The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 161

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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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Part 2, Chapter 8

 

Knock knock.

 

There was a sound of knocking on the door.

 

“Your Highness Princess, news has arrived from the border. The Temple Knights have reached the frontier.”

 

Medeia let out a short sigh at the news Diangel delivered.

 

‘Oh no, I’ve missed the perfect timing.’

 

The Holy Kingdom’s movements were too fast.

 

It hadn’t even been four days since Peleus returned to Valdina, yet they had already arrived at the border.

 

They must have been eagerly awaiting the Saint’s descent.

 

Once the Temple Knights arrived, they would immediately search for Rachel.

 

With this development, whether they staged murder or disappearance, time was extremely tight, making it difficult for Valdina to avoid responsibility.

 

‘The Empire’s proclamation ceremony is approaching soon. If we turn the Holy Kingdom into an enemy while confronting Kazen, Valdina will be at a disadvantage.’

 

Medeia had no intention of sacrificing the homeland she had worked so hard to raise just to get revenge on her past life’s enemy.

 

“…Your Highness?”

 

“You are truly… fortunate.”

 

The blade of the dagger disappeared back into her sleeve. Rachel didn’t notice the swift and secretive movement that occurred beneath the sleeve.

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“Your wounds haven’t worsened further. I’ll call the court physician again, so rest comfortably. The holy knights will soon reach the royal palace, and you must present yourself well, mustn’t you?”

 

Rachel bowed her head slightly.

 

“I am grateful… for Your Highness’s consideration.”

 

“Well then.”

 

Click.

 

The Princess left and the door closed.

 

The moment she was completely alone, Rachel, who had been leaning against the wall, slid down as if collapsing.

 

All strength drained from her body. Somehow, she couldn’t stand up. An inexplicable chill running down her spine seized her entire body.

 

‘Why…?’

 

There had been no threatening expression anywhere on that pale face.

 

Yet while Medeia was finishing her treatment, she couldn’t move a muscle, like prey before a beast.

 

“Why on earth…”

 

It was much later that Rachel regained her composure.

 

* * *

 

Medeia came straight outside after opening the door.

 

Bright sunlight and clear air rushed into her lungs.

 

That’s why Medeia discovered it a beat too late.

 

“Peleus.”

 

The figure of her brother leaning against the wall.

 

“Ah, Rachel’s wounds were deeper than expected, so I think it would be better to ask Sir Hestus to examine them.”

 

Medeia smiled brightly while explaining the reason for her absence. Then she turned her steps toward where the court physicians were.

 

No, she tried to turn.

 

“Dea, why did you try to kill that woman?”

 

If only Peleus’s words hadn’t stopped her.

 

“Kill? Brother, what are you talking about?”

 

Medeia said, shrugging her shoulders.

 

“The Temple Knights are approaching nearby, so who would think such thoughts? Unless they want to be known across the continent as the Saint’s enemy.”

 

At his sister’s rational answer, Peleus thought.

 

‘If she hadn’t heard the news of the Temple Knights’ arrival from Diangel.’

 

Would Medeia have answered the same way as now?

 

“Dea, there’s no need to deceive me too.”

 

Her brother’s eyes, focused solely on her, were a clearer blue than the blue sky.

 

Those sharp blue eyes that would find even the slightest darkness accurately pinpointed the murderous intent Medeia harbored toward Rachel.

 

“…”

 

“I will always stand by your side. I just want to know the reason.”

 

Being so hostile toward a girl she had never met, even trying to take her life in the end – it really wasn’t like her.

 

His sister’s actions in coldly striking down countless rebels including Claudio always had legitimate justification and reasons.

 

Medeia’s sharp sword had never once been directed at innocent people.

 

“…”

 

Instead of facing her brother, Medeia quietly lowered her eyes.

 

“What if there’s no reason?”

 

“That’s not like you.”

 

At Peleus’s confident answer, Medeia raised the corners of her mouth in a faint, mocking smile.

 

“Peleus, what if there really is no reason?”

 

“Dea.”

 

“What if I simply cannot exist under the same sky as that woman? Could you still understand me?”

 

Her cool voice sounded almost cold.

