Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Translation: godsn
Yes. My prediction was correct. My friend wasn't listening to a word I said.
As Terence let out a sigh, Zeta answered.
"No. To my knowledge, the Princess has never once left Valdina since birth. This is also the Grand Duke's first visit to Valdina."
Yes, that's right... Cesare's fingers tapped slowly against the table.
As his subordinate said, there was no way the two could know each other.
Iason had even asked for Medeia's name, like some lovestruck fool falling head over heels at first sight.
And the Princess...
"I won't. I'm not going back."
The faint murmur heard when they laid the unconscious Medeia down.
Her eyes were tightly shut, and she thrashed her limbs as if trying to escape a nightmare.
"Calm down, Princess. Can you hear me?"
The whisper that escaped her trembling lips was unbearably weak. Cesare had to grip the struggling Princess's shoulders and press her down.
"I won't be fooled again. Iason, never again...!"
Even after bringing his ear close to her lips, he only felt bewildered. But one thing was clear.
Iason. The name that had slipped from the Princess's lips was undoubtedly Iason.
"So it seems they do know each other."
The index finger that had been tapping the table stopped its rhythm and slowly traced a circle along the wood grain.
"Though her reaction was rather strange, wasn't it? She's the type who wouldn't bat an eye no matter what happened until now."
Gallo also tilted his head in confusion. But Terence still wore a skeptical expression.
"She probably recognized them as the Kazen diplomatic mission. The delegation is due to arrive soon, and seeing them boldly roaming Valdina's streets must have startled her. There are plenty of possible explanations."
"Hmm, maybe. From the Princess's perspective, needing aid, she might have been quite worried."
No. It's not that simple.
Cesare recalled her small face trembling like an aspen leaf.
After encountering Iason, those jade-green eyes that had flashed with the desperate plea of a cornered animal.
He alone had noticed the shock and fear contained within them.
Even Iason himself seemed puzzled, unaware of the reason.
Then, Zeta delivered another report.
"Your Highness. The Fourth Imperial Princess's guards are searching for the Princess. It seems they're seeking retaliation for what happened earlier. What should we do, Your Highness?"
Though it had nothing to do with Facade, Zeta remained faithful to his lord's command to report everything concerning the Princess.
"Send them back one by one with something missing."
Meaning to cut off one limb each without killing them, so they can return alive to the Fourth Imperial Princess.
"Boss, why stir up trouble for no reason?"
"Just giving a little lesson as an elder brother."
Gallo and Terence exchanged a brief glance.
What lesson? If he hadn't said anything, the Fourth Imperial Princess would have lived without him caring either way.
"Honestly, what a terrible personality..."
Gallo muttered under his breath.
Valdina Royal Palace.
"Your Highness, please wake up."
The slight shaking of her shoulder made Medeia open her eyes.
"You were having trouble waking up."
Neril examined her with worried eyes.
Last night, the Princess had remained silent, seemingly preoccupied while gazing at the white mansion receding through the carriage window.
Neril wanted to ask what was wrong but refrained. Sometimes, silence could be more comforting.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
Seeing the face filled with respect and affection, Medeia felt reassured.
"...I had a dream."
Yes, it wasn't real.
This is her reality now. The second chance granted by the gods hasn't disappeared yet.
"I was a bit restless last night."
"What kind of dream did you have to leave you so pale?"
Her back was drenched in cold sweat.
The fleeting memories of her past life.
The vivid malice that had lurked beneath the surface, glaring at her with unmistakable clarity.
"It was a nightmare."
A nightmare she would never return to, never relive—
Just a midnight horror, nothing more.
"You've been pushing yourself too hard lately, so it's only natural. But Your Highness, a dream is just a dream. Please don't let it trouble you too much."
"That's right. A dream... is just a dream."
Medeia mechanically echoed Neril's words.
"I'll bring you some warm water. The air is still chilly, so please don't come out yet."
After Neril left, Medeia lifted her head. Dawn was breaking outside the window.
Soon, the Kazen diplomatic mission would arrive.
And he would come with them.
"It's fine. It won't happen again."
Medeia repeated the words to herself.
The soft murmur that drifted through the chilly dawn air sounded eerie, even desolate.
"This time will be different."
Veins stood out on the back of her hand as she silently clenched the sheets.
The Royal Palace of Valdina.
Under the clear sky, the sunlight beat down harsher than ever before.
Blinking against the blinding light, Valdina's nobles had gathered in small groups at the palace entrance.
They were there to welcome the arriving imperial delegation.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have waited like this, but the Kazen delegation had specifically demanded this timing.
As if to say the Valdinans should endure this hardship while waiting for their arrival.
"Your Highness, thank goodness for the veil. The sunlight is unbearably strong today."
"Yes."
Medeia was the only royal present to receive the delegation. Behind her, Siseo stood rubbing his tired eyes.
The Queen Dowager, who would have been seething at the sight of Kazen envoys, had long since locked the doors of the Queen Mother's Palace. A fortunate turn of events.
Had she known of this subtle act of insolence, she would have flown into a rage and driven the delegation away on the spot.
"They're coming."
In the distance, the Kazen imperial carriage could be seen passing through the palace gates.
"Ahem, ahem!"
The Regent swiftly positioned himself at the front of the crowd.
His extravagant robe, embroidered with golden thread, shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
The Valdina ministers murmured at the Regent's excessive display.
"Your Highness, isn't gold thread reserved exclusively for His Majesty the King? Does the Regent think himself the king now?"
"Shh."
Medeia hushed Saya.
'The moon waxes only to wane.'
Even if she didn't voice it aloud, those who disapproved of him were growing in number.
Soon, the rattling carriage wheels came to a halt.
The large carriage door opened, and the first to step onto the black velvet carpet was Count Kensington.
Escorted by him, the imperial princess descended.
"Presenting Her Imperial Highness Angelique Graham Kazen of the Kazen Empire."
"Welcome, Your Imperial Highness."
The Regent and his wife spread their arms wide to greet the delegation, their demeanor almost mimicking that of the palace's true masters.
But before even setting foot on the ground, the Fourth Imperial Princess Angelique first lifted her head to survey the surroundings and exclaimed,
"Oh dear... Is this the Royal Palace of Valdina?"
The Kazen delegation snorted in agreement, their eyes scanning the palace with undisguised contempt.
"It's so small! How cramped!"
The princess's whisper was loud enough for everyone present to hear.
'For a mere young princess to act like this—just how much do they look down on our Valdina?!'
The Valdinans swallowed their fury.
Count Kensington suppressed a sigh. With the immature princess having set this tone for the delegation, it would be difficult to reverse.
'This is going to be a long road.'
Just as the atmosphere between the two nations grew increasingly frigid, a savior appeared.
"The Royal Palace of Valdina has its own unique charm."
It was Iason, stepping out from the following carriage.
"Is it not the proud creation of a land guarded by sages, a testament to their lofty pride and courage?"