Chapter 45

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 45

Chapter Title: The Diamond Dust Trap

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"Lately, so many things have been happening around Your Highness. You've even collapsed multiple times, so just imagine how worried this aunt of yours has been."

She placed her hand elegantly on her chest, looking genuinely concerned.

"That's why, to ward off any bad luck and celebrate Your Highness's recovery, the Claudio Ducal House has prepared a little banquet. Just for our princess."

'A love-starved Medea would never turn this down.'

Duchess Catherine was confident. She had already received the Queen Dowager's permission.

"Mother-in-law, we need to show the world how much the royal family cherishes Your Highness. Then no one will dare treat her lightly."

The quick-witted Duchess Catherine had turned the mother-in-law's wariness to her own advantage.

'...For my second son and his wife to step up for Medea like this first—did I misjudge them?'

The Queen Dowager fell for their seemingly sincere concern for her niece's well-being.

Besides, their pretext was perfectly reasonable. The Queen Dowager thought it was necessary to reaffirm Medea's status in the capital once more.

'Was I too harsh? These children haven't dreamed up anything truly wicked yet.'

Naturally, her suspicions toward the second son's family softened.

If she could fool even such a sharp-eyed mother-in-law, Duchess Catherine had nothing to fear.

'Starting today, Medea will be isolated again. Even Count Montega will turn his back on her, and the Queen Dowager's affections will be all Birna's once more.'

She didn't even notice the chill in her niece's gaze as she inwardly cheered.

'This celebratory banquet you opened for me—I'll remember it well.'

Medea bit her lip hard.

The situation differed greatly from her previous life, but this banquet had unfolded in exactly the same way back then.

In her past life, it had remained nothing but a nightmare.

Medea had worn the "gift" dress they provided and attended the banquet they arranged.

The sparkling chandeliers and cascading champagne, the dress dusted with diamond powder—she had believed it all stemmed from love and affection for her, filling her heart to the brim.

That moment...

Someone sneered that Medea was a wicked princess who drank the blood of the common folk, and the mockery swelled.

Startled, Medea stumbled back, and her misstep tore the dress.

As if someone had deliberately made it tear so easily.

Not one person stepped forward for her amid the cold jeers.

She was too young to bear the solitude of being abandoned alone in the crowd.

At a loss, Medea had finally escaped the banquet hall with Duchess Catherine's belated help.

Her dress half-torn and her face streaked with tears in a pitiful state.

After that day, Medea confined herself to the palace, limiting her public appearances to the bare minimum.

Rather than face people's ridicule and scorn, she preferred to protect her wounded pride by voluntarily seeing no one.

'And that's when Birna began acting as princess regent in earnest.'

Seeing her triumphant aunt's face, Medea realized she was plotting the same scheme again.

The mother and daughter from the Claudio family had no idea Medea had heard every detail of the banquet preparations from Marchioness Pinatelli.

Medea feigned ignorance and raised her voice.

"The banquet is tonight? How sudden. I haven't heard a thing."

"Hmph, that's because Your Highness always hates crowds and holes up in the palace."

"Birna!"

Duchess Catherine shot her daughter a sharp look. Birna pouted and fell silent.

"The banquet is a surprise gift from the Claudio Ducal House to Your Highness."

Duchess Catherine gently stroked Medea's shoulder and signaled to the maids.

The maids brought in several boxes adorned with large ribbons.

"See? We've prepared everything so Your Highness won't be inconvenienced. Here."

Prepared, indeed. Medea smiled sweetly.

As anticipation lit up the princess's sparkling eyes, Duchess Catherine relaxed.

Look at those grateful eyes. She's saying no one thinks of her like our family does.

No need to worry after all.

They then headed to the salon to prepare for the banquet.

Upon arrival, Medea turned to the maids who had followed her.

"One moment. Mariyu will assist me today."

Medea singled out Mariyu.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Mariyu bowed deeply and replied softly.

