The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 88

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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 88

The smiles immediately vanished from the faces of the Valdinians who had been feeling triumphant. The Queen Mother also shot up from her seat again.

“Ha, you dare to cross swords with me?”

The Kazen royals who fiercely competed for succession all received rigorous martial arts training.

The 4th Princess was also a skilled practitioner of considerable swordsmanship, though not quite at the legendary level of the 1st Prince.

On the other hand, the Princess of Valdina was…

“You fell off a horse and yet you’re confident you can beat me?”

The 4th Princess mocked, having heard the rumors about Medeia that had spread even to the Empire.

“I dare not hope for victory against the 4th Princess. However, as a daughter, if I cannot even draw my sword against one who has sullied my father’s honor,”

Her emotionless green eyes stared at the 4th Princess.

“What would be the point of my being here at all?”

The Princess was bewildered.

She was barely considering whether to forgive the crude words that had trampled both the Late Emperor’s and her own dignity, and now a duel?

To charge forward so recklessly – was this half-wit lacking in awareness or intelligence?

Then, a calm voice rang out.

“I have staked my life. What will the 4th Princess wager to avenge her father’s honor?”

The 4th Princess ground her molars.

They had each exchanged insults about the other’s father.

With Medeia taking this stance, staying silent would make her appear to be an unfilial daughter who didn’t care whether the Late Emperor was insulted or not.

“Ha! I accept your challenge.”

The 4th Princess gritted her teeth and regained her composure.

Taking a breath, she asked elegantly as if she had never lost her temper, even changing her arrogant tone.

“Princess, this may be a duel between princesses of two nations, but we can’t wager nothing, so how about we set conditions for a bet?”

Then, a brilliant idea flashed in the 4th Princess’s mind.

‘Since you’ve cornered me, you’ll have to pay the price too.’

“If you win, I’ll provide Kazen’s relief supplies without any conditions. But if you lose,”

A sinister cruelty flickered across the 4th Princess’s face.

“If I win, the aid will be called off.”

The banquet hall stirred for a moment. Gasps could be heard from here and there.

“How about it? Princess, do you still want to avenge your father’s honor?”

The 4th Princess asked with a raised corner of her mouth.

If the Princess refused the duel, she would mock her for being scared now, and if she accepted, she would naturally win, providing a legitimate excuse to refuse aid.

Either choice would cause great damage to Medeia.

‘Even I think this is an exquisite move.’

The 4th Princess was so pleased with her own wit that she failed to notice Medeia’s eyes briefly glancing over her.

‘I knew you’d ask this.’

4th Princess Angelique had a hot-tempered personality and strong pride.

That’s why in her previous life, she would often fall for Medeia’s schemes and get played.

‘Angelique, it won’t be as easy as you think.’

“Neryl, prepare my sword.”

A calm voice rang out.

“Your Highness!”

“Medeia!”

It was the surrounding Valdinians who were shocked instead.

Lady Pinatelli was so surprised she hurriedly supported the Queen Mother who nearly fell from her chair, and Sisear unconsciously gripped his glass.

The Regent and his wife were speechless at this bewildering turn of events.

Virna lowered her eyebrows with a frightened expression, but couldn’t hide the fierce joy in her eyes. How wonderful it would be if the 4th Princess’s sword ‘accidentally’ pierced Medeia.

Only one person, the party involved, Medeia, remained calm.

Not a trace of fear or confusion could be read in her brightly shining eyes.

Rather, her unwavering and steadfast posture contrasted with that of the arrogant 4th Princess, emanating the righteous spirit of a martyr standing against great injustice.

“Ha, you’re really going to do this? Fine, but remember this. Even if you cry and beg me to stop later, it will be absolutely useless.”

The 4th Princess was irritated by Medeia’s composed reaction.

Yes, let’s see how long you can keep acting so superior. Just as she was lifting her chin triumphantly.

“However, I’m concerned that Your Highness might go back on this condition.”

“Angelique Graeme Cazen, I guarantee it on my name! Don’t you trust me, a daughter of the Emperor?”

