Chapter 81

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 81

Chapter Title: Clash with the Fourth Princess

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Unlike the rude Fourth Princess, the elegant words praising Baldina caused the Baldinians to finally mask their uncomfortable expressions.

‘The Grand Duke acknowledging our country like this—truly, the blood of the Emperor runs different.’

The assessment of the ‘Grand Duke of Castulo’, who had been sidelined from the throne by fateful misfortune, rose as well.

Count Kensington sent a grateful glance to the Grand Duke, who had deftly eased the tension.

“It’s so comforting to behold, even stirring a sense of deep emotion...”

Medea scoffed inwardly.

Jason’s intent was obvious—he had been waiting for this moment to strike.

‘Jason, you want to use my country for your gain?’

If so, then this time, you would pay an appropriate price as well.

“Grand Duke of Castulo, I have long heard tales of your father, the late Emperor’s, valiant exploits.”

A clear voice rang out among the Baldinians.

“Your father frequented our Baldina often in the past...”

Medea’s words reminded everyone.

Of how his father, Alcetas II, had invaded without warning time and again, trampling Baldina’s soil.

No matter how kindly the Grand Duke spoke of Baldina now, it changed nothing—he was still the son of Alcetas II.

“The Grand Duke’s high praise for Baldina must come from your father’s accounts, no doubt. We are grateful for your generosity.”

The air turned icy in an instant.

As if it had never been friendly at all, the nobles turned their heads away, ignoring the Grand Duke of Kazen.

“...”

Jason was momentarily speechless.

‘What is she... why attack me the moment she sees me?’

Jason’s plan to win over the Baldinians went up in smoke.

Far from gaining favor, he could only hope he hadn’t provoked more resentment than the Fourth Princess.

All because of a few words from that veiled woman.

The woman who had launched this silent assault wore a black veil that obscured her face. Her attire was plain.

She didn’t appear to be any great noble or royal.

Jason barely suppressed his frown and forced a smile.

“What point is there in dredging up old history at a gathering meant to pursue continental peace?”

The Fourth Princess seized the opening, raising her voice as if grasping at straws.

“Who the hell are you to interfere in matters between nations? Remove that veil!”

Her tone was a blatant command.

The Baldinians bristled. Who was this Kazen princess to order them around?

Irritated by her arrogance, none stepped forward to reveal Medea’s identity.

“Her Highness hasn’t asked—”

Just as the fired-up Regent Duke turned toward Medea instead,

“As you say, this is an official venue for discussions between our two nations. Even the Emperor of Kazen cannot compel Baldinians to act.”

A clear, resonant voice echoed from beneath the veil.

“Is the Fourth Princess perhaps aiming to surpass her father’s authority?”

The princess’s face froze. She glanced hurriedly at her delegation.

No matter how beloved a child, the Emperor became mercilessly cold regarding imperial authority.

If word of this reached her father’s ears later, he would surely view her with suspicion.

Even her mother’s precarious position, constantly vying with other imperial consorts, could be jeopardized. She bit her lip.

She could neither press this bizarre veiled woman further by invoking the Emperor, nor simply let it slide.

As the Fourth Princess’s predicament worsened, Count Raju stepped forward to berate the veiled woman.

“How dare you insult Her Highness the Princess’s loyalty to His Majesty? Do you have two lives to spare?”

Count Raju saw this as a chance to curry favor with the princess.

“What are you waiting for? Drag that wretch here and make her kneel!”

Prime Minister Sise, who had been watching the arrogant Kazen delegation with arms crossed, furrowed his brow.

“Oh, Count Raju, it’s you. How does it feel to return to your homeland after so long? We’re all welcoming you back.”

Sise deliberately spread his arms as if greeting a dear friend right in front of Raju, pouring oil on the Baldinians’ fury.

At Sise’s words, the Fourth Princess turned to look at Raju as if remembering something she’d forgotten.

She recalled that this Count Raju, who now offered to protect her, was originally a Baldinian who had caught the late Emperor’s eye and defected to the empire.

‘That’s why even Father doesn’t promote him highly. This filthy traitor chooses now to try winning my favor?’

Did she seem so weak that even a mongrel from this small kingdom dared to step up?

“Shut your mouth!”

The princess slapped Raju across the cheek. Stunned by the sudden blow, Count Raju couldn’t comprehend why she was angry.

While Count Raju stood dazed, the Fourth Princess shouted again.

“Are all Baldinians this barbaric? What does it mean to hide your face when coming out to greet an imperial delegation?”

The enraged princess huffed and puffed.

“Count Kensington, bring that wench before me and make her kneel. I must display the might of our great empire.”

“Your Highness.”

As Count Kensington swallowed a sigh,

“The Fourth Princess should observe proper etiquette.”

A pale hand reached out, lifting the veil herself. As the black veil fell away, the girl’s face was revealed.

An understated aura of dignity and unshakable poise emanated from her upright posture. Her delicate features were refined and pure, her vivid green eyes serene.

“She is Medea, Princess of Baldina and the sole blood sister of His Majesty the King.”

Only Sise’s cool voice introducing her echoed as the Kazen delegates gasped.

That girl was the princess?

They, too, knew well of Baldina’s puppet princess.

The one manipulated this way and that in the royal palace while the king was away at war.

They were speechless at the sight of a princess utterly unlike the tales they had heard.

The Fourth Princess stood frozen as well.

‘Why is that girl from the marketplace yesterday here...’

Amid the stunned silence, a clear voice rang out.

“Have no fear, Fourth Princess. You’ve already shown us the full extent of your great empire’s dignity firsthand, haven’t you?”

The princess’s calm rebuke brought satisfaction to the Baldinians and shame to the Kazenians.

“...”

The Fourth Princess’s face flushed red.

‘That... that bitch...’

It was a pointed criticism of her arrogance as a representative of a great power, subtly alluding to yesterday’s rampage as a veiled threat.

No matter how mighty the Kazen Empire, if it came out on an official stage that they had harmed an innocent Baldinian citizen, not only she but the entire delegation would face trouble.

‘She wouldn’t dare bring that up here, would she?’

Yet even she couldn’t openly force the king’s blood sister to her knees.

The Fourth Princess ground her teeth but could only glare at Medea without further outburst.

“Her Highness appears fatigued from the journey, so I beseech Baldina’s esteemed guests for your understanding.”

Count Kensington stepped forward with a sigh at the disgrace shown the moment the delegation arrived.

The general Jared stood with hands behind his back, and the watching Grand Duke showed no intent to defuse things.

“Of course. We know you’ve been exceedingly busy preparing for today’s meeting. We fully understand.”

Medea’s words circled back with another subtle jab, wiping the last trace of a smile from the Fourth Princess’s face.

“We are deeply grateful for Your Highness the Princess’s magnanimity.”

Kensington offered the reply in her stead. Their eyes met.

‘We finally meet, Kensington.’

‘So this girl is that princess. Not one to be trifled with, indeed.’

The razor-sharp tension thankfully dissipated without incident.

However, it was clear the Kazen delegation was far from the overwhelming presence they had hoped to project.