The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 21

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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 21

While those present were absorbed in their various thoughts, she remained consistently calm.

The Queen Mother’s expression grew even more fierce.

“Are you making excuses? Do you need to be punished before you’ll speak properly?”

“If you wish to punish me, I will accept it gladly. However, I cannot tell lies as truth just to escape this moment.”

Medeia’s expression was resolute.

Even though her secret private life had been exposed, she showed no shame, humiliation, or even shock or betrayal at being reported by a maid she had trusted.

If she truly wasn’t innocent, could she be so confident? Had they misunderstood something?

Just as people began to have doubts, Medeia continued speaking calmly.

“But how truly coincidental this is. Lady Quizin is someone I disciplined not long ago for breaking royal law, and Mariyu is a girl I excluded from work and kept at a distance because she continuously caused problems.”

“….”

“How convenient that these two are the ones accusing me of having a man. Grandmother, can you truly be certain they are telling the truth?”

The Queen Mother then turned her head toward the Maid Supervisor and Mariyu.

“N-no!”

They cried out in unison.

“…We have evidence!”

* * *

At that moment, in Sisear’s office.

Steam rose from a teacup on the somewhat barren wooden table.

“So, when are you going to tell me? The reason you came to Valdina.”

Chezare, standing by the window, slowly extended his hand.

His straight index finger traced the frame where sunlight was breaking into fragments.

“Well, shall I say it’s because the weather here is beautiful?”

“You might as well say you went mad from war trauma.”

Sisear snorted.

“Oh my, you think I lack the sensitivity to appreciate beauty?”

“Nonsense.”

Sisear set down his teacup.

“If you were such an emotional person, you would have died at the White Night long ago.”

“Whoa whoa. Why are you all like this again?”

Garo, who had been examining the decorations above the fireplace, approached with a chuckle.

The Tower of the White Night.

Located at the edge of the continent, it was the Academy of the Nations that accepted only a very select few students, and its entire curriculum was top secret.

The tower’s existence was revealed only when its graduates spread across the continent and made their mark, but most of it still remained hidden beneath the surface.

Chezare’s origins, age, and everything about him were also shrouded in mystery. He even constantly wore a strange mask, so no one knew his face.

“Sisear. Aren’t you curious about my face? You’re the only one who doesn’t ask.”

“If I said I was, would you take off that mask?”

“No.”

“Then there’s no reason to ask a question that won’t be satisfied anyway, is there? It’s inefficient.”

“Hyung. You’d probably ask them to cut your coffin to the exact efficient size too, wouldn’t you? Huh?”

“You shut up.”

Though they had been together only briefly, the three were quite close.

And several years after graduation when they scattered and lost contact, Chezare returned as a notorious weapons dealer on the continent.

While Garo was the public face of the Facade trading company and Chezare was known as his mercenary.

Sisear knew that Chezare was the actual leader.

‘Who could reign above that monster?’

It was the same at the tower. Chezare always stayed one step back, but no one could easily surpass him.

Sisear erased the bittersweet memories.

“Explain why Facade’s mercenaries are digging around the royal palace. Right now.”

Public and private matters had to be clearly distinguished. A cold look lingered behind his monocle.

“You know very well that letting you stay here in the current wartime situation makes no sense.”

“And you also know that a nation’s Prime Minister has the power to smooth that over.”

“Chezare.”

“Tell me what you want, Sisear.”

Chezare spread both hands.

Despite clearly being a guest, he overflowed with leisure as if he owned this room.

Sisear frowned and pressed his brow.

“I really don’t get along with you.”

Chezare’s eyes were calm, as if asking ‘so what?’

“Hyung, do you think our boss would bat an eye at those words? Just curse at him. That would make you feel better.”

“Garo, your chattering mouth is still the same.”

“Aren’t you being too harsh only to me?”

While Garo placed both hands on his chest with a shocked expression, Chezare’s languid voice rang out.

“Sisear, the show ends here.”

Sisear sighed.

He could feel Chezare’s sharp edge hidden beneath his leisurely observation.

