Chapter 84

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 84

Chapter Title: Birna's Secret

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"It's from the younger sister of the maid who died in Lady Birna's place last time. She's currently working as a housemaid in the Claudio Ducal House under a false identity."

The sister was ready to do anything for revenge against her older sister, who had died so unjustly.

She had bided her time in silence, waiting for her chance. And last night, she finally seized Duchess Catherine's most intimate secret.

"Robert Laju..."

Medea's pale hand tapped rhythmically on the table.

"Do you perhaps know him?"

"Of course I do."

He was the ally who had helped make Jason emperor.

This Baldina-born imperial count had been a staunch supporter of Uncle Claudio's family even in her previous life.

He had provided them with every kind of assistance to help them establish themselves securely in Kazen, even using his own funds to debut Birna in imperial high society.

He had spared no support to ensure Birna mingled with the empress dowager, the empress, and other imperial royals.

Now that she thought about it, the affection and effort he had shown toward Birna had been a bit excessive.

'It makes sense if it wasn't for an adopted daughter, but his own flesh and blood.'

"Robert Laju."

Birna's middle name was Robin. A nickname shortened from Robert.

"Birna Claudio..."

The princess fell silent for a moment, lost in thought, before letting out a hollow laugh.

"Indeed, Aunt is quite the romantic. To leave her lover's name etched into her child somehow."

No wonder Birna's personality didn't resemble her father the Regent Duke or her brother at all.

The straightforward, passionate roots of her nature came from elsewhere.

Medea felt laughter bubbling up inside her.

'Birna, you envied me, your cousin, so much. Under the pretext of shared blood, you tried to steal everything that was mine.'

My position. My children. And in the end, even my husband.

Did Birna even realize the truth? That even the position of Lady Claudio had been too much for her.

"If this fact gets out, not only will Lady Birna come crashing down, but it'll become an indelible scandal for the Regent Duke as well."

Neril's face brightened.

"No. I won't use it now. Even without this secret, the Regent Duke is doomed anyway."

Medea already held their leash through the signed decree.

'I won't let you off easily, not after you sold my daughter into the jaws of death. Wait for it, Birna.'

Medea's eyes gleamed an icy blue. A flicker of vicious glee passed through them.

The princess, with darkness at her back and a faint smile on her lips, exuded an eerie chill.

"Everything will happen at the time and place I decide."

After the Regent Duke, it would be her turn next.

Princess Palace.

"Your Highness, Grand Duke Castulo has sent another gift and letter. And this bouquet is from General Jared."

Medea's footsteps paused briefly. She eyed the pile of gifts before the fireplace with a cool gaze.

"Throw them out."

"All of them?"

Instead of answering, Medea snatched one of his letters from the table and flung it into the fireplace.

Saya nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, Your Highness. Then please rest well."

Once Saya had left and the bedroom was empty, Medea's eyes turned to the roaring fireplace.

The letter had long since crumbled to a handful of ash.

As she stared blankly at the flickering flames, Medea sensed a presence and looked up.

A man wearing a white half-mask sat on the windowsill of the bedroom. The mask gleamed gracefully in the moonlight.

Medea froze for a moment.

"Akkales."

"A pleasant night, Princess."

A leisurely greeting came in return.

Silver silk curtains fluttered lightly behind his shoulders in the night breeze, with the star-studded black sky as his backdrop.

The scene looked utterly natural, as if an artist had painstakingly painted it into the illustration.

Medea let out a wry chuckle at the man's seamless integration into the Princess Palace backdrop and reached out her hand.

"If you've lost your way in the dark of night, allow me to guide you."

She grabbed the crossbow placed nearby and aimed it at him.

A light laugh echoed from behind the white half-mask. Medea nearly mistook it for pleasure.

"Thank you for the invitation."

As if granted permission to enter, he vaulted over the windowsill with the fluid grace of a leopard and perched there casually.

At least he hadn't barged straight inside; sitting on the sill seemed to be his way of showing minimal courtesy.

Should she be grateful that he observed some manners, or punish him for brazenly infiltrating the palace and presuming to sit before her upon an 'invitation'?

"If I pull this cord right now, do you think you'll leave here unscathed?"

The moment she pulled the bedroom's bell cord, every guard in the Princess Palace would converge on him.

An arrogant voice replied without a hint of doubt.

"Princess, do you really think so? That you could hold me?"

"..."

Regrettably, it was the truth. There was no warrior in Baldina Palace who could match this insolent man.

Not even Neril. Both of them knew it.

Cezare continued nonchalantly, as if he hadn't expected an answer.

"I brought a gift. Nothing like that trash over there. So keep it safe, for a good long while."

"Just how long have you been watching me?"

Medea asked in a flat tone.

He must have seen her burn Jason's letter.

"If you had a messenger pigeon, a reply would have sufficed. You're clumsy with both humility and memory."

As Medea let out a scoff, something came flying toward her.

It was a small bundle wrapped in cloth, tied securely with string—the standard format for messages sent via carrier pigeon.

"..."

When her pale hand tugged the string, the cloth fell away, revealing a scrap of orange flag inside.

"The supply convoy from Osorf is no more. I considered bringing the commander's head as proof, but..."

His golden eyes behind the pristine white half-mask scanned the spotless walls and beautifully patterned carpet of the bedroom.

"I worried it might startle a delicate lady."

"..."

Medea gazed down at the flag scrap.

Embroidered on the half-burnt orange fabric was the badger emblem of the Rasai tribe.

She swallowed an involuntary gasp.

'He really pulled it off in just ten days?'

It wasn't something achievable with mere elite mercenaries and superior weapons.

Among the nomadic peoples, the Rasai were the most prickly and aggressive. Even Peleus had struggled in every battle against them.

Unbelievable speed and flawless execution of the commission.

Only then did Medea truly feel the renown of Facade, spread across the continent.

"Impressive."

"I told you. Facade is different."

Cezare spoke with the smug confidence of someone stating the obvious.

"Fine, I'll praise you. But a reply would have sufficed."

She elegantly phrased her question about why he had bothered to show his face. Cezare smirked at her words.

"I hear you're planning a very understated appearance at this upcoming banquet."

In a week's time, on that evening, the official banquet welcoming the Kazen delegation would be held.

"Looks like I need to tell Marchioness Pinatelli there are still some unfit ones left to weed out."

Women's attire was a closely guarded matter. Medea pointed out that Facade had eyes even in the palace.

"I was curious why you rejected it."

Cezare stroked his chin.

She recalled the lavish sapphire necklace among the gifts she had returned to Facade.

"Alpensia's craftsmanship is no small thing, but perhaps the color didn't suit your taste?"

Alpensia was a dwarven village at the edge of the continent, home to master jewelers unmatched in their art.

But they were extremely reclusive and took no commissions, making Alpensia gems hard to obtain even for Kazen's imperial family.

"I did think emerald would suit you better."

A leisurely voice flowed toward Medea's emerald eyes.