Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Translation: godsn
"If you mean your mentor, I believe he's currently staying at a small estate outside the royal castle."
After the Late King's death, Marquess Gilifos retired. Since then, he had completely withdrawn from politics, dedicating himself solely to mentoring younger generations.
He was also a renowned national hero. Many in the kingdom still revered him for his upright character.
Tap. Tap.
The light, rhythmic sound of a finger tapping against the table echoed through the room.
"I need to see him. Without anyone knowing."
At some point, Medeia quietly asked.
"Is it possible?"
"I'll make the arrangements."
Neril nodded resolutely.
Through the window, the flag of Valdina hanging on the distant castle wall appeared faintly white.
"Tear down that flag! Destroy the corrupt Valdina royal family!"
In this life, the rebels waving their banners beneath that fluttering flag would never cross those walls alive.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Your Highness."
A new maid entered, carefully lifting the hem of her dress as she tiptoed in, as if every movement was calculated to avoid displeasing Medeia.
"Your Highness, Her Grace the Duchess Claudio has arrived."
Medeia lifted her head.
Claudio.
That familiar yet nostalgic name.
Not once had they reached out—not when the head maid struck her with a switch, nor when the princess's palace was isolated in retaliation. What could possibly bring them here so early in the morning?
It seemed news had spread that the head maid had removed all surveillance from Medeia.
"Let her in."
Curiosity flickered in Medeia's eyes. She wondered what the woman had come to say.
"Your Highness!"
Her aunt, Catherine Claudio, entered in radiant makeup.
She was a striking beauty.
Once the flower of high society who had captivated countless noblemen as the cherished daughter of a prestigious marquess.
Her slender waist, unbelievable for a woman with grown children, was accentuated by an elegant dress that swayed gracefully with her movements.
"I had intended to visit as soon as Your Highness awoke, but I, too, fell ill from the ordeal... When I opened my eyes, it was already today. Please forgive me for coming to see you so late in such haste."
She hadn't fallen ill—she had been waiting to see how things unfolded.
"You couldn't help it, Mother. Surely my generous elder sister wouldn't begrudge you such circumstances?"
Behind her, a lovely girl with cascading pink hair entered.
"Virna."
"Yes, Sister. I came too. I missed you so much I begged Mother to let me accompany her to the palace. You'll forgive me, won't you?"
Her cheeks, glowing the same hue as her hair, were as radiant as if bathed in sunlight. The makings of the future belle of Valdina's social scene, just as she had been in the past life, were already evident.
Medeia gazed at her beautiful aunt and cousin.
"Hahaha! Acting all high and mighty as a princess, look at you now. Valdina has fallen, your brother was torn to shreds by magic beasts. All because of a stupid wench like you!"
Here stood the very enemy whose betrayal had not only doomed Medeia's homeland but also led her own children to their deaths—a grudge carved into Medeia's bones.
Beneath her calmly folded hands, deep nail marks dug into her skin.
"Duchess."
Yet Medeia showed nothing outwardly. Not for a moment would she let anger ruin her plans.
Slowly, she would tighten the noose until they writhed in their most agonizing despair.
Catherine hesitated for a moment before her brows drooped slightly, as if puzzled by Medeia's indifferent demeanor.
"Don't address me so coldly."
Her delicate hands reached out to clasp Medeia's. Catherine embraced her with one arm, patting her back gently.
A sweet, comforting fragrance wafted from the Duchess.
Once, Medeia had wondered if this was what a mother's warm embrace felt like.
But now she knew—the stench hidden beneath that kindness.
"Does your head hurt, Your Highness? Even if one seems fine after a fall from a horse, the aftereffects can be severe. You mustn't take it lightly."
Catherine's eyes brimmed with concern.
"I've brought a physician to examine you. They say he's a divine physician from the Kazen Empire, capable of reviving even the bedridden in an instant."
"The Divine Physician of Kazen?"
Medeia suppressed a laugh.
No wonder they'd rushed here in such haste to find her, yet hadn't uttered a single word about the Head Maid.
'So that's what this is about.'
"Mother was so worried about Medeia's safety that she searched everywhere. The physician's from the Empire, you see—his pride was so insufferable he refused to come to Valdina until we paid several chests of gold," Virna chimed in.
"Virna, don't speak nonsense. If you wag your tongue carelessly and trouble Her Highness, you'll be punished," Catherine scolded sharply when Virna whined.
"Mother, you're being unfair! I can't even tell who your real daughter is anymore. Right, Medeia?"
Medeia only smiled faintly without answering. Flustered, Virna pressed her lips together.
Virna's complaints, her aunt's doting—
'I used to think this was affection.'
She'd truly believed they cherished her as family, as their own daughter.
But now, after weathering countless storms, she could see the hypocrisy hidden behind their honeyed words.
They dangled the pretense of family to exploit Medeia's starved longing for affection.
The Kazen Empire, sharing a border with Valdina, possessed fertile lands and abundant granaries.
Surrounded by mountainous terrain and plagued by harsh winters, Valdina often requested aid from Kazen.
The Empire exploited this, capriciously demanding tribute in return—a practice that bred widespread resentment.
'Last time, they demanded three hundred of Valdina's young knights as tribute.'
This was precisely why the Late King and Pelleus had risked war to oppose them.
To carve out a path to liberation from Kazen's interference by conquering the western plains.
'And in such circumstances, the Valdina princess would be treated by a physician from the Empire? From Kazen, our sworn enemy?'
At a time when prolonged war was stoking public discontent toward King Pelleus.
If word spread of the foolish princess's actions, people would inevitably turn their thoughts to the King.
Medeia's stupidity would become her blood brother's weakness.
"We couldn't recklessly allow an Imperial citizen inside, so he's waiting beyond the palace gates. If Your Highness consents, we'll summon him at once. You two—"
Though she appeared to await Medeia's permission, Catherine had already turned toward the maids.
"No, Aunt."
Medeia raised a hand to stop the maids, cutting Catherine off.
"Thanks to Neril shielding me, I'm perfectly fine. The royal physicians who examined me confirmed it. If this physician is truly so exceptional he can make the lame walk, shouldn't Grandmother see him first?"
"Her... Her Majesty the Queen Dowager?"
Medeia continued smoothly, pretending not to notice her aunt's hesitation.
"Lately, I've heard the maids say Grandmother suffers from aching knees and gout. They say no improvement comes, despite visits from several renowned physicians."
The Queen Dowager was Valdinan to her core.
The Empire's exploitation stretched back to her era, and she loathed Kazen enough to despise it.
She wouldn't even lie facing the Empire's direction—if she learned the Divine Physician was Kazenese, she'd fly into a rage.
And the Duchess who brought him here would be in dire straits.
"Your Highness's heart remains too kind. Her Majesty already has excellent physicians—you needn't worry so."
"No matter how excellent, they can't compare to one called Divine. I've been so worried—how fortunate Aunt brought such a renowned doctor here."
Medeia blinked guilelessly, feigning a granddaughter's innocent concern for her grandmother.
"I'd go myself, but Grandmother dislikes seeing me. Aunt, please take him in my stead."
She deftly passed the physician into Catherine's hands.
"Besides, if I—a mere youth—presumed to receive treatment before the Divine Physician's other patients, how arrogant would that seem? Fools would say I wield Valdina through my brother's backing."
Precisely the reputation they wanted for Medeia.
"So while I'm grateful for Aunt's kindness, this is too generous for me to accept now. You understand, don't you?"
Medeia blinked again, all wide-eyed innocence.