Chapter 35
Boil spoke with a trace of urgency.
“We need to understand Duke Elias’s intentions.”
“I agree,” Leo replied. “Relying solely on Baron Hillie is too risky. Duke Elias’s actions are far too suspicious.”
As the other nobles chimed in, Leo’s faint smile twisted slightly. He had been the one orchestrating things all along, yet now, at the mere hint of Kalen’s movements, everyone seemed to tremble. The feeling was… unpleasant.
Jere listened patiently to the nobles’ chatter before slowly setting down her teacup.
“You are aware that our family’s annual hunting competition will take place in two weeks, correct? Many will attend, and naturally, Duke Elias has been sent an invitation as well.”
A chorus of murmurs and approving sounds echoed around the room.
“He will probably attend. That will be the perfect opportunity to observe him closely. Let’s prepare carefully.”
“Indeed, Baroness Hillie, your insight is remarkable,” someone chuckled.
It was like luring a hidden tiger—seeing which bait it would take. If the prey refused, one could take alternative measures. If the tiger couldn’t be won over, at the very least, one could take its pelt.
With everyone satisfied and departing, Leo approached Jere quietly.
“What do you think the Duke is planning?”
“Impossible to know. Even if Princess Ruena has ambitions, Duke Elias could claim the throne if he chose—it wouldn’t be an issue for him.”
“But he has no interest in royal power, does he?”
“No one dislikes honor and authority,” Jere replied calmly.
Leo nodded, acknowledging his father’s words. Indeed, no one truly despises prestige or influence.
“I will find out his thoughts at the hunting competition,” Jere said.
“Good. Let’s see your skill. Watch how you handle the princess, the Crown Prince, and the Duke. That’s how one might eventually govern a kingdom.”
“Don’t worry,” she said.
A subtle smile crept across Leo’s face.
Since confessing that she had secretly attended the party, El had felt noticeably closer to Kalen. Their interactions had grown softer, gentler.
When reading letters, they made eye contact; when writing replies, he listened to her suggestions. At this pace, real dates would likely pose no problem soon.
Reading Kalen’s latest reply, she allowed herself a satisfied smile as she approached his desk.
“Your wording is gentle. The recipient won’t be too hurt.”
“Thank you,” Kalen murmured.
As El handed him the reply, her sharp eyes caught the invitation on his desk. Could it be a party invitation?
“Curious?” Kalen asked.
“Yes. Is it a party invitation?”
He slid it toward her.
“It’s an invitation to the hunting competition—sent by Baron Hillie’s family.”
“It’s held every year at their estate hunting grounds.”
“Ah, the grounds are enormous, right?”
“Comparable to the royal hunting grounds.”
“I see.”
El’s eyes sparkled. Sensing her curiosity, Kalen asked lightly,
“Do you want to go?”
“I’m intrigued. In the novels I’ve read, hunting scenes are always thrilling. I imagine it’s far more intense in person.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“Excuse me?” El’s eyes widened.
“Together? To the hunting competition?”
“It’s open, even without an invitation.”
El paused, weighing his words. As expected, things weren’t that simple.
“I don’t think it’s as easy as you say. I can’t hunt, after all.”
“Ladies usually stay in the cool shade, waiting for the gentlemen to finish. You could ride alongside if you like.”
“I don’t even have suitable attire! I can’t go in a floor-length party gown.”
Kalen’s lips curved faintly, a subtle smile that lingered even after disappearing briefly. Since that day, she had seen such glimpses more often.
El pressed a hand over her fluttering chest. His smile had a dizzying effect, like a painting coming to life before her eyes.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”
Kalen’s tone was confident, but his expression remained unreadable. El shrugged, resigned.
***
The Hillie estate’s hunting grounds were just over an hour from the capital by carriage. By the time El arrived, many nobles were already present.
Before stepping out, she lowered the veil on her hat to conceal her face. It was acceptable if Kalen or Barrett saw her, but not Lady Brina or any other nobles—especially Count Gore.
As Kalen had predicted, her hunting attire problem was unexpectedly resolved.
“Duke Kalen will attend the Hillie hunting competition. Lady, please accompany him and observe which young ladies he interacts with,” Lisa had requested. Like before, all preparations had been meticulously handled.
Taking a deep breath, El clenched her fists and stepped down from the carriage. She adjusted her parasol and surveyed her surroundings. Inside, she could see delicate canopies set up to filter the sunlight, letting a cool breeze through. Tables were adorned with iced drinks and chilled wine.
El instinctively stayed toward the back. If anyone realized an unknown young lady was attending alone, it could cause complications.
She moved into the crowd, scanning for Kalen.
A gentle tap on her shoulder made her jump. Barrett appeared, looking cautious.
“Baroness Moora?” he whispered.
“How did you know it was me?” she replied softly.
“The Duke asked me to guide you,” Barrett said, indicating Kalen.
True to form, Kalen stood out amid the sea of red attire, dressed entirely in black. The contrast only accentuated his presence.
“You found me immediately?” El asked.
“Yes. As soon as I arrived, I spotted you and was instructed to stay near you—without attracting attention,” Barrett explained.
“Still playing spy games, I see.”
A sigh from Barrett seemed to convey all his complex feelings at once.
El returned her gaze to Kalen. He looked striking, more so in the outdoor attire than usual.
“A statue. A statue amidst the hunting grounds,” she thought.
Many of the young noblewomen had the same impression. Jere, however, approached Kalen and noted his attire.
“Today’s theme is red, yet…”
“I know. Hence my black,” Kalen replied.
Jere laughed politely, but inwardly, she was irritated. Kalen’s faint smile only deepened her annoyance.
Ignoring Jere, Kalen scanned the assembled guests. He had never planned to attend this hunting competition. But seeing Randol and Ruena in a delicate balance, he couldn’t stay away.
Baron Jere, though, did not please him either.
The royal family was sacred, authority must be preserved. Some checks were acceptable, but excess was intolerable. As a duke of Eneritten, a friend and relative to both Randol and Ruena, he could not stand idly by.
He mulled over many reasons, yet ignored the simple fact that El wished to attend.
Jere diverted her gaze from Kalen’s indifferent yet piercing eyes and smiled warmly at the crowd.
“Thank you all for attending this year’s hunting competition. Especially, we are grateful for Crown Prince Randol and Princess Ruena’s presence.”
El immediately turned her gaze to Ruena. As expected, the princess, clad in red, shone with even greater beauty.
“Beautiful, as always… but why does her face seem familiar?” El mused. Perhaps it was from the party? No—it wasn’t her beauty, but her face itself. Yet the memory remained vague.
Jere continued,
“Please enjoy the hunt freely. The winner this year will receive this bow, passed down through the Hillie family for generations.”
The bow, though appearing old, carried immense symbolic value, dating back to the founding of Eneritten Kingdom.
Guests mounted their horses with gleaming eyes. Barrett, standing beside El, whispered softly.
“Will you stay near the Duke?”
“No,” she replied.
“Why not?”
Barrett, assuming she would remain with Kalen, looked surprised. El met his eyes, firm and unyielding.
“My goal is to observe which young ladies interact with the Duke. If I stay with him, no one will approach him. I’ll just stay nearby. You handle your duties, Count.”
With a silent nod, she cautiously edged closer to Kalen, Barrett following closely, eyes scanning the surroundings.
