#101. The Token of Luck (3)
The sky was high and blue. There wasn’t a single cloud, and the sunlight shone brightly, making the scenery beautiful.
It was fortunate that it wasn’t raining on such an important day, but the overly strong sunlight brought its own problems.
People were busy setting up shades to block the sun and preparing cool water.
Amid the noise, Sasha looked around and went down to sit in the front row.
The Grand Duke and other high nobles sat under wide tents in the upper seats, but Sasha deliberately chose the front seat.
It was because the view was wide and clear, and if she shouted, her voice could even reach Pavel during the match.
Since it was Pavel’s first time participating in the jousting tournament, he had to start from the very beginning.
It was different from Crown Prince Ruslan, who had joined the tournament several years ago and achieved good results, and so was allowed to start from the fourth match.
‘Since this is his first time, he must be nervous. I have to cheer for him.’
Sasha smiled softly as she waited for Pavel to appear.
Soon after—
“Waaaaa!”
A huge cheer rang out as the participants of the jousting tournament appeared in the distance.
They all rode horses, raising clouds of dust as they moved. But the dust wasn’t enough to cover their faces.
At the front was Crown Prince Ruslan, last year’s champion.
Riding a huge white horse, Ruslan smiled brightly, his golden hair glittering under the sun.
“Kyahhh!”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“Glory to the Golden Lion!”
The crowd shouted in excitement.
Ruslan was popular with the people because of his handsome face, eloquent speech, and relaxed personality.
People were curious about who would receive his flower crown today.
Until now, he had no official partner, so he always received a handkerchief from his younger sister, Princess Irina, and gave the flower crown to her.
But now that he was of marriageable age, most believed he would finally choose a woman he had in mind.
Since he wasn’t completely free from romance rumors, many speculated which woman connected to him would gain that honor.
Ruslan accepted all the curious and admiring gazes with ease. He even waved to the cheering crowd.
That was his charm. Though for Sasha, it didn’t capture her attention for long.
“……”
Sasha’s gaze shifted to Pavel, who followed behind Ruslan.
Riding a muscular black horse, Pavel was dressed entirely in black from head to toe.
His sharp, unsmiling face under the black armor was so dignified that it was almost frightening.
The crowd, who had been shouting excitedly for Ruslan, grew quiet in fear when they saw Pavel right behind him.
‘He doesn’t need to be popular, but he doesn’t need to look so scary either…’
Sasha clicked her tongue inwardly. But Nina beside her cried out with excitement.
“Young Master—no, Count! He looks so handsome today! It must be thanks to the clothes you chose for him, Sasha!”
“Really?”
“Yes! He doesn’t lose even standing next to His Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Nina, busy fanning Sasha, was blushing. Partly because of the summer-like heat, but also because this was her first time at such a grand event.
“If the Count wins, he’ll surely give the flower crown to you, my lady, right?”
“Well… most likely.”
Even for a married couple with a bad relationship, it was natural for the husband to present the crown to his wife in such a public event.
And in their case, they weren’t distant anymore. Just yesterday, their feelings had connected, and they had even shared a kiss.
‘That kiss…’
Even under the shade, Sasha’s face turned red.
Unconsciously, her fingers touched her lips. Her eyelashes trembled, and her blushing cheeks made her look as pretty as flower petals.
“The special roses that grow deep inside the Imperial Palace are said to never wither easily. A crown made with those roses must be so beautiful!”
Nina kept talking without realizing Sasha’s embarrassment, which helped Sasha quickly recover her composure.
But then—murmurs grew louder around her.
Both Sasha and Nina, who had been talking, soon realized something unusual was happening.
They turned their heads forward.
“……!”
Sasha finally saw the man standing in front of her.
“…Your Highness?”
It was Crown Prince Ruslan, smiling brightly as he blocked Sasha’s way.
“Good morning, Madam.”
Ruslan greeted her in a cheerful voice.
“…Yes.”
Sasha blinked in surprise, silently asking why he had come to her. Her expression also urged him to step aside.
But Ruslan, experienced in social situations, pretended not to notice her discomfort and smiled.
Calmly, he spoke—
“I’d like to receive a gift from you, Madam, for today’s victory.”
“……!”
Everyone around widened their eyes at his words, not just Sasha.
In jousting tournaments, a token of luck was usually a handkerchief with embroidery, or, if not, a small item from the body.
But it was only given when the man and woman were lovers.
For a Crown Prince to openly ask Sasha, Count Volkov’s wife, for such a gift meant…
“…Were the Crown Prince and Countess Volkov in that kind of relationship?”
“No way… Was she the Prince’s mistress all along? Since when?”
The whispers spread like wildfire.
Hearing people gossip and laugh about her supposed betrayal, Sasha’s face stiffened.
Ruslan pressed her for an answer.
“Madam?”
“That is…”
Sasha hesitated, then turned her gaze to where Princess Irina sat beside the Grand Duke.
She couldn’t see Irina’s face clearly from afar, but since her head was turned this way, she was surely watching the scene like everyone else.
‘I thought the Princess was kind to me… Was this planned by the Imperial Family? Or was it the Crown Prince’s whim?’
Either way, she couldn’t see how this would benefit them.
At most, it could humiliate Pavel by making him look like a husband whose wife betrayed him, while praising Ruslan as a man who stole another’s wife.
‘But still… why go this far? The Crown Prince already has popularity and fame without needing this.’
So Sasha continued looking away, refusing to face Ruslan.
Noticing her gaze, Ruslan explained with a smile.
“Since I’m getting older, I felt embarrassed to receive my sister’s handkerchief again.”
“…Didn’t you always win with Princess Irina’s handkerchief?”
“That’s true.”
“Maybe it was thanks to her handkerchief that you always had such luck?”
“Perhaps. But I believe it was my own skill.”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. But still…”
Ruslan smiled again and said,
“If I could get your handkerchief, Madam, I believe true luck would come to me. After all, since your marriage, look how Count Volkov has grown to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Despite all the rumors, no one expected him to rise so greatly. And yet, here he is.”
The words shocked everyone listening.
Sasha’s face hardened, and she firmly replied—
“I’m sorry, but the handkerchief I brought already has an owner.”
Sasha calmly pulled out the handkerchief she had carefully kept.
On the fine white cloth, she had embroidered the Volkov family crest—a black wolf with red eyes, howling.
It was made only for Pavel.
She placed it back into her bosom carefully. It was too precious to let it crease or stain before giving it to him.
Her cautious hands showed how precious it was, and Ruslan’s confident smile cracked.
He spoke urgently.
“Then anything else will do. A strand of your hair, or even a piece of your dress—I’ll keep it as a treasure.”
“……”
‘Why go this far?’
Sasha frowned, staring at Ruslan strangely.
Up close, she finally noticed things she had missed before. His face was paler, his eyes had dark circles, and his red eyes looked bloodshot.
‘Did he not sleep last night? Is that why he’s saying such nonsense?’
