Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Translation: godsn
"Relief supplies from Kazen... have arrived. And this is a letter sent by the East Marquis."
"What? My maternal grandfather?"
Though the supplies bore the name of the Kazen imperial household, they had actually been sent by the East Marquis's faction.
To placate His Majesty's wrath, we must first demonstrate our sincerity.
Upon learning of her daughter's blunder, the East Imperial Consort had sought her father's assistance. Realizing there was no turning back after the written pledge had been delivered to the Holy Kingdom, the East Marquis had acted swiftly.
Samon and the princess hastily changed their clothes and rushed outside.
The seemingly endless procession of wagons stretched on without end.
The crowd that had gathered like a roaring tide filled the streets with deafening cheers.
"Long live Her Highness the Princess! She has saved us all!"
Behind the clamor, the murmurs of Valdina's citizens could be heard.
"Did you hear? Apparently, Kazen never intended to provide any relief in the first place."
"They kept delaying, even insulting our late king, but our wise and courageous princess confronted them—forcing the imperial princess into a duel she couldn't refuse!"
"Damn those bastards! Deceitful swindlers who can't even keep their promises!"
The people cursed Kazen, spitting in disgust.
Not only had she lost the duel and been forced to hand over the relief supplies, but now she was being insulted instead of thanked. The Fourth Imperial Princess felt as if her stomach were twisting in knots.
But then, another piece of news turned her stomach inside out once more.
"Urgent news! Urgent news! On the Great Plains, our Valdina army has crushed the Lasai Tribe!"
A report of victory in the war had arrived.
"Seems like the sun is finally shining on Valdina again!"
"Remember the Star of Victory, Esther's emblem, displayed at Her Highness's banquet not long ago? It was all for this very day!"
After so long without good news, the people's faces were filled with smiles.
Fury boiling over, the Fourth Imperial Princess hurled her parasol to the ground.
Crunch, crunch! She stomped on it wildly until the frame snapped. A broken fragment bounced up near Samon's feet.
"Damn that Medeia! I can't even kill that bitch—I'm so furious I could die!"
Samon's eyes gleamed imperceptibly. Casually brushing the fragments off his knee, he said,
"Your Highness, if that is truly what you desire... it may not be entirely impossible."
"What? Kensington said we can't kill the princess. It would only give the Empire grounds to tear us apart for violating continental law!"
"Of course, the Count is correct. But if the cause of death isn't directly tied to Your Highness... wouldn't that be irrelevant?"
A strange light flickered in Samon's eyes.
'Medeia must be dealt with.'
Since the last banquet, Medeia had risen meteorically as Valdina's undisputed hero.
Now, no matter where one went in the royal castle, her name was on everyone's lips.
Upon learning that the relief supplies had doubled, the people had begun venerating her almost like a saint.
'I can't let this continue. I must sever this tide of adoration for Medeia.'
To do that, he needed the foolish, violent woman standing before him. The Duke Claudio's faction would eliminate Medeia in his stead.
The princess stroked her chin as if intrigued.
"Go on."
She had taken the bait. Suppressing a sneer, Samon leaned closer to the Fourth Imperial Princess.
"I have an excellent idea. At the upcoming goodwill hunting tournament..."
News of Pelleus's victory reached the Duke Claudio's household as well.
"Damn it all—!"
The Regent crumpled the bulletin and flung it aside.
"What do we do now? Chaos inside and out. In the royal castle, there's Medeia, and outside, that bastard Pelleus—these damned nieces and nephews are cornering me from both sides!"
"Calm yourself, Duke. This isn't the worst possible situation yet."
As Laju approached the Regent, his eyes briefly met Catherine's where she sat behind him.
"If things continue like this, Pelleus will return victorious from the war. We must deal with him before he sets foot on Valdina's soil again."
"The time has come to use our prepared measures."
Laju spoke decisively.
"...Regent, what have we been waiting for all this time? If the King returns, rebellion becomes a distant dream. Surely you don't believe you can defeat him after he's conquered even the plains?"
Laju's point was valid. They could wait no longer. The Regent nodded and commanded his subordinate.
"Tell Agema's spy to execute the plan."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Mom? Dad? Are you in here?"
Through the slightly ajar door appeared Virna. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she froze mid-step.
"Oh, I didn't realize you had guests. My apologies. Dad, I'll come back later then—"
"Guests? What nonsense are you speaking?"
Laju's expression brightened instantly upon seeing Virna, as if the earlier tension had never existed.
He rose and personally opened the door to usher her inside.
"...Good day, Count Laju."
"Virna, don't use such distant titles—call me godfather, won't you? Hmm?"
Though Count Laju spread his arms welcomingly, Virna twisted her shoulders slightly to avoid his embrace.
At this obvious rejection, Catherine frowned and scolded.
"Virna, don't be ill-mannered."
"Haha. Catherine, it's fine. It's natural to feel awkward after so long apart."
Despite Count Laju's magnanimous defense, Virna let out a small, derisive snort.
"Dad, I want to go shopping in District 2 tomorrow. You'll allow it, won't you?"
Then she spun around and scampered toward her father. The Regent's expression darkened.
"...At a time like this?"
"Please, Daddy! I need clothes for the hunting competition the day after tomorrow. Someone important is coming, and I have absolutely nothing to wear! Hmm?"
As she clung to his arm with childish charm, the Regent reluctantly acquiesced.
"Fine, fine. Just don't make a scene."
"Eek! You're the best, Dad!"
"That's enough, you may go now."
Virna gleefully pressed her cheek against her father's arm before leaving.
The Regent waved his hand dismissively as if shooing away an annoyance.
Count Laju watched this exchange intently.
"District 2, you say? I was just thinking of touring Valdina's city center myself. Virna, would you mind if I accompanied you? I'll buy you anything that catches your eye—my treat."
Virna shook her head before Laju even finished speaking.
"No thank you, I'd prefer to browse alone. My apologies."
Without waiting for a response, she scampered out.
"That child, really... Excuse me for a moment."
Unable to tolerate her daughter's behavior any longer, Catherine followed her out.
Alone in the office, the Regent poured wine for Laju.
"She's been spoiled rotten and still lacks manners. I hope you'll understand, Count Laju."
"How could I not?"
"Ever since adolescence, her temperament grows stronger by the day... Samon was never this reckless at her age. I can't fathom who she takes after—it's giving me headaches."
The Regent grumbled half-heartedly.
"I can only envy you for having such an adorable, lovable daughter, Regent."
Count Laju raised his glass with a smile.
'Who does she take after? Me, of course!'
Beneath his sleeves, unseen, his fingernails dug deep into his palms without leaving visible marks.