Chapter 88

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 88

Chapter Title: The Duel's Wager

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The triumphant expressions on the Baldinians' faces vanished in an instant. The Queen Dowager shot to her feet once more.

"Ha, you dare think you can cross swords with me?"

The imperial family of Kazen, locked in fierce succession struggles, had all undergone rigorous martial training.

The Fourth Princess was no slouch either. Though not on the legendary level of the First Prince as a swordsman, she was still a skilled swordswoman of considerable prowess.

On the other hand, Baldina's princess...

"You, who tumbled off your own horse, think you can beat me?"

The Fourth Princess mocked her, drawing on the rumors of Medea that had spread even to the empire.

"I dare not hope for victory against the Fourth Princess. But if I, as her child, cannot even draw my sword against one who has sullied my father's honor..."

Her impassive emerald eyes fixed on the Fourth Princess.

"...what use is my presence here?"

The princess was taken aback.

She had barely forgiven the outright insult that trampled on both her father and her own dignity, and now this—a duel?

Charging in like she was ready to die? Was this halfwit just clueless, or utterly lacking in wits?

At that moment, a calm voice rang out.

"I stake my life on this. What, then, does the Fourth Princess stake to avenge her father's honor?"

The Fourth Princess ground her teeth.

They had traded barbs, each insulting the other's father once already.

With Medea pushing like this, staying silent would paint her as a filial ingrate who didn't care if her own father was humiliated.

"Ha! Very well, I accept your challenge."

The Fourth Princess clenched her jaw and regained her composure.

Swallowing hard, she asked with elegant poise, as if she had never lost her temper, even changing her arrogant tone.

"Princess, this is a duel between princesses of two nations, after all. We can't have it with nothing at stake, so how about we add some terms to the wager?"

At that instant, a sly idea flashed into the Fourth Princess's mind.

'You've backed me into a corner, so you'll pay the price for it.'

"If you win, Kazen will hand over the relief supplies without any conditions. But if you lose..."

A sinister cruelty crept across the Fourth Princess's face.

"...if I win, the aid is off the table."

The banquet hall stirred in an instant. Gasps echoed from all around.

"What do you say, Princess? Still want to avenge your father's honor?"

The Fourth Princess curled her lips smugly.

If the princess refused the duel, she could mock her for chickening out now. If she accepted, victory was assured, giving a perfect excuse to deny the relief.

Either way, Medea stood to lose big.

'Even I have to admit, it's a brilliant move.'

The Fourth Princess was so pleased with her own cleverness that she failed to notice Medea's eyes flick over her.

'I knew you'd take the bait.'

Fourth Princess Angelique was hot-tempered and fiercely proud.

That was why, even in her past life, she had fallen for Medea's traps time and again.

'Angelique, it won't play out as easily as you think.'

"Neril, prepare my sword."

A composed voice echoed through the hall.

"Your Highness!"

"Medea!"

Instead, it was the surrounding Baldinians who were shocked.

Marchioness Pinatelli nearly toppled from her chair in surprise and hurriedly supported the Queen Dowager, who had almost fallen. Prime Minister Sise unwittingly gripped his glass tight.

The Regent Duke and his wife were speechless at the sudden turn of events.

Lady Birna drooped her brows in a fearful expression, but the fierce glee in her eyes was unmistakable. How perfect it would be if the Fourth Princess's sword "accidentally" pierced Medea.

Only Medea herself remained serene.

Not a trace of fear or panic showed in her radiant eyes.

Her unwavering, steadfast stance stood in stark contrast to the haughty Fourth Princess, exuding a righteous defiance like a martyr standing against overwhelming injustice.

"Ha, you're really going through with it? Fine. But remember this—begging and crying to back out later won't do you any good."

The Fourth Princess grew irritated at Medea's calm response.

Fine, let's see how long you can keep up the act. It was then, as she lifted her chin triumphantly...

