Chapter 13

‘Filina?’

Lucas looked at Filina, who approached with her arm linked through Kalis’s.

Dressed in green trousers, a blouse, and a jacket fit for a man—clearly planning to join the hunt—Filina had even tied her hair up high into a single ponytail.

Every time she walked, the ponytail swayed gently from side to side.

“Duchess. You truly are participating in the hunt.”

Lucas noticed the unusually shaped bow Filina was carrying and walked toward her.

“Your Highness, I’ll show you my skills today. Look at this bow. It’s a Luna Empire–style bow. Isn’t it cool?”

Filina beamed proudly as she showed him the elegant S-shaped curve of the bow. Her smile made it obvious how proud she was of it.

“I see. I’ll look forward to it. Be careful—see you later.”

‘She’s really in a good mood.’

Returning her smile, Lucas headed back to the party waiting for him.

+++

‘Found it! My first prey!’

After wandering the forest for a full hour, Filina finally spotted a deer near some bushes. With a brown body decorated with round spots, it was the kind commonly called a “flower deer.”

‘I, Filina, shall become the goddess of the Hunt Festival!’

She knelt on one knee, pulled an arrow from her quiver, set it on the string, and aimed it at the deer.

The deer hadn’t sensed her yet, turning its head the opposite way while casually scanning the surroundings. Even better, the wind was blowing toward Filina—there was no way the deer would notice her presence.

‘Perfect!’

She pulled the bowstring taut. All she had to do was release her fingers, and it would be her first catch.

‘What the—!?’

Just as she was about to release the string, a large hand suddenly appeared behind her and grabbed her hand firmly.

+++

At the entrance to the deeper part of the hunting grounds, Lucas spotted hair tied up into a high ponytail.

‘Filina.’

She walked ahead carefully through the woods, with the ducal house’s knights trailing behind her quietly—close enough to protect her but far enough not to interfere.

‘That area can be dangerous…’

They were in the mid-section of the forest, where cornered wild animals could suddenly burst out.

Of course, with the duchy’s knights around, she wasn’t in great danger—but Lucas still worried she might get hurt.

‘I suppose I must protect her.’

Naturally… if she got injured, the Imperial Family that organized the hunt might be blamed. That was all.

‘As a man trained in chivalry, it is only proper to protect a lady.’

Lucas quietly followed after her.

Filina wandered the forest for quite a while. The knights occasionally frowned as if annoyed by Lucas and his men following them.

‘She must have found something.’

Filina stilled and took her position, pulling out an arrow and aiming at one spot. Lucas smiled.

‘Her posture is impressive. Better than I expected, Filina.’

So she hadn’t been carrying the bow just for decoration. Her form was surprisingly decent.

‘I hope she catches one… then she’ll move to a safer area.’

Lucas was smiling as he looked toward where her arrow was aimed, but suddenly his expression hardened. Without hesitation, he rushed toward her.

+++

“Your Highness!”

Filina stared at Lucas in shock as he suddenly appeared behind her and grabbed her hand.

Startled by her shout, the deer sensed them and bolted.

“Filina.”

Lucas, looking surprised by his own actions, quickly released her hand. The ducal knights stepped protectively between them, glaring at the Crown Prince without hesitation.

“Duchess, if I startled you, I’m sorry. Don’t misunderstand… I simply didn’t want you to kill that deer.”

Lucas began explaining to escape this awkward situation.

‘Ha! The Rubellia knights even glare at the Crown Prince! If he had hugged me, they’d probably have drawn their swords!’

The fact that he—a Crown Prince—had to explain himself, combined with the knights glaring at him, was absurd enough to bruise his pride.

“Yes. I was startled, but I’m fine now. Knights, step back.”

Filina, seeming more composed, tried to settle the situation. Her cheeks were still slightly red, though—clearly still shaken.

A chilly gust blew through, knocking down dry leaves clinging to the branches. Perhaps the wind helped calm Filina, as the redness in her cheeks faded a little.

“That deer is pregnant. That’s why I didn’t want it killed. If you had shot it, you would have been upset afterward.”

Filina widened her eyes at him, so Lucas continued explaining.

If she found out she had killed a pregnant deer, she truly would have been devastated.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Thanks to you, I’m spared that sadness. I can simply catch something else.”

Filina put her bow away and tucked her loose hair behind her ear, smiling softly.

‘What a kind heart.’

To run over just to spare a mother carrying a baby… His fondness for her grew even more.

“Since I made you miss your chance, I’ll make another one for you. Come with me.”