Birna and Duchess Catherine exchanged glances upon recognizing her face.

They knew Medea had personally asked the Queen Dowager to release Mariyu from prison and keep her by her side.

'Forgiving a maid who betrayed her and keeping her close—how foolish can she be?'

While sneering, they felt relieved.

The princess's weakness for personal bonds was far from a disadvantage for them.

"Your Highness, I have more preparations to attend to, so I'll go ahead. Birna here will serve you with utmost care."

Duchess Catherine signaled to her daughter.

'Don't forget, Birna. You must get Medea into that dress and bring her.'

'I know, I got it! My ears are falling off.'

Birna nodded with exasperation—she'd heard it repeated countless times since leaving the ducal house.

After Duchess Catherine left, the salon's seamstresses helped Medea dress.

"You look beautiful, Your Highness."

Under their expert hands, her eyes shone even brighter.

Perhaps the spirited gleam in her eyes, unmasked by makeup, made her radiate all the more.

The seamstresses bustled toward the climax.

"Princess, this is the dress prepared by Duchess Catherine Claudio."

The curtain parted, revealing a silver gown dusted with fine diamond powder, gleaming dazzlingly.

"Oh my!"

"It's so beautiful..."

Exclamations erupted here and there.

"...Mother's gift to Your Highness. She wants you to wear it to the banquet tonight."

Birna added the explanation with obvious reluctance.

"Quick, try it on, Your Highness!"

The maids, unable to tear their eyes from the radiant dress, urged the princess.

Birna watched Medea change into the dress, thinking to herself.

'It won't suit her at all. She'll look tacky and ridiculous, like a duck in clothes.'

Swish.

But contrary to her expectations, the silver-haired girl in the mirror looked ethereal, like a snow fairy.

The dress fit Medea perfectly, as if tailored just for her.

The maids marveled.

"It's like they've gathered all the starlight in the world and sprinkled it on Your Highness. And the fit is perfect too."

Of course it was. It was the perfect trap Duchess Catherine had custom-made for Medea.

Medea touched the flimsy fabric of the rustling dress and swallowed a hollow laugh.

Instead of genuine sparkle from lavish jewels, the cloth's durability was pathetic.

A single misstep or bit of pressure, and it would tear with a snap.

"...It's really... pretty, Your Highness."

Birna bit her lip and forced out the compliment.

'Why dress a worthless wretch in something so expensive and pretty? It's wasted on lowly mongrel blood.'

"Miss Birna, we've brought your dress too. You should get ready as well."

Birna glanced back and forth between her own sky-blue gown and Medea's diamond-encrusted one.

Standing beside Medea in that would make her look like a mere lady-in-waiting.

'Why should I play attendant to Medea? What does she have that I lack!'

Just as Birna, unaware the dress was a tool in her mother's scheme, moved to storm out in frustration—

"No. I'll wear that one today. Mariyu, bring the one you showed me earlier."

At Medea's glance, Mariyu scurried off and returned with another dress.

It was a simple black silk gown made entirely of draped fabric, without any embellishments.

The salon's seamstresses grew anxious.

"How... Your Highness, if we've erred and offended you, please forgive us."

"It's not your fault. Don't worry."

Medea waved them off.

"You'll wear that one?"

Birna cut in.

"But Mother went all the way to the empire searching for this dress just for Your Highness. It'd be such a shame to put it away now."

Birna tried desperately to get her back into the dress.

Apart from her jealousy, her mother's repeated urgings echoed in her mind.

"After your fall from the horse, your condition isn't what it used to be. It's pretty, but too heavy—you won't be able to move properly."

Medea shook her head firmly.

A faint irritation creased her brow.

"But it's a gift from my aunt—I can't very well not show it off. What to do..."

Medea put on a thoughtful expression.

"If you insist... Birna, would you like to wear it?"

"...Me?"

For a moment, Birna was tempted.