Chapter 77

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 77

Chapter Title: The Crown I'll Take from You

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At Jason's high praise, Jared chuckled with a giggle, sipping the black liquid from his glass.

"Ahaha, Your Highness the Grand Duke is always so kind. It means you're different from this wretch by nature. If the late emperor could see how splendidly you've grown, he surely would have been overjoyed."

"……."

Jared was no loyal retainer like Count Kensington, who had served a single master his entire life.

As a mercenary by origin, he changed masters as often as he ate meals. The friction or ill repute that arose in the process didn't even register as a concern for him.

The moment the late emperor passed away, he had unhesitatingly taken the hand of the current emperor, Perdiccas II.

"My father cherished the general as a valiant warrior who would defend Kazen. Unlike my uncle, who now treats you so coldly."

Jason pointed it out subtly, his expression gentle.

"To neglect a hero who laid down his life for the empire over a few petty words from the First Imperial Prince—it's enough to make even me feel indignant."

First Imperial Prince.

A faint spark of fury flickered in Jared's eyes as he quietly repeated the sorrowful, cursed title.

He shook his head as if it were nothing.

"Since the First Imperial Prince has accomplished even greater feats than I, it's only natural His Majesty would pay him heed."

"But that's no longer the case, is it? For a dying invalid to clip the general's wings— I, Jason, can't help but feel deep regret."

Jared's eyes shifted with evident amusement.

"I was wondering why you'd bring this lowly cur along to tour Baldina……."

He chuckled as if he understood, then seized the vase before him whole.

The flower buds were crushed and fell away between his thick fingers, but the vase itself remained intact.

"It's not a bad idea for this one to don the lion's skin in place of the ailing lion and carry Your Highness the Grand Duke. But you should know this: for all his looks, he only bows to those destined to be king of the mountains."

Jason's face lit up.

"Of course. I know full well that a hero's ambition still burns fiercely in my general's heart. Join me, and you'll never regret it."

"Your Highness, this one hasn't donned the lion's skin yet."

Jared flashed a cruel smile, as if it were still too soon.

"So show it to him in this delegation. Prove that Your Highness the Grand Duke is the one who can toss him a hefty slab of meat every time—the true master of the empire."

Bam—!

Even after kicking open the door to her lodgings, the Fourth Imperial Princess's anger hadn't subsided, and she ranted on without pause.

"Hmph! Flaunt those greed-swollen eyes? And that build! I couldn't even stomach the sight of that scrawny frame. Ha! Did you see the Young Duke strutting about? A street stray would have more dignity!"

"I understand, Your Highness. Please pack your things now. We're entering the royal castle tomorrow."

Kensington chided her with practiced ease.

She swallowed a reluctant sigh.

The Fourth Princess's temper was no small thing, and it seemed to have built up considerably during the journey.

At this rate, who knew how she might carry on during the delegation's welcome ceremony.

"Your Highness, once we enter the royal castle, there's a famous circus troupe. They perform feats with exotic animals—it should lift your spirits."

"Hmph. Such a provincial show."

"I recall you summoned a circus to the palace yourself before we departed."

The Fourth Princess shot him a dissatisfied glare.

"You're pissing me off. Just how much do you know, anyway?"

The next day, as promised, Count Kensington entered the royal capital with her and took the Fourth Princess straight to the renowned circus troupe.

However, there was one thing she had overlooked in her long absence from the capital.

The fact that the Fourth Princess was a walking bomb, liable to bolt anywhere at any moment.

"What is this, so boring."

At first, she had crossed her arms and pouted, deeming it unremarkable. But when she saw the tiger cub leap through a flaming hoop, her interest piqued.

"Hmm, Kensington. I want that tiger cub."

The princess tapped the arm of her chair.

"Your Highness, do you realize this is Baldina, not Kazen?"

"Of course. And that if it weren't for our Kazen, the nomad hordes would trample Baldina flat."

The princess's eyes gleamed like polished black stones.

"Winter's coming soon, cold and harsh. I wonder if this frigid land can even survive it? That all hinges on me—Angelique—doesn't it?"

The Fourth Princess wasn't just some mindless fool.

The Eastern Consort wanted her daughter to grasp the lifeline she held over Baldina.

"You lot, fetch it for me."

"Yes, Your Highness the Princess."

But the guard knight soon returned empty-handed.

"They say it's not for sale."

"What? Ha! Bring them before me. I need to see the face of whoever thinks they can defy me like this."

Kensington pressed his throbbing temple, trying to soothe her, but she was beyond reason.

"Out! All of you, out!"

"Make way!"

"Kyaa!"

The princess's guards stormed the stage without warning, halting the performance and even beating the protesting ringmaster.

Then they seized the little animal trainer by the scruff of her neck and dangled her before the princess.

"You? The one who dared refuse my offer?"

The girl shrank back with terrified eyes.

"Last chance. Sell it."

"N-no... Tippy's family. No one s-sells their family..."

The girl shook her head, clutching the tiger cub to her chest.

"Is that so?"

Princess Angelique smirked crookedly.

"Fine. Prove how much you love that mute beast. Do that, and I'll let you go."

"Y-yes...?"

Kensington sighed silently, wondering when this princess's chronic madness would finally cure.

"Ben! Get the whip!"

Jason watched the scene unfold from amid the swelling crowd.

"Your Highness the Grand Duke, shall we intervene? Count Kensington seems overwhelmed on his own."

"Leave it be. Just don't let on that we're here."

Jason made no effort to hide his smile.

"The more that foolish girl makes a mess, the better it is for me."

He had no intention of merely playing the escort for the Fourth Princess in this delegation.

That was why he had deliberately skipped joining the entry procession into the city, even knowing it would irk her.

With the terminally ill First Imperial Prince out of the picture, his next target was the Fourth Princess Angelique.

If Angelique crumbled, opportunity would come his way.

Whether she lost Kensington's trust or clashed with the Baldinans, it was all a boon to Jason.

By then, the princess's knight had fetched the whip.

Princess Angelique took it, yanking taut the leather-wrapped lash, and laughed.

"Then let's see just how great your love is."

"P-please spare me..."

"Survive this—you and that beast pup you cherish."

Her hand gripped the whip firmly and rose high.

One strike from that brutal lash would kill the tiger cub outright. Even if it glanced off by luck, the girl wouldn't escape unscathed.

As everyone braced for tragedy, the whip swung down.

Thwack—!

Before it could wrap around the girl, a steel arrow shot from the sky pierced the whip.

The whip, impaled on the arrow, was yanked away and embedded in a pillar.

"Ow!"

The princess, still clutching the handle, naturally tumbled ignobly to the ground.

Princess Angelique's face flushed beet red as she was thrown onto the dirt.

Jason whipped his head toward the direction the arrow had come from.

"Ah......"

His mouth fell open in a daze, as if entranced.

There stood a beautiful girl with silver hair.

Her beauty was soul-stealing, as if she were the goddess of the moon herself.