"Sometimes justice comes not from a throne, but from a bow."
"Ha! The Grand Duke is always so gracious. Naturally, he's cut from different cloth than others. Had the Emperor lived to see the Grand Duke flourish so splendidly, he would have been overjoyed."
"..."
Jared was not a loyal subject like Count Kensington, devoted to one master for life.
As a mercenary, he changed allegiances as casually as changing clothes. The scandal or notoriety that followed meant nothing to him.
"The Emperor held you in highest esteem, General—a valiant warrior destined to protect Katzen. Unlike my uncle, who treats you with such coldness now."
Jason spoke with subtle reproach, his expression gentle.
"I find it utterly unjust that a hero who sacrificed everything for the empire should be treated so poorly over a few petty words from the First Prince."
*First Prince.*
A flash of rage crossed Jared's eyes at the mention of that cursed title.
He shook his head as if dismissing the thought.
"The First Prince has achieved greater victories than I ever could. Naturally, His Majesty would pay him greater attention."
"But not for much longer. I can't help feeling sorry for you, General—unable to spread your wings because of a sickly man who'll soon depart this world."
Jared's eyes shifted to amusement.
"I was wondering why you'd bring this worthless bastard along to see Valdina..."
He chuckled as if finally understanding, then seized the entire vase sitting before him.
The flower buds were crushed between his thick fingers, yet the vase remained intact.
"It wouldn't be a terrible idea for me to don the lion's mask in place of the dying beast, with Your Highness riding upon the throne. But understand this—even looking as I do, I serve only one master: the one destined to become King of the Mountain."
Jason's face brightened considerably.
"Of course. I knew a hero's ambition still burned within your heart, General. Join me, and you'll never regret it."
"Your Highness, I haven't donned the lion's mask yet."
Jared gave a cruel laugh, as if it were still premature.
"So prove it during this mission. Show me the Grand Duke is someone who can provide meat with every hunt—someone who will become master of the empire."
Bang!
The Fourth Princess, still seething even after kicking down her quarters' door, continued her tirade.
"Ha! You expect me to accept some greedy, blind substitute? Look at the difference in quality! I couldn't bear watching him prance around in that embarrassment of a uniform! Did you see that minor Duke strutting about? Street performers have more dignity!"
"I understand, Your Highness. Now please, let's prepare for tomorrow. We enter the royal palace in the morning."
Kensington spoke with practiced patience, accustomed to managing the Princess.
She sighed impatiently.
The Fourth Princess possessed a volatile temperament, and considerable frustration had accumulated during their journey.
If this continues, how will I manage her during the official welcoming ceremony?
"Your Highness, once we enter the royal palace, there's a renowned circus troupe performing. Witnessing their remarkable animal tricks should improve your mood."
"Ha. How utterly pedestrian."
"I understand you specifically requested the circus be brought to the palace before departure."
The Fourth Princess rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction.
"I'm irritated. What would you know about it, Sir?"
The following day, Count Kensington entered the royal palace as promised and escorted the Fourth Princess to the celebrated circus.
However, there was one detail he'd overlooked after so long away from the capital.
That the Fourth Princess is a bomb—one never knows where or when she'll explode.
"How dull..."
Initially, the Princess sat with crossed arms and pursed lips, declaring there was nothing exceptional. But when she observed a tiger cub leaping through a flaming ring, interest sparked.
"Hmm. Kensington, I want that tiger cub."
The Princess tapped the armrest imperiously.
"Your Highness, you're aware this is Valdina, not Katzen?"
"Certainly. Without us—without Katzen—the nomadic hordes would trample Valdina underfoot."
The Princess's eyes gleamed like polished black stones.
"The harsh winter approaches soon. Can this already-frigid land survive the cold? That depends entirely upon me—upon Angelique. Doesn't it?"
The Fourth Princess wasn't completely foolish.
The Empress wanted her daughter to understand precisely what Valdinian lifeline she controlled.
"You there—bring me that creature."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
However, the escort knight soon returned empty-handed.
"They refuse to sell it."
"What? Ha! Bring whoever's responsible before me. I need to see what emboldens such insolence."
Kensington attempted to placate the Princess, but she proved obstinate.
"Everyone, move aside!"
"Clear the way!"
"Ahhh!"
The Princess's guards stormed the stage, halting the performance. They beat the protesting ringleader, then seized a small zookeeper by the scruff of her neck, lifting her bodily before the Princess.
"You? How dare you refuse my offer?"
The girl cowered, eyes wide with terror.
"This is your final opportunity. Sell it."
"No, no. Tippy is family. No one sells their family."
The girl shook her head while clutching the tiger cub protectively.
"Really?"
Princess Angelique smiled crookedly.
"Good. Prove how deeply you love that stupid beast. Then I'll let you leave."
"Wh-what...?"
Count Kensington sighed silently, wondering when she would recover from this chronic madness.
"Ben! Bring the whip!"
Jason watched the scene unfold from within the swelling crowd.
"Your Highness, should we intervene? I don't believe Count Kensington can manage this alone."
"Leave it be. Ensure no one knows we're present."
Jason didn't bother concealing his smile.
"The more chaos that foolish bitch creates, the better for me."
He had no intention of merely acting as escort to the Fourth Princess during this mission.
Therefore, despite incurring her animosity, he'd deliberately avoided joining the delegation's arrival procession for several days.
Now that the terminally ill First Prince had collapsed, his next target was Fourth Princess Angelique.
If Angelique falls, I gain opportunity.
Her loss of Kensington's trust, her clashes with the Valdinians—all served Jason's ambitions perfectly.
Meanwhile, the Princess's knight retrieved the whip.
Princess Angelique, weapon in hand, laughed as she pulled the leather-wrapped cord taut.
"Now let's see how profound your love truly is."
"Please, spare us—please!"
"I do hope you survive this, you and that precious beast you cherish."
The hand gripping the whip rose high.
If struck by that vicious cord, the tiger cub would die. Even if fortune intervened and it missed, the girl wouldn't escape unharmed.
Everyone foresaw tragedy as the whip descended—
SNAP!
Before the whip could wrap around the girl, an iron arrow shot from above, piercing clean through the leather.
The whip, still attached to the arrow, snapped free and embedded itself in a distant pillar.
"Ahhh!!"
Naturally, the Princess—still gripping the handle—was yanked violently forward and thrown into the dirt.
Princess Angelique's face flushed crimson with humiliation as she sprawled in the dust.
Jason swiftly turned his head toward the direction from which the arrow had come.
"Ah..."
His mouth fell open as if entranced.
There stood a beautiful young woman with silver hair cascading like moonlight.
A beauty so ethereal she seemed a goddess descended from the moon itself.
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