Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Translation: godsn
The opera house in District 1 on a sunny day.
"Your Highness, how did you find the performance?"
Catherine, dressed as radiantly as a rose in full bloom, asked Medeia. Virna stood by her side as well.
The mother and daughter from Duke Claudio's household often took Medeia on outings to various places around the capital.
"You must have felt so stifled, having spent your entire life confined to the Royal Palace. Look—the world outside is this free and beautiful."
The world they showed her was always fresh and safe.
Like a birdcage meant to contain a songbird.
"I remembered how much Your Highness used to enjoy this opera, so I gathered a new orchestra and cast to perform it for you."
Once again, it seemed Catherine was attempting to melt her niece's heart through such "efforts."
Medeia looked at her aunt, who was clearly expecting words of rapturous gratitude in return.
"I see. No wonder it grated on my ears. The aria was particularly lackluster. So it was because the entire orchestra and cast had been replaced."
Catherine's smiling face stiffened slightly.
Does she even know how much money I spent to stage this opera?
The simmering heat of anger rising within her was an added bonus.
But she suppressed the fury creeping behind her smile.
"I see. Their lack of talent has displeased Your Highness. This aunt should have been more meticulous in her selection—I fell short."
With a worried expression, Catherine let her eyebrows droop before approaching and firmly grasping Medeia's hands with both of hers.
"But you won't be disappointed at the banquet this evening."
"Banquet?"
At Medeia's questioning echo, Catherine seized the opportunity to bring up her main point, as if she had been waiting for this very moment.
"Your Highness, there have been far too many incidents around you lately. You've even collapsed multiple times—this aunt of yours has been sick with worry."
She placed a graceful hand over her chest, the picture of genuine concern.
"That's why the House of Claudio has prepared a small banquet to ward off misfortune and celebrate Your Highness's recovery. A celebration solely for our Princess."
'There's no way Medeia, starved for affection, would refuse this.'
Catherine was brimming with confidence. She'd already secured permission from the Queen Dowager.
"Mother, we must show the world how dearly the royal family cherishes Her Highness. Then no one would dare treat her lightly."
The quick-witted woman had turned her mother-in-law's wariness to her advantage.
'......For the second son's wife to step forward like this for Medeia's sake—was I mistaken?'
The Queen Dowager was swayed by what appeared to be genuine concern solely for her niece's wellbeing.
Moreover, their justification was sound. The Queen Dowager believed it necessary to reaffirm Medeia's standing in the capital once more.
'Was I too harsh? Surely these children haven't fallen so far as to harbor wicked ambitions.'
Naturally, her wariness toward the second son's household also softened.
Having deceived even her strict mother-in-law so thoroughly, Catherine had no reason to hesitate now.
'From today onward, Medeia will be isolated once more. Count Montega will turn his back on her too, and our Virna will reclaim the Queen Dowager's affection entirely.'
Failing to notice the growing chill in her niece's gaze, Catherine inwardly rejoiced.
'That congratulatory banquet you arranged—I remember it well.'
Medeia pressed her lips together firmly.
Though the circumstances differed greatly from her past life, it was the same banquet held back then.
A banquet that had become nothing but a nightmare in her previous life.
Medeia had attended wearing the dress they'd "gifted" her, at the banquet they'd prepared.
The glittering chandeliers, the champagne flowing like waterfalls, even the dress dusted with diamond powder—believing it all to be expressions of their love and affection had made her heart swell.
And in that very moment...
Someone had sneered that Medeia was a wicked woman who drank the blood of the people, and the mockery had only grown louder.
Startled, Medeia had stepped back—only for her dress to tear under misstep.
As if someone had designed it to rip with the slightest pressure.
Amidst the icy ridicule, not a single soul had stepped forward for Medeia.
She'd been far too young to bear the crushing loneliness of being abandoned amidst a crowd.
At a loss for what to do, Medeia had only managed to escape the banquet hall belatedly with Catherine's help.
Her dress half-torn, her face drenched in tears—a pitiful sight indeed.
After that day, Medeia had confined herself entirely to the palace, engaging only in the bare minimum of public appearances.
Faced with the people's mockery and scorn, she'd chosen instead to voluntarily avoid all contact, if only to protect what little remained of her wounded pride.
'And that was when Virna truly began acting as the proxy princess.'
Seeing her aunt's triumphant expression, Medeia realized she was plotting the same scheme this time as well.
The Claudio women remained utterly unaware that she'd already learned every detail of the banquet's arrangements from Madam Pinatelli.
Feigning ignorance about the banquet, Medeia deliberately raised her voice.
"The banquet is this evening? How sudden. I hadn't heard a word about it."
"Hmph, well, Your Highness has always hated crowded places, holed up in the palace all the time."
"Virna!"
Catherine shot her daughter a sharp look. Virna pouted and fell silent.
