The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 37

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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 37

Medeia suddenly recalled the story that his mother had once been a great beauty who caused quite a stir in high society.

Though he looked tired, irritable, and sensitive, she had to admit that Sisear was handsome.

And that he was one of the few loyal retainers who had remained faithful to Peleus until the very end.

Medeia knew that Sisear was currently suspicious of her.

Since he didn’t know what Medeia had experienced in her past life, she could understand his position.

In any case, their goals were the same.

To properly establish this country of Valdina that Peleus ruled.

If that was the case, then this troublesome task of eliminating his worries and reassuring him had sufficient meaning.

“The Valdina I want to protect belongs only to Peleus.”

Medeia spoke calmly. It didn’t matter if this sincerity didn’t reach him.

She had a duty to properly restore this country and return it to Peleus.

This was atonement and penance that she had to accomplish even if it meant dedicating her entire life to it.

An unbelievably deep regret showed on her delicate face.

“Sir, you don’t have to trust me. You’ll know soon enough.”

Her green eyes, filled with determination, even emitted a sharp blue light. Sisear swallowed his tea while hiding his bewilderment.

“….”

No conversation passed between them until he had completely emptied his cup of tea.

“I understand Your Highness’s intentions. However, Minister Etienne is a hereditary noble who has built his reputation for three generations, and he oversees the affairs of the Inner Palace. He’s not an easy opponent who will fall into Your Highness’s trap like Quizin.”

“….”

“Moreover, the Regent is Minister Etienne’s strong ally. If he falls too, the Regent will lose all control over the Inner Palace, so he absolutely won’t let that happen.”

That’s why Sisear himself had struggled against the Regent until now.

The Regent alone was overwhelming, but with Etienne joining forces, he had to defend against attacks coming from all directions.

Despite Sisear’s dissuasion, the Princess’s expression didn’t change.

“What if we could tear them apart? Would you still speak as you do now?”

Drive a wedge between the Regent and Count Etienne? Sisear shook his head briefly.

“Do you think I haven’t tried to sow discord between them? Their bond is solid. It’s not an alliance that will crumble in a single day.”

Given the current situation, the best they could do was maintain their own forces to prevent further collapse, let alone break up their alliance.

“Sometimes a single drop of water can divide rivers and seas. So don’t worry, and think about how we can bring down the Minister once he’s separated from Uncle.”

The opportunity will come soon, the Princess added.

“Your Highness the Princess… I thought you didn’t want the downfall of House of Claudio.”

“As long as they don’t covet our Valdina, I have no problem with them.”

Her tone was quite meaningful.

It seemed there had been a considerable change of heart due to this riding accident.

Where had the timid and weak Princess gone? Her previous appearance was nowhere to be found.

“Those who harbor disloyal thoughts toward this country must be weeded out. If Uncle happens to be among them.”

Medeia raised the corners of her mouth.

“It would be quite unfortunate, but so be it.”

There was no intention anywhere in those words to spare her uncle.

“Next time, it would be better to come this way. There’s nothing good about them knowing that you and I are meeting.”

Medeia held out a parchment with a small map drawn on it.

Sisear unconsciously blinked stupidly.

Was the Princess truly trying to drive out Claudio? Could he trust her?

“Your Excellency, I’ve brought hot water.”

“Come in.”

While Sisear removed his monocle and composed his surprised feelings, a maid entered.

It was the same maid who had brought tea earlier.

She walked with calm steps and carefully set refreshments on the table.

Trickle, trickle. Hot water spread over the tea leaves, releasing a deep fragrance.

The maid’s movements were natural.

Sisear recalled how Medeia hadn’t even touched her tea earlier.

“Shall I bring different tea?”

This was tea that the maid had personally roasted to suit his taste for bitter and light tea, so it couldn’t possibly suit the young Princess’s palate.

Originally, he wouldn’t have cared whether it suited the Princess’s taste or not, but now he was somewhat concerned.

“No. The fragrance is interesting. It seems like a scent I’m smelling for the first time.”

“It’s medicinal tea that the maid made herself. She brought it after roasting each leaf by hand, and I drink it because her dedication is touching.”

