Chapter 55

Hunting.

A tradition passed down since ancient times by the human race to obtain food.

To survive, to spread their descendants. Humans have lived by hunting and eating animals weaker than themselves.

Survival of the fittest.

The weak are prey, and the strong eat them.

The human race understood this lesson better than any other species.

And there was nothing particularly difficult about the act of hunting itself.

*Rustle-*

“…”

“Eek!”

It was simply a matter of targeting the prey in front of you and using whatever weapon—sword or bow—to catch it.

“You don’t seem to hesitate at all when it comes to killing animals.”

It’s just that for those unaccustomed to staining their weapons with blood, it’s not an easy task.

“From what I know, there are nobles who are too scared of blood to even kill.”

As Mikhail said, there were indeed nobles who avoided participating in hunting competitions because they were reluctant to take a life with their own hands.

“…These animals would’ve died even if it wasn’t by my hand.”

Not that I counted myself among those nobles, though.

“Why do you think that?”

Hearing my answer, Mikhail’s blue eyes gleamed as he asked me.

I answered simply.

“Isn’t it obvious? The Imperial Family wouldn’t leave these animals in their forest after this competition ends.”

It wasn’t that I felt no guilt for the wild animals I had killed with my own hands.

I wasn’t a cold-blooded, emotionless human. Of course, I felt uncomfortable about ending a living life with my own hands.

If the animals hadn’t been hunted and had continued to live in their natural habitat, they would’ve lived longer than they did by dying at my hands.

But, as I just said.

The wild animals designated as prey in this forest were destined to die after this competition ended.

Moreover, who knows what kind of suffering they would endure in that process?

*Splat-*

“Eek!”

“So, this is better for the animals too.”

I hunted the animals with the thought that it was better for them to die painlessly by my hands now.

“…By the way, why are you following me? Aren’t you participating in the hunting competition?”

“What benefit would I get from taking this competition seriously? After all, the prizes come from the Imperial Family’s pockets.”

“…”

It was absurd.

The prizes were ultimately provided by the Imperial Family, so it made sense for the Crown Prince, Mikhail, not to take the competition seriously.

“But why me?”

Surely, I wasn’t the only participant in this competition, so why was he following me around like a lost puppy?

“I don’t have any friends. You’re the only one I can follow around.”

“…”

The Crown Prince, who would one day rule the vast continent as Emperor, claiming he had no friends?

It was a story so ridiculous even a passing dog would laugh.

Sensing my expression rotting in real-time, Mikhail quickly clarified his true intentions.

“…Just kidding. Actually, I followed you because I wanted to ask you about something that happened earlier.”

“Earlier, you mean…”

“That moment when you kissed Princess Valencia’s hand in front of so many spectators.”

“…”

It seemed Mikhail had also witnessed the scene between me and the Princess earlier.

Honestly, it was shameless to hope he hadn’t seen it, given how all eyes were on us at that moment.

“That scene, in one word, was quite impressive.”

After quietly observing my reaction for a moment, the Crown Prince continued.

“I felt it at the last banquet too, but it seems like you’re not trying to hide the fact that your engagement with the Princess isn’t just a political arrangement.”

“…Is that so?”

“Most nobles would try their best to hide such emotions to avoid revealing their weaknesses. But you show no signs of that.”

Mikhail’s insight was accurate.

Normally, nobles with any degree of power would hide anything that could become a weakness.

But I no longer felt the need to hide my feelings for Rebecca from others, not even from Rebecca herself, who I never intended to tell.

Of course, it wasn’t like this from the beginning.

When I first met Rebecca and began to like her, I hid my feelings, fearing they would be used against me.

Even after marriage, or rather, even while maintaining the engagement, I worried about being manipulated by Rebecca, whose personality was far from pleasant.

“…I just don’t see a reason to hide it anymore.”

The reason my actions now differed from the past was that my relationship with the Princess had changed.

I couldn’t pinpoint when or why, but the way Rebecca looked at me had clearly changed compared to before.

