Chapter 29

29

"Really? Lord Everett isn't attending?"

Thanks to the Crown Prince stepping forward, Owen and Hessen's sharp gazes were finally off me.

Theodore, who was standing next to me, wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me tightly to his side. His protective gesture made me feel something indescribable. The past and present intertwined, and the dissonance made my head spin.

Owen and Hessen had already moved closer to talk to the Crown Prince.

Owen did most of the talking, while Hessen glared at me with a frown, seemingly at any given moment.

I averted my gaze, pretending not to notice him.

Then, a peculiar sensation and an unusual presence caught my attention.

"…?"

I subtly shifted my gaze in the direction of the presence.

The person who gave off the strange feeling was unexpectedly standing slightly behind Owen, someone I had never seen before.

'Who is he…?'

With a bad premonition, I furrowed my brow slightly. The person lifted his head, which had been bowed, and stared at me directly.

I froze involuntarily. His eyes were empty, devoid of any emotion, like those of a dead person.

"Madam, that person is Owen's new mage."

At that moment, Charlotte whispered softly from behind.

I nodded silently and examined him closely. His face, hidden by a hood, and his bony wrists peeking out from under his long sleeves were pale.

He didn't seem like someone who had learned magic normally.

'The time this mage joined Owen coincides with when Theodore was injured…'

In the military records I had reviewed recently, there was nothing unusual. However, one part stood out: the number of monsters pouring out of the rift that day was unusually high, and they were particularly ferocious.

'Sure enough, there's something off about this mage. I have a bad feeling.'

Though it was just a hunch, I couldn't ignore my intuition, so I couldn't help but be on edge.

"Hello, Lily."

A gentle voice suddenly reached my ears, breaking my thoughts. Owen, who had finished chatting with the Crown Prince, greeted me.

He looked down at me with the same arrogant posture of a ruler. Whenever I saw Owen, I felt both helplessness and a desire to kill. I bowed my head in greeting, and Owen smiled crookedly.

"And Duke Valentine, have the two of you been well?"

The atmosphere around us seemed to freeze. This scene must have been a thrilling spectacle for the onlookers. Then, Theodore's cold voice cut through the air.

"We've been well, thanks to you."

"Good, it seems you liked my gift."

…Gift? What gift? I had never heard of this before. Frowning, I looked at Theodore, who met my gaze with a troubled expression and whispered softly.

"Later, after the hunt."

Even though my memory wasn't fully intact—though it was about me—what had happened between Owen and Theodore? As I opened my mouth to ask, a high-pitched voice pierced my eardrums.

"Sister! Oops, Your Highness, the Crown Princess."

The person who had entered noisily was none other than Rosanne Delacroix. She chatted happily with her sister, the Crown Princess, then turned her head and waved enthusiastically at someone.

When I glanced in that direction, I saw a familiar face.

Genevieve Delacroix.

"Gene! Big brother! Hurry up!"

Rosanne's brother, the Crown Princess's younger brother, and the heir of the Delacroix family.

Queen Elemele also arrived and displayed the coral bracelet, the prize for today's hunt, to the crowd.

Upon closer inspection, the bracelet was not only made of coral but also adorned with diamonds and pearls. It was very ornate but suitable for both men and women.

"Alright, let's start the hunt."

The Crown Prince clapped his hands lightly.

Hessen never greeted Theodore, only glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me.

I ignored Hessen and scanned the area. The Marquis Chester was there, but his brother Lennon was nowhere to be seen. Lennon must have decided not to attend today. I was relieved not to have to see his repulsive face and mounted my horse.

Those participating in the hunt led the way, followed by the spectators. In other words, they were divided into two groups.

To avoid distracting the participants, the spectators were kept at a distance.

Ashridge Forest was safe from dangerous animals, so there was no need to worry unless a rift suddenly opened.

"Lily."

The Crown Prince called, but Theodore, who ignored him, turned to me, seemingly about to voice a trivial concern.

Sure enough, he gripped my hand tightly and said,

"The knights will protect you, but still, be careful. Don't take off the brooch I gave you."

"I will."

I was getting used to people glancing at us. Theodore gently released my hand and gradually moved away, still looking back at me.

I turned away from him with a indifferent feeling and headed toward Queen Elemele, the Crown Princess, and Rosanne. It was a well-known fact that being near these three was the safest place, as they would have the most guards.

…However, I noticed a new person among them, someone who wasn't there before.

It was Adeline.

"…"

After a moment's hesitation, I decided to change direction. But at that moment, Adeline called out brightly.

"Duchess Valentine!"

She waved innocently, beckoning me over. Ignoring her would make me seem petty.

Reluctantly, I turned my horse toward her. I sighed and forced a smile. As I approached, Adeline greeted me warmly.

"Lily, who do you think will win today? I'm betting on Theo."

In the past, hearing Adeline say such things with a cheerful face would have made me feel sick. But now, it doesn't bother me. In fact, I feel sorry for her consistency. I smiled benevolently and replied,

"I should bet on 'my husband.'"

"…"

Adeline's smile faltered for a moment but quickly returned. She was a woman who managed her expressions perfectly. As she opened her mouth to respond, an oblivious voice interrupted.

"Of course, Duchess Valentine will support her husband, the Duke. Why are you asking such an obvious question? Miss Adeline."

The atmosphere turned cold, but Rosanne, the one who spoke, continued chatting with the Crown Princess without a care.

I pondered the positive aspects of oblivious people as I slowly rode my horse. The group of noblewomen and young ladies soon entered the entrance of Ashridge Forest, with knights guarding the flanks.

The forest was green and enveloped in a peaceful silence. Occasionally, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the chirping of insects, and the songs of small birds could be heard.

Of course, summer forests are full of bugs. I carefully put on thin silk gloves up to my wrists and lowered the veil of my hat to my neck.

I detested bugs. In fact, I dislike summer. I dislike the heat, the many outdoor events compared to winter, and most of all, the abundance of bugs.

"Duchess Valentine is fully equipped."

Queen Elemele passed by me with a smile. I blushed slightly and smiled.

In front of Her Majesty, I had to behave well. It would be even better if I appeared like a pitiful wildflower.

Elemele is a terrifying person. She is infinitely generous to the harmless and weak she protects but cruelly ruthless to the harmful and greedy.

A typical person she dislikes is Adeline. I was certain that Queen Elemele already knew what lay behind Adeline's mask.

"Try this if you find the scent pleasant. It will keep the bugs away."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I politely accepted the small crystal bottle from the Queen. Opening the lid, I smelled a slightly spicy yet refreshing fragrance. It seemed to be a perfume made from a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and cinnamon.

It was indeed a scent that could repel bugs, so I sprayed it on my body.

After thanking her again, I returned the bottle to Queen Elemele, who smiled kindly.

"By the way, Duchess, your complexion seems to be getting worse day by day. Are you well?"

…Lately, why are so many people concerned about my health?

I responded appropriately to the Queen's comment as I rode my horse at a leisurely pace. The figures of those leading the hunt were no longer visible, indicating we had traveled quite a distance.

There were no particularly unusual signs in the forest. However, the deeper we went, the more a strange sensation subtly tingled against my skin.

'…Strange. What is this feeling?'