The Queen Mother imposed strict control over the tongues of all who had witnessed the events of that day.
Thus, the incident—which might rightfully be termed a royal disgrace—did not spread beyond the palace walls.
However, when the Princess knelt in prayer for hours before the royal chapel, perceptive observers could deduce that something significant had transpired.
Sturdy maids stood guard at each cardinal point around the Princess—north, south, east, and west.
They watched with hawk-like vigilance to ensure no soul approached or offered so much as a sip of water or a morsel of sustenance.
Once it became known these were the Queen Mother's personal attendants, understanding dawned.
The Princess is being punished once more.
Such public discipline suggested something truly grave had occurred.
How deeply must the Queen Mother despise her eldest granddaughter?
"Has it truly been half a day already?"
"I heard the Queen Mother commanded her to kneel until the Goddess grants revelation."
"Speaking of revelations—one might sooner await lightning from a cloudless sky."
"She is simply declaring she shall torment the girl until her mood improves."
Near the royal chapel, observers frequently gathered to witness Medea's punishment—a nation's Princess, disciplined before all eyes.
Medea recognized full well that the shame inflicted upon a young girl not yet debuted into society was calculated precisely into the Queen Mother's punishment.
I cannot yield now.
If she bent, the Queen Mother would soon forget her entirely. She would fall prey to Claudio's honeyed words and unwittingly aid their machinations.
Beginning with this incident, the two must diverge. Make the Queen Mother doubt the loyalty of her second son—whom she trusts above all others.
That was the ultimate goal of Medea's design.
— The First Night — The sun descended and night spread its shroud across the palace.
Being autumn—with its dramatic temperature fluctuations—a piercing wind arose. Past midnight, all curious onlookers had long since departed.
Medea now wore only a thin indoor gown. The flimsy fabric provided no barrier whatsoever against the bitter cold.
"The weather grows far too bitter. She departed without proper preparation. Please, allow her at least this blanket."
Neril extended the woolen covering with desperate pleading in her eyes, but the Queen Mother's maids shook their heads firmly.
"The Queen Mother has expressly forbidden it. She instructed us to inform Her Highness—if the Goddess grants easy forgiveness, she shall consider it as though no punishment occurred at all."
Neril had already defended her mistress once. The Queen Mother would not tolerate such interference a second time—not even for the sake of appearances.
"Do as I command, if you trust me."
At those firm words, Neril had been forced to retreat, biting her lip until she tasted copper.
This too must be Her Highness's arrangement. She exploited the head maid and Marieu's conspiracy deliberately.
Neril could not easily abandon her post. The young Princess sitting alone before the vast chapel appeared terribly small and desperately lonely.
Moonlight bathed Medea's pale face as she prayed before the stone statue.
If a merciful Goddess truly exists...
Neril prayed with fervent desperation.
Please watch over our Highness.
After some time, Neril finally departed.
As night deepened, the maids standing watch began to doze at their posts.
Only Medea remained awake, gazing up at the Goddess with clear, unwavering eyes.
Unlike Neril, not one ounce of resentment darkened her green gaze.
God had granted her the opportunity for vengeance against her enemies—what more could she possibly desire?
Everything proceeded precisely according to plan.
How much time passed thus?
Medea, exhausted by bitter cold and crushing fatigue, closed her eyes for but a moment.
In that instant—
Light emanating from the Goddess statue's fingertips enveloped her like protective wings.
— Day Three — The scorching sun blazed upon the chapel.
Medea remained there still, her entire body bathed in punishing sunlight.
Her pallid complexion and parched lips suggested imminent collapse. No observer could withhold their sympathy.
"Ha. Still stubborn, is she?"
The Queen Mother snorted with derision.
She knew perfectly well that the punishment she had imposed was unreasonable. That was precisely why she had left an escape route.
"No one shall provide this child water until she comprehends her transgressions. Is that understood?"
In other words—if Medea came first and apologized for her errors, forgiveness would follow.
So when a day or two passed and the girl came weeping and begging, the Queen Mother had planned to feign reluctant mercy.
"It has already been three days, Your Majesty..."
"I am well aware it has been three days!"
She had not imagined the girl could possibly endure this long.
Rumors that the Queen Mother had severely punished the Princess had spread far and wide. Now even among the courtiers, whispers arose.
"What precisely did the Princess do to warrant such prolonged punishment?"
"Trying to shame this old woman as well, is she? I shall truly outlast that stubborn child."
The Queen Mother pursed her lips and spoke with sharp finality.
"Pinatelli, ensure no one approaches that girl. Even if she has not recognized her errors yet, she shall understand by the time this old woman enters her coffin!"
"Your Majesty..."
The Queen Mother bristled at Baroness Pinatelli's pitying gaze.
"Why do you look at me thus? Do not disappoint me as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Baroness Pinatelli bowed deeply, concealing her compassion beneath a mask of obedience.
— The Prime Minister's Office — Cesare visited the palace once more.
"You have changed chambers."
A different location from before. Since negotiations had concluded with their previous conversation, agreement had come swiftly.
Facade had received permission to remain upon Valdina's territory—for substantial payment. Ultimately, Cesare had accepted the astronomical price that would easily quench the urgent fires besieging the kingdom.
The rear military support Cissere had hoped for was denied. However, the request to display Facade publicly until the Imperial delegation departed had been granted.
For Cissere, the outcome exceeded all expectations.
As Facade operated as arms dealers in the shadows, they rarely appeared publicly. Even just the suggestion that something exists between Valdina and Facade would make the Empire nervous. They would not dare act as brazenly as usual.
"Proceed that way."
It was roughly when the agreement was being finalized. Cesare caught something in his peripheral vision.
The white palace's edge was visible through the window. Quite nearby stood a chapel. From this position, he could observe the Princess kneeling before the statue.
He could deduce precisely why the meeting location had changed.
"It is a curious thing."
Cesare suddenly addressed Cissere, who was ignoring Gallo's commentary about their exorbitant fees.
"Are you concerned about the Princess?"
"Ha. Unnecessary."
He halted as though continuing was not worth the effort. However, if he had truly been indifferent, he would not have responded at all.
"Even so, rumors have spread throughout the entire castle. Three days already, brother?"
Gallo clapped his hands together.
"I thought only the Katzen Imperial family was heartless, but Valdina proves equally ruthless. Does the Queen Mother truly despise her granddaughter so intensely?"
He seemed delighted the tedious negotiations had concluded, offering an interesting topic instead. His bronze complexion gleamed with animation.
"Still, the Princess possesses more fortitude than I anticipated. I assumed she would collapse much sooner."
Cissere frowned at Gallo's words. He could not comprehend why the Princess ignored the clear escape route the Queen Mother had provided.
"What nonsense. Such stubbornness shall only breed deeper hatred."
Then—a sound of quiet laughter.
"Boss, why are you smiling?"
"I wonder. Perhaps she is aiming for precisely that."
Cesare had experienced countless schemes and traps within the imperial court, becoming skilled at manipulating emotions to overcome impossible situations.
Each time the Emperor had attempted warning him and tightening control, Cesare had instead provoked his father further.
When hatred grows excessive, forgiveness also intensifies proportionally.
It seemed the young Princess who had crushed the maids' ambitious plot was exploiting that very gap.
Cissere raised his eyebrows questioningly. Cesare merely shrugged and turned his head.
Through the window, he could still observe the Princess sitting motionless before the chapel.
Small. Still. Unbroken.
To Be Continued
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