24.
Bang! Pop! Boom!
Fireworks exploded in every direction.
The opening ceremony had started.
From where I stood, the Emperor looked as tiny as a matchstick on the high stage.
He was speaking loudly, giving a long speech, but honestly, it all sounded useless. None of it stuck in my ears.
I shifted my weight lazily to one side, but suddenly I felt a sharp gaze land on me. Instinctively, I straightened my back and fixed my posture.
Out of the corner of my eye, I checked—and yes, the Emperor really was looking this way.
No way. He can’t possibly be looking at me, right?
But then he tilted his head slightly and smoothly continued his speech, his eyes moving elsewhere. The heavy stare disappeared.
My gaze naturally slid to the three dukes standing near the Emperor.
Right next to him, Duke Rohwinas Canesion stood tall and proud, showing off his presence.
On the opposite side stood Duke Peregrine, his hair already white, leaning on his cane. He was Lady Peregrine’s grandfather.
Meanwhile, Duke Ishtan Gladinare stood one step back, eyes lowered. His face was as expressionless as ever, but he looked unusually bored.
That was when trumpets blared from the front.
Knights waved flags and went through some kind of ritual. Nobles clapped loudly in between, clearly waiting for the right moments.
And finally—
People began mounting horses at the front. The crowd grew noisy with excitement.
Some nobles, like me, rode alone. Others brought along attendants, handlers, or even entire groups, making everything feel chaotic.
Another blast of trumpets rang out. That was the signal. The riders at the front started galloping first, their speed increasing.
I mounted my horse and followed, sometimes ahead, sometimes behind, blending into the flow.
Looking back, I spotted Duke Ishtan Gladinare, starting slowly at the rear.
As for me, I didn’t like hunting much. I only planned to pass the time.
Soon we entered the forest. Tall trees surrounded us, their shadows stretching wide.
Even though it was midday, the forest was dim, cool, and filled with fresh, pleasant air.
I watched nobles rush off in one direction, probably having spotted game. I wasn’t interested, so I turned my horse the opposite way.
That was when a black horse suddenly shot past me. A deep voice came from above.
“Shall we ride together?”
Of course—it was Duke Ishtan Gladinare, the only man who ever approached me willingly at this hunting festival.
For a split second, an indecent thought crossed my mind.
Coming here with him had already stirred plenty of rumors. If I looked too close to him, would that man—Rohwinas—use it as an excuse to strike at me?
I shrugged and answered lightly.
“It’s fine.”
“This is your first hunting festival. And your first time in this forest.”
“I’m not a child. You think I’ll get lost?”
I laughed and gave his arm a small playful tap—then froze.
Was that too casual? Too familiar?
But the Duke didn’t seem to care. He showed no reaction at all.
I let out a breath. Maybe I was too used to being informal with the servants at the mansion. It was a hard habit to break.
After all, I had almost no dealings with nobles until recently.
“Anyway, don’t worry. I won’t wander too far.”
Since he didn’t push further, the Duke simply untied a leather water pouch from his belt and handed it to me.
“You’ll need this once we go deeper.”
There was no reason to refuse, so I accepted it gratefully.
I hadn’t even expected to attend this festival, so it wasn’t strange for the Duke to prepare such details.
“Alright then, Your Grace. See you later. Don’t forget to give me a ride home afterward.”
“Of course.”
I watched his broad back as he disappeared deeper into the forest, then fastened the heavy water pouch tightly at my waist.
Turning my horse, I moved toward a group of nobles who were riding slowly, almost like they were out on a leisurely tour.
No doubt my face looked bold—shameless, even.
Congratulations. You’ve been chosen as my guides.
Because no matter what, I had no desire to get lost in this forest.
“Did you see that earlier?”
“Lady Serena, you saw too, right?”
The young noble ladies whispered among themselves.
They had all seen Duke Ishtan Gladinare talking quite warmly with Anastasia Roxan.
It was clear—the Duke had approached first!
“So the rumors are true. He really did bring her here himself.”
One girl glanced behind them at the rider following at a distance.
Anastasia Roxan.
Even though everyone shunned her, she was still boldly riding after them.
Honestly, it was unbelievable.
“If it were me, I’d already be back in my room crying. But her? She just keeps going.”
“Could it really be true—that the Duke recommended her in front of the Emperor?”
“Either way, they definitely look close.”
“But how could it be… with that Duke Gladinare?”
Everyone knew his reputation.
People said even if you spoke ten sentences to him, you’d be lucky to get one reply.
And above all, the frightening rumors about him were everywhere.
The girls exchanged glances, and mocking smiles spread among them.
“You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you?” one girl said loudly, on purpose.
“What stories?”
“The ones about the so-called young war hero…”
“Oh, I’ve heard.”
Whispers echoed back quickly.
“They say after he returned to the capital, he couldn’t stop killing, so now his mansion has no servants left alive.”
“What!?”
A few shivered, not caring whether it was true—the tale itself was chilling enough.
“I heard that too! So it’s true, he’s addicted to killing?”
“That’s why, the moment he became Duke, he volunteered for the battlefield.”
“What, just to keep killing?”
“And don’t forget this rumor—his mind was so unstable that the previous Duke hid him away until he became an adult.”
“Now it all makes sense.”
“Yes, it explains a lot.”
“Just think—how many people must have died by his hands in the last six years of war?”
As one girl sneered, she suddenly locked eyes with Anastasia.
She flinched, falling silent.
It wasn’t that Anastasia looked fierce or cold. But her gaze… it had a strange pressure.
It was unsettling, like she could see straight through you.
The girl quickly raised her voice again, turning away.
“Tell me—what sane woman would want to be close to a man like that?”
“Exactly. His reputation is horrible.”
“Maybe she’s just desperate.”
Some girls covered their laughter, trying to act proper, but the cruel amusement spread anyway.
Anastasia gave them a single look—then turned away, uninterested.
“This is disgusting.”
“She’s probably using her dirty tricks again.”
“Right. That love potion.”
“Does she really think she’ll be forgiven again?”
“No way. This time she’ll be executed for sure.”
“If anyone tells the Duke…”
Their eyes all turned toward Anastasia again.
But instead of fear, they found her smiling—a mocking, almost amused smile.
She turned her gaze toward the bushes, as though she’d seen something there.
The truth was simple:
Anyone who drank the love potion could never harm the one they loved.
The spell worked more like a curse, binding them to protect instead.
Killing the one they loved? Impossible.
In fact, they would be so consumed with desire to protect, they’d lose control.
Anastasia knew this very well. But she didn’t feel the need to explain it to those girls.
Just then, the bushes rustled—and a deer leapt out at the group.
“Kyaaah!”
Screams burst everywhere. Horses bolted forward. Some nobles ducked in panic.
The deer darted away in an instant, vanishing into the trees.
That was close… I almost fell off.
At the back of the group, one girl had nearly been thrown off her horse. She only stayed upright because someone caught her arm at the last moment.
When she looked up—
“….”
“….”
She found herself staring straight into Anastasia Roxan’s eyes.
The girl hurriedly let go, sitting up straight.
Of all people, why had her sleeve been the one right there to save her?
She was behind us just a moment ago… how did she get right beside me? Ugh, what bad luck.
As the embarrassed girl cursed Anastasia in her heart, someone in the group suddenly spoke up.
“Where’s Daena?”
Now that they thought about it—in all the chaos, a horse had bolted deep into the forest.
“Don’t tell me…”
