Chapter 51

The clichés in romance fantasy novels are incredibly numerous.

If it’s set in a medieval background, the nobles’ playground, the social scene, is an absolute must.

The ruler of the frozen north, with a personality as cold as the surrounding climate, the Grand Duke or Duchess of the North.

And then there are the imperial-hosted banquets, hunting competitions, where all sorts of events unfold.

The way each work unfolds may differ, but the clichés and themes themselves are mostly similar in the genre of romance fantasy.

I don’t know if there’s a cold Grand Duke or Duchess of the North in “The Crown Prince Wields a Sword,” but at least I knew there was an imperial-hosted hunting competition.

“So, I have to participate too?”

“Of course. Your fiancée is the only daughter of the Valencia Duchy.”

That I had to participate in the hunting competition myself.

Hunting competition.

An event in romance fantasy, similar to imperial banquets, hosted by the imperial family.

It’s a simple event where prey is caught in advance, released in a designated area, and the participants hunt them.

The imperial family awards prizes to those who catch the most or the finest animals.

On the surface, it’s a good tradition emphasizing harmony between the imperial family and nobles, and among nobles themselves.

‘…What nonsense are they talking about?’

Of course, in reality, it’s mostly a cliché where assassination attempts occur amidst the chaos, or uncontrollable animals are released, leading to all sorts of incidents.

Just look at “The Crown Prince Wields a Sword,” where a noble from the noble faction sent an assassin targeting Mikhail while he was focused on hunting an animal.

Fortunately, Mikhail, the Crown Prince, was not to be underestimated, so the assassination attempt failed, and the culprit was caught.

Anyway, the truth about hunting competitions is that they rarely pass without incident.

“…”

I was in a situation where I had to participate in a hunting competition where something was bound to happen.

Unlike imperial banquets where most nobles attended, hunting competitions were events that major nobles of the empire had to attend unless something special prevented them.

I don’t know why.

What can I do? The author set it up that way.

It’s an irrational reality that a powerless transmigrator has no choice but to follow.

…Considering that, as the child of a not-so-prominent count family, it’s normal for me not to participate in hunting competitions.

“Were you planning to keep me as your fiancée and not participate?”

Since my fiancée is the child of one of only two ducal families in the empire.

“…No.”

Even if I didn’t want to, I had no choice but to participate.

As the princess said, the fiancé of the future Duke of Valencia couldn’t skip such events.

If things went that way, it wouldn’t be me but Rebecca who would become the nobles’ prey.

Of course, they wouldn’t openly attack.

Given that the other party’s background is none other than the ‘Valencia Duchy,’ no matter how bold or tactless someone might be, they couldn’t openly say such things in front of Rebecca.

Do they think they can get away with such madness without facing retaliation?

However, the fact that such conversations occur among unpleasant nobles is stressful for the person involved.

My fiancée, being the only daughter of the largest noble family, is already the center of attention.

When she realizes that such conversations are happening behind her back, it’s unnecessary to explain how Rebecca feels.

“…I will participate.”

For the sake of my beloved fiancée’s mental health, I had to participate in the hunting competition.

Even though I had decided to participate in the hunting competition for Rebecca’s sake.

“…Princess.”

“…Why are you calling me?”

“Are you planning to participate in the hunting competition yourself?”

“Of course. It’s clear that I’ll be the most outstanding among the participants…”

“Then what about the ‘handkerchief’?”

“…”

We still had a fairly big problem left.

***

Handkerchief.

By dictionary definition, it’s a small towel made for easy carrying.

Usually used to clean the mouth after meals or wipe away sweat.

But in romance fantasy, especially in events like ‘hunting competitions,’ the handkerchief holds a slightly different meaning.

That meaning is none other than symbolism.

Noble women embroider patterns or pictures on handkerchiefs and gift them to their fiancés or the men they admire, wishing them good hunting results.

And the nobleman who receives the handkerchief offers all the game he catches to his fiancée or lady.

In romance fantasy, handkerchiefs often create quite romantic scenes.

“…Handkerchief?”

“You know that a fiancée makes a handkerchief for her fiancé, right?”

“That applies to ladies who don’t directly participate in the hunting competition.”

“…”

It’s just that between Rebecca and me, it’s a romantic scene that’s hard to expect.

“I’ll be participating in the hunting competition and will surely come first. Do I really need to make a handkerchief for you?”

“…Is that so?”

Expecting a handkerchief from Rebecca, who has the strongest pride and competitive spirit in the empire, might be a bit too much.

“Of course.”

The princess’s expression clearly shows that there’s not a single lie in her words.

Of course.

“What should I do? I really want to receive a handkerchief from my beloved fiancée.”

“…”

Apart from that, I really wanted to receive a handkerchief from Rebecca.

It’s not that I wanted the ‘handkerchief’ itself.

After all, as a noble, one always carries a handkerchief or two, and I also carry one just in case.

What I really wanted was a handkerchief made by Rebecca, thinking of me.

Even if those thoughts and feelings were negative rather than positive.

I wanted a handkerchief made by Rebecca, thinking only of me.

‘…How creepy.’

Even I think it’s a very creepy and twisted desire.

Wanting a handkerchief made by someone thinking only of me. If someone heard this story, they’d likely think I’m a lunatic.

But there’s a reason.

So far, in my time with Rebecca, I’ve never received a gift from her.

I’m not talking about the formal gifts sent on birthdays.

The Duchess of Valencia wouldn’t just watch her daughter not send a gift to her fiancé on his birthday.

Every year on my birthday, a gift from the princess arrives.

However, those gifts weren’t sent by Rebecca’s initiative but by the Duchess’s.

Just to maintain the appearance of an engagement.

Even though the sender is marked as ‘Rebecca Valencia,’ in reality, it’s the Duchess of Valencia who sent it, not Rebecca.

“What fool of a fiancé wouldn’t want to receive a handkerchief from his beloved fiancée on the day of the hunting competition?”

I couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

“…It won’t work this time. You’re just going to embarrass me with your ‘I love you’ and then brush it off.”

Rebecca glared at me with sharp eyes, determined not to fall for it again.

A few days ago, she tried to take the lead by making me her servant but ended up defeated by an unexpected dinner invitation.

Even though she blushed slightly at the word ‘love,’ she maintained a determined expression.

Clap clap-

I decided to applaud my fiancée’s obvious growth.

“You’ve grown. Normally, you’d be making cute sounds like ‘Huh?’ with your face all red, unable to meet my eyes.”

“…”

Now, it seems I won’t be hearing cute voices like ‘Huh?’ or ‘Ugh…’ as often.

“I’m truly impressed by your rapid growth.”

As the fiancé who wants my fiancée to grow more than anyone, I could gladly congratulate her despite the incoming regret.

“…Don’t tease me.”

Even with my sincere(?) congratulations, Rebecca only blushed slightly, her sharp gaze unwavering.

Seeing that wary, cat-like look, I thought ‘complimenting with embarrassing words’ wouldn’t work.

“Then let’s do this.”

So, as always, as usual.

“…?”

“Let’s settle it with a bet, as usual.”

I proposed a bet to Rebecca.

“If I win, you give up participating in the hunting competition and make me a handkerchief. If you win, I’ll give up participating and make you a handkerchief.”

“…”

A sweet whisper of a proposal that’s hard to refuse.

“How about it?”

Rebecca couldn’t possibly refuse this offer.

Because, my fiancée is.

“…Tell me more.”

Still the person with the strongest competitive spirit in the world.