The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 65

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 65

* * *

“It seems things went well.”

Neryl greeted Medeia as she emerged from the prison.

“What makes you think that?”

“Your Highness’s face looks bright.”

Medeia’s white face, bathed in moonlight, glowed eerily.

Yet somehow, an overwhelming sense of exhilaration could be felt.

“Yes, there was an unexpected harvest. Last night, you seem to have made quite an impression. Thanks to you.”

“Not at all, I merely followed Your Highness’s orders.”

At the praise, Neryl bashfully touched her sword sheath.

“But a written pledge…”

The leash the Minister had spat out to save his life was unexpectedly the key to destiny.

“So that’s why it was so difficult to win them over.”

The moment they conspired treason and even wrote their names, if the rebellion didn’t succeed, their fate would be nothing but death.

‘Uncle must have wanted to weed out the fence-sitters and solidify his position.’

But he probably didn’t know it would become his own noose.

“I can bring down the Regent.”

Could there be clearer evidence of treasonous intent than a written pledge with their names on it?

“Yes. Once the written pledge surfaces, even public opinion sympathizing with the Duke won’t easily arise.”

If she wanted to completely uproot Claudio’s power now, there could be no more complete and certain evidence than this.

Neryl fastened her sword sheath back to her waist. The metal clanked as it hit her belt.

“Your Highness. I’ll go there and retrieve it.”

The Minister had confessed that he hid the written pledge in an inner space of Count Etienne’s estate.

“There’s a magic circle in my office that can transport to where the written pledge is hidden. However, that place…”

“No, I’m going too.”

“That won’t do. Both the time and place are too dangerous for Your Highness.”

Neryl’s expression grew serious.

“Sisear will dispatch another investigation team. We need to move before the Count’s estate is sealed off, so there’s no time to spare.”

Moreover, the Minister’s mansion, which belonged to an old family in Valdina, had been renovated multiple times internally, making it difficult for intruders to escape.

That’s probably why they agreed to store the written pledge at the Minister’s mansion.

“The same applies to Your Highness.”

“No, I know how to get out of there. I’m familiar with the interior.”

“What? How?”

Instead of answering Neryl’s question, Medeia only smiled bitterly.

In her past life, after stealing the Philosopher’s Stone, Medeia secretly escaped the royal palace and reunited with Jason.

The two hid in the Minister’s mansion to avoid Peleus’s pursuit and soon fled to the Empire.

And the person who suggested that was Uncle Claudio.

‘Back then, I thought they were helping me escape for my sake.’

Not knowing I was being played by their plan from start to finish.

“Are you going right now?”

“Yes. Uncle’s side knows the written pledge is there too. I need to steal it before Uncle’s side makes their move.”

Neryl nodded.

“…I’ll escort you to the mansion.”

“Prepare properly, Neryl.”

Medeia glanced at the sword sheath at Neryl’s waist.

“Tonight, you might need to use that.”

Near midnight, a carriage quietly departed from near the royal palace.

* * *

Inside the high walls of the Rose White Manor in District 2, a deadly scene was unfolding.

Two men were fiercely crossing swords.

“Hah, haah…”

Ragged breathing mixed with the harsh metallic sounds that painfully pierced the ears.

Alpha struggled so hard against the relentless rain of sword strikes that his footprints dug deep into the training ground floor to avoid being pushed back.

Then, Garo walked out from inside.

His face darkened briefly as he glanced toward Alpha.

If the curse hadn’t been eating away at Chezare’s body, Alpha wouldn’t have had the luxury of gasping for breath this long.

‘The match would have been decided the moment he drew his sword.’

“My lord, I’ve lost.”

Alpha, who had finally dropped his sword, conceded defeat.

Chezare nodded slightly and gestured with his chin for him to pick up the dropped sword.

“News from the palace.”

Garo approached Chezare with a playful expression, a newspaper tucked under his arm.

Alpha noticed and stepped back.

“Speak.”

“The Queen Mother moved Etienne to a special prison. The Regent found out late and tried to intervene, but he was banned from even entering the palace, let alone approaching.”

On the front page of the newspaper was a ridiculous drawing of the Regent being turned away at the palace entrance.

“She brought in the Queen Mother to block the Regent’s influence. Instead, she completely isolated the Minister. The Princess never intended to grant the favor from the start.”

Then, Terrence approached them carrying a teacup with medicine.

“There was an attack targeting the Minister at the newly transferred special prison. But I suspect the Princess was behind it.”

“And?”

Terrence rubbed his drooping eyebrows. He seemed to be pondering how to convey this.

“Just get to the point, Terrence.”

“I’m worried. You speak favorably of her. But I know it’s only because the Princess isn’t currently in conflict with us.”

“…”

“If she stands in your way, you’ll eliminate her without hesitation, as if you were never so generous.”

Chezare already had a precedent.

When the old retainers who had cared for him since childhood betrayed him and tried to dethrone him, he took their lives without hesitation.

“What are you trying to say.”

“I just hope the Princess won’t be an exception.”

Terrence moved his lips then clamped them shut.

Did his friend, Chezare, know? That he showed sides of himself around the Princess of Valdina that he had never shown before.

Unexpected variables are always dangerous.

“I’m sorry, but.”

Silence flowed. The temperature of the training ground, which had been full of heat, dropped sharply.

“My interest in the Princess is because of Valdina’s Golden Star, nothing more, nothing less.”

At the cold gaze, Terrence moved his lips then clamped them shut again.

As if the small talk was over, Chezare turned around.

“Garo, what happened to the Philosopher’s Stone?”

Garo, who had been looking between the two, quickly answered.

“I looked into it, and the Regent doesn’t have the Philosopher’s Stone right now. He apparently offered it to the Minister to cover up the last banquet incident.”

“So it’s at the Count’s residence now?”

Garo nodded.

Chezare stood up.

“Don’t tell me you’re going personally? Boss, Alpha and Zeta already agreed to go retrieve it.”

“I agree. Chezare, didn’t you have an episode recently?”

Terrence also objected, but couldn’t stop Chezare’s determination.

“Leave my lifeline to others? Forget it. I’m going.”

“It’s dangerous. The Emperor’s Shadows entered Valdina recently.”

Garo rarely wiped the playful expression from his face.

“They’ve been persistently tracking us, and it seems they’ve finally figured out the boss’s location.”

“Is that so?”

Chezare snorted. The laugh that escaped at the end was sharp.

“I’ll be able to see some welcome faces.”

A handful of composure settled on his handsome face, carried by his well-shaped lips.

“Really! Are you going to lose your mind? You know those guys aren’t to be taken lightly. What do you think is the reason they haven’t stormed into Facade yet, even though they know the boss is here? They’re waiting for the moment when the boss comes outside!”

But Chezare was already walking away leisurely in the distance.

“Damn it, he doesn’t even listen to us with half an ear. Let’s go together!”

* * *

Count Etienne’s Estate.

In the deep of night, two shadows stepped foot into the mansion.

Clank clank. Armed guards were walking in formation. Security was tight even at this late hour.

[Your Highness, I’ll draw their attention.]

Even after waiting quite a while, the guards showed no signs of leaving their posts, so Neryl spoke with lip movements.

Medeia nodded her head.

Neryl climbed up to the roof via the window on the opposite side like the wind.

Rustle!

“Just now, did you hear that sound?”

“It seemed to come from over there?”

While Neryl distracted the guards, Medeia successfully infiltrated the interior of the mansion.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————