Chapter 25
For a moment, I worried, but then I let out a small laugh.
‘No. He hates me so much. There’s no way Ricardo would share a room with me. He didn’t even come into the room on the first night after marriage.’
Thinking that, my tension eased a little. Among these hundreds of rooms, there must be at least one room for him to sleep in.
I looked around the luxurious room as the servant said and smiled in satisfaction. If tomorrow’s hunting competition went without any trouble, I would be completely satisfied.
That night, as I expected, Ricardo did not return to the room. Because of that, I relaxed and never imagined what would happen in this room later.
The next day, when the horn signal announcing the hunting competition sounded, the birds in the forest all flew into the sky.
Around the wide field before entering the forest, flags of different noble families fluttered, and colorful shade tents were prepared.
Food and alcohol were placed on the luxurious tables, and the clothes of the noble ladies were dazzlingly colorful. Since this was an event hosted by the imperial family, nobles from not only the capital but also other regions gathered and chatted in groups.
Last year, the third prince who almost lost the championship to the Zenkish Duke, Ernhardt, and his knights were already proudly on their horses, showing off their spirit.
When the Zenkish Duke, who was also the strongest candidate to win this year, mounted his horse, everyone’s eyes were drawn to him.
Gary whispered while looking at Ricardo.
“The doctor said it’s fine, so the Madam should be alright.”
Then Karun laughed.
“Yes. It’s a relief that our Madam is so proactive and positive. Many ladies use injuries as an excuse to skip the hunting competition.”
The words “our Madam” made a faint vein throb on Ricardo’s forehead.
“Our” was a word usually used for comrades who fought together, family bound by blood, or soldiers who faced death together.
Ricardo felt displeased that his subordinate used that word so casually, as if she belonged to them.
Ricardo turned his head and looked at the family carriage following behind. Through the open window, he could see Stella’s profile.
She was looking outside with curiosity, not wanting to miss anything. The bandage on her wrist was still visible under her sleeve.
She suddenly turned her head forward, and their eyes met.
She smiled at him without embarrassment.
‘She is truly a woman whose thoughts cannot be read.’
But he still did not realize it.
That for some time now, he had been reacting to every small action of hers.
After a long carriage ride that felt like my body would fall apart, we finally arrived.
We started before dawn and arrived when the sun was setting.
The imperial resort was called Woodlake, exactly as Ernhardt had told me.
A huge main building stood at the center, and white buildings spread on both sides like the wings of a swan. When I got closer, my jaw dropped at how beautiful it looked, like a work of art.
Cream-colored marble pillars and golden carved ceilings were magnificent, and a vast forest surrounded the castle.
‘I heard the lake inside the forest is a spectacular sight.’
Ernhardt said that from above, the lake would look like a giant sapphire.
I wanted to see that mysterious lake as soon as it became light.
“I will show you to your room, Madam.”
As I was admiring the scenery through the corridor window, the castle attendants approached me.
I looked around and saw that other nobles who arrived earlier were also being guided to their rooms.
“Ah, thank you.”
As soon as I heard the word “room,” the fatigue from the long journey rushed back.
“Your maid will be assigned to the servants’ floor. Staff are stationed throughout the castle, so you will feel comfortable.”
Both I and Ena nodded.
“After unpacking and changing into comfortable clothes, a banquet will be prepared in the hall downstairs. If you need anything, please pull the bell cord.”
“Understood.”
My stomach suddenly felt hungry when I heard about the banquet.
“We have specially prepared the most beautiful room at the west end for the Duke and your room. The Empress requested it.”
I stopped walking in surprise.
“The Empress requested it…?”
I did not ask whether the Duke and I would share a room. It was not proper for a newlywed duchess to ask such a question.
He smiled softly.
“It is the room with the best view of the lake beyond the forest. It is one of the few rooms where you can see the lake. I am sure you will like it.”
Oh dear.
Why did I assume we would have separate rooms here too?
The hunting competition signal sounded, and the game began.
Yelena rode her white horse and rushed ahead.
She bit her lower lip while watching the duke riding in black hunting clothes.
That man should have been hers.
But the man she tried to make hers since childhood was taken away in an instant.
‘To that woman with no background!’
She rode her horse skillfully.
“Miss, the competition is about to start. Please get on the horse quickly.”
She mounted her horse and charged forward as soon as the signal sounded.
Her white horse elegantly passed by Stella’s brown horse and moved ahead.
Other nobles also began riding into the forest.
A red arrow pierced the body of a hawk in midair, and it fell.
The prince’s bow missed the target he had aimed at.
“Damn it.”
Ilane had planned to hunt that prey, but Ricardo always hit the target first.
He broke the arrow in anger.
The prey basket contained only two wounded birds, a baby deer, and a rabbit.
If this continued, Ricardo would win again this year.
“Your Highness! A fox is over there!”
He grabbed another arrow and rode toward the fox.
Meanwhile, Ricardo’s arrows hit every target he aimed at.
Even the most agile prey could not escape.
Gary laughed awkwardly while picking up a fallen bird.
The bird’s two wings were neatly pierced by a single arrow.
“Honestly, you could end the hunt now and still win.”
The basket was already full.
A large wolf that could not fit in the basket was tied separately to the horse.
Despite Karun’s joke, Ricardo silently aimed his bow at a horned deer.
At that moment, a sharp scream was heard.
It was clearly a young woman’s voice.
Everyone became tense.
Ricardo pulled the horse’s reins first, and everyone rode toward the sound.
When they arrived, a woman lay on the ground beside a white horse.
It was Yelena.
Her face was pale, and she was holding her shoulder in pain. Blood from the wound stained her clothes.
Ricardo jumped off his horse and ran to her.
“Are you all right?”
“An arrow suddenly flew and brushed my shoulder…”
Fortunately, the arrow did not pierce deeply.
Ricardo wrapped the wound with cloth.
People arrived one by one later.
Someone spoke.
“Isn’t that the young lady of the Gueneyro marquis family?”
“Was she hit by an arrow?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the broken arrow beside Yelena.
They wondered who shot it.
Someone almost spoke but stopped after seeing Ricardo.
Because they recognized that the arrow belonged to the duchess.
Ricardo also felt shocked when he first saw the arrow.
It was clearly Stella’s arrow.
“Can you walk?”
She frowned slightly and shook her head.
Ricardo was about to carry Yelena when the marquis family people appeared and stopped him.
“We will take the young lady.”
Knowing that the injury was caused by the duchess’s arrow, they took Yelena away with suspicious eyes.
After they left, others also mounted their horses.
“I hope she is not badly hurt…”
“There is no reason to continue the hunt. Let’s go back.”
People quietly watched Ricardo and the prince.
“Let’s return.”
Ricardo gave orders to his subordinates and left first.
Seeing this, Ilane also signaled his men to return.
