The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 288

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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 135

Similar to the fortress-like exterior, the interior of the palace was not much different, but only Medeia’s space had a distinctly different color scheme.

“This is….”

Medeia picked up a wooden doll that sat adorably on the bedroom table.

Not just the wooden doll, but she could easily find the items she had used at the Valdina Princess Palace inside.

“This? His Highness Chezare said to bring as much as we wanted! Anything that Your Highness the Princess would be familiar with.”

Moreover, the wallpaper, room arrangement, and furniture all seemed intended to minimize any sense of alienation she might feel in this foreign land.

“I tried to make it as similar as possible to the atmosphere of the Valdina Imperial Palace, but this old woman has never been there personally, so I could only make a rough attempt. I hope Your Highness will be understanding.”

A small elderly lady appeared from behind Chezare.

Her gray-brown hair was neatly pinned up high, and she wore a kind smile. Despite her small and frail frame, her eyes were impressively clear and steady as a mountain.

“This is Lady Tollin. She’s the maid supervisor who takes care of my palace.”

“Loraine Tollin greets the First Prince’s Wife. Welcome to Kazen.”

The elderly lady’s greeting to the royal was perfect without a single unnecessary gesture.

This was the first and most formal welcome she had received since entering this empire.

Gasp. At that moment, Umberto, who was standing behind Medeia, quietly drew in his breath.

“I look forward to working with you, my lady.”

Medeia nodded, thinking that this elderly lady’s identity was likely not ordinary.

“Please come out to the courtyard, everyone is waiting for Your Highness.”

Following Lady Tollin out to the courtyard, all the palace’s personnel were standing in formation.

“We greet the Princess Consort.”

Those lined up in the courtyard all bowed their heads to Medeia in unison.

Among Chezare’s subordinates were familiar faces including Zeta and Delta, but there were also quite a few she was seeing for the first time.

“We will serve as Your Highness’s hands and feet and follow your will.”

Their voices carried deep loyalty as they bowed deeply.

Regardless of gender, each and every one of them was no ordinary person.

Their eyes were sharp as blades, their voices firm as military commands, and their backs straight as well-trained swords.

“Lady Tollin and these people are trustworthy. Use them freely as you did in Valdina, whenever you need.”

Medeia nodded.

‘Since Kensington is someone who died in Kazen, there will be limits to how freely I can move.’

Since she had no choice but to move from the shadows, the First Prince’s excellent hands and feet would be of great help.

“I also look forward to working with you all. This is my first time here, so I’ll need a lot of help from you.”

They bowed respectfully again at Medeia’s greeting.

Though it was a royal manner of speaking, the First Prince’s Wife’s voice, like a gentle breeze, seemed to spread sweet energy in their hearts.

Moreover, the beautiful mistress even gave each of them a piece of mithril the size of a thumbnail as a gift for their first meeting.

“…My lord.”

Meanwhile, Alpha approached Chezare’s side.

When he whispered something, Chezare nodded slightly and spoke to Medeia.

“I have to go out now. Ask Tollin about the small matters, she’ll let you know.”

At Chezare’s words, the elderly lady bowed as if to say not to worry.

Still, as if he didn’t like leaving Medeia alone, Chezare frowned his smooth forehead.

He brushed away the butterfly powder on Medeia’s cheek.

“Her Highness is tired from the long journey, so everyone withdraw now. In the meantime, if there are any audiences from the Imperial Palace, don’t respond and just inform me.”

Unlike his careful touch, his cold voice echoed through the courtyard.

Chezare, who had cleanly brushed Medeia’s cheek, draped his outer coat over her shoulders.

The knights were accustomed to their lord’s cold commands.

So they unconsciously raised their heads, but upon seeing him caring for his wife, they hurriedly lowered their gazes.

Could their lord really be someone capable of such tenderness toward another person?

A light of surprise that couldn’t be completely hidden flickered and disappeared in their eyes.

“My lord, …are waiting.”

Alpha spoke again, drawing out his words as if urging.

Medeia could understand why he seemed quite anxious.

‘He must have been away from the empire for quite a long time because of the wedding….’

Besides Facade, the First Prince’s faction’s influence extended across the entire continent. Even now, matters requiring his judgment would be waiting urgently every moment.

“Your Highness, I’m fine, so please go ahead.”

“….”

Medeia took off Chezare’s coat from her shoulders and returned it to him.

“This seems like Your Highness would need it more… Don’t worry. You know, don’t you? I’m also… accustomed to this.”

This meant she had already experienced all the unfamiliarity and fear she felt when first arriving in Kazen after leaving Valdina in her previous life.

“I also have many new things to do, so Your Highness should finish your official duties and come back.”

