Chapter 59
A sudden silence fell in the middle of the forest, where preparations for the hunt were in full swing. Those checking their hunting rifles and the servants leading the horses toward their masters all froze and stared at Baron Great.
“…Ah!”
Baron Great’s face instantly turned crimson as he realized his mistake too late. He had intended to catch the Duchess’s attention to draw the Duke’s investment, but instead, he had blurted out information that could become a major point in negotiations. He bowed his head deeply in embarrassment.
“You mean a nude painting of a noblewoman?”
Baron Great’s explosive remark spread through the dry air like sparks. The assembled nobles, gathered for the hunt, immediately began murmuring about the nude painting.
“A noblewoman? Which noblewoman would be foolish enough to pose like that? Horrifying.”
“Lady Raola herself went to cover it. It must be a noblewoman from the capital, right?”
The nobles fanned themselves repeatedly as they gossiped, their eyes glinting with curiosity. Speculations ran rampant from mouth to mouth. The hunt hadn’t even started, yet everyone seemed more interested in finding the central figure of the scandal than in hunting.
“Has someone already caught a bear? Why all the commotion?”
Emperor Mateo appeared, seated atop a massive black horse, surveying the scene.
“We greet the Sun of the Empire.”
Only with Mateo’s arrival did the nobles finally close their mouths. They lowered their heads, but their minds raced with speculation.
“Everyone, rise. Seems like something interesting has happened?”
Mateo scanned the gathered nobles, his gaze stopping briefly at Eliana before moving to Greddy, who stood by her side.
“…”
“Why is everyone so quiet? Were you talking ill of me?”
The nobles’ faces turned pale at the emperor’s rhetorical question. Meanwhile, Duke Lloyd whispered the story of Baron Great to Emperor Mateo.
As the two conversed, the nobles’ eyes darted nervously. These were some of the most prominent nobles in the Empire, yet they were flustered that such a rumor could stir them into excitement without realizing the emperor had arrived.
At the same time, though, curiosity gleamed in their eyes. After all, the emperor was a man; perhaps he too would be intrigued.
“Baron Great.”
“Yes? Y-Your Majesty.”
The baron stepped forward quickly and bowed. His neck was stiff, and he looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
“To spread unverified rumors right before an important event is reckless.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty!”
Baron Great’s head bowed low enough to nearly touch the ground. Despite the cold wind, his back was soaked in cold sweat.
“Listen carefully!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The nobles all bowed their heads and listened attentively. Unlike in the palace, the ceremony here was less formal, yet no one acted recklessly.
“I hear from the count that the terrain of Orante Forest has changed considerably due to last season’s heavy rains.”
Mateo spoke calmly, yet with authority. His words were enough to refocus the nobles’ attention, scattered in anticipation of the hunt.
“…”
“As you all know, winter hunts in Orante Forest are not mere pastimes. Just three days ago, a child fell victim to wolves there. I expect the Empire’s nobles, when hunting in Orante Forest, to act with the pride and nobility befitting their position.”
“Your Majesty.”
All the nobles bowed in unison.
Typically, hunting preparations involved long, tedious procedures. Mateo, known for relishing the authority of his emperor’s title, would usually indulge in lengthy rituals. Yet today, he concluded his short address, for his attention was fixed on Eliana.
“Then let us begin.”
At the emperor’s words, the nobles busied themselves. The scandal over the noblewoman’s nude painting temporarily faded from attention.
Yet Eliana could not prepare for the hunt as calmly as the others. Her cheeks were deathly pale, devoid of any color. Greddy’s hand, tightly clasped with hers, was the only support keeping her from trembling entirely.
“Is this it? The thing you were worried about.”
Eliana turned her head to see Greddy smiling gently, running a hand through her hair.
Greddy’s mouth lifted slightly as he looked at her with concern, a stark contrast to the man who had whispered dreadful things into her ear moments before.
“…What are you talking about?”
Eliana’s voice trembled. Greddy smiled at her softly.
“Judging by your expression, it seems no question is needed.”
“I said before, these kinds of conversations are far from pleasant!”
“Shut your mouth—unless you wish for everyone here to know that you are the subject of that nude painting.”
Eliana’s agitated voice drew the attention of the nobles to the Duke and Duchess.
“Oh, Eliana, you’ve overexerted yourself since dawn.”
Despite the gentle admonishment from Duke Klyber, people could not avert their gaze. The emperor’s steps were heading toward the couple.
“This is your first hunt, Duchess, isn’t it?”
Emperor Mateo, carrying a long hunting rifle on his shoulder, strolled toward them, having passed his horse to a servant.
“Your Majesty.”
Eliana finally regained her composure and gave a brief bow. She bit her pale lips to bring a hint of color to them. Though it was natural, learned under Marquess Hoffman, Greddy’s sharp eyes scrutinized every movement.
“You look very well in your riding attire.”
“…Thank you.”
Eliana answered belatedly under Mateo’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Judging by the Duke’s attire, I suppose he does not intend to participate in the hunt again?”
“I have no interest in hunting.”
Greddy avoided the emperor’s gaze. It was widely known that he abstained from hunting—a rare restraint for a man prone to gambling, drinking, and reckless behavior.
“Interest? Nonsense. Which of the assembled nobles kills animals for mere amusement?”
“…”
“Do you not even hear me? Hunting is not a pastime. It is to protect the subjects of the Orante domain!”
Mateo jabbed Greddy’s chest with his finger. Each poke made Greddy take a step back.
Whether Greddy treated hunting as mere amusement or sought to humiliate him in front of Eliana, Mateo’s actions were undeniably extreme.
Finally, Mateo moved beside Eliana. Except for occasional bird calls, the hunting grounds were silent.
Seemingly pleased to stand by her side, the emperor smiled as he faced her.
“Unfortunate, Duchess. Thanks to a husband who is barely present, even in your first hunt, you cannot dream of becoming the owner of the Winter Branch, a prize any noblewoman would desire.”
Eliana glanced at Greddy, who had stepped back. Slowly, she retreated from Mateo’s gaze, smiling brightly now that she was level with Greddy.
“It is what I wished, so it matters not.”
“What?”
Mateo stared, bewildered.
The Winter Branch was a golden brooch awarded by the emperor to whoever captured the most dangerous beast in the hunting competition. Though mainly men hunted, the competition’s winner was often a noblewoman.
Though amusing, the winner was treated as the strongest man, and the woman receiving the golden brooch from him was celebrated as the woman loved by the strongest man of the empire that year.
“More than him leaving my side for hunting, spending time with me is my greatest joy, Your Majesty.”
Other nobles sighed at Eliana’s words. Even Mateo could not hide his astonishment at the couple’s composure.
Seeing Eliana cling to Greddy’s arm so closely, the emperor felt a pang of jealousy.
Though he had thought of her as his own from the start, now he struggled to understand why he desired her so intensely. The once feral, catlike charm she had displayed now seemed softened by her growing poise, almost overwhelming him.
“Your Majesty, Florian Kels has arrived.”
Duke Lloyd whispered, causing Emperor Hoffman, who had been staring at the couple, to turn. Despite the cold wind, the nobles cautiously followed the emperor’s movements.