“Are you saying you’re such a compassionate person?”

“Do you just want to insult me?”

Medeia chuckled softly. The smile spreading over her lovely lips was so light that Sisear was surprised.

Had the Princess always been someone who smiled so refreshingly?

“I’d like to keep drinking this tea too.”

“I’ll have some prepared for you separately.”

“My maids are inexperienced and probably can’t brew it as skillfully as this, so I’ll borrow your maid for a while.”

Seeing the Princess gesture toward the maid holding the teapot beside her, Sisear replied.

“Actually, another girl is better at brewing tea. Since it would be troublesome for you, I’ll give you that girl instead.”

“No, I prefer this girl.”

The Princess insisted on the maid beside her with an expressionless face.

Sisear stared at her for a moment, trying to gauge her intentions, then spoke.

“She is someone I cherish.”

“So what? Sir, it’s just a cup of tea.”

The response came back telling him not to overreact.

As expected, this arrogant Princess’s temperament didn’t suit him. Sisear rubbed his temples.

“…Will you return her intact?”

Medeia lifted her chin.

Her haughty gaze seemed to ask how she could dare sully her dignity over a mere maid.

Only then did Sisear nod.

“Then do as you wish.”

* * *

A few days later, the minister’s maid came to the Princess’s Palace carrying tea.

“Raise your head.”

The atmosphere was peaceful, no different from usual.

Sweet floral fragrance brushing past her nose, soft carpet and gentle colors. On a small round table, all the tea sets needed for brewing tea were prepared.

Medeia’s white, delicate hand grasped a handful of tea leaves. A modest handful of tea leaves was placed on the tea strainer.

“Is this enough? Is it too much?”

“….”

At the same time, Mariyu, who was standing beside her, poured hot water over the tea leaves that Medeia had transferred.

Steam rose in wisps.

The fragrant tea aroma of the tea leaves circulated through the room. Quite thickly.

“How long do we have to wait?”

“….”

The maid couldn’t answer.

Trickle. Slender hands tilted the teapot at an angle.

Golden-colored tea water was poured completely into the beautiful teacup.

Sisear’s maid, who had been brewing tea, glanced at the tea water. The dark color, so thick that the bottom of the teacup couldn’t be seen, had an ominous quality.

“It’s… ready.”

“Is it?”

When the maid offered the teacup, Medeia shook her head.

“You drink it first.”

“What? How could I dare drink Your Highness’s tea….”

“Drink it.”

The Princess was resolute.

“By the way, this isn’t a suggestion—it’s an order.”

“….”

“Drink it.”

Sisear’s maid couldn’t hide her displeasure at the domineering attitude that left no room for argument.

“I don’t understand why Your Highness is persecuting me like this. I am a person of His Excellency, having served the Prime Minister for a long time. If His Excellency knew that Your Highness was tormenting me like this—”

“I don’t understand why everyone tries to show off their loyalty in front of me like this.”

Medeia, who had cut off the maid’s words, looked up as if bored.

Then she looked down at Sisear’s maid expressionlessly. Her hand suddenly knocked over the container of tea leaves.

Tea leaves spilled out, filling the space with a fragrant aroma.

‘Hallus.’

The memories of her past life overlapped with the face of the maid, who hesitated in confusion.

It was when the war between Peleus and the nomads was nearing its end.

Valdina’s young Prime Minister Sisear had contracted madness syndrome.

At this crucial moment when only the final victory or defeat of the war remained.

He secluded himself in the Tower, trying to hide his illness somehow while handling state affairs.

Then one day.

“Your Majesty, the Prime Minister—!”

Sisear couldn’t overcome the madness syndrome and took his own life.

He was in the prime of his life.

His death greatly shook the kingdom.

Peleus’s foundation was also shaken. Sisear was one of the few loyal subjects who supported the King.

Even Medeia, who knew nothing at the time, felt the void left by Sisear.

‘Sisear was far too young to contract madness syndrome. He didn’t have any other illnesses either.’

Madness syndrome mainly manifests in mages or swordsmen who have trained for a long time.

She had wondered how Sisear, still a young man in his prime, came to suffer from that disease.

‘There was a reason.’

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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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