Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Translation: godsn
The Royal Palace of Valdina.
On Sunday evening, Valdina's nobility and the Kazen delegates streamed into the banquet hall one after another.
It was the day of the official welcoming banquet for the Kazen diplomatic mission.
From Valdina's perspective, Kazen's aid was desperately needed.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the outcome of the war depended on how they treated these guests.
Thus, despite their strained circumstances, they had poured all their efforts into creating a lavish and beautiful banquet.
"Aren't these the Violettas that bloom all year round? It must have been no small feat to procure them."
"Indeed. The fragrance is truly delightful. Whoever thought of this, the venue looks even more splendid now."
A sweet yet mysterious floral scent wafted through every corner of the banquet hall.
The chandeliers sparkled more brilliantly than ever, and the subtly glowing ice crystals and golden candlesticks placed throughout the venue bore witness to the painstaking effort invested.
The care and luxury on display rivaled that of the recent banquet celebrating Medeia's recovery.
The Kazen delegates swept their gazes across the banquet hall's interior.
"My, this would barely qualify as a tea party back in the Empire. Is this really their best effort?"
"Now, now, half of Valdina's treasury might have been emptied just for tonight's banquet. Don't be too harsh."
They nitpicked every visible and audible detail, constantly comparing it unfavorably to Kazen's standards.
"When did they dig up these ancient ice crystals? Tsk tsk, mere golden candlesticks? This is what they present for a state affair? Really shows Valdina's level."
Some didn't even bother to lower their voices.
"Those people never change, no matter how much time passes. How is it that they always send such boorish and arrogant ones?"
As the Queen Dowager's anger flared, Lady Pinatelli soothed her with a concerned expression.
"If not for the promised aid, I would have those insolent wretches thrown out of this palace immediately."
"Your Majesty, please compose yourself. It's still too early."
"I know. I won't show it, so rest easy."
Yet the Queen Dowager too understood well the importance of the aid Kazen would provide.
The veins on her wrinkled hands gripping the armrests briefly stood out.
Meanwhile, while the diplomatic delegation craned their necks like herons to critique Valdina's banquet hall, Jared was busy for another reason entirely.
"Can't find fault with the Valdina princess's pretty face though. Kensington, where's the princess? I'd like to see her."
"General, that voice of yours first...! Lower it, please."
Even considering that he was a 10-Star Knight and the Empire's valiant commander, Jared's attitude was exceedingly rude.
They weren't unaware of his ruffian-like personality, but no one expected him to act so willfully even at an official function.
It seemed the moment they left the imperial capital, with no one left to mind, he'd completely let go of the reins.
"She's Valdina's only princess. Not someone the General should carelessly approach, I tell you."
"Seems the princess keeps avoiding me because of this ugly mug of mine, so how about you play matchmaker, Kensington? Just get me an introduction—I'll handle the rest from there."
His sinister, snickering voice carried all the way to where Valdina's nobles stood on the opposite side of the hall.
The Valdina delegates grimaced.
"Even if Her Highness the Princess is treated as the black sheep, she remains His Majesty the King's one and only sister! That damned bastard has no right to speak of her so freely!"
Among them, Margrave Monte in particular was fit to burst with anger.
"It's not just disrespect toward Her Highness. They're looking down on all of Valdina as beneath them. Claudio, we can't let this stand. Our royal relatives should at least lodge a protest!"
"Hmm, hmm. That may be excessive... First, calm yourselves. You don't mean to ruin a banquet that's barely begun, do you?"
The Regent had a headache.
'At least have some regard for my standing...'
The Kazen delegation was behaving far more obstinately than he'd anticipated.
'This will only amplify the backlash! They can simply return to Kazen when this is over, but I have to remain here...'
The Regent discreetly signaled to Count Laju to restrain the delegation members.
But Laju wasn't in a position where the Kazen retainers would heed his words either, so he could only shake his head helplessly.
At the same time, among the Kazen delegation.
Jared wasn't the only one wandering through the crowd in search of the princess.
'She wouldn't skip an official banquet welcoming the diplomatic mission.'
Iason's face twisted in displeasure.
