Chapter 18

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: The Crown I'll Snatch from You

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“No. He gave his approval. He’ll take full responsibility for the housing of the retired soldiers within the royal castle.”

“Haa.”

Neril finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her master was the stubborn type who, once he said no, stuck to it without fail.

He was the kind of man who wouldn’t bend even with a blade at his throat, so she’d been sure the princess would fail.

‘That’s why I never dared visit him after leaving the knights’ order.’

“Want to go say goodbye before we leave?”

Medea nodded toward the space over her shoulder.

The door to the office where the marquis was staying remained firmly shut. Neril shook her head.

“He won’t want to see me. Besides, I have to get back to the palace before evening.”

The two headed down to the courtyard where the carriage waited, preparing to return to the palace.

“Your Highness, the carriage you arrived in didn’t look too reliable, so we’ve prepared a new one. This way, please.”

Evidently tipped off by the marquis, the butler guided Medea with a far friendlier demeanor than before.

The carriage tied up in the courtyard appeared ordinary at first glance—a standard four-wheeled carriage.

But a closer look revealed thin steel plating on the exterior and iron wheels.

“The carriage may be new, but your coachman’s the same. I’ll get you back to the palace without a speck of dust touching you.”

Tom, leaning against the carriage, spoke up. Neril strode right over to him.

With the princess still on her back, she grabbed his collar with one hand and punched his solar plexus with the other.

“Get lost. Don’t come near us again.”

“Urk...! Saying it like that... hurts, my friend.”

Tom had to grit his teeth behind his grinning lips. What were they feeding her at the palace to make her this strong?

“Wow... seriously, no joke.”

He poured all his strength into his trembling knees, terrified of collapsing disgracefully in front of the princess.

“You think I don’t know you deliberately wrecked that carriage?”

Under Neril’s glare, Tom raised both hands in surrender.

“You think I wanted to? Even I’d rather not upset a noble lady if I can help it.”

That meant...

“Master ordered you to do it?”

“The moment you or the princess stepped out and opened your mouth, I would’ve turned the horses straight back to the palace.”

A chill ran down Neril’s spine. It had all been a test.

If she’d climbed down to confront Tom or tried to forcibly silence the soldiers, today’s meeting would’ve ended in failure.

Did her master know everything? Was that why he’d held her back?

‘Just how many moves ahead is Her Highness seeing?’

Seeing Neril at a loss for words, Tom sneered.

“You really thought our master meets just anyone who asks? How naive.”

“Anyone? She’s the blood of Baldina—how dare you call her ‘anyone’?”

Tom shook his head like she’d given him a headache.

“You’re like a hen fiercely guarding her chicks. Sharper than before, too.”

He added,

“Well, I suppose I should pass on what needs saying. Master mentioned earlier that you choosing to serve the princess... wasn’t a foolish decision.”

“What?”

Neril whipped her head toward the tower housing the marquis’s quarters.

By the purple curtain, her eyes seemed to meet a familiar silhouette.

“...So if Master’s acknowledged you, what’s the point of me kicking up a fuss? To make up for earlier—I’ll go back to being your dutiful coachman. Hey! Where are you going?!”

Tom bellowed after Neril, who abruptly turned and bolted toward the marquis’s residence.

“Your Highness, please wait!”

Ignoring Tom completely, Neril called out to the princess.

She bounded up the stairs, taking two or three at a time.

The steep stone steps left her breathless in moments, but Neril didn’t stop.

Bang.

She flung open the mahogany door and strode down the corridor. Familiar curtains, furniture, and carpets greeted her.

Just like that vivid memory from long ago, her master stood by the window.

“Huff... M-Master... huff... Master...”

Giliphos turned slowly. His resigned sigh carried a hint of amusement at the end.

“You... haven’t changed. Still so hot-headed.”

“Tom said... huff... that you... huff... acknowledge... my choice.”

“Is that why you came running? Desperate to hear it straight from this old man’s mouth?”

Anger flickered across Giliphos’s face.

“Ah... huff... no.”

Neril caught her breath, raised her head, and flashed a grin.

“The weapon I left with you, Master... I’ll take it back now. You still remember our bet, right?”

She marched forward heavily. Then she claimed the greatsword hanging on the wall once more.

“Stay well, Master. I’ll see you again.”

“Get outta here, kid.”

Marquis Giliphos waved her off like she should scram, then slammed the door shut.

“You’re abandoning your knighthood to become the princess’s maid? Have you lost your mind?”

She’d been his cherished disciple. Which made it all the harder to understand.

“Did she brainwash you? You think I raised you to die like a dog caught in factional infighting?”

“If not me, Her Highness has no one right now. I want to protect her, Master. Please, give me your permission.”

“The moment you walk out that door! You’re no longer my disciple—or a knight. If you’re going to the princess, leave the sword and go empty-handed.”

“Master...!”

“Until I acknowledge it, you’ll never hold that blade again.”

“Cold-hearted kid. Told her to leave it behind, and she actually dropped it and walked out.”

The marquis shook his head, lost in the memory. He gazed down from the window.

“Neril... you’re better than me.”

His disciple had seen the stars even in the mud. He hadn’t.

After the old king’s death, he’d lost all hope.

The dream of restoring Baldina to greatness, the red-eyed hyenas circling for power—he’d grown sick of it all and let go.

He’d despaired, convinced the star would never rise again.

The stubbornness and folly of those years struck him anew now.

Perhaps he’d been the true fool. And yet, the silver lining was,

“I am Baldina’s princess. I must do what a princess must do.”

“The gods haven’t abandoned this land yet.”

Baldina’s light endured.

A faint smile touched Giliphos’s face as he watched the carriage depart.

[A suitable site has been found.]

A few days later, Marquis Giliphos sent word through Neril.

It included details related to the broad plan.

The site’s location was, tellingly, near the castle walls.

“In case it’s needed, he plans to use it for castle defense.”

As expected of a former general.

“Neril, have him give you the roster of retired soldiers under his care. Include all their families.”

That way, they wouldn’t dare think of joining any rebels.

Even if she emptied her coffers to carve out a path for them, Medea placed no trust in them whatsoever.

Humans had a way of forgetting favors once their bellies were full.

“Strictly speaking, the retired soldiers are the royal family’s responsibility. For Your Highness to empty your entire fortune to aid them...”

Neril couldn’t hide her displeasure.

“What, worried I’ll end up penniless?”

“...Frankly, I think it’s a bad investment. You’re pouring water into a sieve.”

Medea chuckled at Neril’s rare grumble.

“I’m already a cursed princess. I’ll just get a little more wretched. Better that than let Baldina crumble—my bankruptcy’s a small price, no?”

There was an oddly bitter edge to the casual jest, giving Neril pause.

The princess treated even herself as kindling, ready to burn for Baldina at any moment.

‘As if she owes this kingdom some massive debt...’

It went beyond the simple patriotism expected of royalty—a raw, desperate fervor.

‘I’m too dull to keep up with Her Highness’s vision.’

Neril had no idea what drove her young liege to this.

“...If Your Highness goes bankrupt, I’ll serve you all the same.”

It was the most she could manage to say.

“Ahaha.”

The light laugh shattered softly in the sunlight.

“Yeah, then I’ll just live with you, Neril.”

Why did that faint smile ache so much?

It was then, as Medea entered the palace, that a waiting maid approached.

“What is it?”

“Your Highness, Duchess Catherine Claudio is waiting inside.”