The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 95

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

Chapter 95

“….”

Due to Chezare’s lack of response, Garo grew nervous as well. Surely that crazy lord of his wouldn’t dare to be insolent even to the Queen Mother.

“It was an honor.”

However, when a cool voice was heard without delay, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

The Queen Mother turned toward the crowd filled with joy.

“We must end today’s banquet here. Everyone go back and have a comfortable night. Won’t the people be delighted when they hear of today’s auspicious event?”

“Of course!”

The people shouted in unison.

Since those who attended today’s banquet were also seasoned nobles, they immediately understood the Queen Mother’s intentions.

“Mother, Kazen’s delegation hasn’t left Valdina yet, and if we humiliate them like this, relations between our two countries will deteriorate.”

The Regent interjected urgently.

“You witnessed with your own eyes the ugliness of those who cry for cooperation while trampling down our Valdina, yet you’re still lacking? They don’t care about our circumstances, so why should we need to?”

The Queen Mother coldly rebuked the Regent and walked past him. Catherine and the Samon siblings were also ignored.

“Hoakin, to worry about the Kazens even in this situation, you’re truly generous. But when Princess asked you for help, why wasn’t that generosity displayed?”

Count Montega spoke without hiding his contemptuous eyes.

It wasn’t a question, as he left without any intention of hearing the Regent’s answer.

Starting with him, people left the banquet hall like a receding tide. Many sympathized with Count Montega’s criticism.

“My, my lord. Please don’t be too disheartened. Everyone is just excited because of today’s wager.”

His retainers approached cautiously and tried to comfort the Regent, but he only glared at the empty hall with eerie eyes.

“Medeia…. You truly….”

* * *

Princess’s Palace.

Despite the palace being filled with joyful exclamations everywhere due to Medeia’s victory, only the Princess’s bedroom remained gray.

“What should we do, the wound is deep…. Your Highness, how did you endure it?”

Saya sniffled.

She thought the sword had only lightly grazed, but when they returned and checked, the flesh was torn.

“There’s not much holy water left either, so there will be a scar.”

Saya felt like her heart would break thinking about the scar that would remain on that smooth arm without a single blemish.

Everyone only knows how to enjoy and celebrate! Our Princess is hurt and in pain like this!

Neryl was also in a devastating mood. Her Princess always used even herself as a chess piece without hesitation.

As long as she could capture the king, she didn’t care at all about being broken in the process.

Neryl knew.

When the 4th Princess swung her final sword, Medeia deliberately didn’t dodge.

This was a move that Medeia had hidden alone, not even revealing it to Neryl.

‘It must have been to draw out the 4th Princess’s panic and further imprint that image on the audience.’

Since the Princess had shed blood,

it wouldn’t be easy for the Empire to later dismiss today’s duel as merely a childish contest between young girls.

It was undeniably the optimal action to achieve layered objectives.

So the result also flowed exactly as Medeia had predicted.

Neryl didn’t know whether to be amazed at her master’s precision in achieving exactly what she intended, or to stand in the way of her master who was increasingly running without restraint.

But one thing was certain,

the Princess’s back as she faced the Kazens alone in the hall looked very small and lonely.

It was the back of a leader. The weight of a prophet.

So inadequate as I am, even if I stood behind her, I couldn’t dare to match her pace.

The Princess’s efforts to save Valdina from crisis beneath the surface would probably never receive proper recognition.

Even knowing this, it was pitiful and sad to see her master preparing to take the next step silently.

It was when Neryl blinked to hide her reddened eyes.

Something rolled toward the sniffling Saya.

The blue liquid swirling in the small medicine bottle was… holy water?

“Use this.”

Then, the maids jumped at the rich voice heard by their ears.

It was because they discovered the white half-mask leaning against the bedroom window, the Mercenaries of Pasad who had decorated the finale of today’s banquet.

It was the moment when Neryl, who had instantly drawn her sword, was about to rush at Chezare.

“Neryl, Saya. Both of you go out.”

“Your Highness-!”

Medeia alone was calm.

Seeing her unsurprised reaction, Neryl realized this wasn’t the first time this impudent intruder had found her master’s bedroom.

“This shameless-!”

“Hurry.”

At the repeated command, Neryl barely sheathed her sword. But she didn’t forget to glare at Chezare.

“If you do anything improper to Her Highness, I’ll burn all of Facade.”

Then she added a deadly threat until the very last moment of leaving.

“You have a good subordinate.”

Chezare praised. It wasn’t easy to find someone loyal enough to fearlessly challenge him even after seeing his performance today.

Medeia silently gazed at him. The moonlight eerily illuminated her face, pale as death.

She looked like a night fairy foretelling death.

There was a sense of precariousness, as if she might crumble away at any moment. A cold chill arose in his chest.

“How should I repay kindness that was never requested?”

However, as if that was only Chezare’s delusion, the Princess asked him with clear eyes.

It was only a question in form; the meaning was clear.

It meant not to expect repayment since he had helped her on his own when she never wanted it.

Yes, this was the Princess he knew. Chezare swallowed his laughter and tapped the light green handkerchief tied to his arm.

“I’ll consider it received.”

Chezare had gained more when Medeia crushed three at once – the 4th Princess, Jared, and Jason.

All three were hyenas constantly watching for opportunities to undermine the 1st Prince’s power.

“What would you have done about today’s matter if I hadn’t intervened? Did you think that maid could win against Kazen’s 1st Corps general?”

“Jared is a bit lacking to be called 1st Corps.”

Medeia smiled faintly and picked up the holy water he had given her earlier.

“I would have needed a bit more holy water, but the result would have been the same. I won’t refuse this.”

Medeia unwrapped the bandage. The red wound on her white arm was revealed.

Though it was hideous, she thought he wouldn’t mind since he had also seen her self-inflict wounds on her hand.

“Was deliberately targeting Jared’s right hand also in that context?”

The hand holding the holy water bottle hesitated.

During the duel, Chezare had understood Medeia’s instruction exactly.

No, beyond understanding, he had handled it excessively. He had completely blown off Jared’s ring finger.

Originally, Medeia’s plan was to inflict a deep injury on the ring finger.

With the injury combined with the medicinal properties of violeta and belladonna, Jared’s finger would gradually stiffen and eventually stop moving altogether.

‘I chose a deliberately slow method to prevent them from knowing I did it.’

Since Facade took the blame instead, Medeia was able to slip away from suspicion gracefully.

“He was already unstable due to his previous injury, and now without one finger, it’ll be difficult for him to wield a sword again.”

For a swordsman, it was a result more fatal than death.

“How truly unfortunate.”

Medeia answered with an indifferent face. Rather, blazing flames rose in her green eyes. Even malicious delight could be felt.

“I’m sending a subordinate, so keep him by your side.”

“Are you worried Jared might retaliate against me? I’m not afraid.”

She truly wasn’t afraid. Rather, she looked forward to it. Now she had no intention of standing by and watching anything.

However, Chezare was rather speechless seeing Medeia burning with competitive spirit.

“Have you forgotten that as of today, you’ve completely turned Kazen into an enemy? Your enemy now isn’t just the disabled 10-star knight.”

He could somewhat empathize with the feeling of tearing one’s hair and beating one’s chest that Garo must have whenever he looked at him.

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