Chapter 26
The people inside the shade tents did not know what had happened in the middle of the forest. They were eating, drinking, and enjoying their time.
On the field beside the tents, old nobles and ladies were playing a game where they rolled a small ball with a stick into a hole. Behind the tents, young ladies were throwing round rings onto tree branches.
Some were making flower crowns. Some were taking naps.
That peaceful moment stopped when they heard the sound of horses returning from the forest. The hunting competition had not even ended, yet the participants were coming back.
When they saw the marquis’ daughter being carried by a knight, they began whispering.
“Call the doctor!”
At the urgent voice, people hurried to find a doctor. Those inside the tents also came out to see what was happening.
“What happened?”
“The young lady of the marquis was hit by an arrow during the hunt.”
When the marquis and his wife heard that their daughter was injured, they ran out in shock.
“Yelena!”
“Are you all right?”
Yelena looked pale, but she nodded as if she was fine.
“Who dared to shoot an arrow at a person?!”
The marquis was furious. As people whispered, the Emperor and Empress stepped forward. The area became quiet.
“What is this disturbance?” the Emperor asked sternly.
The man who carried Yelena forward held out the arrow.
“She was struck on the shoulder by this arrow while hunting. She fell from her horse. The owner of the arrow has not appeared yet.”
The Emperor frowned and looked down at the arrow, silently demanding to know whose it was.
“It belongs to us.”
At the words of Ricardo, someone beside him corrected,
“To be exact, isn’t it the Duchess’s? It has a red shaft and white weasel fur attached.”
At that, people looked around in shock.
“The Duchess…?”
Just then, the person they were looking for slowly walked out of the tent.
In her hand was a beautifully made flower crown.
‘Could it really have been Kayla?’
When nothing happened even as the hunt was almost over, I began to wonder if I had misunderstood Yelena because of my own bias.
Then I heard the sound of hurried horses and loud voices outside.
‘Ah, it’s here.’
I knew instinctively that I had been right.
The marquis’ angry voice and the Emperor’s stern tone could be heard. I could even faintly hear the marquis’ wife crying.
“To be exact, isn’t it the Duchess’s? It has a red shaft and white weasel fur attached.”
When my name was mentioned, I calmly stood up.
This was the right timing.
I pushed aside the curtain and stepped out, widening my eyes in surprise. I even let the flower crown fall from my hand naturally.
Some frowned at me. Some looked at me with cold suspicion. Only those who had been with me all day looked confused.
“What is going on? Why is everyone…?”
My eyes moved to Yelena, who was leaning against the marquis on the ground.
Her face was covered in dirt. Blood stained her clothes and hands. She looked at me with a resentful expression.
Her acting was perfect.
Just like in the original story, the accident that was blamed on Kayla had clearly been planned by Yelena. Since I had been here the whole time, my arrow could not have struck her shoulder.
I quickly erased the cold look from my eyes and approached her with a worried expression.
“What happened? Why is your dress…?”
The marquis’ knights blocked me.
“We would like an explanation first. Why did the Duchess’s arrow injure our young lady?”
Whispers gathered.
“Is it really her arrow?”
“That can’t be.”
“How strange.”
The fact that the Duchess had injured the marquis’ daughter, who liked the Duke, was enough to stir suspicion.
“Did you really do it?”
Ricardo asked me quietly. His eyes were not angry, but confused.
Then Yelena painfully raised herself and spoke.
“It is not the Duchess’s fault. She must have mistaken me from far away. When you aim from a distance, it’s hard to see clearly. Even a small movement makes people aim their bows. It was my carelessness.”
Even while holding her injured arm, she defended me.
People’s expressions softened.
In the original story, maybe that was why Kayla confessed even though she was not the culprit.
“I… I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just shot arrows around because I felt frustrated… I truly didn’t intend it.”
Perhaps Kayla had thought that one of her careless arrows really had injured Yelena. That rushed excuse labeled her as a villainess.
While I was thinking, a woman beside the Third Prince sneered.
Pania said,
“Yelena, you should not defend her too much. How can someone mistake a person for an animal? After this, who would dare join a hunting competition? We might become prey ourselves.”
Her husband, Ilane, added mockingly,
“There were many people in the forest. Why was it specifically the marquis’ daughter who was hit? Jealousy is frightening. I did not know it could almost kill someone.”
I answered calmly,
“I also find it strange. How could my arrow fly by itself and pierce Lady Gueneiro’s shoulder in the forest?”
Yelena’s face showed a brief flash of panic.
I slowly stepped closer.
“Did you see me shoot an arrow? I was here all day.”
Her eyes trembled for a moment.
“Stop it. What are you doing?” Ricardo grabbed my arm.
“Ah…”
I frowned slightly and pulled my arm away. Everyone’s eyes turned to my bandaged wrist.
I slowly untied the bandage. The dark bruise and dried blood were still visible.
I covered the wound gently and spoke calmly.
“This is my first imperial event after marriage. I really wanted to attend. I even wanted to join the hunt with the Duke, even if I had to push myself. But my arm was too injured… so I returned before even entering the forest.”
Ricardo froze.
Yelena’s expression became strange.
Then the Empress’ voice was heard from behind.
Empress said,
“That is correct. Stella was with us the entire time. She was here all day. How could her arrow threaten the marquis’ daughter? Isn’t that right, Marchioness? Weren’t you picking flowers with Stella earlier to make flower crowns?”
Yelena’s mother only nodded slightly.
“Are we certain that arrow truly belongs to the Duchess?”
With that single sentence, the atmosphere changed.
Someone was trying to frame the Duchess.
I picked up the arrow that injured Yelena and examined it.
“It looks similar, but this is not my arrow. I carve a special mark on my arrowheads.”
As I lifted my head, Ernhardt appeared holding my quiver.
“There seems to be someone trying to frame me.”
