Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Translation: godsn
Duke Claudio's Residence, Virna's Room.
"Virna, you can't speak so rudely to your godfather. Don't you realize it's because of him that you were able to return from the convent so early?"
Catherine scolded Virna while gripping her arm.
"Hmph, so I thanked him, didn't I? I should be grateful he didn't outright ignore me."
"Virna!"
Virna scowled.
"Mother, I hate that man. And why is he staying in our house anyway? If he has money and power, how come he has nowhere else to go?"
"That man?! Virna, Count Laju is a noble of the Empire. Not only that, he's a trusted figure by Emperor Kazen himself. Do you have any idea how significant that is? His status rivals that of Duke Valdina."
Catherine launched into an explanation.
But no matter what her mother said, to Virna, it all just sounded like some lowborn Valdinan commoner who'd climbed the ranks trying to cozy up to her.
'Just how much sycophantic nonsense has that repulsive man been spewing to my parents?'
Everything about him—the way his face lit up like a full moon when he saw her, showering her with flattery, or trying to win her favor with gifts—was utterly contemptible.
As if the daughter of this kingdom's Regent would ever mingle with such pitiful blood!
"And ever since he arrived, he's been dragging Father out drinking every night! Father never used to drink like this—now he's constantly wasted! He's definitely up to something."
Virna pouted.
"One of the maids said she heard a woman's moans coming from his room the other night. Disgusting. What kind of depravity is he bringing into our home?"
She spat out her irritation without realizing she might as well have slapped her mother across the face—until she paused and looked up at Catherine.
"Mother... why does your face look like that?"
"Huh? Wh-what do you...?"
Catherine hastily touched her cheeks, which were burning with shame.
"You're all red, like you've been drinking."
"I-it's just hot with the door closed. And you—don't go spouting such nonsense in front of guests. It's unbecoming. Have you forgotten all the manners I taught you as a lady?"
Virna, frustrated that her mother wasn't listening at all, threw a pillow down in a fit of temper.
"In the end, what does some lowborn commoner matter? He even sold out our country. Once I become the Grand Duchess, I won't even acknowledge traitors like him."
Virna thought of Iason's handsome face.
The Grand Duke of Kazen, whom she'd only heard about in rumors, was extraordinarily good-looking. Not long ago, he had even visited the ducal residence and greeted her with warm courtesy.
That flawless appearance, noble bloodline, and gentle demeanor.
Only then did she finally understand her mother's words—that there was no match for her in Valdina.
"Mother, by the way, when is Grand Duke Castulo coming again? He's not coming back here, is he?"
Catherine could read Virna's mind perfectly.
"Then make sure to show proper respect to Count Laju. As the Grand Duke's close associate, if you ask nicely, he might arrange another visit."
"Eek, got it!"
If it meant seeing Iason again, she could tolerate that greasy, ingratiating face a little longer!
Just as Virna was getting excited, Catherine asked with a dark expression,
"Virna, just a moment ago, you said you hated your godfather. Now that you hear the Grand Duke might come, you've changed your mind?"
"Of course. Why would I grovel to some lowborn commoner when I don't have to?"
"You—he's not a commoner—"
"But the filthy blood running through his veins is still the same, isn't it? I get it, so stop nagging. I won't let it show in front of him. Happy?"
As she watched her daughter's eyes sparkle while admiring her new dress, Catherine swallowed a sigh.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Princess."
Just as Acares had said, a new maid soon arrived at the palace.
"You were the one who guided me at the theater last time, weren't you? Thank you."
Zeta stifled her surprise.
To recognize her so instantly—and even though she'd been in disguise back then—the Princess's perceptiveness was remarkable.
"What's your name?"
"......Zeta."
"You don't resent being assigned to me after serving your master? If you wish, you may return."
Zeta hesitated for a moment before answering calmly.
