Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Translation: godsn
Umberto feigned ignorance as he asked, his face brimming with feigned indignation and bewilderment as if he had no idea why he was here.
A glint of amusement flickered across Medeia's face.
He promptly dropped to his knees, pleading like a loyal servant.
"Your Highness, please save my master! The Royal Knights suddenly stormed in and took him away!"
"Your master? Why would they— Has something already happened to Count Kensington?"
"......!"
Umberto froze at the princess's question, delivered with a look of concern.
"I-I don't understand what you mean. My only master is His Excellency Etienne, the Minister of Palace Affairs."
In an instant, his expression smoothed over as if nothing had happened, the shocked tremble in his pupils vanishing without a trace. But the faint, uncontrolled hitch in his breath had already betrayed him.
"Don't be so frightened, Umberto. You carried out your final orders splendidly, making everything proceed so smoothly."
The princess's tone was almost gentle, as if praising him.
"Orders? I've never received any—"
Just then, a small piece of paper was swiftly slid toward Umberto.
The familiar size, color, and texture of the parchment, along with the distinct handwriting etched upon it—he recognized it all.
"You were the one who lured the Minister out onto the floor that day, weren't you?"
It was identical in form to all the secret notes he had received before.
"Th-That can't be......"
Umberto lifted his head in disbelief, staring at the princess. Fragments of recent events flashed through his mind.
The person who had drugged Etienne with incense to render him impotent, incited his rampage at the banquet, and sowed discord between him and Duke Claudio's faction—had the mastermind behind this entire scheme to ensnare Etienne been the princess all along?
Hadn't she been on Regent Claudio's side? The Minister of Palace Affairs was the Regent's right hand, wasn't he?
A whirlwind of confusion stormed in his mind.
"Y-Your Highness, you orchestrated the Minister's downfall? Why?"
The words slipped out before he could stop himself, and a sharp blade was instantly pressed against his throat.
"How dare you!"
It was the lady-in-waiting who had been glaring at him from beside the princess. Her movements were so swift—drawing her sword and leveling it at him—that one might mistake her for a knight.
"Neril. Umberto served me faithfully. Don't be too harsh."
At the princess's glance, the lady-in-waiting finally sheathed her sword.
'Served?! I had no choice! You threatened the lives of my comrades!'
Umberto wanted to retort, but seeing the knight standing behind the princess, he could only clench his fists.
"Umberto, shouldn't you be asking the real question? Not why, but how I knew your true identity—or how much I actually know."
The princess's words struck him where it hurt most.
"Or perhaps, first and foremost, whether I have any intention of letting you live."
Umberto flinched.
Now that he knew her true nature, her calm voice sounded ruthless and terrifying.
'Just how many people has this princess deceived?'
No one knew.
No one realized that the sudden downfall of a once-untouchable power broker had been orchestrated by this young princess.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Beyond his shock, a cold reality settled over him.
"I have no intention of cowardly begging for my life."
I am a spy from another country who leaked Valdina's intelligence, and this girl before me is Valdina's princess. There's no chance I'll leave here alive.
He bit his lip. The words that escaped him were resolute.
"I die for my country, and you, Your Highness, eliminate me for yours. I bear no resentment. My only regret is..."
His gaze, sharp with wariness, locked onto Medeia.
"...that I cannot warn my master of your true nature. That will be my eternal regret."
Medeia's lips curled.
"A warning? Umberto, if I hadn't sought you out first, would you have ever even recognized me?"
Her poised lips remained fixed in that painted smile, as if mocking him.
"......"
Umberto's face flushed red, but he couldn't utter a single word in response.
Because he couldn't deny the princess's implication—that he hadn't even been capable of uncovering the mastermind behind it all.
The truth was, he'd never even suspected the existence of a mastermind behind the note, let alone dreamed it might be the princess herself.
"Then why reveal your identity to me now?"
"Letting you leave alive is my mercy. So remember this well and deliver it to your master."
The princess held out a small, meticulously sealed letter.
A brief silence fell between them.
"...And what if I were to silence Your Highness's mouth right here?"
A glint of murderous intent flashed in Umberto's eyes. His hands curled into tight fists.
Had they not been bound, he likely would have drawn a dagger.
Kensington wouldn't have sent just anyone as a spy to an enemy nation. He must have possessed considerable skill as an assassin.
From him radiated the determination that even if he couldn't leave this place alive, he could at least drag Medeia down with him.
"Oh? Do you truly believe you can handle the consequences?"
"......"
"Even if your master could bear it, what about your master's master? The neck you hold in your hands might not be mine, but your master's instead."
Umberto's face drained of color as if doused in ice water.
This was the princess who already knew about the Red Fox Group's presence across the continent.
Just as he had been disguised, if this foolish princess had also concealed her true nature all this time—
'There's no way she'd reveal herself before me now without any preparations.'
This was a trap. The moment he struck the princess down, Valdina and Kazen—both nations would pass the point of no return.
His path forward was clear.
'This girl... the Princess of Valdina is far beyond someone like me to handle.'
This exceeded his capabilities. He would deliver her letter to the Leader, and let the Leader make the judgment from there.
Having made his decision, Umberto slowly stepped back.
"I shall comply as you command."
"It's been a pleasure."
The princess smiled faintly, as if approving of his choice.
Unable to even meet the faint smile that shimmered beneath the sunlight, Umberto could only lower his gaze.
The underground prison beneath the Ministry.
"Chancellor, Your Excellency."
Siseo dismissed the guards and stepped alone into the damp, foul-smelling prison.
Squelch. The faint sound of moss-covered stones echoed underfoot.
When his footsteps stopped, Etienne raised his head.
"Siseo, you damned bastard."
The moment he spotted Siseo through the bars, his face twisted in fury.
"Do you truly believe you'll walk free after throwing me in here?"
Thud— The heavy impact of his burly frame against the thick iron bars reverberated through the prison like an echo. Murderous intent radiated from him.
"Yes, so far, my life and well-being remain entirely unaffected. Though it seems the same cannot be said for you, Minister. Your appearance has... changed somewhat."
Yet despite the threat, Siseo's expression remained serene, his voice leisurely, as if deliberately provoking him.
"You ingrate! How dare you treat a high minister of this nation like this!"
"I haven't falsely accused you of crimes I didn't commit, so I fail to understand the reason for your anger, Minister."
"You fucking—!"
Noticing his still-glossy complexion, Siseo curled the corner of his lips.
He recalled the princess's message delivered to him before coming here.
He had worried whether the Regent seeking out the princess meant she would once again be reduced to a puppet as before.
But then she had declared she would spare the Minister's life if they filled thirty chests for the Regent.
Hearing that, Siseo could finally see the full picture the princess was painting.
'Her Highness is buying time to separate these two.'
Swallowing his admiration, Siseo spoke.
"Consider this your final respite before the execution grounds. I suggest you grow accustomed to it. I'll assist you however I can."
"Shut your mouth!"
Under normal circumstances, the Minister wouldn't have risen so easily to Siseo's provocations, but being dragged here as a condemned criminal had changed him.
"Duke Claudio won't stand for this! The moment I walk out of here, I'll have you torn limb from limb and fed to the dogs!"
Blind rage burned across his thick-featured face.
"Will you now?"
Yet that fury faltered at Siseo's retort.
The young man's smile was profoundly meaningful.
What scheme was this whelp plotting now?
Etienne glared at him suspiciously.