Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Translation: godsn
Instead of receiving comfort from her mother, Virna was met with scolding, filling her large eyes with resentment.
"Grandmother took what was rightfully mine right before my eyes and gave it to that wench Medeia. How can even you say such things to me, Mother?"
Catherine massaged her throbbing temples.
Her daughter's lack of understanding was so profound that explaining things to her seemed more exhausting than devising an elaborate scheme.
"And now she insists I call Medeia 'Her Highness the Princess' instead of just 'sister'! Does that make any sense? Am I really supposed to use honorifics for that half-blooded lowborn wench?"
"Is it really so difficult to humor her for a little while? It's just temporary."
Catherine struggled to placate her daughter.
"Ultimately, you will be the princess of this kingdom. How long do you think Medeia can possibly last in that position?"
"That's exactly why!"
Virna raised her voice.
"That's exactly why it's mine! If Father becomes king, how dare that sniveling wench try to take what's rightfully—"
"Virna!"
Just as Virna was muttering through clenched lips, Catherine sharply cut her off.
"Don't you dare let those words leave your mouth anywhere else!"
"Mother...?"
"Have you said this in front of others? Around people? In the palace?"
Virna violently shook her head, frightened by her mother's wide, glaring eyes.
"One foolish word from you could ruin everything we've planned."
Catherine gripped her daughter's shoulders painfully tight.
"Just do as you're told and stay quiet. Mother will give you everything in the end. Understood?"
Her mother's gaze was as fierce as a wolf's.
"Well? Answer me, Virna!"
Virna bit her lip and nodded. Only then did the hands crushing her shoulders relent.
"Go to bed early. Tomorrow, the moment the palace gates open, you must go and beg your grandmother for forgiveness."
Thud. The door slammed shut with finality.
Left alone, Virna clenched her fists tightly.
Exiting Virna's room, Catherine swallowed a sigh.
She had realized it was far easier to silence that beloved little mouth than to make her daughter's tiny head—so precious she'd never let harm come to it—understand the grand schemes of her parents.
Entering Duke Claudio's study, she saw her husband crumpling a piece of parchment.
"What's wrong?"
"Mother has summoned the Montegas."
"Margrave Montega?"
Catherine frowned.
Count Montega was Claudio's cousin and a longtime royal relative whose influence within the Royal Castle was not insignificant.
"I suspected Her Majesty had grown wary of us lately... She must be calling in reinforcements."
"That Montega bastard always preferred my elder brother over me."
'Preferred' was an understatement—he had shown more respect and loyalty to Claudio's brother than to his own flesh and blood.
Duke Claudio's expression darkened as he recalled the past.
"Then his daughter must also be fond of her. Darling, if the Count sides with Medeia, things will get complicated."
Because Medeia would no longer be isolated.
"Damn it, public opinion is already coddling that girl as it is!"
A bundle of parchment flew across the room in irritation, smacking against the study wall with a thud.
"Darling, calm down."
"Ever since Cuisine died, the whispers outside have been unsettling. They're pitying Medeia as if she were some oppressed child of their own."
This couldn't go on.
To the people, Medeia had to be the witch who sucked their blood dry and squandered the national treasury.
A princess whose evils ran so deep that they would eventually spark rebellion.
So that the fallen kingdom could be rebuilt by Regent Duke Claudio, who would then ascend as Valdina's king.
She had to exist solely as the catalyst for a historic revolution.
"What if they start believing that Medeia isn't the root of their current suffering?"
They must never realize that Valdina's ruin wasn't the fault of the young princess, but of corrupt officials.
"This won't do. If things continue like this..."
Duke Claudio paced the room restlessly.
"Don't worry, darling. Your power is still intact. Besides, the Minister of Palace Affairs is on your side. As long as the palace is in your hands, victory is ours."
Catherine approached, brushing his shoulder in comfort.
Her soothing voice and gentle touch eased his agitation slightly.
"If public opinion is the concern, then we simply divert their attention. As always, the dull and foolish believe only what's right before their eyes."
Catherine spoke sweetly.
"And don't fret over Count Montega either. We'll make the first move."
"......"
"If he intends to stand by Medeia, all we have to do is show him she isn't worth it."
He stared at his wife's face, still beautiful despite the years.
Though theirs was a political marriage, she had been the jewel of high society.
Her looks. Her lineage. Her family—not a single flaw to be found.
Unlike his brother, who had chosen a wandering dancer, he had secured the finest hand—of that, he had no doubt.
"How?"
When the Duke asked, Catherine smiled.
"How about a banquet to celebrate Medeia's recovery? That poor child has endured so much lately."
So grand, so dazzling it would blind the eyes—to ensure misfortune never dared return.
"Ah, yes."
The Duke's eyes gleamed.
"Since it's for Medeia, even Mother won't object."
The starving masses, Count Montega rushing in from the border—they would all see the princess reveling in golden splendor.
"As expected of you."
Catherine rested her head against his shoulder, revealing the elegant curve of her profile.
"Oh, it's nothing. As always, that child will serve as our shield."
Her face was that of a flawless, ever-graceful noblewoman. Just as it always had been.