"Every triumph extracts its toll—from the defeated and the triumphant alike."
The Katzen delegation exchanged desperate signals, silently urging Jason to deny the outcome of the confrontation.
'What do you expect me to do after you've lost so spectacularly?'
Jason nearly lost his composure entirely. He shook his head with great difficulty, forcing himself to think.
'If I confirm their defeat here, Angelique will never forgive me.'
Naturally, the Eastern Empress's favor would vanish as well. There was no possibility she would cooperate with someone who'd contributed to her daughter's humiliation.
However, if he sided with the princess and forcibly undermined Valdina's victory, his own reputation would suffer irreparably.
The oath guaranteeing today's duel bore his seal.
Hundreds of Valdinian witnesses stood before him. They would never remain silent.
If word spread across the continent that the noble and kind Grand Duke Castullo was in truth faithless—a mere imperial lapdog—wouldn't he be the one to suffer the consequences?
Who would trust him? Who would support his claim to the throne?
A situation where no matter which path he chose, he stood to lose something vital.
Jason, who had planned to cleverly seize all advantages from both sides, felt his bones ache with tension.
'If I'd known it would come to this, I would have kept my mouth shut.'
Though regret flooded him, he had neither the time nor the wit to find an escape route.
"Surely even the Grand Duke won't refuse to acknowledge the outcome?"
Medea fired another arrow at the hesitating Jason.
It was a vicious question—urging someone standing at the cliff's edge to hurry up and fall.
"That cannot be."
Jason reflexively denied the insinuation, biting the inside of his cheek before forcing out his answer.
"The duel is won by the princess. Valdina's victory."
Jason's chest tightened as though he'd been backed into a corner with walls closing in from all sides.
"Hurrah!"
The Valdinians erupted in applause, their voices echoing through the banquet hall.
"Thank you. The Grand Duke's righteousness is indeed renowned."
Medea offered only perfunctory thanks. Then, as though Jason had served his purpose, she turned away with crisp finality.
She faced the Fourth Princess directly.
"We shall await Katzen's delivery of twice the promised relief supplies. Valdina will never forget the Fourth Princess's generosity."
Though her face was pale from blood loss, Medea's eyes burned vivid and bright.
"...Ha!"
The Fourth Princess trembled violently and fled the scene.
The Katzen delegation hurried after her, utterly devastated.
Witnessing their shabby retreat, the Valdinian people felt as though they were soaring through the sky.
"We won! The relief supplies have nearly doubled!"
"It's all thanks to Her Highness the Princess! Has anyone in Valdina ever achieved such a feat against Katzen?"
Not only had she humbled the arrogant princess who'd insulted their former king, but she'd also secured lifelines for the suffering populace.
And this was the same half-blood princess they'd dismissed as an outcast—an empty vessel of the royal family!
"Long live Her Highness Medea!"
It had been ages since such vibrant, emotional energy had filled Valdina.
"Your Highness."
A shadow fell behind Medea as she watched the Katzen delegation flee like routed soldiers.
"Ah, Sissair. Welcome."
"Let us tend to your wound at the palace first."
Sissair's expression tightened as he noticed the dried bloodstains on Medea's arm behind his monocle.
"No."
Medea shook her head and grasped his arm.
He didn't notice that when her delicate hand made contact, Sissair froze completely.
"Let's announce this immediately and move forward before they can regroup and object. We must act swiftly."
She indicated the signed pledge.
"Do you mean to publicize this? I intend to send a copy to the temple, proclaiming it as the decision of a generous empire demonstrating love for humanity regardless of nationality—to honor their kindness appropriately."
Indeed, there was no need to explain the next steps to so brilliant a prime minister.
Medea suppressed a smile.
As Sissair understood, once this pledge fell into the hands of the Holy Kingdom, Katzen would be unable to renege on their commitment.
Interference would come from the Holy Kingdom, which maintained a subtle rivalry with Katzen.
"Excellent. Let us proceed."
"Medea!"
The Queen Mother hurried down from the dais, seeking her granddaughter.
"What reckless foolishness... You were determined to shorten this old woman's life, weren't you?"
Despite the stern rebuke in her voice, the wrinkled hand gripping Medea's trembled visibly.
"Grandmother."
"Never throw yourself into such danger again. Do you understand? You are a princess. Your blood is too precious to risk—why must you step forward like this?"
Lady Pinatelli sighed, her brow furrowed deeply.
"Her Majesty was so worried she tore her handkerchief to shreds."
But the Queen Mother's scolding did not last long.
"I'm sorry for causing you worry, Grandmother."
Medea reached out and gently took her grandmother's hand.
"I cannot promise it won't happen again. Until Peleus returns victorious in our father's honor, I must protect this country properly."
Silence.
The Queen Mother struggled to suppress the tears threatening to well in her eyes as she gazed at the wounds marking her granddaughter's arm.
"Mother, before I am your son, I must take responsibility for Valdina's future as this country's king. If we secure the plains, we can free ourselves from Katzen's interference and forge a new destiny. Should we not break this tiresome leash in my generation? This war will lay the foundation for the next hundred years."
"So please, Mother—forgive your unfilial son who must leave you now."
The Queen Mother remembered those resolute words from her departed son as he'd left for war.
"...Yes. This old woman spoke foolishly."
She gathered her emotions and returned to her dignified composure. If her granddaughter possessed such determination, she could not simply sit idle and weep.
"Return to the palace now. Leave the remaining matters to your grandmother."
After sending Medea back first, the Queen Mother granted a separate reward to Façade.
"I suspect Façade has little need for whatever wealth this old woman might offer. Instead, it would be more appropriate to grant you access to the royal court. How would you feel about receiving passes to attend every royal event?"
Gallo's face brightened immediately.
Once granted such access, they would have far more opportunities to freely enter and exit the palace—and search for the Dawn's Droplet.
"How could a merchant refuse an opportunity to display his wares? I am profoundly moved by Your Majesty the Queen Mother's consideration."
He prostrated himself with surprising dignity.
"I am pleased. I hope this proves helpful."
A faint smile lingered on the Queen Mother's lips at the sight of his cheerful yet respectful demeanor.
Façade was preparing to withdraw when—
"Did you say your name was Acares?"
The Queen Mother suddenly addressed the mercenary wearing the white half-mask.
As Cesare stood motionless, Gallo elbowed him in the ribs, urging him forward.
"Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I—"
"No need for words."
The Queen Mother removed the brooch from her chest and presented it to Cesare.
"Thank you for standing up for my granddaughter."
Her voice was so low that only Lady Pinatelli and Cesare could hear it.
Cesare looked down at the elderly woman before him.
Since they were blood relatives, it was natural for her to express gratitude on Medea's behalf.
Yet for some reason, a faint sense of discomfort stirred within him.
"Cesare, are you truly my son? Didn't your mother deceive me by claiming some commoner's seed as mine?"
"Conquering the continent! As expected of my son! It's my blood!"
Only after proving his usefulness had he finally been acknowledged as flesh and blood.
His father—who had been wary and persecuted him relentlessly—had suddenly cherished him more than anyone once Cesare conquered the continent.
And now this woman stood before him in the same pattern.
The person who had hated and persecuted Medea all along—only now did she come forward?
She still knew nothing. She didn't even realize that today's entire triumph had been the result of the princess's meticulous planning.
Only he knew.
It was he—not the Queen Mother—who had helped plan and execute the princess's strategy.
The one who existed outside the princess's inner circle was not him, but this old woman.
A vivid, searing anger darkened Cesare's mind.
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