Chapter 58

For a moment, Attil was speechless. But his contemplation did not last long. He picked up the blanket and tapped the spot next to him.

Lirika quickly scurried over and snuggled into the spot next to him. The bunk bed was narrower than the palace bed, but it was enough for the two of them to lie close together.

Bryni turned off the lights outside.

Only the bedside lamp cast a faint, soft honey glow.

The sounds of people chatting and walking could still be heard from beyond the tent.

Attil said softly,

"Do you have something to prevent the sound from leaking out?"

Lirika nodded and quickly took off the ring on her pinky finger, placing it on the headboard of the bed. Attil sighed deeply.

"When I was little, I really hated it when people kept secrets from me."

Lirika's eyes met Attil's as she answered, and Attil smiled. He reached out and covered the lampshade.

"Then let's go to sleep."

* * *

The next day, the hunting festival officially began.

Lirika sat next to her mother and watched the proceedings. When it came to the final part, a servant brought a box.

Opening the box, inside were various wooden pieces shaped like animals.

Altears put the wooden pieces into a velvet bag.

"Two tigers, three brown bears, five jaguars, ten stags, fifteen does, twenty rabbits, and thirty pigeons should be enough."

After shaking the bag well, Altears opened the mouth, and a mass of light burst out.

"!!"

People cheered, and Lirika's eyes widened.

The masses of light in the air transformed into animal shapes and ran into the forest.

"Wow—!"

Lirika marveled. Altears then opened a white bag, and this time, a cluster of golden light poured out and disappeared into the forest.

Rudia whispered to Lirika,

"Lirika, you have to catch those."

"Those?"

"Yes, they'll give you a net and a collection box. It should be fun."

Lirika's face brightened. It wouldn't harm the animals, and she could participate.

Looking at Attil, he seemed to be asking, 'Are you satisfied?' with a slight smile. Lirika beamed.

Soon, people started moving. While everyone was checking their hunting bows and magic guns, the children gathered around, wearing badges and receiving nets and collection boxes.

"The badge must never be removed. It prevents the wild beasts from sensing you. After catching the fireflies with the net, put them in the collection box."

"Yes!"

The children answered loudly. Lirika held the net in one hand and hung the collection box from her waist, swinging the net around and smiling.

'It's going to be so much fun!'

"Princess!"

Diara ran over from the other side. Wearing an apprentice knight uniform, Diara had a long gun slung over her back. She held Lirika's hand tightly and said,

"I'll catch a tiger."

"Okay, but don't overdo it."

"Don't worry. You're on the collection team, right? Enjoy yourself."

"Okay."

Thinking about the tigers, Lirika was a bit worried, but such tigers should be fine, she thought.

A moment later, her mother appeared in riding gear.

Lirika sighed deeply. Her mother's horse had three long guns attached to it.

"Liri, I'll be back. Have fun and don't leave Lauv's side."

"Yes, Mother."

Mother kissed Lirika's cheek and mounted the horse. She looked like the goddess of hunting.

Looking around, Lirika saw a group of children gathered around Attil, and another group around Fjord.

Being out here among people made it clear how the groups were divided.

'And both of them are really eye-catching.'

The two men, taller than their peers, could be recognized from a distance.

As she watched, Attil waved at her. Lirika approached him with her net.

"Is Attil on the hunting team?"

"Of course. I'm too old to swing a net around."

"I'll catch the most."

Attil smirked at Lirika's words.

"If it were Takar, he would."

"If it were Takar, he would know the virtue of yielding."

"The virtue of victory is better."

"Is victory a virtue?"

"If I say it is, then it is."

The surrounding children watched their conversation with interest.

They thought the two might not get along, but they seemed to have a very good relationship.

They didn't look like they were fighting over the throne or secretly battling for succession.

Yet.

"Princess, let's go collect with us."

"Yeah, come with us. We know a good spot for a picnic."

Some of the children moved from Attil's group to Lirika's.

At that moment, she sensed someone behind her. Without turning around, Lirika knew who it was.

She could tell from the expressions of the children who turned to look.

It was similar to when her mother walked into a ballroom. Whether they liked it or not, everyone's eyes were drawn to him, and they held their breath for a moment.

A moment of silence, a violent and overwhelming beauty.

The children's gazes were captivated, especially the girls, whose cheeks turned red. There was only one person it could be.

Lirika turned and smiled.

"Hi, Fjord."

"Are you well, Princess? Your Highness."

Fjord greeted her elegantly.

"Are you going hunting too, Fjord?"

"Yes."

"Be careful not to get carried away by the bears."

Fjord smiled at Attil's words.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I think it will be a pleasant hunt today."