"The banquet is our House of Claudio's surprise gift for Your Highness."
Catherine affectionately brushed Medeia's shoulder and signaled to the maids.
The maids brought in several large boxes tied with ribbons.
"See here? We've prepared everything to ensure Your Highness's comfort. There."
Prepared, indeed. Medeia smiled faintly.
Seeing the Princess's sparkling eyes brimming with anticipation, Catherine felt reassured.
Look at those moved eyes. Who else would care for her like this but our family?
There was truly nothing to worry about.
With that, they headed to the salon to finalize the banquet preparations.
Upon arrival, Medeia turned to the attending maids and spoke.
"Wait. Today, Mariyu will assist me."
Medeia pointed to Mariyu.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mariyu bowed her head deeply and answered quietly.
Virna and Catherine exchanged a brief glance as they recognized her face.
They knew Medeia had personally requested the Queen Dowager to release Mariyu from prison.
To forgive and take back a maid who betrayed her—how utterly foolish.
Though they sneered inwardly, they also felt reassured.
After all, the fact that the Princess was so weak to human sentiment was hardly a disadvantage for them.
"Your Highness, I still have preparations left, so I shall take my leave first. Virna will attend to you with all her heart."
Catherine gave her daughter a meaningful look.
Don't forget, Virna. You must make sure Medeia wears that dress and brings her to the banquet.
I know, I know! You've said it so many times it's practically ringing in my ears.
Virna nodded with an exasperated expression, having heard the same thing repeatedly since leaving the Duke's estate.
After Catherine left, the seamstresses in the salon assisted Medeia with her attire.
"You look beautiful, Your Highness."
Under the expert hands, her eyes sparkled even brighter.
Perhaps it was her keen, intelligent gaze—unobscured even by makeup—that made her shine all the more.
The seamstresses bustled about, preparing for the grand reveal.
"Your Highness, the dress prepared by Duchess Claudio."
As the curtains were drawn back, a silver dress dusted with fine diamond powder gleamed so brilliantly it was almost blinding.
"Oh my!"
"How stunning..."
Gasps erupted from all around.
"...It's a gift from my mother to Your Highness. She wishes for you to wear it to tonight's banquet."
Virna added the explanation with visible reluctance.
"Come, try it on, Your Highness!"
Unable to tear their eyes away from the dazzling dress, the maids urged the Princess.
As she watched Medeia change into the dress, Virna forced herself to think:
It won't suit her at all. She'll look as ridiculous as a duck in fancy clothes—awkward and laughable.
Click.
But contrary to her expectations, the silver-haired girl reflected in the mirror looked as ethereal as a fairy of the snow.
The dress fit Medeia as though tailored specifically for her.
The maids gasped in admiration.
"It's as if all the starlight in the world has been gathered and sprinkled upon Your Highness. And the fit is perfect."
Of course it was. Catherine had meticulously prepared this trap, ensuring it would fit Medeia flawlessly.
Medeia ran her fingers over the rustling fabric of the dress and swallowed a bitter laugh.
Despite the extravagant scattering of gemstone powder that made it shimmer, the material itself was pitifully flimsy.
If someone stepped on it or even applied slight pressure, it would tear apart without resistance.
"...Truly... beautiful, Your Highness."
Virna bit her lip and forced out the compliment.
Why waste such an expensive, gorgeous dress on a girl who'll soon be nothing?
Such luxury was wasted on a lowly half-breed.
"Miss Virna, we've brought your dress as well. You must prepare too."
Virna alternated her gaze between her own sky-blue gown and Medeia's diamond-studded dress.
Standing beside Medeia in that, she'd look like some insignificant handmaid.
Why should I be reduced to Medeia's accessory? What do I lack compared to her?
Just as Virna, unaware that the dress was part of her mother's scheme, was about to storm off in frustration—
"No. I'll wear that one today. Mariyu, bring me the one we saw earlier."
At Medeia's signal, Mariyu scurried off and returned with another dress.
A simple black satin gown draped without excessive ornamentation.
The salon's seamstress grew anxious.
"Your Highness... If we have somehow offended you with our incompetence, please forgive us."
"It's not your doing, so don't worry."
Medeia waved her hand dismissively.
"You're going to wear that dress?"
Virna cut in.
"But this is the one Mother went to great lengths to procure for you, even inquiring across the Empire. It would be such a waste to put it away now."
She desperately tried to persuade Medeia to wear it, not out of jealousy but because her mother's repeated instructions echoed in her mind.
"Ever since my fall from the horse, my body hasn't been the same. It's beautiful, but far too heavy—I wouldn't even be able to move properly in it."
Medeia shook her head firmly, her expression tinged with faint irritation.
"But it's Aunt's gift—I can't just not show it. What should I do...?"
She made a show of deliberating.
"Well then... Virna, would you like to wear it?"
"...Me?"
In an instant, Virna was tempted.