Arrives
"When enemies wear masks of courtesy, the game begins in earnest."
While Terence sighed with resignation, Zeta provided answers.
"No, Your Highness. She's a princess who, as I understand it, has never left Valdina since birth. This is also the Grand Duke's first visit to Valdina."
"Yes, exactly..."
Cesare's fingers tapped slowly against the table.
As they said, there was no conceivable way the two knew each other.
Jason had even asked for Medea's name—like some lovesick fool smitten at first sight.
And the Princess...
"No. I'm not going back."
A faint murmur had escaped Medea's lips when she'd lost consciousness and been laid down.
Her eyes remained tightly shut, her limbs struggling as though trying to escape a nightmare.
"Calm down, Princess. Can you hear me?"
The words escaping her mouth were too weak to discern. Cesare had been forced to grasp her struggling shoulders and hold her still.
"I will never be fooled again, Jason... never again...!"
Even pressing his ear close to her lips, he'd barely caught the words. But one thing was certain.
Jason.
The name that fell from the Princess's mouth was unmistakably Jason.
"I sensed she knew him somehow."
The index finger that had been tapping paused, then drew slow circles across the wood grain.
"Well, her reaction was unusual, wasn't it? She's someone who never so much as blinks regardless of what happens."
Gallo tilted his head thoughtfully. Terence still wore a skeptical expression.
"She likely recognized them as the Katzen delegation. The delegation was expected imminently—she might have been shocked to see them wandering downtown Valdina so brazenly."
"Many possibilities exist."
"Hmm, I suppose. The Princess who required assistance was probably deeply concerned."
No. It's not that simple.
Cesare recalled that small, trembling face.
After encountering Jason, Medea's green eyes had flashed with desperate panic—like a cornered animal pleading for escape.
He alone had perceived the shock and anxiety contained within.
Even Jason himself had appeared puzzled, unable to comprehend the reason.
At that moment, Zeta delivered additional news.
"Also, Your Highness—the Fourth Princess's guards are searching for the Princess. I believe she intends revenge for the earlier incident. What are your orders?"
In truth, it had nothing to do with Façade, but Zeta remained faithful to his master's command to report everything concerning the Princess.
"Maim them one by one and send them back."
Meaning: don't kill them, but sever a limb. Ensure they return to the Fourth Princess alive—as a message.
"Boss, why provoke her unnecessarily?"
"As her brother, I'm simply offering a small lesson."
Gallo and Terence exchanged significant glances.
Had he said nothing, Cesare wouldn't have cared whether the Fourth Princess lived or died.
"She does have quite the temperament..."
Gallo muttered under his breath.
Valdina Palace.
"Your Highness, please wake up."
Medea opened her eyes to gentle shaking at her shoulders.
"You wouldn't wake."
Neril gazed down at her with worried eyes.
The previous night, the Princess had remained silent while watching the white mansion recede through the carriage window, as though preoccupied with troubling thoughts.
Neril had wanted to ask what troubled her mistress, but restrained herself. Sometimes silence offers more comfort than questions.
"Your Highness, are you well?"
Medea felt relief wash over her at seeing a face filled with respect and affection.
"I had a dream."
Yes, it wasn't real.
This is reality now. The second chance granted by God hasn't vanished yet.
"I slept poorly last night."
"What manner of dream left you looking so pale?"
Her back was damp with cold sweat.
Memories from her past life flickered through her mind.
Clear malice aimed directly at her, lurking just beneath the surface.
"It was a nightmare."
I will never return. I will never repeat those mistakes.
Just a midnight terror. Nothing more.
"You've been pushing yourself too hard lately—it's only natural. But Your Highness, a dream is merely a dream. Don't dwell on it overmuch."
"You're right. A dream is just a dream."
Medea echoed Neril's words mechanically.
"I'll fetch you water, but the air remains cold—please don't venture outside."
After Neril departed, Medea gazed out the window. Dawn was breaking.
Katzen's delegation will arrive soon.
And he will come with them.
"It's all right. It won't be repeated."
Medea whispered the words like a prayer.
The small chant spreading through the cool dawn air sounded both gloomy and pitiable.
"It's different this time."
Blood welled on the back of her hand as she silently gripped the sheets.
Valdina Palace.
Beneath a radiant sky, sunlight warmed the morning more than usual.
Valdinian nobles gathered in clusters of twos and threes at the palace entrance, blinking against the brightness.
They'd assembled to welcome the imperial delegation. Ordinarily, such waiting wouldn't be required, but the delegation had specified this exact time.
As though the Valdinians must endure this inconvenience waiting until they deign to appear.
"Your Highness, I'm pleased you wore the veil. The sunlight is quite intense."
"Yes."
Medea was the sole royal present to greet the delegation today. Sissair stood behind her, rubbing tired eyes.
The Queen Mother, embarrassed by the Katzen delegation's behavior, had swiftly retreated behind locked doors. A fortunate development.
Had the Queen Mother witnessed this subtle insult, she would have sent the delegation away immediately.
"They're arriving."
Medea observed the Katzen imperial carriages passing through the palace gates in the distance.
"Ahem, ahem!"
The Prince Regent quickly positioned himself at the forefront of the assembly.
The sumptuous gown he wore, with its gold-thread embroidery, gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
Valdinian ministers stirred with agitation upon seeing the Regent's excessive ornamentation.
"Your Highness, isn't gold thread reserved exclusively for His Majesty? The Prince Regent appears to fancy himself King."
"Shh."
Medea silenced Saya with a warning glance.
'When the moon waxes full, it begins to wane.'
Even without voicing it aloud, the number who disapproved of him continued growing.
Soon the rattling carriage wheels ceased.
The ornate carriage door swung open, and Count Kensington was the first to step onto the black carpet.
The Princess descended next with her escort.
"I present Her Highness Angelique Graham Katzen of the Katzen Empire."
"Welcome, Your Royal Highness."
The Prince Regent greeted the delegation with outstretched arms, his demeanor suggesting he owned the palace itself.
However, before Princess Angelique even took a step forward, she tilted her head back, surveyed the sky, and spoke.
"This is Valdina's royal palace?"
The Katzen entourage snorted in agreement, scanning the palace with disdainful eyes.
"So small? How utterly provincial!"
Though delivered as a whisper, the Princess's voice carried clearly enough for everyone present to hear.
If a young princess can behave so contemptuously, how much do they truly despise our Valdina?
The Valdinians swallowed their fury in silence.
Count Kensington sighed inwardly.
Since the immature Princess initiated the mission this way, reversing the damage will prove difficult.
This will be a long road indeed.
Just as the atmosphere between the two nations grew increasingly glacial, a savior appeared.
"Valdina's royal palace possesses remarkable atmosphere."
Jason emerged from the carriage after the others.
"Isn't it the natural expression of the great pride and courage of a land protected by the Mage Kings?"
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