Part 2, Chapter 28
Part 2, Chapter 28
Translation: godsn
Medeia merely smiled faintly instead of answering.
Pelleus let out a sigh.
"I see, so that's how it is."
He had absolute trust in his younger sister. If Medeia said so, there must be a good reason.
But despite her lovely and delicate appearance, his sister was fiercely independent and never asked her older brother for help.
'You're still trying to handle everything alone.'
An invisible, transparent wall seemed to stand between the siblings.
He could see and feel Medeia clearly, yet could never reach the depths of her heart.
This was also the result of Pelleus's own failure in leaving his young sister alone for so long, so he couldn't say anything more.
"Dea, your brilliance surpassed mine long ago, but I worry this foolish older brother might ruin the plans you've so carefully prepared."
Hiding the bitterness seeping into his lungs, Pelleus sighed again.
Deep in the night, Zeta emerged from the Detached Palace.
Having melted soundlessly into the shadows, she now stood still in the darkness.
"Medeia?"
"I've met with her."
Cesare stared intently at Zeta.
His sharp golden eyes scanned her from head to toe.
"......Your Highness wishes to—"
"How was she?"
Without preamble, her master abruptly cut in.
'Didn't you already see for yourself?'
Faced with such an overly broad question, Zeta wanted to ask that inwardly.
He must have seen her at the banquet—why bother asking me again?
"Did she ask about me?"
No. As Zeta was about to answer, she bit her lip.
"Any letters left for Acares?"
There weren't any. She nearly blurted out the reply before clamping her mouth shut again.
"......"
Silence flowed between them for a moment.
"Your Highness."
"It's done."
The cold, sharp rebuke sent a chill down her spine.
Unable to understand what had displeased her master, Zeta fidgeted with the medicine pouch in her arms.
"What's that?"
A low, rich voice came from the darkness.
"Ah, yes. Count Laju has been targeting Valdina's Emperor. This is the poison."
The golden eyes flickered toward the pouch containing the fine powdered medicine.
"Long-term consumption induces violent mood swings and provokes irascibility."
"Laju, that man truly has no fear. Even after Valdina was elevated to an Empire, he's still scheming?"
Gallo shook his head vigorously.
Even Gallo couldn't help but feel a tinge of admiration for Claudio and Laju's relentless, tenacious attempts.
"So, what are your orders?"
"There were no specific instructions for me, but I was told to inform the spy planted in the Claudio family to have Count Laju take this poison."
"Eh? What?"
At Zeta's answer, Gallo made a face as if he couldn't believe his ears.
Yet Cesare showed no sign of surprise, appearing perfectly composed. Only his well-shaped eyebrows lifted slightly.
"That's all?"
"Yes. For now, this is the only order given."
At Zeta's earnest reply, Cesare clicked his tongue.
"My, our princess is too kind for her own good."
"Eh? What?"
Ignoring Gallo's repeated exclamation, Cesare rested his chin on his hand.
The handsome man, lounging carelessly against the windowsill bathed in moonlight, was beautiful—yet there was something undeniably bleak about him.
"Wasn't it said that Virna Claudio's biological father is Laju?"
"Yes, my lord."
His sculpted lips curled in a mischievous smirk.
"Then feed it to all of them. If the poison runs short, we'll supply more."
At that, Gallo, who had been silently listening, spat out his tea.
"You're going to make the entire family take that?"
"Why?"
Cesare turned his head toward Gallo as if asking what the problem was.
"...Never mind."
Gallo couldn't help but think his boss had a truly petty and vicious streak.
Laju would never dream—not even in his nightmares—that the poison meant for Pelleus was instead being consumed by himself, his beloved lover, and even his own daughter.
How utterly humiliating. Serves him right for crossing the boss...
Still, the princess of Valdina at least pursued evil only to the extent she had suffered—a fair creed that, for a villain, was almost akin to righteousness.
But his own lord—
Gallo recalled the twelve retainers who had died trying to poison the young Cesare, and the Emperor's observers who had lost their lives for nothing because the lord they served had coveted the power of his own son.
Fear begets greater fear, death begets more death.
Cesare was the kind of man who believed that even if he had to unleash calamity upon the world, it was justified as long as he crushed the first spark.
"...If it's the entire family, it'll be difficult to carry out without alerting the Red Foxes."
Zeta hesitated.
It seemed she was torn between her lord's orders and Medeia's, unsure which to prioritize.
"You can inform Medeia if you wish. It doesn't matter. Even if she finds out, she won't reprimand me."
Cesare was certain.
The princess of Valdina might flaunt her nobility over the smallest things, but she had no reason to extend her benevolence to worthless lowlifes.