The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 45

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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 45

“So many things have been happening around Your Highness lately. You’ve even collapsed several times, so this aunt of yours has been so worried.”

She elegantly placed her hand on her chest as if truly concerned.

“So to ward off bad luck and celebrate Your Highness’s recovery, our House of Claudio has prepared a small banquet. Only for our Princess.”

‘There’s no way Medeia, starved for affection, would refuse this.’

Catherine was confident. She had already received permission from the Queen Mother.

“Mother-in-law, we must show the world how much the royal family cherishes Your Highness. Then no one will dare treat Your Highness lightly.”

The perceptive woman had cleverly used her mother-in-law’s wariness to her advantage.

‘…The second son’s wife is taking the initiative to care for Medeia like this. Was I mistaken?’

The Queen Mother was swayed by the sincerity that seemed to wish only for her niece’s wellbeing.

Moreover, their justification was sound. The Queen Mother thought it necessary to show Medeia’s status to the capital once again.

‘Was I too harsh? These children haven’t harbored any truly wicked dreams yet.’

Naturally, her wariness toward the second son’s couple also softened.

Having deceived even such a meticulous mother-in-law, Catherine had nothing to worry about.

‘Starting today, Medeia will be alone again. Count Montega will turn his back on her too, and our Virna will monopolize the Queen Mother’s love once more.’

She didn’t even notice that her niece’s gaze toward her had grown cold as she inwardly rejoiced.

‘The celebration banquet you arranged for me, I remember it very well.’

Medeia bit her lips firmly.

Though the situation had changed greatly from her previous life, the same banquet had been held back then too.

In her previous life, it had remained only as a nightmare.

Medeia had worn the dress they ‘gifted’ her and attended the banquet they had prepared.

The sparkling chandeliers and champagne flowing like waterfalls, the dress sprinkled with diamond dust – thinking it was all love and affection directed at her made her heart swell.

At that moment…

Someone sneered at Medeia, calling her a villainess who drank the people’s blood, and the mockery grew louder.

Startled, Medeia stepped backward, and her dress tore when she accidentally stepped on it.

So easily, as if someone had deliberately made it tear.

Even amid the cold laughter, no one stood up for Medeia.

She was too young to bear the loneliness of being abandoned alone in the crowd.

Not knowing what to do, Medeia was finally able to escape the banquet hall with Catherine’s belated help.

In a miserable state with her dress half-torn and her face wet with tears.

After that day, Medeia completely shut herself away in the palace, engaging only in minimal external activities.

Rather than face people’s mockery and contempt, she wanted to protect at least her wounded pride by voluntarily meeting no one.

‘And then Virna began acting as princess in earnest.’

Seeing her aunt’s triumphant face, Medeia realized she was plotting the same scheme this time too.

The Claudio mother and daughter had no idea that she was hearing all about the banquet’s proceedings from Lady Pinatelli.

Medeia pretended to know nothing about the banquet and deliberately raised her voice.

“The banquet is this evening? That’s rather sudden. I haven’t heard anything about it.”

“Hmph, that’s because Your Highness always stays cooped up in the palace, saying you dislike crowded places.”

“Virna!”

Catherine shot a sharp look at her daughter. Virna pouted and closed her mouth.

“The banquet is a surprise gift from our House of Claudio to Your Highness.”

Catherine affectionately stroked Medeia’s shoulder and gestured to the maids.

The maids brought several boxes with large ribbons.

“Look here, we’ve prepared everything so Your Highness won’t be inconvenienced. Come now.”

Preparation. Medeia smiled slightly.

When expectation filled the princess’s sparkling eyes, Catherine felt relieved.

Look at those moved eyes. The only people who think of her this way are our family.

Indeed, there was nothing to worry about.

They then headed to the salon to prepare for the banquet.

Upon arriving there, Medeia turned to the maids who had followed and said.

“Wait. Today, Mariyu will help me.”

Medeia pointed to Mariyu.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mariyu answered quietly with her head deeply bowed.

Virna and Catherine, who recognized her face, briefly exchanged glances.

They knew that Medeia had personally asked the Queen Mother to release Mariyu from prison.