"One thing, though—I'm concerned the princess might go back on this condition."

"Angelique Graham Kazen—I swear on my name! Do you mean to say you can't trust the daughter of the emperor?"

The Fourth Princess shot back sharply.

"Our people who left Baldina years ago to defend Kazen's borders could not have foreseen it then. That mighty Kazen, in time, would so easily renege on its promised relief."

Today, Kazen's promised aid was no mere charity. It was the rightful recompense earned by Baldina's sacrifices.

Shamed by the princess's point, the Kazenites could not refute her words.

"Without assurance that the princess will honor the promise, I cannot accept."

Medea said, looking toward Prime Minister Sise.

Reading her intent, Sise moved swiftly.

"Your Highness."

He presented a hastily prepared golden scroll to Medea, who unfurled it for all to see.

"It contains the terms of the duel you just proposed. Princess, withdraw now if you wish. Once our seals are affixed atop words spoken aloud, it can no longer be dismissed as childish whimsy."

As if to say she had merely humored her until now, the princess carried herself with mature composure.

The Fourth Princess's face flushed with rage.

Was this puny girl mocking her, implying she couldn't even take back her own words?

"Ha! That scrap of paper? Guards! Bring my seal!"

The Fourth Princess snapped irritably.

Kensington hurriedly grabbed the princess and whispered urgently.

"Your Highness, think again. This is no time to act rashly."

"Out of my way. I'm in charge of this delegation—not you!"

"Your Highness, no. Please reconsider."

"I said, move—!"

Then Kensington froze.

The Fourth Princess had impatiently shaken off his hand, and the thick ring on her finger had scratched his cheek.

"Ugh, why do you have to be so annoying..."

Seeing the wound, the Fourth Princess seemed briefly flustered but soon ignored it, mindful of the onlookers.

She strode forward and decisively stamped the seal on the duel wager document.

The Kazen delegation was stunned by the Fourth Princess's unilateral decision.

But with even Count Kensington unable to stop her, who would dare step forward and face her glare?

Besides, the stakes were minor; the duel itself was no big deal.

The Fourth Princess had a record of besting even fourth-rank knights of the empire.

Beating a half-baked princess cooped up in the palace would be like eating cold porridge. Why pour cold water on it unnecessarily?

'We needed a proper excuse to refuse the relief, and the princess has provided a wise one.'

"Indeed, Count. Why poke a live volcano?"

Some nodded in satisfaction, others subtly chided her for overreacting to Kensington's concerns.

"Count, let me wipe that for you."

Jason approached, never one to miss a chance to curry favor with Kensington.

"Grand Duke, please restrain the Fourth Princess. This concerns Kazen's national interests—if any mishap occurs, she could find herself in dire straits."

Grand Duke Castulo was always prudent and astute; surely he wouldn't stand idly by once he grasped the gravity. So Kensington thought, naively.

"Haha, you know as well as I do—my words fall on deaf ears with Angelique. It'd be pointless."

Yet contrary to Kensington's hopes, Jason merely placated her, wearing a troubled, helpless expression.

"Don't worry too much. If anything arises, I'll 'help' Angelique resolve it safely."

"......"

"Count?"

Kensington silently pressed a handkerchief to his cheek.

'Not help her—you're just trying to usurp her authority. Castulo, you've hidden your ambitions well until now.'

He had glimpsed the flicker of raw ambition Jason failed to conceal fully.

'Even the Grand Duke, who stayed silent all this time, bares his teeth now that the First Prince is gone.'

Despite bearing the name of a delegation, ruthless undercurrents of power struggles churned beneath.

'I must not get swept up in this chaos. I serve only Kazen's national interests.'

So he thought, but the stinging pain on his cheek jolted him awake.

'Does His Majesty even remember Kensington?'

No answer came, as always for her who offered silent loyalty. Yet today, doubt crept in like never before...

'Baldina's princess.'

It might be because of that small girl.