Chapter 65

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 65

Chapter Title: The Signed Document

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“It seems things went well.”

Neril greeted Medea as she emerged from the prison.

“Why do you say that?”

“Your Highness’s face is glowing.”

Medea’s pale face bathed in moonlight gleamed coldly.

Yet somehow, a surging thrill welled up within her.

“Yes, there was an unexpected gain. It seems you left quite the impression last night. Thanks to you.”

“No, I merely carried out Your Highness’s orders.”

At the praise, Neril bashfully toyed with her sword sheath.

“That said, a signed document...”

The noose the minister had spat out in his desperation to live had unexpectedly become the key to their fate.

“So that’s why he was so hard to sway.”

The moment they plotted treason and put their names to it, failure meant certain death for them.

‘As my uncle, he must have wanted to weed out the fence-sitters and shore up his position.’

But he never imagined it would become his own noose.

“We can topple the Regent Duke.”

What clearer proof of treason could there be than a document bearing their signatures?

“Yes. Once that document surfaces, even sympathy for the duke won’t gain traction easily.”

If they wished to eradicate the Claudio forces completely, no evidence could be more ironclad.

Neril fastened her sheath back to her waist. It clinked against her belt.

“Your Highness, let me go retrieve it.”

The minister had confessed to hiding the document in a concealed inner chamber of Count Etienne’s mansion.

“There’s a magic circle in my office that leads to where I hid the signed document. Only...”

“No, I’m coming too.”

“You can’t. The timing and location are far too dangerous for Your Highness.”

Neril’s expression turned deadly serious.

“Sise will send another investigation team. We have to move before the mansion gets sealed off—no time for delays.”

Besides, the minister’s residence—an old Baldina family estate—had been renovated inside countless times, making it a nightmare for intruders to escape.

That was likely why they’d agreed to stash the document there.

“You’d be in the same boat, Your Highness.”

“No, I know how to slip out. I’m familiar with the layout inside.”

“Pardon? How?”

Medea answered Neril’s question with only a wry smile.

In her past life, after stealing the Sage’s Stone, Medea had snuck out of the palace and reunited with Jason.

They’d hidden in the minister’s mansion to evade King Peleus’s pursuit before fleeing to the empire.

And the one who’d suggested it was her Uncle Claudio.

‘Back then, I thought they were helping me escape.’

All the while blind to how she’d been their pawn from start to finish.

“Heading out right now?”

“Yes. Uncle likely knows it’s there. We need to grab it before he makes a move.”

Neril nodded.

“...I’ll escort you to the mansion.”

“Prepare thoroughly, Neril.”

Medea flicked her gaze to the sword sheath at Neril’s waist.

“You might need to draw it tonight.”

As midnight approached, a carriage quietly set off near the palace.

Inside the high walls of the white Rose mansion in District 2, a brutal scene was unfolding.

Two men clashed swords with lethal intent.

“Ha, haa...”

Ragged breaths mingled with the ear-piercing rasp of steel.

Alpha fought desperately not to be driven back across the training grounds, digging his heels deep into the dirt against the unending barrage of strikes.

At that moment, Garo emerged from within.

His face darkened briefly as he glanced at Alpha.

If the curse weren’t gnawing at Cezare’s body, Alpha wouldn’t have lasted this long, gasping for air.

‘The fight would’ve ended the instant blades were drawn.’

“My lord, you win.”

Alpha finally let his sword slip from his grip and conceded.

Cezare gave a slight nod and jerked his chin toward the fallen blade, as if to say pick it up.

“Palace news.”

Garo approached with a roguish grin, newspaper tucked under his arm.

Alpha caught on and backed away.

“Speak.”

“The Queen Dowager transferred Etienne to a special prison. The Regent Duke found out too late and tried to pull strings, but they barred him from even entering the palace.”

The newspaper’s front page featured a ridiculous cartoon of the Regent Duke being turned away at the palace gates.

“They roped in the Queen Dowager to shut down his pleas. It only isolated the minister further. The princess never had any intention of hearing him out.”

Then Terence approached, holding a laced teacup.

“There was an assault on the minister in the new special prison. But I suspect the princess is behind it.”

“And?”

Terence rubbed his sagging brows, weighing his words.

“Just the point, Terence.”

“I’m concerned. You’ve spoken well of her. But we both know it’s only because she hasn’t crossed us yet.”

“...”

“If she ever blocks your path, she’ll cut you down without a second thought.”

Cezare had form.

When the old vassals who’d raised him betrayed him and plotted his downfall, he’d ended them without remorse.

“What’s your point.”

“I just hope she’s no exception.”

Terence’s lips twitched, then pressed shut.

Did Cezare realize it? That to Baldina’s princess, he was showing a side she’d never glimpsed before.

Unexpected variables were always perilous.

“Sorry, but.”

Silence fell. The training ground’s heat plummeted.

“My interest in the princess stems solely from Baldina’s golden apple. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Terence’s lips twitched again under the icy stare, then clamped shut.

As if to end the chatter, Cezare turned away.

“Garo, what of the Sage’s Tome?”

Garo, eyes darting between them, answered promptly.

“I looked into it. The Regent Duke doesn’t have it anymore. He handed it to the minister to hush up the banquet fiasco.”

“So it’s at the count’s estate now?”

Garo nodded.

Cezare rose.

“You’re not thinking of going yourself? Boss, Alpha and Zeta are already on it.”

“I concur. Cezare, didn’t you just have a seizure?”

Terence objected too, but Cezare’s mind was set.

“Entrust my lifeline to others? Pass. I’ll handle it.”

“It’s risky. The Western Consort’s shadows slipped into Baldina recently.”

Garo’s playful mask slipped, a rare sight.

“They’ve tailed us relentlessly and finally pegged your location.”

“Oh?”

Cezare snorted. His trailing laugh cut sharp.

“Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, then.”

A hint of leisure softened his refined features, curving his perfect lips.

“Seriously! You’ll give me ulcers? Those bastards aren’t chumps. Why haven’t they stormed Facade, knowing you’re here? They’re biding for you to step out!”

But Cezare was already strolling off.

“Damn it, deaf to reason. Let’s go!”

Count Etienne’s mansion.

In the profound hush of the deep night, two shadows slipped inside.

Clink clink. Armed guards patrolled in pairs. Security remained ironclad even at this hour.

After a long wait with no sign of the guards budging, Neril mouthed the words.

Medea nodded.

Neril vaulted to the roof through the opposite window like the wind.

Rustle!

“Hear that just now?”

“Sounded from over there?”

While Neril diverted the guards, Medea slipped undetected into the mansion’s depths.