The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 184

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

Part 2, Chapter 31

“I’ve been curious since the last celebration banquet—what on earth happened to make them so hostile?”

The meaningful words spoken by Valdina’s Emperor caused people to stir.

Paollo suppressed his anger. Rachel’s beautiful face also turned pale.

Still, I’m the benefactor who saved the Emperor, so is there really a need to humiliate me this much in front of everyone?

She smiled pitifully.

“Please forgive us, Your Majesty. The High Priest simply wishes for peace between our two nations.”

“I understand. Of course, I have no doubt that the Saint feels the same way. Dea. Let’s go.”

Leaving behind words that somehow sounded sarcastic, Peleus wrapped his arm around his beloved sister’s shoulder and left just like that.

As if the awkward atmosphere left behind was something the Holy Kingdom should rightfully bear.

“Saint, I apologize. I made unnecessary remarks and worsened the situation.”

“No. The High Priest did his best. The Goddess too, in those distant ancient times, gave her blood and flesh countless times to humans who rejected her will.”

Rachel smiled gently.

“So what’s the big deal about having our intentions briefly misunderstood?”

“How can you be so wise and generous? Those people are foolish beings unworthy of receiving the Saint’s kindness!”

Paollo exclaimed in admiration while fuming. However, he didn’t know that Rachel’s insides were in turmoil.

The black mages had said that Valdina’s Emperor would be seriously injured today.

So tonight, she had planned to save Peleus once again and imprint her role as savior.

Rachel had erased that plan.

As she bit her lip, an unhealed wound seemed to burst, and the nauseating smell of blood filled her mouth.

‘Fine. Figure it out yourself.’

Rachel stared intently at Peleus’s retreating back. Even at the figure of Medeia, whom he protectively embraced.

Family. That girl’s one and only family.

‘If I can’t steal it away.’

It would be better to just destroy it.

* * *

“Dea, I’ll be back shortly. I’ll leave Diangel behind.”

Peleus insisted that Diangel must escort Medeia. He spoke with a wary expression, as if leaving his sister among a pack of wolves.

“Did you forget this is Valdina? Neryl is here too, and so are the Agema.”

Medeia shook her head. Where would you find a Captain of the Royal Guards who leaves the Emperor’s side?

‘Diangel should stay by Peleus’s side. I don’t know how the plan might go awry.’

Despite having made thorough preparations, Medeia didn’t forget even the slightest possibility.

Moreover, if Diangel stayed by her side, he might try to interfere with her plan.

Diangel was the Captain of the Royal Guards of Valdina’s Imperial Court. Unlike Neryl, who prioritized Medeia’s orders in any situation, he was different. It meant there was plenty of room for him to act independently.

“Go on, Peleus. We’ll be late at this rate.”

Medeia urged Peleus while looking at the attendant stamping his feet impatiently in the distance.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will serve Her Highness the Princess well.”

Even with the Agema’s assurance, Peleus seemed uneasy and frowned slightly.

“Understood. I’ll return soon.”

He was nodding when he suddenly raised his head. Then he glared menacingly at the crowd watching the two siblings.

The young nobles who received the sharp warning from the young Emperor flinched and hunched their shoulders.

After Peleus left, Medeia spoke to the Agema whose eyes were burning with vigilance.

“Don’t guard me too conspicuously. After all, today is the Continent Festival of St. Augustine, and it’s not a day to display Valdina’s authority.”

Creating discord would only increase Valdina’s enemies.

Now was the time to lower their eyes and pose as their friends.

“Your Highness the Princess, do you remember? We met at the banquet a few days ago. I’m Norfolk from the Sonia Kingdom.”

Despite Peleus’s clear warning, once he left his seat, they began approaching Medeia one by one, hesitantly.

“Of course, Count Norfolk. I heard that Sonia’s specialty is vodka—it would have been nice if you could have presented it at the continent festival.”

Medeia responded with a smile, quite unlike herself.

When the aloof Princess responded gently, they couldn’t keep their composure. Their faces quickly reddened and they mumbled without being able to meet her gaze.

“Of, of course. If we could open trade channels with Valdina through this opportunity, we couldn’t ask for more, no, nothing more, no…”

Medeia wore a small smile.

Vodka, which uses grain as its main ingredient, is mainly produced in cold climates. Through trade, Valdina could also find ways to utilize the barren North.

“Count Sisear would know more about that. Neryl. Guide the Duke.”

“Huh? I, I would rather stay with Your Highness—”

“I shall serve.”

With those somewhat clumsy words, Norfolk was led away by Neryl’s guidance.

Medeia was a bit bewildered that the envoys from various countries were more naive than expected, but she directed them to the right places.

“Lord Gillipos has considerable expertise regarding weapons. Ah, he’s right over there. Martin. Introduce this person to the Lord.”

“Ah, ah, yes. Th, thank you, Your Highness the Princess. But if it wouldn’t be rude, could I have a dance with you first—”

“Duke. Don’t you see the Lord already waiting over there? He’s even gesturing for you to come quickly.”

“Yes, yes?”

After that, countless people disappeared, pushed away by the Agema while unable to hide their disappointment.

‘Was their intention in approaching me not about national affairs?’

Medeia, who had hesitated, suddenly realized.

The gazes that kept meeting hers. The reddened cheeks. The fingertips that didn’t know what to do.

Today was the night of St. Augustine. A day when young men and women seek the lovers of the century.

She belatedly realized that she was included among the targets of those sparkling-eyed, blushing youths.

She let out a hollow laugh.

Unfortunately, such rosy emotions had long since worn away and dried up inside her.

‘Was I like that too?’

In their appearance, Medeia instead saw the past.

Was it all so obvious in my eyes? So that’s why they used me so easily.

“…Your Highness the Princess?”

“I apologize, but I seem to have overexerted myself, so I’ll have to postpone this for another time. Neryl, please support me.”

Medeia erased her thoughts.

“Ah… Then please rest comfortably. We were too presumptuous.”

At the polite dismissal indicating she had no further interest, people dared not say anything more. They soon left, unable to hide their disappointed expressions.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Neryl, who had seated Medeia in a beautiful chair prepared at the edge of the temple, looked at her with concern.

“Yes. I just made an excuse because I wanted to end the conversation.”

She had keenly caught the brief darkness that crossed her master’s face.

“Don’t worry about me. By the way, I don’t see the fox. It’s time for her to return after putting the rabbit in the burrow.”

Even in the midst of this, Medeia calmly pointed out as she scanned the crowd.

“Yes, I’ll go check right now.”

Neryl nodded.

“Right, you know, don’t you? There must be no variables today.”

Left alone, Medeia looked up at the altar where Peleus would give his speech a little later.

The splendid stained glass on the ceiling colored the space in various hues.

The massive statue positioned behind the central altar caught her attention.

The gray goddess statue stood firm, absorbing all the colorful light from the stained glass.

The dignity of the main deity seemed to flow out, both benevolent and strong.

Medeia stared intently at the goddess statue.

Then suddenly, there was a presence beside her. It seemed the guard who had left to bring something to drink had returned.

“Leave it there. I’m not in the mood right now.”

“…”

There was no answer. The presence that didn’t leave was bothersome.

Medeia raised her head. And she froze.

The brown hair reflecting the light from the stained glass appeared blood-red.

“…Mede, no, Princess.”

The man was about to say her name but quickly corrected himself to use a proper title instead.

The owner of that choked, parched voice was Jason.

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