Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Translation: godsn
Clermont Village.
It was a region bordering the territories of the Kazen Empire and the Kingdom of Valdina.
A month after departing the Imperial Palace, the diplomatic mission from Kazen finally set foot on Valdina's soil.
"We greet Her Highness, the Fourth Imperial Princess."
On their first night in Valdina, Kensington, who had arrived ahead of the delegation, welcomed the imperial family.
"Kensington?"
Angelique Graham, the Fourth Princess of Kazen, raised an eyebrow as she stepped down from the carriage.
"I did hear that the Count suddenly volunteered for this mission to Valdina, but what in the world were you thinking? You were always too busy proving your loyalty to Father to spare even a glance at such trivial diplomatic affairs."
The princess's voice was icy. Angelique was the only daughter of the East Imperial Consort, a favored concubine of the Emperor.
Long ago, Kensington had once refused the East Imperial Consort's discreet offer to join her faction, declaring that his allegiance lay solely with Perdiccas II.
Since he had rejected becoming her mother's subordinate, the Fourth Princess had no reason to regard him favorably.
Sometimes, those who remained neutral earned more resentment from both sides than those who openly took a stand. Kensington was the latter.
"Though I must say, you look even more haggard than before. Just how much hardship have you endured in the borderlands?"
Officially, Count Kensington's role was that of a diplomat traveling between nations.
"I, too, am pleased to see Your Highness. I hope your journey was not too arduous."
As if she had been waiting for the opportunity, Angelique vented her frustrations.
"Good heavens, don't even ask. The carriage was freezing, the roads were bumpy, and outside was nothing but endless mountains. It was absolutely dreadful!"
"Valdina is a mountainous nation. As such, paving roads is no easy task. Given their limited resources, their current transportation infrastructure is the best they can manage."
"What do I care about the circumstances of some backwater minor kingdom?"
The princess's words were sharp enough to draw blood.
"Ugh, why did Father even send me here?"
"Your Highness."
This was not a gathering of only Kazen's people.
Alongside coachmen and attendants, there were many Valdinans whom Kensington had hired locally.
Though commoners were unlikely to spread rumors, this was, after all, a diplomatic mission meant to foster peace between the two nations. There was no need to deliberately fan the flames.
How can she be so lacking in sense? Kensington suppressed a sigh.
"It is precisely because Valdina, though small, is a strategically vital stronghold for the Empire. The future of the next ten, twenty years hinges on this matter—a fact I'm certain Your Highness is well aware of."
Kensington's tone was courteous yet firm.
"If you truly wish not to be here, would you prefer to relinquish your authority to another prince or princess? I heard His Highness the Third Prince escorted you to the border. He likely hasn't gone far yet."
"......"
"You don't like that, do you?"
"You're as insufferable as ever. You really know how to get under my skin."
"What other talent should a man who lives by his tongue possess?"
Having run out of retorts, the princess irritably complained that her lace gloves were sticking to her hands and wouldn't come off.
The Fourth Imperial Princess Angelique had a fiery temper.
If she wanted something, she had to have it, and even then, she handled things so carelessly that most ended up broken or discarded in poor condition.
"Honestly, there's not a single thing I like about this tiny country! The only remotely viewable thing was the young king's face!"
Judging by how emphatically she said it, the king's appearance must have pleased her immensely.
Kensington wondered if perhaps the only reason the princess had agreed to join this diplomatic mission was to see the face of Valdina's king.
"Your Highness, while the King of Valdina is currently absent, his cousin remains within the country."
A man with greasy eyes, sporting a glossy black mustache and dressed in a gleaming red uniform that practically oozed polish, interjected into the conversation.
"...Count Laju."
Robert Laju.
A noble born in Valdina who had joined this diplomatic mission as an envoy to ease tensions between the two nations.
Though originally a commoner from Valdina, he had been granted an imperial title after heroically throwing himself before a charging leopard to protect the late Emperor Alkethas II in his youth.
Alkethas II had employed the man who saved his life, and despite being a foreigner, Count Laju enjoyed considerable trust and power.
However, before he could even revel in his belated rise in status, Alkethas II passed away not long after.
His younger brother, Perdiccas II, who succeeded him, chose not to employ Count Laju, who reminded him too much of his brother's reign.
Though left in an awkward position by the emperor's rejection, he was still more than capable of flaunting his authority as an imperial noble in Valdina.
Unlike Kensington, who frowned at the man, the Fourth Princess showed interest.
"Cousin? Who?"
"Young Duke Claudio. As you may have heard, he is the only son of the Regent currently ruling Valdina."
Laju's greasy eyes gleamed as he curled his lips into a grin and spread his arms wide.
He looked exactly like a fishmonger enthusiastically trying to sell stale fish from his stall.
