Chapter 71
At that question, Reyna suddenly lifted her head.
Her wide eyes trembled with fear. Surprise and bewilderment were written all over her face.
‘What should I say?’
Kallis, carefully observing her expression, let out a long sigh.
“Hmmm…”
Then, looking weary, he rubbed his face several times with his hand.
“…Reyna… you don’t have to hide it.”
“……”
Reyna pressed her lips firmly together.
She radiated a strong will that she would not say a single word.
Kallis stared at her, then lifted and dropped both arms in the air, as if giving up. With a slightly hoarse, heavy voice, he spoke.
“Reyna, you’ll be attending the hunting festival too.”
“I see…”
Her tone was calm, as if she had somewhat expected it.
On the other hand, Kallis, who had no intention of taking her, was not pleased with the situation at all.
“Since Yanika has arrived, make sure you get proper treatment. And from now on, Reyna, you are not to treat anyone but me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
At the duke’s stern tone, Reyna obediently nodded. She fully understood why he spoke that way.
“Two knights will be joining us, so rest assured. By the way, has the doctor arrived?”
“He just came and is checking the patient’s condition.”
“That’s a relief. Then Reyna, go and get your healing.”
“Yes, I will.”
After Reyna left, the duke began preparing for the hunt.
The hunting party was divided into seven teams.
The Darkel Crown Prince’s team, Duke Kallis’s team, as well as Count Bates, Viscount Roton, and Marquis Dar, each formed their own groups with several nobles.
Since each brought along their retainers and gamekeepers, the teams were quite large.
The Darkel Crown Prince, befitting his status, had over ten royal guards and even two court healers with him.
Young ladies approached the gentlemen they admired and offered words of encouragement.
Meanwhile, Lady Cleo, quietly supporting the event from behind, watched her son Kallis with worried eyes.
She had long been uneasy about seeing Darkel and Kallis attending the hunt together. She had noticed before—the Crown Prince’s gaze toward her son was sharp and cold.
Lady Cleo walked over with graceful steps and spoke to her son.
“Kallis, please be careful and keep your wits about you.”
“Yes, Mother. I will bear it in mind.”
Kallis replied simply and firmly.
Lady Cleo nodded, trust in her eyes.
Shortly after, the sound of a horn echoed, and each team began to scatter.
Kallis set out on the hunt with Ron, Howard, Gale, Reyna, and the gamekeeper, Peter.
The path was long and rough, so everyone rode on horseback. Reyna was relieved that she knew how to ride.
Peter, the gamekeeper, approached her with a bright smile and bowed politely.
“Lady Reyna! I’ve been assigned to serve you this time.”
“Peter, it’s good to see you.”
“Thanks to your healing, as you can see, I’m walking perfectly fine. Haha!”
Peter proudly tapped his leg with his hand.
“I’m so glad you’re walking again.”
“All thanks to you, Lady Reyna. I’ll serve you well!”
With a respectful bow, Peter rode ahead to lead the way.
Watching his spirited figure, Reyna felt a surge of pride as a healer for the first time in a while.
Lately, she had been blaming herself, thinking her abilities weren’t enough to save people, that she was inadequate. She had spoken less and lost motivation.
‘Yes, Reyna. You’re doing well! Don’t lose confidence!’
‘Peter recovered, and before leaving, Phoebe cried with gratitude, didn’t she?’
Besides, Yanika had treated her, so her health was much better.
Reyna straightened her back and squared her shoulders.
“What are you thinking about all by yourself?”
“Oh my! You startled me!”
She hadn’t noticed Kallis behind her, lost in thought.
Reyna pressed a hand to her chest, startled.
“Is that really something to be so surprised about?”
“Your Grace, you shouldn’t sneak up like that.”
“Heh. I thought the horses’ hooves made enough sound.”
Kallis gave a wry laugh.
Reyna shot him a side glance, but Kallis only shrugged.
He matched his horse’s pace to hers, riding side by side.
They followed Peter deeper into the forest. Towering old trees and dense foliage blocked the sky, casting a cool gloom.
Reyna darted her eyes nervously, unsettled by the damp atmosphere.
Kallis glanced at her and asked,
“Why do you look so scared? Are you afraid of the forest?”
“It’s kind of damp and eerie in here… ugh.”
Reyna shivered.
“You were so bold with patients, and yet a forest scares you?”
“Well, that’s something I deal with all the time. But a forest… it’s honestly scary. Wild beasts, strange bugs everywhere.”
“……”
“I really hate insects.”
“Pfft!”
Ron, who was following behind, burst into laughter.
Reyna snapped her head toward him.
“Sir Ron, that’s rude!”
“Ah! Forgive me.”
“What did he do wrong? Compared to how you usually act, your fear of bugs is kind of refreshing.”
Kallis teased, deliberately provoking her.
Reyna glared at the two men in turn, annoyed.
At that moment, Gale, who had been scanning the surroundings, turned to the duke.
“Your Grace, weren’t we supposed to hunt the Irkan? If so, this isn’t the right path.”
“I know.”
Kallis replied without looking back.
“What? You knew?”
“……”
“Then you’re deliberately taking another path?”
“Yes. I told Peter to lead us elsewhere.”
“But why?”
Now it was Ron’s turn to blink in surprise.
Kallis gave him a look that said, ‘Isn’t it obvious?’
“Listen well. The Crown Prince is a jealous man. We can’t possibly catch more prey than his team, can we?”
“Ah, I see! So, we’re just going to wander around for two days without hunting anything?”
“Exactly.”
Hearing this, Reyna asked worriedly,
“I’ve heard stories about the Irkan… Is it really that dangerous? Could we get hurt?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
The one who answered was Gale, the red-haired archer. He was lean and quick, with deadly accuracy when shooting his bow.
He flipped his curly red hair back and continued,
“I saw plenty of Irkan during the war. I know exactly where they live.”
“Really?”
“Of course. And among us four, the one who’s hunted the most Irkan is none other than His Grace. Haha.”
“His Grace could probably catch one with his eyes closed.”
This time, it was Howard who spoke. With his long gray hair tied in a braid, Howard was a man of few words, speaking only when necessary. For him to say so reassured Reyna.
After some time, the sky began to darken. The group found a flat clearing and quickly set up camp.
Gale gathered branches and lit a fire, while Peter caught rabbits and birds, skewering them for roasting.
Howard and Ron tended the horses, and Kallis rechecked his weapons. Meanwhile, Reyna cooked chicken soup in a small pot.
The savory smell of soup filled the air, and everyone gathered eagerly around the fire.
Gale smacked his lips.
“Oh! That smells amazing.”
“I’m starving. Give me a lot, please!”
“You must be hungry. Eat up.”
Everyone ate heartily. Peter’s skewers were seasoned so well they tasted incredible.
After dinner, drowsiness set in.
“Haaahhh!”
Reyna let out a big yawn and lay down on a blanket spread on the ground, soon drifting into deep sleep.
Sleeping on her side, Reyna shifted uncomfortably and opened her eyes a sliver.
Where am I?
She was lying on the forest floor, covered only by a single blanket, leaves scattered all around.
Groggy, she sat up with effort, her joints creaking.
“Ugh!”
She hadn’t realized how uncomfortable it would be to sleep in the forest.
The sky was already brightening.
Howard and Gale were still asleep, but the others were nowhere to be seen.
Did they wake up already?
Stretching her body, Reyna headed toward the stream to wash her face. But on the path, she froze.
Two large wolves lay dead on the ground.
“Oh my goodness!!”
