Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Translation: godsn
However, Medeia responded coldly.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I'd rather not hear that Princess Valdina has received Facade's support."
"Those Kazen bastards are different from the Valdinans, Princess. Acting all high and mighty will only make them look down on you."
The Kazen people indulged freely in entertainment and luxury, backed by their fertile national power.
Paradoxically, they never missed an opportunity to pounce on anyone who strayed even slightly from etiquette or fell behind the trends.
"Don't worry. I know them as well as you do."
She had experienced it ad nauseam in her past life.
"They're more worldly than anyone yet quick to bow to power. They might even be easier to handle than the stubborn Valdinans who'd rather die than yield."
In her past life, when Iason usurped the throne, the Kazen people accepted the new emperor without resistance.
Of course, that was after all potential challengers had been eliminated.
"...Why?"
Medeia paused.
She had noticed his gaze fixed intently on her.
"As far as I know, the Princess has never left Valdina during her lifetime, yet you seem quite familiar with the Empire."
It was an expected question. Medeia shrugged her shoulders.
"Acares, that's why people invented writing and news. You must have been too busy hiding your identity while running your merchant group to notice."
Her tone was indulgent, as if teaching a new maid.
"......"
"If you want, I can send you some books too."
Cesare noticed the faint playfulness in her expressionless lips and couldn't help but chuckle.
Had Gallo been there, he would have thrown a fit, demanding to know why he wasn't throwing daggers at the Princess.
"Fine. I have something to tell you too."
Cesare, who had been about to step toward Medeia, froze momentarily.
Late at night, in a bedroom with just the two of them.
To him, she might be just a green princess, but who knew what she might be thinking?
For a girl her age, nothing was more important than chastity and virtue. He realized he might have been too casual.
But Medeia, who had been a wife and mother of two in her past life, felt no discomfort at all.
The fluttering hearts and nervous tension that might arise between a man and woman had long since withered and faded within her chest.
"......"
Cesare snapped out of his thoughts at the sight of those green eyes looking up at him questioningly.
While the pale-faced princess remained serene, he was the one acting like a foolish boy.
Regaining his composure, he placed an ornament on Medeia's white hand.
It was a brooch shaped like a cat, with emeralds embedded where the eyes should be.
"Press this."
When his thick finger pressed the tail part, there was a click—the cat's mouth opened, revealing a gleaming needle.
It was an exquisitely crafted weapon.
"It fires. The tip is coated with a potent paralyzing poison. Just a scratch will keep someone down for three days."
"Perfect for stabbing rude people like you."
Even as she said this, Medeia couldn't take her eyes off the brooch.
"Will you refuse this one too?"
"......"
Medeia didn't answer.
As if he'd expected this, a light chuckle came from behind the half-mask.
"I knew you'd like it."
"I never liked—"
Medeia bristled, caught off guard by the involuntary reaction she hadn't meant to show.
"Then see you later, Princess."
But Cesare vanished as swiftly as he had appeared.
Medeia rose and gripped the window frame. A cold night wind rushed in.
"Truly a man who does as he pleases."
Coming like the wind and scattering everything like a typhoon—if she didn't hold her ground firmly, she would be swept away.
Her muttered words, like a sigh, settled over the gleaming emerald eyes of the cat.
The Administrative Palace of Valdina.
"Chancellor? At this hour... Surely you're not still working?"
In the early dawn, an aide widened his eyes upon spotting Siseo.
Scattered across the map spread on the table were the chaotic notes sent by his contacts deployed across the battlefield.
"Did you visit Her Highness's palace safely yesterday? Oh, what's this?"
"Ten days ago, a military provisions convoy of the Lasai Tribe heading to the front lines was burned."
A servant tilted his head at the sight of a letter and a charred piece of flag.
"Could it be... Her Highness's doing?"
"Tell Pelleus not to miss his timing."
"Send this to the camp where His Majesty is stationed. It's urgent—as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Chancellor."
The servant hurried out.
Siseo suddenly realized.
The Princess hadn't used Valdina's forces—she had struck the Lasai supply route by leveraging external power.
'Mercenaries... Did she hire them?'
"If they're skilled enough to evade my ears, they're no ordinary men."
Just two weeks ago, there had been no word at all.