There was also a formal tone as if she was conscious of his subordinates.

Chezare understood those hidden meanings and smiled bitterly.

What could be the reason he had stayed here since arriving at the palace, leaving behind the retainers who were anxiously waiting for him?

It was to impress upon his subordinates once again that Medeia had become the mistress of this place.

‘I wasn’t planning to show off, but if this is what I get in return, that won’t do, Dea.’

Chezare’s lips twisted mischievously.

Sharp thorns sprouted over his heart that had been as careful as if handling delicate flower petals.

“My dear, you mustn’t change so quickly. I told you to continue treating me comfortably as before.”

However, instead of being gently pushed away by Medeia’s hand, Chezare spread out his outer coat.

This time, he wrapped both sleeves around her shoulders and secured them so they wouldn’t slip down.

Chezare’s clothes were too big for her frame.

So Medeia, tightly bound in his uniform and unable to move, looked exactly as if she was completely enveloped in Chezare’s embrace.

When the solemn-looking coronation dress was covered by the black uniform, her round head and rosy cheeks stood out, making her surprisingly lovely.

Only then was Chezare somewhat satisfied. His mischievously twisted lips curved into an arc.

“Dea, you’ll gradually meet the retainers, so just rest for today.”

“Your Highness-“

“Shh. You should call me Chezare.”

His languid voice was stern yet gentle, like scolding a child.

“….”

“You’ll call me that again when I return.”

Chezare suppressed his laughter as he watched Medeia glare at him with her lips stubbornly pressed tight.

He lightly touched his lips to her temple and then left with Alpha, who had been growing increasingly impatient behind him.

“….”

‘If he leaves like this… how am I supposed to handle this….’

Medeia silently gritted her teeth.

Zeta’s mouth was hanging open, and the rest of the subordinates bowed their heads deeply toward the ground once more, trying to hide their surprised emotions.

Then, there was a soft laugh. It was Lady Tollin.

“Your Highness, please come inside. Now that the palace’s true mistress has arrived, there are matters waiting for your permission.”

She rescued Medeia with an appropriate excuse.

“Let’s… do that. Zeta, you stay, and the rest of you may withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Medeia tried to nod solemnly, but realizing that wrapped up like a child in Chezare’s uniform, it would be difficult to find any dignity, she quietly followed behind Lady Tollin.

* * *

The palace, the First Prince’s Wife’s office.

Lady Tollin handed thick ledgers and documents to Medeia.

“Until now, since the First Prince’s consort position was vacant, I have been managing the palace’s affairs, but from now on, Your Highness must take responsibility.”

Medeia hesitated.

When a prince has no official wife, the management of the inner palace falls entirely to the maid supervisor.

Moreover, the First Prince was someone with much more powerful influence than other princes. The authority the maid supervisor could exercise would have been correspondingly significant.

‘I thought I would need to take more time to gain the real power of the palace.’

Medeia hadn’t expected Tollin to hand over all authority so readily without hesitation.

This is because she already knows through countless examples that it is never easy. Especially for someone who has once tasted power.

“Loraine Tollin was the wet nurse of the late Empress. I heard she disappeared after Her Majesty’s death, but to think she was with the First Prince…”

On the way here, Medeia recalled the words Umberto had whispered to her in hushed tones.

When Medeia received the keys and books of the palace, she declined, saying it was too early to take over all authority for managing the palace and that mistakes could follow as she was still busy adapting to the Imperial Court.

However, Lady Tollin was firm.

She taught Medeia one by one the aspects she needed to pay attention to as the First Prince’s wife, pointing through the books. Her slightly excited voice even conveyed deep emotion.

“I am now too old and weary to bear this burden. I have merely endured until now, waiting for a day like today.”

The old lady smiled distantly.

“With these old eyes that saw His Highness Chezare’s first steps, I have now seen Your Highness standing by his side… I could ask for nothing more.”

“…”

“So now I wish to pass this burden to Your Highness and return to being a faithful servant.”

As if she couldn’t see Medeia’s eyes gazing at her, she continued speaking.

“Though the palace is not small in size, it cannot compare to the Imperial Palace. It will surely be a good experience for Your Highness.”

It was a statement premised on Medeia becoming the Crown Princess.

“…Is that your thought, or the thought of the late Empress?”

The wrinkled hands of the old lady, who had been smoothly turning the pages of the book while explaining, stopped.

Medeia also gazed calmly at her without avoiding her gaze.

Did the deceased Empress Eleanor wish for Chezare, who was both an adopted son and her husband’s illegitimate child, to become Crown Prince?

Would Lady Tollin, who had watched the two of them most closely, know that answer?

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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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