Chapter 94
Chapter 94
Translation: godsn
The Kazenites were also sending signals to somehow deny the duel's outcome.
'You lost in this disgraceful manner and now expect me to fix it?!'
Iason nearly lost his temper, barely restraining himself from snapping. He desperately racked his brain.
'If I confirm this defeat here, Angelique will never forgive me.'
Naturally, the East Imperial Consort's faction would be lost as well. There was no way they'd cooperate with someone who'd put their daughter in such a predicament.
But if he took the princess's side and forcibly overturned Valdina's victory, his own reputation would suffer.
After all, his seal was prominently stamped on the written pledge guaranteeing today's duel.
Hundreds of Valdina's people were watching here. They would never stay silent.
If word spread across the continent that the noble and benevolent Grand Duke Castulo was in fact a spineless lapdog who obeyed the imperial family without question, the damage would fall entirely on him.
Who would ever support such a person to become emperor?
No matter which path he chose, he was bound to lose something.
Iason, who had cleverly planned to reap benefits from both sides, felt the sting of regret deep in his bones.
'If I'd known it would come to this, I should've just stayed quiet.'
Even if he regretted it now, he had neither the time nor the wit to find a way out.
"Surely, Your Grace isn't planning to deny the outcome as well?"
Medeia shot another arrow at Iason, who was hesitating.
It was a vicious question, urging someone already teetering on the edge of a cliff to just go ahead and fall.
"Of course not."
Iason reflexively denied it, then bit the inside of his cheek before barely managing to reply.
"The duel... was won by the princess. It is... Valdina's victory."
His chest felt suffocatingly tight, as if he'd been backed into a corner with no escape.
"Wooooooah—!"
The people of Valdina erupted into applause so thunderous it seemed the banquet hall might shake.
"Thank you. Your Grace's sense of justice is as renowned as they say."
Medeia offered a superficial expression of gratitude before cleanly turning her back on him, as if she had no further business with Iason.
She faced the Fourth Imperial Princess.
"As per the pledge you promised, we shall await the delivery of twice the original aid from Kazen. Valdina will never forget the Fourth Princess's generosity for generations to come."
Though her face was pale from blood loss, Medeia's eyes burned fiercely alive.
"...Hah!"
The Fourth Princess trembled violently before storming off.
The Kazenites, too, followed her in a dazed hurry, utterly disoriented.
Watching their pitiful retreat, the people of Valdina were beside themselves with exhilaration, as if floating on air.
"We won! The aid's been doubled, just like that!"
"This is all thanks to Her Highness the Princess! When has anyone in Valdina ever stood up to Kazen like this?"
Not only had they humbled the arrogant princess who insulted the Late King, but they'd also loosened the stranglehold on their suffering people.
And all this achieved by the so-called "half-princess"—the royal family's worthless spare, the one they'd always looked down upon as nothing but an empty shell!
"Long live Her Highness Medeia!"
The atmosphere brimmed with overwhelming emotion and vitality, something Valdina hadn't experienced in a very long time.
"Your Highness."
As Medeia watched the Kazenites flee like startled rabbits, a shadow fell behind her.
"Ah, Siseo. You're here."
"You should see the royal physician first."
Behind his monocle, Siseo's face briefly contorted as he noticed the dried blood caked on Medeia's arm.
"No."
Medeia shook her head and grabbed his arm.
She didn't seem to notice how he stiffened momentarily at the touch of her delicate hand.
"Make sure they can't backtrack—announce it publicly and proceed immediately. We must move quickly."
She jerked her chin toward the written pledge.
"Precisely what I was thinking. This pledge represents the Empire's magnanimous decision to extend humanitarian aid regardless of nationality. I plan to widely publicize their goodwill and even send a copy to the temple to commemorate it."
Truly, with such a brilliant chancellor, there was no need to spell out the next steps.
Medeia suppressed a smile.
