The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 33

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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 33

“If the teacher doesn’t suit you, just change them.”

As if to say that was enough of that topic, the Queen Mother gave Lady Pinatelli a meaningful look.

“That aside, Medeia. For this nation’s only Princess, your appearance is far too modest.”

A plain dress. Her only accessory was a small pearl necklace.

Medeia’s attire, from head to toe, contrasted sharply with Virna’s carefully adorned outfit, drawing even more of the Queen Mother’s attention.

‘I can’t leave a Princess looking like that. Unlike Virna, Medeia has no mother to look after her… I must take care of her myself.’

Taking that as a signal, Lady Pinatelli approached and opened a large velvet box.

Dazzling jewelry wrapped in purple velvet was revealed.

‘Isn’t that Grandmother’s jewelry box?’

Virna’s eyes, which had been glancing around, widened in shock. These were pieces she could only glimpse during national events.

“Medeia, choose whichever one you like. This old woman will give it to you as a gift.”

It was an indirect apology for past events.

Medeia quietly looked at the Queen Mother, as if trying to gauge her intentions.

The Queen Mother felt as if she’d been struck when she saw her granddaughter reading her mood first instead of being delighted by the gift she’d offered.

‘Have I been so cold that this child acts this way?’

“Don’t worry and take a look.”

Only after she added those words did Medeia nod.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

Her careful examination of the jewelry box was as cautious as a kitten.

Virna was furious.

The jewelry box the Queen Mother had opened contained even the coronation tiara and necklace she had once begged to receive when she married.

‘Why give such precious things to someone like Medeia!’

Every time Medeia’s eyes touched each piece of jewelry, Virna felt as if her own possessions were being stolen.

She truly didn’t want to give even the tiniest pearl to Medeia.

What if that gloomy girl took the best piece first?

“Sister, if you don’t like anything, I’ll choose first.”

Finally, Virna couldn’t contain herself and pushed Medeia aside, quickly taking the front position at the jewelry box.

Fearing Medeia might snatch it away, she grabbed a large necklace.

“Grandmother, I like this sapphire necklace! Don’t you think it would match my eye color well?”

At that moment, the Queen Mother’s eyebrows twitched.

“How impudent!”

“G-Grandmother…?”

Virna’s eyes widened.

Her grandmother, who had never raised her voice once in her lifetime, was suddenly scolding her?

“Did I not say this was a gift for her? It’s not even your turn, yet where did you learn such ill manners to lay hands on the Princess so carelessly?”

“S-Sister wasn’t choosing… I was just…”

Her lips pouted, and her bewildered eyes filled with indignation.

“Sister? You should address her properly as Your Highness! Virna Robin Claudio!”

Thud! The Queen Mother struck the table.

‘Even when Medeia entered earlier, Virna didn’t even greet her and kept lying on my lap.’

Like a master receiving deference from a servant.

“Just because you’re in this palace, does that make your surname Valdina? Medeia is your master whom you must serve, before being your relative.”

“G-Grandmother…!”

“How long did you plan to act so recklessly and impulsively? Does House Claudio not know the proper etiquette between lord and subject?”

The scolding fell like frost, piercing her heart like a dagger.

Virna had never imagined that her grandmother, who had only doted on her, would point out differences in social status.

“Apologize at once. Show proper respect to the Princess.”

At the Queen Mother’s words, Virna bit her lips. Her eyes, filled with anger, welled up with tears.

Being scolded in front of Medeia was humiliating enough, but now she had to apologize to that girl too?

And with proper respect?

‘What exactly did I do wrong?’

She was even the daughter of a Prince and a Duke’s daughter.

Her blood was far more noble than that half-breed girl whose mother was merely a dancer.

“How can Grandmother treat me like this? This is too much!”

Virna ran out, resenting the Queen Mother.

“That thoughtless child. Tsk.”

The Queen Mother clicked her tongue and turned to Medeia.

“Your Highness. Shall I bring Princess Claudia back?”

Lady Pinatelli asked worriedly.

“Leave her be. She needs to learn the difference in status now. How long should I let her act according to her whims?”

The Queen Mother grumbled.

Though she hadn’t favored the Claudio mother and daughter as much as before since the palace incident, her underlying affection was still evident in her decision not to forcibly bring Virna back to scold her.

Medeia, who had been quietly observing such a Queen Mother, spoke up.

“Grandmother, please understand Virna. We’ve shared everything together since we were young.”

“Hm?”

“What I had, Virna also had, and what Virna couldn’t have, I also didn’t have. So your words must have been very confusing for her.”

‘What Virna couldn’t have, Medeia also couldn’t have?’

The Queen Mother paused for a moment, frowning, then spoke firmly.

“Whatever happened when you were young, things must change now. You are a Princess. Your path is different from that child’s.”

Medeia asked calmly.

“Grandmother. Virna has spent more time in the Royal Palace than at the Duke’s estate. If you tell a dog raised in a wolf pack that it’s not a wolf, would the dog understand?”

“…”

“Would other animals recognize that dog, born and raised among wolves, as a dog?”

The Queen Mother was left speechless.

She remained silent for a while, as if lost in deep thought.

Having thrown her grandmother into contemplation heavier than stone, Medeia leisurely examined the jewelry.

“Grandmother, may I choose this?”

Medeia picked up a purple fan placed at the edge of the jewelry box.

“A fan? Isn’t that too modest? Why not choose something better?”

“I like this one.”

Medeia fingered the cool handle of the fan.

‘Damascus steel.’

Damascus steel was strong enough to cut through rock while maintaining flexibility that prevented breaking, making it excellent for weapons.

‘I needed a weapon anyway, so this works out well.’

It seemed perfect to carry around and use for self-defense when needed.

“Well, if you like it, then so be it.”

Medeia expressed her gratitude to the Queen Mother and left with the fan.

“…That child is right. I shouldn’t have brought them into the den from the beginning. Not Virna. Not Joachim either.”

The Queen Mother let out a deep sigh.

‘Is Virna really the only one mistaking her place?’

Her granddaughter’s earlier words had awakened her vigilance.

Her wrinkled hands anxiously drummed on the table.

“Your Majesty…”

Lady Pinatelli observed the Queen Mother. There was no trace of a smile on her face.

“I must send a letter to my nephew Count Montega. Tell him to return to the Royal Palace.”

That night, a carriage carrying the Queen Mother’s letter to a member of the Royal Family left the Royal Palace.

* * *

Claudio’s Estate.

“Virna? What’s wrong? Stop crying and tell me what happened.”

When her daughter returned to the Countess’s Family crying and wailing, Catherine raised her fine eyebrows.

She had sent her alone to the Palace today since she couldn’t accompany her, wondering what on earth had happened.

But when Virna poured out the whole story, her expression hardened completely.

“How could you just storm out like that? Do you think Grandmother will overlook you acting so rudely right in front of her, no matter how much she dotes on you?”

She scolded her thoughtless daughter.

“And what did Mother tell you? I said not to give people any excuse to criticize your behavior.”

Of all times, to throw a tantrum right in front of the Queen Mother during this chaotic period.

“Do you think you’re in a situation where you can do whatever you please? Why are you so thoughtless!”

The very fact that even after Virna had stormed out like that, there was still no word from the Palace indicated that the Queen Mother’s feelings were different from before.

“And now there’s even Medeia. You’re not your grandmother’s only granddaughter.”

Even doing adorable things wouldn’t be enough, yet she had only done hateful things. All the effort of going back and forth to the Royal Palace until her feet were sore trying to win over her mother-in-law’s heart had been wasted.

Catherine nearly forgot her refinement and was about to strike her daughter.

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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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