The 4th Princess asked sharply.

“Years ago, our people who left Valdina to guard the Empire’s embankments probably couldn’t have predicted it either. That Kazen, the continent’s powerhouse, would not easily provide the promised relief as time passed.”

Today, the relief promised by Kazen was not mere charity. It was rightful compensation earned through the sacrifice of Valdinians.

The Kazens who felt shame at the Princess’s point could not bring themselves to refute her words.

“Unless Your Highness gives me assurance that you will keep your promise, I cannot accept.”

Medeia said, looking at Sisear.

Sisear, reading the Princess’s intention, moved quickly.

“Your Highness the Princess.”

He presented a hastily prepared golden scroll to Medeia, and she unrolled it for all to see.

“It contains the betting conditions for the duel you just mentioned. Your Highness the Princess, withdraw even now. Once our seals are stamped on the words that have left our mouths, it can no longer be dismissed as childish games.”

As if she had been deliberately playing along with her tune until now, the Princess had a calm and mature demeanor.

The 4th Princess’s face turned red and blue.

Was that tiny girl now mocking her for being unable to take back her own words?

“Ha! Such trivial guarantees! You there! Bring my seal!”

The 4th Princess shouted irritably.

Kensington hurriedly grabbed the Princess and whispered.

“Your Highness the Princess, please reconsider. This is not something to act hastily on.”

“Move aside. I am the head of this delegation, not you!”

“Your Highness, you must not. Please reconsider once more.”

“I said move aside-!”

Then, Kensington flinched.

The large ring on the Princess’s hand, as she irritably shook off his hand, had scratched Kensington’s cheek.

“Really, why are you being so annoying…”

The 4th Princess seemed a bit flustered seeing the wound, but soon passed it off, perhaps thinking of the watching eyes around her.

And she strode forward and boldly stamped her seal on the duel betting agreement.

The Kazen delegation was surprised by the 4th Princess’s unilateral action.

But when even Count Kensington couldn’t stop the Princess, there was no one who would step forward to face the Princess’s glare.

Moreover, while the conditions were harsh, the duel itself wasn’t that significant.

The 4th Princess had a record of defeating even the Empire’s 4-star knights.

Beating a half-baked princess who was said to be confined to the palace would be a piece of cake, so why unnecessarily step forward and pour cold water?

‘We needed an appropriate excuse to refuse aid, and the Princess has shown wise wit.’

“Exactly, Count. Why did you have to touch a burning volcano?”

Some nodded in satisfaction, or subtly criticized her, saying Kensington’s concerns were excessive.

“Count, wipe this.”

Jason, who wouldn’t miss a chance to gain favor with Kensington, approached.

“Duke, please stop the 4th Princess. This concerns Kazen’s national interests, and if any variables arise, the 4th Princess might find herself in trouble.”

Duke Castulo was always thoughtful and wise, so he thought if he realized the gravity of the situation, he wouldn’t just sit idle. Naively, that is.

“Haha, you know as well as I do, Count. My words have no effect on Angelique whatsoever. It would be useless.”

However, contrary to Kensington’s expectations, Jason only comforted her with a troubled, helpless expression.

“Don’t worry too much. Even if something happens, I’ll ‘help’ Angelique resolve it safely.”

“…”

“Count?”

Kensington silently pressed the handkerchief to her cheek.

‘Not helping, but trying to steal the 4th Princess’s authority. Castulo, you’ve hidden your ambition well until now.’

She had discovered a handful of ambition in Jason’s heart that he hadn’t managed to completely hide.

‘Even the Duke, who had been keeping quiet all along, is now baring his teeth as the First Prince falls.’

Though they bear the name of a diplomatic mission, such fierce underwater power struggles are taking place.

‘I mustn’t get swept up in this chaotic political situation. I’m only here for Kazen’s national interests.’

She thought so, but the throbbing pain in her cheek awakened her.

‘Does His Majesty remember Kensington?’

No answer came, and though she had always devoted herself with silent loyalty, today she felt doubt for the first time…

‘The Princess of Valdina.’

It might be because of that small girl.

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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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