As Siseo said, once this pledge reached the Holy Nation's hands, Kazen would have no choice but to honor the increased aid.
After all, the Holy Nation—locked in a delicate rivalry with Kazen—would surely intervene.
"Good, hurry along now."
"Medeia!"
The Queen Dowager hastily descended from the dais and searched for Medeia.
"You foolish, reckless child. Have you truly resolved to cut short this old woman's remaining days?"
Though her voice was stern with reproach, the wrinkled hand that grasped Medeia's trembled faintly.
"Grandmother."
"Never again throw yourself into danger like this. Do you understand? You are a princess. With blood as noble as yours, you should be stepping back, not forward—what were you thinking, charging ahead like that!"
Madame Pinatelli swallowed a sigh, her brows drooping.
'She was so worried for Her Highness that she nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds.'
But the Queen Dowager's scolding could not continue.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Grandmother."
Because Medeia reached out and clasped her hands in return.
"I can't promise that I won't do this again. Until Pelleus returns, upholding our late father's will, I must protect this country properly."
"......"
The Queen Dowager struggled to hold back the redness rising in her eyes as she took in the wounds still marking her granddaughter's arm.
"Mother. Before I am your son, I am the King of this nation, and I must take responsibility for Valdina's future."
"Only with the plains can we break free from Kazen's interference and forge a new future. Shouldn't we sever this suffocating leash in my generation?"
"This war will be the cornerstone that shapes the next hundred years."
"So, Mother... please forgive this unfilial son as he departs."
The resolute words of her dead son, spoken long ago as he left for the battlefield, surfaced in her memory.
"......Very well. This old woman has made a spectacle of herself."
The Queen Dowager steadied her emotions and regained her dignified composure. If even her granddaughter was like this, she couldn't afford to stand idly by either.
"You should return to the palace now. Leave the rest to this old woman."
After sending Medeia back first, she separately rewarded Facade's group.
"I doubt Facade has much need for the material wealth an old woman like me can offer. Perhaps granting him opportunities to assist in royal affairs would be more fitting. What say you to an access pass for palace events?"
Gallo's face brightened.
With an access pass, they would have far more opportunities to freely enter and exit the palace—and search for the Tears of Dawn.
"What merchant would refuse a chance to sell his wares? I can only bow in gratitude for Your Highness's boundless generosity."
Despite his dignity, he promptly prostrated himself.
"I'm glad to hear it. I sincerely hope it proves useful."
His shameless yet oddly endearing cheerfulness drew a faint smile to the Queen Dowager's lips.
Facade was just about to withdraw when—
"Acares, was it?"
The Queen Dowager abruptly called out to the masked mercenary.
As Cesare remained still, Gallo nudged him sharply in the ribs, as if urging him forward.
"Your Highness, I—"
"No, not you."
The Queen Dowager handed Cesare the brooch fastened at her own chest.
"Thank you for stepping forward for my granddaughter."
Her voice was so low that only Madame Pinatelli and Cesare could hear.
Cesare looked down at the elderly woman before him.
As grandmother and granddaughter, it was only natural for her to express gratitude on Medeia's behalf.
And yet, for some reason, a faint displeasure stirred within him.
"Cesare, are you truly my son? Your mother didn't deceive me, did she—passing off the Late Emperor's seed as mine?"
"Conquering the continent! Now that's my son! That's my blood!"
Only after proving his usefulness had he finally been allowed within the boundaries of kinship.
The father who had always regarded him with suspicion and oppression—who had, upon Cesare's conquest of the continent, rejoiced more than anyone and cherished him—overlapped in his mind with the Queen Dowager.
This woman who had despised and tormented Medeia all along—now, of all times?
Still ignorant, still unaware that everything today had unfolded by the princess's design.
Only he knew. That it was he, not the Queen Dowager, who had conspired with the princess, who had aided in her plans.
That it was this old woman, not him, who stood outside the princess's circle.
A vivid fury darkened Cesare's thoughts.