Reversed
"I made you a patriot—whether you wanted it or not."
Medea gazed toward the distant mountain ridge shrouded in darkness.
"Neril is executing the plan flawlessly."
The appointed time had been when the main bell rang eight times.
The white flares and siege charges had already been transported by airship through Gilliforth's network.
Medea had prepared her escape from the Claudios' trap long before stepping into the hall.
"It is the Spear of Saint Esther. It seems heaven has finally answered your prayers."
Medea completely reframed the purpose of the banquet.
"Doesn't this mean Valdina will surely triumph?"
As the war dragged on, fatigue had begun to plague both Valdina's citizens and its nobles.
But that didn't mean they'd stopped wanting victory.
In truth, they longed for it more desperately than anyone.
Beyond this dark period, they yearned for even the slightest sign of confidence that Valdina would ultimately prevail.
Medea filled their parched desires with the Spear of Saint Esther—even if it wasn't real.
"Saint Esther has descended upon Valdina!"
"The Star of Victory shines on us!"
Those overwhelmed with emotion murmured joyfully.
The attendees, unable to escape the lingering emotion, finally understood the true reason for tonight's splendid banquet.
"Such sincerity cannot be given lightly. If it were easy, the Goddess wouldn't have granted such a clear answer tonight."Since victory or defeat in the war hung in the balance, the level of devotion offered to the divine was never insufficient.
The Regent's face darkened.
"What? Saint Esther? That makes no sense..."
He muttered under his breath.
"The Goddess's will? Nonsense. It's just some strange phenomenon that happened by chance."
"Why make such a fuss over it?"
Moreover, the Star of Victory was deeply uncomfortable for Claudio—who wanted the King's defeat more than anyone.
"Uncle, did I misunderstand?"
Medea raised her elegant eyebrows, catching his slip.
"I heard this banquet was prepared by Aunt Catherine and Birna at the Duke's estate. So naturally, I assumed there was no other reason my uncle—such a loyalist of Valdina—would host a banquet on this particular day..."
Every eye in the hall turned toward the Regent.
The corners of his mouth trembled as he forced a broad smile.
Denying it here would be tantamount to admitting the Duke had ulterior motives.
"That... that can't be. It's just that you're so perceptive, you read your uncle's innermost thoughts. I'm simply... surprised."
Medea smiled and raised her glass.
"His Majesty will never forget the devotion of my uncle and the Duke's family. As Princess of Valdina, I thank you on his behalf."
She lifted her champagne higher.
"Now, everyone—raise your glasses!"
Golden champagne flowed like liquid light.
"A toast to Claudio, Valdina's loyalist!"
"To Claudio!"
Dozens of golden champagne glasses rose at once, like candles illuminating the Regent's decaying heart.
The Margrave Speaks
"Haha! Claudio, the Star of Victory!"Margrave Montega's voice boomed throughout the banquet hall.
"I apologize for misjudging you! I thought you were confined to the capital like a coward, but you still have fire in your heart! Magnificent!"
With an expression of admiration, he slapped the Regent on the shoulder—delivering words that could have been either compliment or insult.
Duke Claudio clenched his teeth so hard his gums ached.
The Queen Mother also offered her praise.
"Joaquin, you conceived such a brilliant idea. You are indeed my son."
Then she turned her gaze to Medea.
"Medea, is that why you wore a black dress tonight?"
"Yes, Grandmother. I wanted to pay tribute to the soldiers fighting for Valdina on the battlefield."
Medea placed her hand over her heart in a sacred salute.
"Your thoughts run deep. As a Princess, you have never forgotten your duty."
The Queen Mother nodded, clearly impressed.
Then her eyes shifted to Birna standing nearby.
A reproachful glance passed between them.
Birna noticed her grandmother's cold stare and grew even more furious.
"Why did I end up with this result when I had the best hand?"
"Why is everyone looking at me with pity instead of Medea?"
"I don't understand!"
The banquet hall buzzed with renewed energy after hearing the exchange between the Queen Mother and her granddaughter.
Shifts occurred among the attendees as well.
"We couldn't even bring ourselves to dress ostentatiously in these times."
"But look at those who are so eager to flaunt. Tsk, tsk. It's pathetic that they're also citizens of Valdina."
Even while criticizing one another, the focus of conversation remained on the Princess—the true center of tonight's event.
People crowded around Medea.
Even at such a young age, she overflowed with thoughtfulness for her people—truly befitting royalty, they said.
