Episode 29
“It’s a festival that only happens once a year. And the prize this time is land, right? Even though it’s not big land, it comes with the title of Baron. For noble sons who can’t inherit their family titles, it’s a huge chance.”
Come to think of it, Isabel said something like that too.
“I see.”
While looking around curiously at everything, since it was her first time at an event like this, Reina suddenly frowned.
“…Why are all the women dressed like that?”
It was supposed to be a hunting competition. But girls in long, fancy dresses were running around squealing. Reina was confused. Amy glanced at Reina’s outfit with a half-annoyed look.
“Who wears riding clothes like you to just watch? Everyone wants to look pretty, that’s why they dressed up.”
All the women wore dresses that touched the ground. Just like Amy said, Reina seemed to be the only girl wearing pants.
“I thought some people would wear pants since it’s in a forest. Dresses are hard to walk in.”
Reina pouted in embarrassment. Then she noticed someone and grinned.
“See? There is one other person wearing pants like me.”
“Who?”
Reina pointed with her chin. Over there, surrounded by men, was a beautiful woman in riding clothes. Amy leaned over to look and nodded knowingly.
“Oh, that’s the Marchioness of Doggerson.”
“Who?”
“The Marchioness of Doggerson! She’s here to represent her family in the hunting competition.”
“Why her? Where’s the Marquess?”
Before Amy could answer, a group of girls passed by screaming, making it impossible to hear anything. Reina quickly covered her ears, frowning.
One of the girls glanced at Reina, clicked her tongue quietly, and shook her head before running off. That look stuck with Reina.
“Amy, what was that look? That girl looked at me like I was trash.”
And now that she thought about it, everyone kept sneaking glances at her, then quickly looking away.
“Amy, people are looking at me weird, right? What’s going on?”
Amy let out a sigh.
“They think it’s strange that His Highness isn’t with you.”
“What? Do I have to walk around with my fiancé here too?”
“Well… you came to support him. And since Prince Carhel is so popular with women, a lot of people still don’t like that you’re his fiancée.”
‘So Carhel really is popular?’
“And to think, he was begging me to marry him before. Now he doesn’t even show his face. If he showed up, this whole mess would be over.”
Amy grumbled.
Reina was about to defend him—say he was just busy—but another group of girls screamed past again, covering up her voice.
“What is with those girls?! Why are they screaming like that?!”
Someone else answered her this time, not Amy.
“They’re looking for someone to give their handkerchiefs to.”
Reina turned around in surprise. A woman with red-brown hair tied high, wearing a purple riding suit and fancy jewelry, stood behind her. She was even more beautiful up close.
‘When did she get here?’
Seeing Reina’s confusion, the woman kindly explained more.
“They’re giving handkerchiefs they embroidered to men. Girls without fiancés usually give them to men they like.”
‘Oh… so that’s what they were doing.’
Now Reina understood. But then—if Carhel was so popular, why didn’t he ever get even one handkerchief?
“You’re Lady Reina Filon, right?”
“Uh… yes.”
Despite Reina’s unsure tone, the woman smiled and held out her hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Patricia Doggerson. You can call me Patricia.”
Reina hesitated a moment. ‘Isn’t that too friendly for someone I just met?’ She glanced at Amy, but Amy said nothing.
“Oh well… if she says it’s fine.”
“Nice to meet you, Patricia.”
They shook hands. Patricia smiled warmly and gave Reina’s hand a light shake. Amy excused herself to go get drinks, leaving the two women alone.
“It’s basically a popularity contest, huh?”
“Yeah… it really is.”
The girls from earlier were handing their handkerchiefs to various men. Some men got many, some got none.
The most noticeable one was Blair. Sitting on the platform, he had dozens of colorful handkerchiefs tied to his sword hilt—like a bouquet of flowers.
Even though he looked calm, he clearly looked proud. Very much like Blair.
Reina felt a little competitive. Blair had that many… and Carhel had none.
‘Where is Carhel, anyway?’
Though she pretended not to care around Amy, she had been secretly looking around for him. After all, she had brought a gift.
Still unable to find him, Reina touched the small silk pouch in her pocket. Inside was the handkerchief she had embroidered with a tiger-like cat face.
Patricia noticed.
“Are you looking for Carhel?”
“N-no, why would I?”
“I saw you fiddling with that pouch. Thought maybe you made something for him.”
“…”
‘Even if I did, I can’t give it if I don’t see him… He knows I’m here, right?’
Seeing her disappointed face, Patricia said kindly,
“He’s probably hiding somewhere. Carhel hates noisy places like this. He’ll probably show up at the end.”
“I see…”
But something felt off. The way Patricia kept calling him just “Carhel” and speaking like she knew him well…
‘She acts really close with him…’
“Are you close with His Highness?”
Patricia looked surprised, then quickly waved her hands.
“Oh, we’ve known each other since we were kids. Same age, grew up together, that’s all.”
But Reina’s eyes narrowed.
‘A childhood friend? That’s the most dangerous kind of relationship.’
Even though she and Carhel were engaged, and that kind of thing shouldn’t matter, it still annoyed her.
Patricia noticed the mood and tried to cheer her up.
“Carhel’s being so mean, leaving his beautiful fiancée alone like this.”
Reina knew it was just flattery, but didn’t feel like correcting her.
“Haha… yeah. What’s he even doing?”
Just then, another group of noble ladies rushed past them toward the platform.
“What’s going on now?”
Patricia made an “Ah” sound.
“I guess they gave up on finding Carhel.”
“Huh?”
Reina didn’t understand, so Patricia explained.
“They were trying to give their handkerchiefs to Carhel, but couldn’t find him. So now they’re giving them to Blair instead.”
“……!”
Reina looked toward the platform. Blair was smugly taking handkerchiefs from girls like they were candy. There were so many, his sword hilt was full. Eventually, he started tying them to his bow too.
“…So those girls originally wanted to give their handkerchiefs to Carhel?”
“Carhel hates clingy girls. That’s probably why he hides.”
“….”
“So now they’re giving them to Blair instead.”
‘Ah… I get it. Second-best, huh? Wait—hold on!’
“…Isn’t the Crown Prince usually more popular than a Duke?”
“Normally, yeah. But our Prince Blair has… let’s say, a lot of history.”
Patricia gave Reina a knowing look.
Blair’s private life was notorious. His lovers included noble ladies, foreign princesses, famous courtesans, even exotic slaves.
‘Then why was my kiss with Carhel such a big deal?!’
Despite Blair’s wild behavior, Reina’s small kiss with Carhel caused a huge scandal. It felt so unfair.
‘Why does he get a pass?’
After hearing Patricia’s explanation, Reina could only let out a dry laugh.
‘So Carhel’s sword hilt is always empty not because he’s unpopular… but because he avoids everyone.’
Now that she understood, Reina felt oddly empty.
‘That perfect face, no gifts at all? Wait, actually—hold on?!!’
(To be continued.)
I hope Patricia really is an ally