interference.

‘In such a situation, having an imperial physician from Kazen treat Valdina’s princess? And from the hostile nation of Kazen at that?’

This was a time when resentment toward King Peleus was growing due to the prolonged war.

If the foolish princess’s conduct became known, people would immediately think of the king.

Medeia’s stupidity would become a weakness for her blood brother.

“Since he’s an imperial citizen, we couldn’t bring him in carelessly, so he’s waiting outside the palace gate now. If Your Highness is alright with it, I’ll have him brought in immediately. You all, right now-“

Though she seemed to be waiting for Medeia’s permission, Catherine was already turning toward the maid.

“No, Aunt.”

Medeia raised her hand to stop the maid and cut off Catherine’s words.

“Thanks to Neryl protecting and saving me, I’m perfectly fine. The palace physician who came by also confirmed it. If he’s such an excellent physician that he can even make the paralyzed walk, how about showing him to Grandmother first?”

“To the Queen Mother… you mean?”

She continued speaking naturally as if she hadn’t noticed her aunt’s hesitation.

“I heard from the maids that Grandmother has been suffering from aching knees and gout lately. They say several renowned physicians have visited but there’s been no improvement.”

The Queen Mother was thoroughly Valdinian.

Since the Empire’s exploitation had been long-standing since her era, she hated Kazen enough to despise it.

She was someone who wouldn’t even turn to sleep facing the Empire’s direction, so if she learned the Divine Healer was from Kazen, she would be furious.

The Prince’s wife who brought him would also be in great trouble.

“Your Highness still has such a kind heart. The Queen Mother already has excellent physicians, so you needn’t worry too much.”

“No matter how excellent they are, they couldn’t compare to someone called a Divine Healer. I was just worrying, but how fortunate that Aunt found and brought such a renowned physician.”

Medeia blinked her eyes, pretending to be a granddaughter purely worried about her grandmother without noticing anything.

“I’d like to go myself, but Grandmother would be displeased to see me, so please take him there in my stead, Aunt.”

Medeia pushed the Divine Healer into her aunt’s hands.

“Besides, when a Divine Healer has come, how presumptuous would it be for young me alone to receive treatment out of turn? The foolish would say I’m using my brother’s backing to control Valdina.”

That was exactly the reputation they wanted for Medeia.

“So while I’m grateful for Aunt’s kindness, it’s too generous for me to accept right now. Of course, you’ll understand, won’t you?”

Medeia blinked innocently.

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