Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Translation: godsn
Jared chuckled darkly as he gulped down the black liquid in his glass, swaying slightly from Iason's enthusiastic praise.
"Hahaha, Your Grace is always so gracious. That one's nature is entirely different from yours, I must say. Had the Late Emperor witnessed how magnificently Your Grace has grown, he would surely have been overjoyed."
"......"
Jared was no loyal vassal like Count Kensington, who served only one master his entire life.
Coming from a mercenary background, he changed masters as often as one changes meals. The ensuing rumors or infamy never even registered as concerns for him.
The moment the Late Emperor passed away, he immediately and without hesitation clasped hands with the current Emperor, Perdiccas II.
"His Late Majesty cherished you greatly, General, praising you as the valiant warrior who would protect Kazen. Quite unlike how my uncle treats you now with such coldness."
Iason pointed out subtly with a gentle expression.
"To disregard a hero who risked his life for the Empire over a few trivial words from the First Prince—why, it's enough to make even me feel indignant."
The First Prince.
As Jared quietly repeated that sorrowful, cursed title, a flash of anger passed through his eyes.
Pretending nonchalance, he shook his head.
"His Highness the First Prince achieved far greater feats than this humble one. It's only natural His Majesty would take his words to heart."
"But that's no longer the case, is it? To have your wings clipped because of some terminally ill patient soon to depart this world—I, Iason, cannot help but feel regret."
Jared's eyes shifted with amusement.
"I did wonder why you'd bother bringing this insignificant one along to tour Valdina......"
He let out a knowing chuckle before gripping the flower vase before him in its entirety.
The blossoms were crushed and fell between his thick fingers, yet the vase remained intact.
"It wouldn't be so bad to have this one wear the lion's mask in place of the ailing beast and carry Your Grace upon its back. But you should know—despite appearances, this creature only submits to those destined to be king of the mountain."
Iason's face brightened.
"Of course. I knew the ambition of a hero still breathed within my general's heart. Stand with me, and you shall never regret it."
"Your Highness, this one hasn't donned the lion's mask yet."
Jared bared a cruel smile, as if to say it was still too soon.
"Then show me during this diplomatic mission. Prove that Your Grace is the Empire's true master—one who can consistently provide this beast with hearty chunks of meat."
Bang—!
Even after kicking open the door to her quarters, the Fourth Imperial Princess's fury remained unquelled as she prattled on without pause.
"Hmph! To think those greedy, covetous eyes would dare measure up to me? Just look at that frame! I couldn't even bear to watch that frail figure wobbling about. Ha! Did you see how that so-called minor lord strutted around? A mangy street mutt would've been better!"
"Understood, Your Highness. Let us prepare your belongings now. We enter the royal castle tomorrow."
Kensington admonished the princess with practiced ease.
She swallowed a sigh with visible reluctance.
The Fourth Princess's temper was no small matter, and it seemed to have accumulated considerably during their journey.
At this rate, there was no telling how she might act up during the reception for the diplomatic mission.
"Your Highness, once we enter the royal castle, there's a famous circus troupe. They perform marvelous tricks with exotic animals—it should lift your spirits."
"Hmph. Such provincial entertainment."
"I believe you had a circus summoned to the palace for your viewing pleasure before our departure as well."
The Fourth Princess shot him a displeased glare.
"How irritating. Just how much do you know about me, anyway?"
The next day, true to his word, Count Kensington escorted the Fourth Princess to the renowned circus troupe upon their arrival at the royal castle.
Yet there was one thing she, having been away from the capital for so long, had overlooked:
That the Fourth Princess was an unpredictable bundle of explosives, liable to go off at any moment, in any direction.
"How dull."
At first, the princess crossed her arms and pouted, declaring it all rather unimpressive. But when she saw the young tiger leaping through a ring of fire, her interest was piqued.
"Hmm, Kensington. I want that baby tiger."
The princess tapped the armrest of her chair impatiently.
"Your Highness, are you aware that this is Valdina, not Kazen?"
"Of course. And I'm also aware that if it weren't for our Kazen, nomadic armies would have trampled Valdina long ago."
The princess's pupils gleamed like polished black stones.
"Winter is coming soon. Do you think this already frigid land can survive the cold? That depends entirely on me—Angelique."
The Fourth Princess wasn't entirely foolish.
The East Imperial Consort had wanted her daughter to understand exactly what lifeline of Valdina she held in her grasp.
"You there, bring that to me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
But the knight soon returned empty-handed.
"They refuse to sell."
"What? Ha! Bring them before me. I want to see the face of whoever dares to act so boldly."
Kensington massaged his throbbing temples as he tried to placate the princess, but she remained obstinate.
"Out! Everyone out!"
"Move aside!"
"Kyaaak!"
The princess's guards stormed the stage without warning, not only halting the performance but also beating the protesting ringmaster who tried to intervene.
Then they grabbed the young animal trainer by the scruff of her neck and dangled her before the princess.
"So it's you? You're the one who dared refuse my offer?"
The girl shrank back with fearful eyes.
"Last chance. Sell it to me."
"N-no... Tippy is family. No one... no one sells their family."
Clutching the baby tiger to her chest, the girl shook her head.
"Is that so?"
Princess Angelique smirked crookedly.
"Fine. Prove just how much you love that dumb beast. Then I'll let you go."
"Wh-what...?"
When will this mad chronic illness ever be cured? Count Kensington sighed silently.
"Ben! Bring me the whip!"
Iason watched the scene unfold from within the growing crowd.
"Your Grace, should we intervene? Count Kensington alone seems unlikely to handle this."
"Leave it be. Just don't let them discover we're here."
Iason didn't bother hiding his smile.
"The more that foolish girl stirs up trouble, the better for me."
He had no intention of merely playing the Fourth Princess's escort during this diplomatic mission.
That's precisely why he'd deliberately avoided joining the envoy's entry procession days earlier—even at the cost of earning her displeasure.
With the First Prince now terminally ill and fallen from grace, the next competitor Iason had his eye on was the Fourth Princess, Angelique.
If Angelique crumbled, his opportunity would come.
Her losing Kensington's trust, her clashes with the Valdinans—all of it was advantageous to Iason.
Meanwhile, the princess's knight returned with the whip.
Taking the whip, Princess Angelique laughed as she tautly stretched the leather-corded lash.
"Then let's see just how great your love is."
"P-please spare me..."
"Let's see if both you and that beast cub you cherish can survive this."
Her hand, gripping the whip firmly, raised high.
A strike from that vicious cord would kill the baby tiger instantly. Even if it missed by luck, the girl wouldn't escape unscathed.
As everyone braced for the impending tragedy—the moment the whip lashed out—
Thwack!
Before the whip could coil around the girl, an iron arrow shot from above pierced clean through the lash.
Then, with a sharp tug, the skewered whip was yanked away and embedded into a pillar.
"Ow!"
Naturally, the princess still holding the whip was dragged down in an undignified heap.
Princess Angelique's face flushed crimson as she was flung onto the dirt.
Iason's head snapped toward the direction the arrow had come from.
"Ah..."
Then, as if bewitched, he gaped blankly.
There stood a beautiful girl with silver hair.
A beauty so breathtaking it could steal one's soul—as if the moon goddess herself had descended.