Even those who had maintained neutrality sidled over to offer their greetings to the Princess.
The Regent trembled with barely contained fury.
His face flushed so red he could barely control his anger. Those who'd tried to approach him took a step back in alarm.
Just as he was about to confront Medea again, a thick hand stopped him.
"Stop. If you push any further, it will raise suspicion."
Minister Etienne warned quietly.
"...Minister."
The Regent's eyes, squeezed tight by trembling cheeks, looked pitifully at Duke Claudio—as if asking whether he could truly let the current situation stand.
Minister Etienne had learned of Duke Claudio's plan tonight and assisted accordingly.
So he, too, felt sick seeing how smoothly the young Princess had evaded their trap.
However, he shook off his regrets faster than the Duke did.
"To Etienne, the Princess was—in truth—an insignificant piece who couldn't even make it onto the chessboard."
"Today's failure is simply the difference between winning against the Princess today or tomorrow."
"Tsk. This game is botched. We'll aim for the next one. Why would someone with experience act this way?"
When the Minister clicked his tongue, Duke Claudio bristled.
He almost shouted, forgetting the Minister was his ally.
"You have no idea how devastating this is!"
Medea had declared before everyone that this was"a banquet prepared by the Duke's house."
She'd stated multiple times that the royal family would never forget the Duke's hard work, and she'd even confirmed it directly with the Queen Mother.
That meant all costs incurred tonight were now the Duke's responsibility.
"I used every extravagant luxury I could find while preparing a banquet intended to bankrupt the royal family!"
"And now it's become like praying for the victory of my nephew Peleus—whom I wanted to kill—while draining the Duke's fortune!"
Duke Claudio looked ready to vomit blood.
"Ha. Wait... I'm going to the withdrawing room."
Suppressing his boiling rage, he walked out of the banquet hall without even bidding farewell to the Minister.
"Birna, follow me."
Catherine also hurriedly left, dragging her daughter along.
Etienne shook his head.
"What a waste. It's like watching a fire burn... Bring me more alcohol. Something expensive and strong."
Now that the plan had gone awry, he intended to enjoy the rest of the night in peace.
He gulped down his drink, scanning the banquet hall with greedy eyes.
The fresh youth beneath the bright lights made his blood boil.
His whole body trembled as he imagined the screams they would make when something so proud was crushed mercilessly.
A dark red tongue emerged and licked his lips, leaving behind a shiny, greasy residue.
"Yes, Master."
Umberto, the attendant wearing the red fox badge, bowed.
The Withdrawing Room
"Mother, it hurts! Let go of my hand!"Catherine, who had dragged her daughter to the withdrawing room, was livid.
"Birna, are you out of your mind? Why did you wear that dress? WHY?"
Birna said nothing.
"What did I tell you?! I told you to make sure Medea wore it! Was that so difficult?! Why did you act so selfishly?!"
However, Birna wasn't as submissive as usual.
The shame she'd felt in the banquet hall was enormous.
Yet instead of protecting her, her mother was now scolding her.
Catherine, unwilling to listen to her daughter's protests any longer, thrust a new dress toward her.
"Change into this immediately. You're coming back to the banquet hall with me."
Birna bit her lip when she saw the plain pink muslin gown.
If she changed now, wouldn't that prove she really had stolen Medea's dress?
"No. I don't want to."
"...What? Are you going to be stubborn? Don't you care at all about your parents' reputation?"
"Mother, you just don't want to see me happy even for a moment, do you?"
Birna gazed at her sparkling reflection in the mirror.
Despite all the scolding and criticism, one truth remained:
This diamond dress was breathtakingly dazzling.
"I'll never take it off. This is mine. I'll never hand it over to Medea."
A flutter of defiance rose in Birna's chest.
"No! I don't want to! Even Mother doesn't think about me, so I'll do whatever I want!"
"Birna!"
"I earned that dress!"
Before Catherine could catch her, Birna ran.
"Ha..."
Catherine, whose nerves were frayed to breaking, stumbled and clutched her forehead.
"That stubbornness that needs breaking... she's just like her father."
She sighed as though speaking to herself, then shouted loudly.
"What are you all doing?! Find Birna and bring her back quietly—quickly!"
The Banquet Hall
Medea watched the Claudio family's retreat from the banquet hall.
Someone approached from behind.
She turned.
The trap had sprung—on its maker.
The Claudios bled gold and pride.
And Medea stood untouched.
To Be Continued
---