CHAPTER 70…………..
Since it wasn’t an official royal hunt, his attire was relatively light.
Instead, the hunting clothes clung close to his frame, showing off his build and muscle all the more.
Drawing every woman’s gaze, Theodore stood before Claire and tilted his lips in a faint smile.
“I’ll bring back both the deer and the rabbit.”
“Even one will be enough, Your Highness. More importantly, please be careful. Promise me?”
At her affectionate request, Theodore nodded, then turned and departed.
Franz quickly filled the empty spot he left behind.
“I’ll make sure to win Bolton’s jeweled flower for you, Claire. Just wait.”
With a cloak thrown over his hunting outfit, his determination burned brightly.
Claire looked at her younger brother with worry and earnestly pleaded,
“Please, just don’t get hurt. That matters more to me than any prize. I mean it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve brought some potions along, just in case.”
Franz lifted his cloak slightly, revealing a pouch filled with potion bottles.
“This healing potion in particular—I poured my heart into making it. Even if you’re injured to the brink of death, you’ll recover in half a day. Here, take one.”
He pulled out a vial and pressed it into Claire’s hand.
It was the princess’s birthday banquet, so trouble was unlikely, but he had prepared anyway.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Then, I’ll be off.”
With a less-than-reassuring wave, Franz headed toward the voice calling participants to the hunt.
The banquet hall, now nearly empty of men, grew quiet.
That’s when a stranger approached Claire.
“Greetings. I am Meril, lady-in-waiting to Her Highness the Princess.”
The maid bowed politely.
Claire eyed her warily and asked,
“What business do you have with me?”
“Her Highness has summoned you.”
Claire’s brows furrowed at the unwelcome news.
“Me? Why?”
“You’ll understand once you come.”
Meril said nothing more and started walking ahead, certain Claire wouldn’t dare ignore the princess’s command.
Reluctantly, Claire followed.
The maid led her to a massive tent set up behind the hall, then withdrew.
The moment Claire stepped inside, she was surprised—
The tent was full of noble young ladies her age, all gathered together.
At the center, sitting on a red leather sofa, was Melissa.
“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”
“Welcome, Lady Ravello.”
Melissa set down her teacup and smiled.
“While the men are off hunting, I thought we could enjoy tea together.”
“How thoughtful and considerate of Your Highness. I can only admire you.”
One young lady at her side instantly flattered her.
Even with Claire’s arrival, everyone’s focus remained firmly on the princess.
Melissa basked in it, sipping tea without even glancing Claire’s way—let alone inviting her to sit.
Left awkwardly standing, Claire found unexpected help.
“There’s a seat open here.”
It was Alicia Lennox, her short violet hair framing a blunt expression. She motioned stiffly to the space beside her.
Thanks to her, Claire was able to sit down naturally.
“Thank you, Lady Lennox.”
“It’s nothing.”
Alicia shook her head immediately—every movement crisp and disciplined, as expected of a knight.
Glancing sidelong, Claire noticed the dessert plate before Alicia was half empty.
All the chocolates are gone…
Did she have a sweet tooth, like Rune?
After a moment’s thought, Claire slid the chocolate muffin from her own plate onto Alicia’s.
Alicia flinched and spoke in a flustered tone.
“Why give this to me…?”
“I thought you liked them. If I’m mistaken, I’ll take it back.”
“…You are not mistaken. But it was given to you, so you should eat it.”
“Then please accept it. It’s thanks for helping me twice already.”
Claire smiled warmly, because no matter Alicia’s curt demeanor, she had indeed helped her.
Alicia hesitated, her eyes wavering slightly, before taking the muffin—
“Ladies, what are you two whispering about over there?”
A sharp voice cut in, feigning curiosity but laced with reprimand.
Alicia turned, her face instantly cooling.
“It was nothing, Lady Bolton.”
At that, Claire realized the speaker’s identity: Hailey Bolton, the princess’s maternal cousin.
No wonder her hair was such an unusual shade of pink.
“In Her Highness’s presence, you should be paying attention to her words.”
Hailey gave them a disapproving glance, then turned back to Melissa with a bright smile.
“Your Highness, who do you think will capture a mystical beast today?”
“Well, right now it’s too easy to guess. I’d prefer if it were someone unexpected.”
“Indeed. For example… if someone here managed it, wouldn’t that be fascinating?”
At Melissa’s reply, Hailey’s eyes gleamed meaningfully.
“Oh! What if we join in, as a surprise?”
Clapping her hands enthusiastically, she quickly stirred the others.
“Hunting? I’ve never tried it before…”
“But it’s just deer and rabbits, not bears or tigers. We could manage!”
“It might be fun to try something new for once!”
The louder girls set the tone, and the mood shifted in an instant.
Melissa fanned the flames further.
“As it happens, I brought several women’s hunting outfits. Just in case someone might want to join.”
Not wanting to waste the princess’s foresight, the ladies’ excitement peaked.
Suddenly, everyone was desperate to experience hunting.
Hailey quickly took charge.
“Perfect! Let’s all participate—without exception—as thanks to Her Highness.”
Claire’s face stiffened ever so slightly.
Phrased like that, refusal was nearly impossible.
To make matters worse, Hailey rose and personally handed out the hunting clothes brought by the maids.
Forced to accept one, Claire sighed softly, unable to hold it back.
This feels ominous…
Everything was falling into place too neatly. Instinct told her something wasn’t right.
But in the end, she had no choice but to change into the outfit.
Hailey had already shooed everyone out of the tent to go change.
The hunting clothes fit Claire perfectly, as though they had been prepared just for her.
Uneasy, she returned to the princess’s tent—only for crossbows to be handed out to the young ladies.
A concession, since few of them knew how to handle bows.
“To avoid crowding, let’s split into three groups. And since some felt it would be unfair for Lady Lennox, a knight, to compete, she’ll instead remain by Her Highness’s side to protect her.”
Under Hailey’s direction, Alicia stayed with Melissa, while Claire had to enter the forest alone.
She had wanted to stay with Alicia if possible.
I’ll just have to be as careful as I can.
But just as she resolved this, a voice called out from behind.
“That way is dangerous, Lady Ravello.”
She turned to see Hailey.
“Large, vicious beasts often appear there. You should head in the opposite direction.”
“…Is that so?”
Claire eyed her suspiciously. It was strange for the princess’s cousin to show such sudden kindness.
When Claire didn’t move, Hailey scowled and snapped,
“Fine, go wherever you like. But don’t follow me—I’ll be taking this path.”
With that, she spun around… and strode straight down the very direction she had told Claire not to take.
What am I supposed to make of this…?
Left behind, Claire wavered. Trusting Hailey felt wrong—but ignoring her did too.
After much thought, she decided to take the path Hailey had indicated.
If danger appeared, she could use her blessing, and if trouble came, she might even drag Hailey into it.
Besides, she hadn’t planned on venturing too deep anyway.
Her plan was simply to wander a bit and then leave.
Cautiously, she advanced, alert to her surroundings.
After some time—
Rustle.
“…!”
From the dense trees and thick underbrush came a sudden presence.
Heart tightening, Claire gripped her crossbow and fixed her gaze on the source of the noise.
And from the bushes emerged—