For a group to be this precise and stealthy, targeting only their objectives and withdrawing swiftly against the savage Lasai Tribe...
"Don't tell me... Facade?"
A disbelieving breath escaped him.
A group of royal maids slipped out of the Kazen diplomatic mission's quarters.
"Goodness, the rumors were true—the Fourth Imperial Princess has quite the temper. This isn't good, that isn't good. How do her attendants even manage to cater to her whims?"
"Exactly. Just now, she sent the Count running to fetch Imperial decorations because she called the quarters shabby."
The maids clicked their tongues.
"Tsk tsk, how is he supposed to find those at this hour? Poor man, poor man. Even an Imperial Count is powerless before royalty."
In the dim streets of Valdina's royal castle, lined with shuttered shops, Kensington—who had been busy running the Fourth Princess's errands—halted.
A familiar silver silhouette had appeared before him.
"Your Highness of Valdina, what brings you here at this late hour?"
"Count Kensington, walk with me for a moment."
Though he followed obediently, deep wariness flickered in Kensington's eyes.
He had been pondering how to approach her—having been exposed to the Red Fox's presence and coming this far—but the Princess of Valdina had sought him out first.
"I was half-doubting whether Umberto would deliver the message properly. I thought it would be enough if the words reached you somehow. But I didn't expect you to come to me yourself."
"...The matter is of that nature, isn't it?"
"Afraid all your spies planted in Valdina will be rooted out? Don't worry. That's not why I sought you out."
"Then what is?"
The benevolent diplomat who had led the mission was gone. In his place stood a man with sharp, humorless eyes fixed on Medeia.
The real Kensington was somewhat arrogant, somewhat cautious, and exceedingly perceptive.
"I came to warn you, Count."
"With all due respect, Your Highness of a minor kingdom, I fail to comprehend what advice you could possibly offer a vassal of Kazen."
Kensington subtly provoked the princess, observing her reaction with calculated intent.
"What if I were to reveal Your Excellency's true nature to the imperial family right now?"
Her words carried an unmistakable threat.
As befitting the mastermind controlling spies across the continent, his tone remained composed yet carried an undeniable sharpness.
"My true nature... You mean how I appear to be an ordinary diplomat while actually manipulating intelligence networks across the land?"
Kensington stiffened slightly at her coy smile and probing question.
"Count, threats are only effective when the target has nothing to lose. Though I wonder who would even believe you if you tried."
Medeia's lips curled upward.
"Frankly speaking, isn't everything between the Count and me known only to us two?"
To expose the princess's true nature, he'd have to first confess how he'd secretly planted spies within Valdina's Imperial Household Department.
They both knew Kensington would never take that risk.
"Wise Count, you've sent countless spies across the continent and used their intelligence to launch preemptive strikes."
The princess's gaze held nothing but truth.
"Even I know His Majesty only ascended the throne safely thanks to your loyalty hidden in the shadows."
"......"
"But now it's dangerous. The Red Fox organization that was your strength will soon become the noose around your neck."
The princess stopped walking and turned. Kensington found himself staring into vivid green eyes.
"Because the Emperor of Kazen will betray you."
The air froze solid. Kensington issued a warning.
"Your Highness, you should weigh your words carefully before spreading baseless rumors."
"I personally respect you, Count. Especially your generations-spanning loyalty and sacrifices."
A glimmer of genuine respect flashed across her pale, delicate features.
"But has the Emperor of Kazen ever properly repaid you? Can the bond between lord and vassal be maintained through one-sided loyalty? Kensington, you need to find a better master."
Kensington's eyes burned with fury. His planted feet tensed where he stood facing the princess.
"Your Highness of Valdina isn't the first foreigner to attempt recruiting me. But my answer then and now remains the same. Kensington is loyal solely to His Majesty."
As if she'd anticipated his firm response, Medeia gave a shallow nod.
"I respect your conviction. Still, I wished to warn you. You're too valuable to be sacrificed to the greed of ungrateful men."
Long after the princess departed, Kensington remained rooted in place. For a moment, his anger surged so violently he struggled to maintain his composure.
Perhaps the greatest reason was his inability to refute the young woman's words.
That his liege, Perdiccas II, having now ascended the throne, would soon betray him.