Chapter 96
Chapter 96
Translation: godsn
"Both the Fourth Imperial Princess and the Grand Duke are the type to blame others for their failures. You should be especially careful with your well-being."
Medeia stared intently at Acares, who had left her with this unexpected warning.
He was a man concealing just as many secrets as she was.
Time and again, his bizarre appearances disrupted Medeia's carefully laid plans.
Yet regardless of the process, the outcome had always worked in Medeia's favor.
"Acares."
In that case, it was only right that she offer him a warning in return.
"Grand Duke Castulo is not a favorable card for Facade. Keep your distance."
Though her expression was as impassive as ever, Cesare sensed something different this time. It was the first instance of the princess speaking to him so directly. His eyes gleamed with interest.
"Will you not tell me the reason?"
His flashing golden eyes seemed to pierce deep into Medeia's core.
"My trivial advice ends here."
"Castulo..."
As he repeated Medeia's words, a scoff escaped between his well-shaped lips—clearly mocking, though the target didn't seem to be Medeia.
"Such an esteemed figure would never take notice of an insignificant wretch who resorts to blade tricks for swindling."
Bending like moonlight sliding across the floor, he pressed his lips to the tip of a rose petal resting on the table. The gesture hovered between reverence and seduction.
"Unless it's a lady as benevolent and gentle as Your Highness, they wouldn't even treat me as human."
No—he was teasing her. Medeia's brow twitched faintly.
Despite his scathing self-deprecation, his utterly arrogant demeanor made the words ring hollow. If anything, the gap between his tone and attitude made it abundantly clear that someone like Iason wasn't even worth his notice.
'That's fortunate.'
Medeia watched Cesare's moonlit figure glow white as she quietly contemplated.
Had he joined hands with Iason, she would have had no choice but to eliminate him by any means necessary.
Deep in the night at Valdina's Royal Palace.
Under shadows cast by moonlight, a slender figure moved with panther-like grace.
"My lord, Jared is throwing an absolute fit."
Alpha reported.
"He's sent orders to Kazen to mobilize the elite forces from his territory. It seems he intends retaliation—what should we do?"
He produced a small, crumpled piece of parchment—their usual method of communication from the frontlines.
Cesare turned his gaze toward the princess's palace.
The cream-colored structure emitted a calm glow even in the darkness, much like its owner, yet to his eyes, it appeared anything but sturdy. The sparse guard formations and blind spots were glaringly obvious at a glance.
A displeased glint surfaced in Cesare's striking eyes. A stray dog kicked out of its home still manages to dirty the muck, it seems.
"Kill them all the moment they set foot in this country and send the bodies to Jared."
"Yes, my lord."
As Cesare strode past the bowing Alpha, he suddenly halted.
"Stamp them with Facade's crest."
A warning needed to be carved into that red-headed fool's skull—to keep his revolting face from flaunting itself so brazenly.
"...Yes, my lord."
Alpha hesitated briefly before complying.
In the Empire, the First Prince had clipped Jared's wings just as they spread for flight. Now in Valdina, a mere mercenary of Facade had buried his future in the mud. It was almost pitiable how Jared would never realize both blows came from the same man.
Cesare gave a slight nod before turning to Zeta.
"You guard the princess."
"Yes, my lord."
They vanished back into the shadows.
"You can come out now, Siseo."
"......"
"Since when did you take to enjoying hide-and-seek?"
From behind the corner wall, Siseo stepped forward.
"I saw you leaving the princess's palace."
The monocle perched on the bridge of his nose reflected his opaque emotions like a murky mirror.
"What business could Facade possibly have with Her Highness? Valdina's affairs should have already been coordinated with me."
His voice carried an uncharacteristic coldness.
Before being a friend, as Valdina's chancellor—and as a man—his guard was up.
"That's between the Princess and me. None of your concern."
"......"
Silence flowed between them.
Realizing he would get no further answers, Siseo asked with a hardened expression, "What exactly are you plotting?"
Cesare merely shrugged.
"Speak clearly."
"I'm asking why you, Cesare—acting completely unlike yourself—are hovering around Her Highness Medeia."
"......"
"Was it also your Facade who struck the Lasai Tribe's supply route?"
Siseo knew Cesare. The man who had remained consistently cold and detached throughout their time at the Tower of White Night.
This was not a man who extended his hand or showed favor without reason. There had never been a single instance when he moved without purpose.
So for him to voluntarily become the Princess's ally could only mean Cesare had ulterior motives.
"I thought you weren't as despicable as the Empire. No—at the very least, I believed you wouldn't exploit the friendship we shared. That was my mistake."
Siseo struggled to suppress the emotions threatening to spill over.
"Facade needs to withdraw and leave."
"Ah. Now that the relief supplies are secured, you have no more use for us? Is this how all Valdinans are—so heartless?"
Siseo ignored his question and continued, "Don't approach Her Highness again. If you knew what kind of danger you created that day—"
"If it hadn't been for me, who else could have brought Jared to his knees and shut the Fourth Imperial Princess's foolish mouth?"
Cesare scoffed. His unshakable confidence draped over him as naturally as his clothes.
"You? The Princess's knight? Or those aging former generals of Valdina?"
"......"
"And Siseo—you seem to be under a misconception. This nation you're so loyal to isn't exactly a prize I covet."
Despite his languid tone, his words were razor-sharp.
"Pathetically weak national power. Citizens filled with nothing but unbreakable convictions. As an invader, even you must know there's no reason to choose such troublesome land."
Siseo stared at Cesare.
If not for Valdina itself, then there was only one reason left.
"I was, and still am, the best piece she could ever hold. And you're telling someone like me to back off? Don't you think that's a bit presumptuous?"
A flicker of irritation burned faintly in Siseo's golden eyes.
"Siseo, you don't know the Princess. In all of Valdina, I'm likely the only one who fully understands her vision."
"Cesare, you—"
"So save your pointless worries. She and I are nothing more than transactional partners, each with something to gain."
The sheer annoyance in his expression—as if even explaining was a bother—left Siseo momentarily speechless. He felt like an insolent intruder who'd crossed a line.
"Ask the Princess herself if you doubt me."
Without waiting for a reply, Cesare vanished back into the shadows.
"......"
Siseo removed his monocle and rubbed his weary face.
"Protect the Princess."
Cesare's command to the Shadows was undoubtedly genuine.
It wasn't hard to deduce that his arrangements were meant to shield her from Jared's wrath after today's duel.
Yet even if his mind understood that the one making those arrangements was Cesare, and the recipient was the Princess—his heart refused to accept it.
Logically, he should feel relieved knowing the friend he'd trusted wasn't targeting his homeland. But Siseo's expression remained dark.
On his way back to the office, Siseo fidgeted with his pocket.
Inside was medicine for treating wounds.
In truth, concerned about Medeia's injuries from the duel with the Imperial Princess, he had rushed to her palace immediately after finalizing the Written Pledge—only to find Cesare there instead.
'What was I even thinking?'
Siseo abruptly turned his steps away.
When he finally entered his office, he froze. The Princess's maid, Neril, was waiting.
"Her Highness has summoned you."