"Being a direct cousin, his appearance is remarkably similar. Thus, the young duke is also renowned as quite the handsome man. In fact, he's already here, waiting to pay his respects to Your Highness, the Fourth Princess."
Laju clapped his hands.
Clomp, clomp. Samon approached the princess with a faint smile on his face.
His meticulously groomed appearance resembled a peacock spreading its feathers to attract a mate.
His stiffly starched uniform fit him perfectly, blatantly emphasizing his physique.
The epaulets on his shoulders and chest were resplendent, and the pointed tips of his shoes gleamed with polish.
Princess Angelique looked him over from head to toe as if inspecting a store mannequin.
In that fleeting moment, she had already finished evaluating the merchandise.
'He's just a well-dressed block of wood.'
Her briefly piqued interest quickly fizzled out.
Just then, Samon bowed with smooth etiquette.
"An honor to meet the Imperial Princess of Kazen. I am Samon Claudio. My father is Duke Claudio, former royal heir and current Regent of Valdina."
His baritone voice was polite and smooth. Moreover, his words were downright saccharine.
"Rumors of Your Highness's beauty have reached even distant Valdina. To meet the century's most renowned beauty on the continent—I am simply overwhelmed with—"
"Similar, perhaps,"
Princess Angelique snorted. Her gaze was directed at Count Laju—she didn't even glance at Samon.
"If you're going to offer something, bring a better product."
"Wh-what?"
And before Samon could even process his bewilderment—
"Count Laju, how dare you present this subpar offering to Angelique Graham?! Do I look that easy to please?!"
Princess Angelique's temper flared violently.
"The King's hair shimmered. It was as if mystical moonlight had been scattered upon it! And those indifferent eyes, those sincere pupils devoid of lust..."
In stark contrast to Pelleus's mystical silver hair, Samon's locks were a dull, faded gray that had lost their luster.
Though Samon's eyes were blue like Pelleus's, their color was far murkier. His sharply folded eyelids also gave him a perpetually irritable expression.
The occasional glint in his gaze made him appear cunning, and his thinner lips seemed petty compared to Pelleus's.
While tall, his untrained physique lacked the rugged resilience of knights who crossed battlefronts.
Most critically, he possessed none of Pelleus's unapproachable aura of cool dignity.
"Tch, what a disgraceful inferior product."
After sweeping another contemptuous glance over Samon's features, the Princess turned away dismissively.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Count Laju hurried after her in a fluster.
Left alone, Samon trembled with humiliation.
He didn't know what had been said before he emerged from the tent, but the Princess had examined him like a piece of meat at a butcher's stall.
Her piercing gaze had scrutinized every detail, as if determining whether the meat was premium grade, domestic, or organic.
Anyone with half a brain would know exactly whom she'd compared him to.
Pelleus. His king and cousin—always standing before him like an unclimbable tree.
"......"
Samon clenched his fists until his nails bit painfully into his palms.
"The Fourth Princess's temper remains as formidable as ever."
General Jared smirked as he glanced toward the Princess's noisy quarters.
"Ah. My apologies, Grand Duke. This brute was raised rough and knows no respect—for people or possessions."
Crunch. A delicate flower was brutally crushed between his thick fingers.
Savoring the flower petals' almost-screams, the General studied the man before him.
In response, the handsome youth with neatly arranged auburn hair offered an inscrutable, faint smile.
Iason Castulo. Grand Duke of the Kazen Empire.
"Who would dare criticize the actions of a battlefield hero?"
Despite his benevolent and gentle appearance, this young Grand Duke occupied an ambiguous position in Kazen.
By rights, he should have inherited the throne.
Had the Late Emperor still lived, Iason would have been the undisputed Crown Prince.
But his uncle Perdiccas II—who took the throne instead—proved an exceptional ruler who elevated the Empire's power. Among his children, the First Prince Cesare stood out as a conqueror the continent would rarely see again.
Victory in the Continental War, unification of minor kingdoms—under their rule, Kazen firmly established itself as the continent's undisputed superpower.
By comparison, neither the Late Emperor Alkethas II nor his sole heir Iason had demonstrated any remarkable achievements or abilities.
Thus, no faction dared challenge the disrupted line of succession.
Moreover, the overwhelming presence of Iason's cousin—the First Prince Cesare, his contemporary and future Crown Prince—loomed too large.
Who would support Iason against that cruel demon?
When granting his nephew the Grand Duke title, Perdiccas II bestowed upon him the surname "Castulo"—the name of a saint who'd martyred himself for religion.
This act made clear there would be no return of the throne.
Iason accepted his uncle's decision with restraint.
To the public eye, he appeared wise—a kind man who knew his place.
Yet everyone hides ambitions.
Here in distant Valdina, far from the Emperor's gaze, Iason's suppressed aspirations slowly stirred.
"May the glory of victory forever accompany you, Lord Jared."
With an unreadable glint in his eyes, Iason raised his glass.