Episode 35
Everyone bowed to the Emperor with respect. The movements flowed like waves. The Emperor, Eckarter, raised his hand, and the crowd went quiet.
“You’ve all worked hard,” he said, smiling, looking over the animals hunted during the event.
“I’m pleased with what you’ve brought.”
He stepped down from the stage and slowly walked past the hunted animals. He stopped when he saw the sign with Blair’s name.
“Blair caught the most animals again this year.”
Some nobles quickly agreed.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is getting better at hunting.”
“It’s really hard to catch up to him.”
Even with the flattery, Blair’s face remained cold and emotionless.
**‘Ugh, such bootlickers…’** Reina thought, scoffing at the obvious praise. She understood why they were trying to please the future Emperor, but it was still way too obvious.
“…The Empress caught quite a few as well,” the Emperor added.
“You flatter me, Your Majesty,” said Isabel, bowing slightly. Eckarter smiled in return.
**‘Everyone knows Isabel didn’t lift a finger today, right?’** Reina thought. It was all just acting.
As Eckarter kept walking and checking the animals, something caught his eye.
“What’s that? Who caught that bear?”
Everyone suddenly went silent. No one answered, too busy watching each other. Finally, the head attendant, Marcus, stepped forward and checked the sign.
“It says it was caught by Lady Reina Fillon, daughter of Count Fillon.”
“Reina? Isn’t she the one engaged to Duke Kalkheil?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
“She not only won over stone-faced Kalkheil but even caught a bear? Impressive! Where is she?”
People standing in front of Reina slowly stepped aside. Reina, thinking she wasn’t important, had been standing quietly in a corner. Now people moved like a path was being cleared, and Reina tried to hide—but it was too late.
The Emperor’s eyes locked onto hers.
“There you are,” he said.
Reina awkwardly smiled, trying to stay calm.
“You caught a bear? That’s quite a skill.”
“Haha… ha…”
“Do you enjoy hunting?”
“No, Your Majesty. This is my first time.”
“Your first time? And you caught a bear?”
“Well… I was looking for Kalkheil, and somehow…”
“Somehow?”
“Uh… it just happened…”
“It just… what?”
The Emperor kept pressing, and Reina got flustered, unable to speak clearly. Kalkheil stepped in.
“She was learning archery from me. A stray arrow just happened to hit the bear’s heart.”
“A stray arrow hit the heart? Seriously?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor laughed heartily.
“Such luck! Lady Reina must be a very fortunate person.”
**‘If I were really that lucky, a bear wouldn’t have charged at me in the first place,’** Reina thought bitterly. No one cared how terrified she had been.
Eckarter stroked his beard.
“Too bad. I’d love to declare Reina the winner, but the rules are the rules…”
He looked disappointed, but Reina didn’t mind. Blair was staring at her so intensely it felt like she was being burned. Knowing about his connection to the island of Plontine, Reina didn’t want the prize anyway.
“It’s fine. His Highness the Crown Prince should win.”
But before she could finish her sentence…
“Isn’t it amazing that she did this well on her first hunt?” said Isabel suddenly.
Eckarter turned toward her. Isabel smiled sweetly.
“Even if we go by the rules, it feels like a shame. I mean, she caught a *bear*. Recognizing her might encourage more women to join the hunt.”
“Hm, I agree… but rules are rules.”
Eckarter glanced at Blair.
**‘Wait, did he just look at Blair like he doesn’t care at all?’** Reina wondered, suspicious.
Isabel continued with a new suggestion.
“Then how about this, Your Majesty?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll give all the animals I caught to Lady Reina.”
“What…?”
“It’s a wedding gift! If you combine the four carts of animals I caught with Reina’s bear, it’s clear—she wins.”
Reina’s lips twitched. Eckarter, Blair, and Reina all exchanged tense glances.
“……?”
“……!!”
“……Huh?”
Far away, Kalkheil looked shocked.
“…It doesn’t break any rules, right?” Isabel said with a bright smile.
Reina could feel Blair’s cold, hard stare behind Isabel’s grin.
**‘Did I just become Blair’s enemy…?’**
Kalkheil stepped in front of Reina, shielding her from Blair’s glare. She felt a bit better.
“Your Majesty,” Kalkheil said. “As you know, Lady Reina will be moving to Routezen with me. It wouldn’t make sense for her to manage a distant estate.”
Eckarter seemed intrigued.
“Someone else could use that land better,” Kalkheil continued.
It was a fair point, but Isabel easily countered.
“She has Count Fillon. He’s a successful businessman. He can manage the land for her. And if she and the Duke have children, having more land isn’t a bad thing.”
Other nobles who supported Isabel spoke up.
“He’s right, Your Majesty. This doesn’t break any rules.”
“And not all those animals were caught by the Crown Prince anyway—”
*Ahem!*
Someone tried to point out that even Blair had help from hunters, but Blair’s side pushed back hard.
“How dare you! At least Her Majesty actually caught those animals herself!”
“Besides, Blair has won this competition for years!”
Isabel’s “gift” suggestion was turning into a political fight. Supporters of the Empress swarmed in.
**‘Are they about to start a full-on fight…?’** Reina thought, panicking.
Then the Emperor finally spoke.
“That’s enough.”
Everyone went quiet. Eckarter held the real power, after all.
“The winner of the hunt is Lady Reina Fillon.”
“Y-Your Majesty?!”
“The Empress’s gift doesn’t break any rules. And she did catch a bear. Very impressive.”
He smiled at Reina. No one dared to argue. Eckarter held out his hand.
“Come forward.”
Reina wanted to run away, but she looked at Kalkheil, who gave a slight shake of his head, like saying, *just go with it*.
So she walked forward stiffly. Eckarter stood beside her and said:
“This year’s winner is Lady Reina Fillon.”
Isabel clapped first. Then Patricia joined in. A few others followed, encouraged by Isabel’s look. But that was it—most people didn’t clap. Even Kalkheil stayed silent with his arms crossed.
A servant brought a golden scroll.
“This is the official deed for the island of Plontine.”
They handed it to Reina. It felt heavy in her arms.
“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I hope this encourages more talented women to join the hunt, like Lady Reina and Marchioness Patricia Doggerson.”
When Patricia’s name was called, she stood and gave a small bow. She also received light applause.
“The rest of the animals will be offered to the temple and shared with the local villagers. Today’s hunt is now over.”
Everyone started moving as ordered.
“You always bring me joy, Lady Reina. I look forward to our next meeting,” said the Emperor, patting her shoulder before leaving. Isabel followed behind.
Reina thought to herself: *It was really the Empress who made all this happen. But why was she so desperate to give me that island?*
Blair, still frozen in place, gave Reina one last sharp look and walked away.
“…So I’m definitely on Blair’s bad side now, right?” Reina asked as Kalkheil approached her.
He sighed. “Probably.”
“What’s going to happen to me now?”
“Nothing too crazy. Maybe some dirty looks… or some trouble for your family’s business…”
**‘How is that *not* crazy?’**
Reina gave him a sharp glare. Kalkheil scratched his head awkwardly.
“…Well, at least he can’t take the land back or hurt you directly. It was a gift from the Emperor, after all.”
