Light
"Two suns cannot rise in the same sky—unless one is a star."
Standing beside Birna—drenched in diamonds, glittering like a living vault—Medea appeared almost austere by comparison.
Her transparent skin seemed to glow from within. Crimson lips. White pearls at her ears—subtle, elegant.
A steady gait. Upright posture. A calm, unwavering gaze. A voice clear and measured.
Medea radiated quiet, noble elegance.
The very fact that she wore no excessive ornamentation seemed to further elevate her status as Princess.
"Birna wanted this dress so desperately. It should go to someone who appreciates it more."
She opened her fan with a soft snap and lowered her eyes slightly.
"The Claudio family always bestows such undeserved gifts upon me. Shouldn't I return their generosity from time to time?"
There was a hint of genuine distress in her calm tone.
"My goodness, how shameless!"
To the court's ears, it sounded as though Birna had forgotten her place entirely and demanded to wear the Princess's dress.
Catherine stepped forward quickly.
"That immature girl dared to trouble Your Highness. As her mother, I apologize once again."
She paused, eyes narrowing.
"However, I also sent other gowns for you. Why did you choose to wear this plain black dress?"
She suspected Medea had intentionally dressed her cousin extravagantly while wearing something simple herself to garner sympathy and praise.
"Of course, I received my aunt's sincerity with gratitude. It was a beautiful gesture."
Medea continued softly, showing no trace of embarrassment.
"But I know His Majesty has yet to return from the battlefield. The people are starving. How could I wear such extravagance while they suffer?"
At that moment, Marchioness Aspasia—who had been watching the exchange with keen interest—spoke up.
She was a leading figure in Valdina's high society and harbored a fierce rivalry with Catherine.
"But Your Highness is His Majesty's only sister. No matter what you wear or where you go, no one would dare criticize you."
"That's true. I am the one and only Princess of Valdina."
Medea lifted her chin slightly.
She was not only majestic—even her quiet arrogance carried the weight of youth and birthright.
"So whether I wear silk or cheap cloth, that truth will never change. Why should I concern myself with appearances?"
Marchioness Aspasia nodded approvingly.
"You speak correctly, Your Highness. A Princess needs no adornment to prove her blood."
It was a pointed statement—clearly aimed at someone.
Then Medea added softly, as though protecting a wayward child.
"But it's not Birna's fault. She's a girl in her prime. What's wrong with wanting to dress beautifully?"
However, the age difference between the Princess and Birna was only one year.
Medea's words actually highlighted Birna's immaturity.
Though they shared the same blood, the court now understood their responsibilities were worlds apart.
People thought to themselves that no matter how young the Princess was, she could not hide her royal bearing.
Some shook their heads while looking at Birna with pity—or disdain.
"How dare she! How dare she!"
Birna bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.
She felt like a monkey on display at a zoo.
It was utterly humiliating.
"Stupid girl. She couldn't even accomplish the one simple task I gave her."
The Regent wrinkled his brow as he looked at his daughter's flushed face.
"No matter. This banquet itself will become the chain that binds Medea."
He stepped forward to clear his daughter's name and steer the conversation back on course.
"You are truly remarkable, Medea."
The moment he called her by name—without her title—a flash of cold light flickered through her green eyes.
But it vanished as quickly as it came.
Medea raised her head and met his gaze directly.
"It's been some time, Uncle Claudio."
It was her first meeting with him since her return.
"I'm so relieved you recovered. Otherwise, our Valdina would have lost such a thoughtful Princess."
His cool demeanor and friendly greeting made him seem like a man above reproach.
But Medea knew his true nature.
"Why didn't I notice those wolf-like eyes before?"
In her past life, Peleus had been aware of Joaquin's ambitions.
He'd tried to warn Medea—but couldn't bring himself to speak plainly, fearing it would hurt her.
"Medea, don't get too close to your uncle. They're—"
"Why? Does my brother hate me so much? Why are you trying to take away the only family I have left?"
"When I died, Claudio, you became King of Valdina, didn't you?"
