Translator: Nox

60 - The Crown I Will Take From You

Episode 60

Umberto feigned ignorance and asked.

His face was full of unfairness and bewilderment, as if he had no idea why he was here.

An amused look crossed Medeia's face.

He quickly knelt down and pleaded like a loyal servant.

"Your Highness, please save my master. Royal knights suddenly stormed in and took him away!"

"Master? What happened to Count Kensington already?"

"……!"

Umberto froze at the Princess's worried question.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Minister Etienne is my only master."

Soon, as if nothing had happened, he quickly regained his composure, and even the shocking tremor in his eyes disappeared in an instant.

But a hint of breath that he couldn't hide had already leaked out.

"Don't be too scared. Umberto did a great job with the last instruction, so things went smoothly."

As if praising him, the Princess's tone was quite gentle.

"Instruction? I've never received anything like that-"

At that moment, a small piece of paper was slipped in front of Umberto.

The familiar size, color, and shape of the parchment, and the clear handwriting on it...

It was all familiar to him.

"You brought the Minister to the floor that day."

It was the same shape as the secret notes he had received so far.

"That, that can't be..."

Umberto looked up at the Princess in disbelief.

The events of the past flashed before his eyes.

The person who made Etienne impotent by releasing the Scented candle, caused a riot at the banquet, and alienated him from Duke Claudio,

Was the Princess the mastermind behind this scheme to ruin Etienne?

Wasn't she on Regent Duke Claudio's side? The Minister of the Palace Affairs is the Regent Duke's right-hand man, isn't he?

Confusion swirled in his head.

"You, Princess, you did this to the Minister? Why?"

He was momentarily startled by the words that came out without him realizing it, but then a sharp sword touched his neck.

"Insolent!"

It was the Maid who had been glaring at him from beside the Princess since earlier.

She drew her sword and aimed it at him so quickly that he mistook her for a knight.

"Neril. Umberto helped me wholeheartedly, so don't treat him too harshly."

At the Princess's signal, the Maid finally sheathed her sword.

'Helped! I had no choice! You threatened our comrades with their lives!'

Umberto tried to retort, but he had to clench his fist again when he saw the knight standing behind the Princess.

"Umberto, isn't what you really need to ask not that? Shouldn't you be asking how I know who you are, or how much I know?"

The Princess's question painfully hit his mark.

"Or, you should be asking if I even intend to let you live."

Umberto flinched.

Now that he knew her true nature, her calm voice sounded ruthless and even terrifying.

'How many people has this Princess deceived?'

No one knows.

That the sudden downfall of a powerful figure who used to make even birds fall from the sky originated from this young Princess.

He even felt goosebumps.

Also, apart from the shock, a cold reality greeted him.

"I have no intention of begging for my life cowardly."

I am a Spy from another country who spread information about Baldina, and the girl in front of me is the Princess of that Baldina. There was no chance of getting out of here alive.

He bit his lip. The voice that leaked out was resolute.

"I am dying for my country, and you, Princess, are eliminating me for your country, so I have no resentment. However, if there is a bit of regret..."

He stared at Medeia with wary eyes.

"Princess, my only regret is that I can't warn my master about your true identity."

Medeia raised the corners of her lips.

"Warn. Umberto, if I hadn't found you first, would you have even been able to recognize me?"

Her neat lips were mocking him, with a smile as if it were drawn on.

"……."

Umberto's face turned red, but he couldn't say anything.

It was because he couldn't deny the Princess's words that he didn't even have the ability to find out who was behind it.

He really didn't even guess who was behind the note, and he never even dreamed that it would be the Princess.

"Then why did you reveal your identity to me now?"

"Letting you live and send you back is my favor. So I hope you remember it well and tell your master."

The Princess handed over a small, well-sealed letter.

There was a moment of silence.

"...What if I shut Your Highness's mouth here?"

Umberto's eyes flashed with murderous intent. His hand curled into a fist.

If he wasn't tied up, he probably would have grabbed a Dagger.

Kensington wouldn't have sent someone incompetent to the enemy country. He probably had excellent skills as an assassin.

He read the will that even if he couldn't get out of here alive, he could die with Medeia.

"Really? Are you confident you can handle it?"

"……."

"Even if your master is, would your master's master be able to? The thing you hold in your hand might not be my neck, but your master's neck."

Umberto's face cooled as if he had been hit with ice water.

The Princess knows about the existence of the Red Fox Troop, which has already spread to the continent.

If this foolish Princess, like me in disguise, had been hiding her true self all along,

'There's no way she would have shown up in front of me without any preparation.'

This was a trap. The moment he broke the Princess's neck, Baldina and Kazen, the two countries, could not return to the way they were before.

His choice was clear.

'This girl, the Princess of Baldina, is not someone I can handle.'

It was beyond his capabilities. He had to deliver the letter she sent to Danju, and then Danju would have to judge.

Umberto, who had made his decision, slowly retreated.

"I will do as you command."

"It was nice meeting you."

The Princess smiled softly as if she thought he had made a good decision.

Umberto simply lowered his eyes, not even daring to face the faint smile spreading under the sunlight.

\ \ *

The underground prison where the Minister is.

"Minister."

Ciseo dismissed the guards and stepped into the prison cell alone, which smelled damp and musty.

Step by step. The sound of stepping on mossy stones echoed softly.

When he stopped walking, Etienne raised his head.

"Ciseo, you goddamn son of a bitch."

His face immediately contorted when he found Ciseo beyond the bars.

"Do you think you'll be safe after putting me in here?"

Thud- The sound of a heavy body hitting the thick bars echoed through the prison. He was full of murderous intent.

"Yes, so far, there's nothing wrong with my life or my safety. But it doesn't seem to be the case for you, Minister. You look quite different."

However, even with the threat, Ciseo's expression was calm and his voice was relaxed, as if he was teasing him.

"You bastard! What reason do you have to treat me, a senior official of this country, like this!"

"It's not like I've falsely accused you of a crime you didn't commit, so I don't understand why you're so angry, Minister."

"You son of a bitch-!"

After confirming his still smooth face, Ciseo raised the corners of his lips.

Before coming here, he recalled the Princess's message he had received.

He was worried that the Regent Duke had found the Princess and was trying to act as a puppet again like before.

She said that if he filled thirty Chests for the Regent Duke, she would save the Minister.

After hearing those words, Ciseo was able to properly see the picture the Princess was drawing.

'Your Highness is trying to buy time to isolate the two of them.'

Ciseo swallowed his admiration and opened his mouth.

"This is the last place you'll spend your time before going to the execution ground, so please try to adapt well. I will also actively help."

"Shut up!"

If it had been normal circumstances, the Minister wouldn't have been so easily provoked by Ciseo, but it was different now that he had been arrested as a serious criminal.

"Duke Claudio won't stand still! As soon as I get out of here, I'll tear you to pieces and throw you to the dogs!"

Rage like stubbornness was on his thick face.

"Will he?"

However, that anger was blocked by Ciseo's question.

Ciseo's smile was quite meaningful.

What is this young bastard up to again?

Etienne glared at him.