‘To forgive a maid who betrayed her and keep her close again, how stupid can she be?’

While sneering, they felt relieved.

The princess being so weak to human emotions was never a bad thing for them.

“Your Highness, I have preparations remaining, so I’ll go ahead. Virna here will serve Your Highness devotedly.”

Catherine gestured to her daughter.

‘Don’t forget, Virna. You must make sure to dress Medeia in that dress and bring her.’

‘I know, I know! My ears are going to fall off.’

Having heard it countless times since leaving the duke’s house, Virna nodded with an exasperated look.

After Catherine left, the salon’s seamstresses helped with Medeia’s grooming.

“You’re beautiful, Princess.”

Under the professionals’ touch, her eyes sparkled even more.

Perhaps it was her intelligent gaze, uncovered even by makeup, that made her shine brighter.

The seamstresses moved busily for the climax.

“Princess, this is the dress Lady Claudio prepared.”

When the curtain was drawn back, a silver dress sprinkled with fine diamond dust shone so brilliantly it hurt the eyes.

“Oh my!”

“So beautiful…”

Gasps erupted from everywhere.

“…Mother’s gift to Your Highness. She wants you to wear this to tonight’s banquet.”

Virna added the explanation with a reluctant expression.

“Quickly, quickly try it on, Your Highness!”

Unable to take their eyes off the shining dress, the maids urged the princess.

Watching Medeia change into the dress, Virna tried hard to think to herself.

‘It won’t suit her anyway. She’ll look rustic and ridiculous like a duck wearing clothes.’

Rustle,

However, contrary to her expectations, the silver-haired girl reflected in the mirror looked as mystical as a snow fairy.

The dress suited Medeia perfectly, as if custom-made.

The maids exclaimed in admiration.

“It’s as if all the starlight in the world was gathered and sprinkled on Your Highness. And the fit is perfect too.”

Of course it was. It was a perfect trap that Catherine had prepared specifically for Medeia.

Medeia felt the dress’s shoddy material rustling and swallowed a bitter laugh.

Instead of the generously sprinkled jewel dust making it sparkle, the fabric’s durability was pathetic.

If someone stepped on it or applied a little pressure, it would tear with a rip, unable to withstand it.

“…Really…pretty, Your Highness.”

Virna bit her lips and forced out the compliment.

‘Why does that girl who’ll amount to nothing have to wear something so expensive and pretty?’

How could such luxury be fitting for a lowly bastard?

“Miss Virna, we brought your dress too. You should hurry and prepare as well.”

Virna looked back and forth between her sky-blue dress and Medeia’s diamond dress.

If she entered wearing that alongside Medeia, she would look like an insignificant maid.

‘Why should I be Medeia’s supporting character? What am I lacking!’

Not knowing that Medeia’s dress was a tool containing her mother’s scheme, Virna was about to storm out when she couldn’t stand it anymore.

“No. I’ll wear that today. Mariyu, bring what we saw earlier.”

When Medeia gestured, Mariyu quickly brought another dress.

It was a black satin dress composed of draping without any particular ornamentation.

The salon’s seamstress was deeply worried.

“How could this be… Your Majesty, if we in our foolishness have somehow hurt Your Majesty’s feelings, please forgive us.”

“It’s not because of you all, so don’t worry.”

Medeia waved her hand dismissively.

“You’re going to wear that dress?”

Virna interjected.

“But this is a dress that mother prepared by making inquiries all the way to the Empire for Your Majesty. It would be such a waste to just put it away like this.”

Virna tried her best to somehow get her to wear the dress again.

Apart from jealousy, she recalled her mother’s repeated entreaties.

“Ever since the fall from the horse, my physical condition hasn’t been the same as before. It’s pretty, but it’s too heavy for me to move around properly.”

Medeia shook her head back and forth.

Her frowning expression even showed slight irritation.

“But it’s a gift from Aunt, so I can’t not show it off either, what should I do…”

Medeia made a troubled face.

“If that’s really the case… Virna, would you like to wear it?”

“…Me?”

For a moment, Virna was tempted.

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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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