"When Peleus was torn apart by demonic beasts defending his country—weren't you the one who fled to the Empire and didn't lift a finger to help?"
Medea gripped her fan tightly.
It was her greatest regret that she couldn't plunge its iron handle into his heart right now.
But if she killed him here, he would remain a pitiful man—murdered without cause by the niece he'd loved more than his own daughter.
"I won't let you keep such a noble reputation."
"I appreciate your consideration, Uncle."
Medea smiled, holding back her fury.
"Good."
As though the time had finally come, the Regent stepped onto the dais.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
The clear sound of a silver spoon striking crystal rang out.
"As you all know, tonight's banquet is held solely for Her Royal Highness Medea—the one and only Princess of our Valdina royal family."
The sight of him looking down upon the audience like the master of the hall was imposing.
"The Princess has been leading the kingdom with utmost sincerity on behalf of His Majesty. She cared for state affairs with her whole heart—and ultimately overexerted herself to the detriment of her health."
The guests' eyes filled with confusion.
Didn't the riding accident that injured her happen during a leisurely picnic?
"Though these humble preparations pale in comparison to Her Royal Highness's magnificence, she has graciously allowed us to demonstrate our devotion."
As if the Princess herself hadn't begged Duke Claudio to throw this unnecessary banquet...
The Regent praised Medea with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Therefore, everyone must never forget that Her Highness's very presence adds to the glory of our kingdom!"
The Princess wasn't even the King—yet he expected everyone to bow this deeply?
The Regent's excessive flattery actually wounded the nobles' pride.
The Queen Mother's eyes hardened slightly.
"It's good for Medea to establish her authority, but if this goes too far, won't it cause problems when the King returns?"
"Two suns cannot rise in the same sky."
"Let everyone pray for His Majesty's safety tonight! For Her Highness Medea!"
The Regent's seemingly sincere praise for his niece was actually bait—a piece of poisoned meat thrown for Medea to bite.
The atmosphere of the banquet turned cold.
All the attendees felt antipathy toward praising the Princess for what seemed like ignorance and indulgence.
The royalist nobles who supported Peleus were so furious their faces turned red.
"What help has the Princess—who's nothing but a puppet of the Regent, freely issuing seals—actually provided to the government?"
"If anything, she's been a troublemaker!"
Duke Claudio was immensely satisfied when he saw even the Queen Mother looking uncomfortable.
His gaze drifted hungrily toward the empty King's throne.
"Just wait a little longer."
"Everything will be in my hands."
"That seat. And the King's crown."
It seemed as though tonight would proceed perfectly according to their plan.
Then—
The hem of a black dress swayed gracefully.
"I am deeply moved that Duke Claudio cares for me so much."
"I understand my uncle's feelings perfectly."
Medea raised her arm and pointed toward the window.
She had no intention of letting the banquet proceed as the Regent intended.
"In fact, tonight is the Eve of Saint Esther—when the Star of Eternal Victory rises."
Following her gesture, the crowd's eyes turned toward the dark night sky beyond the windows.
Dong.
Dong.
The distant sound of grand bells announcing the hour echoed through the hall.
"Didn't you hold such a grand banquet in the hope that His Majesty and the soldiers of Valdina on the battlefield would receive at least the blessing of Saint Esther?"
Saint Esther.
An attack priest said to be the strongest and most courageous warrior in the history of the Holy Kingdom, immortalized in sacred mythology.
Coincidentally, at that very moment, a white streak of light appeared in the distance.
"Look! Just there, between the ridges!"
Someone gasped.
Conversations buzzed between those who saw the fleeting moment and those who missed it.
"There! Over there!"
Several white beams of light rose simultaneously into the sky.
Light
Rays that seemed to reach endlessly toward the heavens
suddenly spread outward like an explosion.
Points of light became lines.
Lines connected to one another.
Then a shape emerged.
"Wait, that shape... it looks like..."
"Saint Esther! It's Saint Esther's Spear!"
Someone who recognized it shouted.
A trap reversed.
A miracle orchestrated.
And the heavens answered.
To Be Continued
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