 

Peleus swallowed his surprised emotions at Medeia’s question.

 

Beneath her pale face, beneath the expression disguised as indifference, he felt like he glimpsed the abyss his sister had been hiding all along.

 

“Dea, what on earth happened? Besides Claudio, was there something else, someone else who tormented you?”

 

“…”

 

Medeia didn’t answer. No, she couldn’t answer.

 

This grudge also stemmed from her own foolishness. And her brother Peleus was a victim sacrificed due to her mistakes.

 

So this responsibility had to be borne by Medeia alone from beginning to end.

 

It wasn’t a burden she could share with anyone, especially not with Peleus.

 

It was karma she had to carry entirely on her own.

 

“Nothing…”

 

Medeia swallowed a silent breath.

 

“It’s nothing. I was just joking.”

 

Beneath her bright smile, she hid the sharp fragments of her past life.

 

The scars left by memories seemed to scream silently.

 

“Dea, you…”

 

“I’ll go back now. I’m a bit tired from moving around since early morning.”

 

With a gentle smile, Medeia turned around. Peleus didn’t stop her.

 

It was fortunate.

 

If her brother had stopped her, the composure she had barely managed to maintain might have shattered.

 

‘Don’t worry, Peleus. I’ll finish this with my own hands until the end.’

 

Even if it was a peace as fragile as thin ice that would soon break, if she didn’t drag her brother into her petty revenge, that alone would have meaning.

 

* * *

 

The Cottage House in Valdina Palace.

 

Prince Claudio and his daughter, who were once the owners of this place, had fallen disgracefully.

 

But the Cottage House still boasted an interior so splendid it was second to none in the palace.

 

Rachel, sitting in front of the vanity, bit her lips.

 

Even after returning to the Cottage House, which could be called entirely her own space, the chill running down her spine hadn’t subsided.

 

The figure of a beautiful woman was reflected in the large wooden mirror.

 

‘Why did I… fear the Princess?’

 

When she recalled the moment alone with her, her heart unknowingly pounded. Rachel drew in a sharp breath.

 

But the Princess hadn’t threatened or tried to kill her. Yet she found herself pathetic for being unable to relax her guard.

 

Rachel bit her lips. She looked exactly like a small animal that trembles in fear upon encountering a predator.

 

“Get it together. There’s nothing to fear.”

 

Rachel spoke to the beautiful woman reflected in the mirror.

 

“It’s not you, but soon she will come to fear you.”

 

Slowly.

 

The bandage Medeia had wrapped around her arm came undone, revealing a hideous wound with flesh split red and raw.

 

Rachel placed her hand over the wound. Then, a black mark in the shape of goat horns appeared on her palm.

 

In that moment, the air stirred as if twisting.

 

Hissss—

 

The hideous clots of blood stuck to the wound were sucked into the horn-shaped mark. The black mark devoured the blood clots like a greedy demon in an instant, then disappeared without a sound.

 

“….”

 

Rachel stroked her arm. The arm reflected in the mirror was white and smooth, as if it had never been injured.

 

“Ahaha, ahahaha!”

 

Even while frowning from the tightening headache, Rachel burst into quiet laughter.

 

“You saw that, right? Who would someone like me be afraid of?”

 

She looked down at her palm where the mark had disappeared.

 

Healing, miracles, divine power.

 

The power that the people of the Continent so desperately desired and revered was in her hands.

 

“Whether this is real holy power or not, what does it matter? I am the chosen one.”

 

Rachel thought of the Princess.

 

Those endlessly arrogant eyes that looked at her as if she didn’t even reach the tip of her toes.

 

“Medeia… oh, Medeia.”

 

That overwhelming presence that seemed to press down on her shoulders, radiating from her entire body.

 

“You know what? The only reason you can look down on me like that is because I haven’t taken anything from you yet.”

 

Herself, who had to pathetically bend her knees like a frightened beast beneath that presence.

 

“But you were ungrateful enough not to realize that, so now I have to teach you.”

 

If things had gone as they should have.

 

That noble bloodline and family’s affection, the loyalty of retainers and the love of the people—all of it should have belonged to Rachel.

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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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