"I don't mind. My original master wasn't Sir Acares either, but his maternal grandfather. I was ordered to protect Your Highness, and I'm merely being faithful to that command."
Medeia sensed the aura of a formidable warrior from the calluses and faint scars remaining on the maid's hands.
Though she stood there respectfully, there wasn't a single opening in her stance.
Yet at the same time, she was skilled enough to conceal that energy effortlessly.
Her faint eyebrows and hair color seemed deliberately muted to erase distinguishing features and hide her presence.
"Forgive my presumption, but may I request a spar?"
Medeia wasn't the only one who recognized Zeta's skill.
After persistently observing her for days, Neril made the request, and Zeta looked to the princess as if seeking permission.
Medeia gave a slight nod.
"Sir Neril, I'll yield the first move."
"I won't refuse."
Bang—! But before they could exchange more than a few blows, Neril was already sent sprawling.
'As expected of someone from Facade.'
Her silent movements were those of an assassin, while her swordplay belonged to a knight.
Zeta flinched and glanced at Medeia's reaction.
'Oh dear, I should have held back a bit more, but she came at me so seriously...'
Yet Neril's eyes only shone brighter as she charged again.
'She's strong.'
Facing Zeta seemed to quench a burning thirst within her.
'If I'm to keep up with Her Highness, I must become stronger than I am now.'
"Another round, please!"
For a long while afterward, the clanging of steel didn't cease from the small training ground behind the princess's palace.
Meanwhile, Medeia's other maid, Mariyu, was quite busy as well.
She couldn't refuse the summons from her long-absent lover.
"Mariyu! You idiot...! How could you attempt something this significant without consulting me—and fail spectacularly at that?"
After being expelled alongside Cuisine for scheming against Medeia, Samon had been furious and cut off all contact.
He hadn't even bothered to check on his lover who'd suffered the punishment of having her tendons severed.
But now, as if he'd never forgotten her, he had returned.
"D-darling, be gentle—"
"Shut your mouth?"
Her lover handled her roughly, like a tyrant. Perhaps he was taking out his frustrations about the princess on her.
But it was fine. If this was the price for him not abandoning her, Mariyu could endure it.
"Good heavens, Samon. What are all these wounds?"
Later, after their rough reunion, Mariyu gazed up at Samon with loving eyes—then widened them in shock.
Between the disheveled collar, she spotted dark bruises and wounds that hadn't fully healed.
Now that she looked, his face also seemed slightly flushed, as if someone had slapped him.
"Who dared to strike you?"
Was this why he hadn't removed his clothes?
"Are you insane? This is the palace. Where do you think you can lay hands freely?"
Slap. Samon irritably batted away her concerned hand.
His pride was wounded that Mariyu of all people had discovered evidence of how the Fourth Princess had treated him like a dog.
Mariyu hastily withdrew her hand again.
"I-I'm sorry. I just... I haven't seen you lately, and I was so worried that I..."
"Move. I don't need your presumptuous concern—just do your damn job properly."
Samon exploded in anger before hastily leaving.
But in his agitated movement, something small fell from his pocket.
"Wait, Samon, you dropped—"
Mariyu froze as she picked up the small, glittering object.
'...A hairpin?'
It was an expensive hairpin studded with rubies.
The craftsmanship was exquisitely intricate and lavish—not something an ordinary woman would carry.
For a moment, Mariyu's eyes wavered aimlessly.
'It can't be. He has no one but me. No one but...'
She shook her head vigorously and stuffed the hairpin deep into her bosom.
She wished the rising unease and suspicion could be crushed just as firmly.
Valdina Royal Palace, Grand Duke Castulo's quarters.
Iason's advisor, who had been busily traveling in and out of the palace these past few days, whispered to him:
"Your Grace, the Grand Duke. I've heard that the Princess secretly airlifted a pack of wolves along the relief supply route. Even Kensington wasn't aware—she had them brought in covertly."
Iason froze where he stood.
"Wolves...?"