“I need your support.”

So now he had to tell the truth.

If he continued the act knowing he’d been caught, that monster would tear down the curtain.

“If Facade takes the rear, we can end the fighting before spring comes.”

As the war dragged on, Valdina had reached its limits both inside and out.

‘Moreover, the Regent’s power has grown too strong.’

Even the nobles sided with the Regent, fiercely building his influence.

‘So we must end the war as quickly as possible. His Majesty must return to the capital to grasp the shaking royal authority.’

The situation would have been better if Medeia, the King’s only sister, had played that role, but the young princess had long since fallen for the Regent’s manipulation and become his pawn.

‘His Majesty shouldn’t have given the princess the seal.’

What was meant to protect his sister had become a self-defeating move that strangled the King.

“Dear Sisear.”

Sisear turned his gaze.

The smile beneath the silver half-mask curved gracefully.

“Does Valdina have the ability to pay? It would be troublesome if you tried to settle the deal with friendship.”

If not for the cold voice, he might have mistaken the man before him for being pleased.

“Besides, that’s not all you want, is it?”

The air in the room grew cold.

His scattered voice seemed to be cut short and drop to the floor.

“Why did you refuse the Empire and specifically seek us out?”

“….”

“Ah. You’d use my mercenaries while also using us as shields? Sisear, you’ve planned well both inside and out, haven’t you?”

He immediately grasped Sisear’s intention to temporarily block Kazen’s interference by putting Facade forward.

“Thanks for the memories. You’re probably the only one still alive among those who tried to use me.”

“Then kill me.”

Sisear answered with an expressionless face.

“If Facade will move according to my plan with just one head, that’s more than enough of a deal on this side.”

“Ha.”

He couldn’t tell if what remained was mockery or a sigh. The cold air lifted.

“Hyung, that thing on your neck is so bothersome you could die, right?”

Garo mocked with an incredulous face.

Chezare leaned against the wall and looked at his old friend.

“Sisear. You don’t need to offer your neck. If you say you’ll follow me, I’ll move according to your way.”

“I’ve already sworn loyalty to His Majesty the King.”

There wasn’t even a flicker of expression on Sisear’s face. Chezare, who had already anticipated rejection given his rigid nature, raised the corners of his mouth.

“Want to escape Kazen’s interference? Then kill all the envoys and send them back.”

“Are you joking right now? You want another war? Valdina doesn’t have the resources for that. Especially against the Empire…”

Sisear glared at him through his distinctive monocle. Chezare answered indifferently.

“They don’t have the resources either.”

By trying to escape half-heartedly, the other side gets scared and tries to pressure us even more.

Chezare knew well that what determines the tide of war is momentum rather than military strength.

If Valdina had captured and killed even one of Kazen’s royalty, they wouldn’t be looked down upon like this.

Sisear let out a sigh.

“This is exactly why I said we don’t match.”

“Right, right. You always chose the weak side.”

“Weak? You say that even after seeing Valdina’s cavalry?”

“Those who cannot be ruthless, Sisear. The world calls them weak.”

“…”

Sisear looked at his old friend.

“Chezare, you really… are running to the very end of recklessness.”

If I were an ordinary person, I would have admired that cold-blooded man. It would have been difficult not to.

His endless arrogance, yet the ability and talent that backed it up, captivated anyone.

However, I cannot make such a dangerous gamble with the nation’s survival at stake.

“Besides, this delegation includes Kazen’s princess, grand duke, and even a general. It would be difficult to massacre them all without the Royal Guard.”

“Then change the target.”

Chezare shrugged his shoulders.

“How about the 1st Prince? I heard he’s just waiting for his day to die.”

“Kazen’s 1st Prince? Are you saying that with a sound mind?”

That demon of war who conquered dozens of small kingdoms before even turning twenty?

Sisear thought he was being too arrogant.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Garo coughed loudly.

His eyes darted toward Chezare with a look as if asking if he was insane.

Tap. Tap, tap!

“Your Excellency, the Princess!”

Just then, the office door burst open.

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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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