"Good."

As Attil spoke, a horn sounded, signaling the hunting team to prepare.

Attil said to Lirika,

"Wait here. I'll bring you a tiger."

"Be careful."

"Sure."

After Attil left, Fjord said to Lirika,

"Be careful, Princess."

"Okay, you too, Fjord."

"Thank you."

Fjord smiled and left.

'He'll probably get glares from his team, but Fjord is Fjord.'

Was it typical for him to come and greet her?

'Ah.'

A few nearby girls were talking to Fjord, and when he whispered something, they blushed and giggled. Lirika smiled to herself, thinking, 'No need to worry.'

The horn sounded again, signaling the start of the hunting team. Hoofbeats could be heard from all directions.

Without any designated drivers, everyone moved in teams.

After the hunting team left, the collection team set out a short while later. Lirika joined a group of children and marched confidently into the forest.

At first, they moved in a group, but as the fireflies appeared, the situation changed.

"Before I knew it, I was alone."

Lirika said, looking at Lauv. Lauv replied calmly,

"Not alone, though."

"Yes, but..."

Even though they said they would stay together, the children would run off when they saw a firefly. It seemed they were still children.

"Still, we've caught quite a few, haven't we?"

Lirika looked at her collection box. Inside were about four small, glowing masses.

Then, Lauv grabbed Lirika's shoulder and put his finger to his lips. Lirika closed her mouth tightly. He pointed to the opposite side.

Lirika turned and was startled.

There stood a bear's shadow. It was a dark shadow, unmistakably a bear's. A large bear was ambling along. Lauv said,

"Because of the badge, it can't sense us, but if we make too much noise, it might notice us."

"It's huge... It really looks like a bear."

"Just like a real bear. Speed, strength, and aggression are the same."

"Uh... But it's a bear made by magic, right? Even so?"

"Yes. That's why there are injuries every year during the hunting festival. Sometimes it even leads to death. It's not an animal that can be easily caught with one shot from a magic gun, so be careful."

"Really?"

The same strength and abilities as a real animal.

"Moreover, it's a shadow, so it will be even harder to find."

"Yes, especially jaguars, which move in the trees."

Suddenly, Lirika felt uneasy and a chill ran down her spine. Seeing her worried face, Lauv said,

"As long as you wear the badge properly, you'll be fine."

"Okay."

Lirika checked that her badge and Lauv's were securely fastened. After the bear passed, the two of them resumed exploring the forest.

"Ah!"

Someone appeared. The two children with nets widened their eyes at the sight of Lirika. They looked at each other and quickly greeted her.

"Hi."

"Hello, Princess."

"It's an honor to meet you."

They hesitated after greeting her. Lirika, sensing the awkwardness, wondered if they were from Barat.

Lauv stepped forward and stood between them.

"Which house are you from?"

The children answered Lirika's question.

"I'm Lia from the Sandar Marquessate."

"I'm Luri from the Sandar Marquessate."

They were girls around Lirika's age. Lirika thought they might be twins and decided to leave.

"Okay, then keep collecting."

As she was about to leave, Luri spoke up.

"Princess, wait a moment."

"Huh?"

"Can you spare me a moment? I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

Lirika asked, maintaining a safe distance. Luri and Lia fidgeted, looking at each other and then back at Lirika.

"Please wait a moment."

Lirika quietly watched the two. There didn't seem to be any danger.

While it's not good to rely too much on intuition...

Hoofbeats could be heard from behind. Lauv picked up Lirika and moved her away. Lirika instinctively reached for the pendant attached to her brooch.

"Princess."

Seeing the person who had galloped over, Lirika lowered her hand.

"Phi."

Phi spoke to Luri and Lia.

"Step back."

Luri and Lia bowed deeply to Lirika and quickly disappeared into the forest. Lirika, without looking at them, asked,

"What's going on?"

Phi dismounted and took a step forward, kneeling on one knee.

"Princess Lirika, would you please accompany me for a moment?"

"I refuse."

Lauv said sharply.

"If you need to, request an official audience. The lord won't refuse you, as you are Attil's companion."

"I need an unofficial meeting. Princess, please. I'll do anything. Just come with me now."

Lirika looked at him silently and asked,

"Is it about your sister?"

His shoulders twitched. Phi looked up.

"Did His Highness tell you?"

"Yes."

"Then he must have warned you about me."

"Yes."

Lirika nodded. Phi stood up. His neat face was stiff.

"Then—"

At that moment, something huge leaped down from the tree. Lauv pushed Lirika away. Lirika, more startled than in pain, quickly lifted her head.

A black something was on top of Lauv.