Ever since that first day, Iason had been loitering near the princess's palace, deliberately delaying meetings with the diplomatic delegation to linger longer.
Yet he hadn't caught even a glimpse of the princess.
Every gift he'd sent to foster goodwill had been returned without exception.
'She must have seen me by now.'
Iason had never struggled to win people's hearts—especially women's.
His polished appearance, affectionate speech, and gentle disposition could break down any woman's defenses.
But this was the first time he'd encountered someone as unresponsive as a block of wood.
"Her Highness the Princess has never been fond of socializing and mostly remains secluded in her palace. Though recently, she's begun making occasional public appearances," a subordinate interjected, trying to assist his master who was desperately searching for any trace of the princess.
Even so, he never imagined she'd be this difficult to meet.
Iason's fingers twitched restlessly, as if grasping for something just out of reach.
Perhaps it was precisely because she didn't come easily that his frustration grew even more unbearable.
The shimmering silver-haired figure he'd glimpsed from behind kept flashing before his eyes, so delicate it might shatter if held too tightly.
"By the way, Your Grace, were you aware? Facade is also present in the royal castle."
"Facade? Here in Valdina?"
"Yes. In fact, their leader even made an appearance at a recent royal banquet."
Iason narrowed his brows.
The continent's infamous mercenaries, who operated only in the shadows—why would they be in Valdina?
"Does this not suggest that Facade has formed quite close ties with the Valdina royal family? An uncomfortable development for us in Kazen," the subordinate remarked with a worried expression.
"Perhaps when we refused their request for aid, Facade might have applied pressure on our behalf."
Yet Iason's face brightened.
"Angelique is the head of the delegation—why should we worry? In fact, this works in our favor. If we can establish a connection with Facade through this opportunity..."
Then there truly would be nothing left to fear.
With Facade on their side, there'd be no need to hold back. They could overwhelm the First Prince's forces and forcibly absorb them.
"This Valdina has truly become a land of opportunity for me."
He smiled, thoroughly satisfied.
"Her Highness Princess Medeia, we greet you."
"Marchioness Aspasia, how have you been?"
Even at a familiar imperial banquet, the faces of Valdina's nobility were far from relaxed.
Their expressions were a mix of heightened tension and poorly concealed displeasure.
Just then, as Medeia exchanged greetings with the nobles, a faint rustling sounded behind her. She turned.
"Medeia, sister."
Virna stood there.
The surrounding crowd murmured and stepped back.
The gossip about Duke Claudio's daughter fleeing the royal castle in the dead of night had long since lost its scandalous novelty.
Under their scrutinizing gazes, Virna bit the inside of her cheek but maintained her flawless smile.
Her angelic white dress complemented her pink hair perfectly, preserving her ever-lovely appearance.
Yet the toll of her time at the convent was evident—no amount of makeup could fully conceal her pallor.
"Virna."
"I've returned."
Virna's eyes gleamed darkly.
"What a relief. I've been so worried about you. How was life at the convent?"
"...It was a time of devotion. I prayed daily for your safety, sister."
As if oblivious to the resentment simmering in her eyes, Medeia gently corrected her.
"Oh dear, Virna. You must address me properly as 'Your Highness.' Today's banquet is attended by Kazen's delegation—if Grandmother hears you neglecting protocol, she'll be displeased again."
"......"
"Virna, I say this for your sake. No one understands better than I what it means to incur Grandmother's hatred."
The Queen Dowager's wrath toward Duke Claudio's household had not abated.
Earlier, when the Regent and his wife had presented Virna to her, the Queen Dowager had pointedly ignored them.
Virna's lips trembled faintly, as if she were biting the inside of her cheek.
The brutal months at the convent had taught her a harsh lesson.
'I'll never return to that wretched place.'
That was why she could swallow the rage churning inside her at Medeia's words.
"...Of course... Your Highness."
She forced a smile as she replied.
Just then, the hall grew slightly restless. The doors had opened, and a group of burly men filed in.
"...Facade's mercenaries..."
Though dressed similarly in formal banquet attire, the sharp aura radiating from them drew every eye in the room.