The Rebecca who used to blush furiously and avoid eye contact at the slightest embarrassing remark now accepted even obvious flirtations with only a slight blush.

…Though it seemed she still hadn’t fully realized her own feelings.

“Isn’t it natural for a fiancé to love his fiancée?”

Helping her realize those feelings could also be considered a true fiancé’s virtue.

“…I see.”

After listening to my words, Mikhail smiled faintly and nodded.

“I’ll go hunt the next prey.”

“Why bother saying it? I was going to follow you anyway.”

“…”

While looking at Mikhail, who seemed to have nothing better to do, and moving to find the next prey, I didn’t let go of the pink handkerchief embroidered with strawberries that my fiancée had made for me.

***

Rebecca was deeply regretting her decisions.

“So, at that time, I…”

“Really? I’m so jealous!”

“Right? I think so too!”

Drinking tea and chatting with other noble ladies was absolutely not her style.

No matter how she thought about it, she should’ve refused Albert’s request back then.

At the time, the score was 20 to 21, so hitting the target would’ve practically secured her victory.

– So, for the sake of your poor fiancé who’s never received a heartfelt gift from his beloved fiancée, won’t you lose for me?

Once again, she had been swayed by that devilishly sweet voice.

Unable to resist the ticklish whisper in her ear.

And now, here she was, sitting among the chattering noble ladies, listening to their gossip.

“Lady Valencia, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“…I’m fine.”

The only saving grace was that Isabella Bluebell, who had even sent her a letter, was sitting beside her.

Isabella, who seemed very accustomed to such gatherings, helped her adapt to the unfamiliar setting.

Though Rebecca couldn’t understand why Isabella was being so kind to her, someone she had barely met.

Still, she thought Isabella was a very kind person.

“…By the way, did any of you give handkerchiefs?”

“…”

She was just a bit oblivious.

As Isabella, the center of attention among the noble ladies, brought up the topic, the conversation naturally shifted.

“I gave one to my fiancé…”

“My mother told me to give my poor brother just one handkerchief…”

“…I secretly gave one to someone I admire.”

It was only natural for the ladies’ interest to focus on the topic.

“Lady Valencia, did you give one to your fiancé too?”

“…”

This situation was very unwelcome for her.

“Of course! Didn’t you see earlier? Her fiancé knelt and kissed her hand!”

“Ah! So that was…”

“Yes! Of course, Lady Valencia gave her fiancé a handkerchief!”

Given that her fiancé had already caused quite a scene, it was only natural.

At least, in her mind, she couldn’t understand Albert at all.

What was Albert thinking?

What kind of thoughts did he usually have to even consider kissing her hand in front of so many people?

Of course, it was true that she had ordered her fiancé to kneel if he wanted a handkerchief from her.

But that was part of her plan to make Albert, who had as much pride as she did, kneel in front of so many eyes, not to receive a kiss on her hand.

…It’s not like he’s the protagonist of a romance novel.

Albert, who was very conscious of others’ gazes, especially hers, must’ve thought it would look cool to act that way.

That thought was so irritating and frustrating.

She tried her best to convince herself that it wasn’t cool at all, that she felt nothing, but…

*Thump-thump*

Her foolish heart, which refused to listen to its owner, beat like an idiot.

And the back of her hand, where her fiancé’s lips had touched, still tingled.

As if it would never forget that sensation.

And then.

Amidst the chattering noble ladies and the tingling sensation, Rebecca snapped back to reality when…

“Something terrible has happened!”

A soldier wearing armor emblazoned with the Imperial Family’s crest burst into the tent.

“Isn’t that an Imperial soldier?”

“Indeed, this is a space for gentlemen. Should I send him away?”

Naturally, the other noble ladies weren’t pleased with the sudden intrusion.

“…Wait a moment. He seems urgent. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Thanks to Isabella, who noticed the soldier’s distressed state, he was able to deliver his news.

“His Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Zernias have gone missing…”

“…What did you say?”

The news that her fiancé and the Crown Prince had gone missing in the forest.

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