Noticing she was empty-handed, Lucas decided to help her—just a little.

‘Yes… she missed the deer because of me. I should help her catch something else.’

He almost brushed off the leaf on her shoulder, but she noticed it first and flicked it away.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Filina brightened at the thought of spending more time with a man who perfectly matched her ideal type.

“Come. This way.”

Lucas led her to an area frequented by small animals.

+++

“Duchess… this is the third time already. Do you really intend to catch something?”

Lucas had ended up spending two hours with Filina because she kept missing her chances. Crouched beside her, he turned and stared steadily into her eyes.

You. Seriously. Do you plan on catching anything?

“Your Highness, I met eyes with the rabbit… I couldn’t shoot it…”

For the third time, Filina had aimed perfectly but loosened her fingers at the last moment.

“Sigh… The first fox was too cute. The second was a duck you liked. The third… you made eye contact.”

If this continued, Lucas felt he wouldn’t catch anything today and might spend the entire day just following her around.

‘Then… I’d lose face… and say strange things…’

Filina avoided his gaze like a guilty sinner, looking everywhere except at him. Her cheeks were faintly flushed with embarrassment.

“Duchess. I’ll catch one myself and give it to you. A big one. I’ll bring back a good trophy.”

Lucas planned to part ways now and actually begin hunting. He also wanted her to go somewhere safe.

It was early winter; soon the forest would dim and the temperature would drop. Even with remaining daylight, the woods could grow dark very quickly.

‘He’s going to give me what he catches! This is that thing! The thing male leads present to the heroine in romance novels! The sacred hunt gift from the Hunt Festival! So cool!’

Filina’s mind flooded with pink sparkles as she shyly smiled.

“Yes, Your Highness. Then I’ll look forward to it.”

“All right. Wait somewhere safe.”

Lucas watched her leave with her guards before heading deeper into the forest for his real hunt.

+++

I walked with the knights for a bit, then returned to the safe tented area.

People glanced at me returning empty-handed with expressions that clearly said, “Of course she didn’t catch anything.”

‘Ugh. So annoying. If I’d been just a little more ruthless, I could’ve caught something.’

The deer was fine, but the three missed chances haunted her.

“Ma’am, I’ll make you a target tomorrow. You can practice shooting it.”

Margaret, seeing me discouraged, attempted to comfort me while guiding me back to the tent.

“Now, now. You’ve got dust all over you. Wash up, change into your dress, and then go speak with the Princess. Her attendant came earlier.”

“The Princess?”

Hearing that as Margaret prepared wash water instantly revived my spirits. I quickly washed, changed, grabbed Margaret’s hand, and practically sprinted to Velita’s tent.

+++

“Welcome, Duchess Filina. I’ve been waiting. This is Vivian, the daughter of Marquis Bene.”

As soon as I entered, Velita grabbed my hand and guided me to the table.

Expecting me, she had prepared three teacups, and the girl named Vivian—pink hair, pink eyes, and around my age—was already seated.

“Nice to meet you. Please call me Filina. Your Highness, you can simply use my name too—I prefer it.”

Meeting girls my age made me so happy. I wanted friends who didn’t care about titles, houses, birth—just someone to share ordinary daily life with.

“I’m happy to meet you too. I’m Vivian. We’re all the same age! We’ll be nineteen soon!”

Vivian greeted me with the brightest smile.

And then, this bright and pure Vivian said something that nearly made me spit out my tea.

“So, how was it? Your kiss with the Duke?”

Pffft.

Her innocent eyes and Velita’s eager, sparkling stare were absolutely overwhelming.

Flustered, I fanned my face with my hands and looked away before regaining composure and staring at them seriously.

What was the intention behind this question? Pure curiosity? Or an attempt to mock me?

“Filina, don’t misunderstand. I— ahem—Vivian and I have no experience yet… so…”

Velita must’ve noticed my look; she confessed she had never had her first kiss, signaling her harmless intentions.

‘What? They haven’t kissed anyone? I’ve kissed plenty. Even though it’s my legal husband… and… on the neck… ahem…’

Seeing their desperately curious eyes, I generously decided to share just a little of my experience.

Of course, since they were inexperienced, I decided to omit the part about… necks.

“Your Highness Velita. Vivian. You must keep this absolutely secret. If word spreads, I will hold you both responsible.”

This was a very private matter, so for my reputation’s sake, I demanded secrecy.

Well… not that I had much reputation to lose, but still.

“Don’t worry. We will keep it.”

Seeing their determined expressions, I finally opened my mouth to recount that blissful first kiss.