Chapter 68:
A month had passed since Igard’s impeachment, and Father had hardly left his room.
In his place, Callista and Kenneth managed all the affairs of the household. My title as the Little Duchess grew increasingly meaningless.
Aside from Clarissa pulling out her own hair and smashing a few things when she learned that Callista had been reinstated as a noblewoman, the family had remained relatively peaceful until recently.
Yesterday, when we set off for the hunting festival, Father showed his face for the first time in a while to meet with me and Callista.
“I’ll retire to my quarters now.”
Callista gave a farewell that barely counted as one, and Father’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Stay. I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
Callista, who had been about to walk away holding my hand, stopped in front of Father’s chair. As always, his murky eyes scanned her up and down.
“Since when have you been so blinded by vanity?”
“Please speak clearly.”
“Isn’t the number of your game excessive?”
Now that the participants had dispersed and there were no more ears to hear, Father dropped the pretense and scowled openly.
“Those beasts you caught are too rough to turn into clothing, and their meat is barely edible. If that’s not showing off, what is? And that one doesn’t even know shame and cheers like a fool…”
He sneered as he glanced in my direction.
What nonsense. If it’s not for show, why even hold a hunting festival?
“I’m going to make a cloak.”
I replied, and his eyebrows twitched.
“What did you say?”
“She said she’d give it to me. I’m going to make a cloak out of the magical beast’s hide and wear it around.”
I was being honest.
That bear-like magical beast I saw earlier had a thick but not heavy hide—perfect for a winter cloak.
It was a bit dull, rough, and ugly, but what mattered most in winter wear was warmth.
Of course, I had another reason for jumping into the conversation.
I’d noticed for a while now—Father would beat around the bush, but if I interrupted, he’d cut to the point quickly just to shut me up.
“Don’t interrupt with such nonsense! I’m not finished yet.”
He slammed the armrest of his chair angrily.
“I summoned you to give instructions for tomorrow’s hunt.”
As expected, he got to the real point quickly. Callista raised an eyebrow.
“Whatever you catch, you are to yield the biggest one to His Highness the First Prince.”
“…What?”
Callista frowned, but Father continued in a dry voice.
“Our relationship with the Marquisate of Luceik has soured. That’s largely due to the collapse of our trade and mining agreements.”
He clicked his tongue, his gaze cold.
“To make amends, we must uphold the prince’s honor. You do know the Marquis of Luceik is the princes’ maternal uncle.”
“I know. I saw all three of the Marquis’s sons hovering around the First Prince today, helping him hunt.”
I’d seen them too. Not just the sons—many retainers had clung to Kleion and barely managed to push him into second place.
“If you run into His Highness during tomorrow’s hunt, yield your largest catch to him. That’s an order from your Duke.”
Callista furrowed her brow but didn’t answer.
Even if she wanted to refuse, this was tricky.
If she defied the family head’s order during a hunting festival that bore the family name, she might not even be allowed to participate tomorrow.
“No—”
“…Let him have it,” I whispered to Callista.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“…He can have it.”
Her expression, which had looked displeased until a moment ago, turned calm in an instant.
Vanity, my foot—she really did intend to give it to me.
“…Don’t forget.”
Father, seemingly satisfied, stood and disappeared into his tent.
He looked like he was already thinking up some flowery words to congratulate Kleion.
“Are you really okay with giving tomorrow’s game to Kleion?”
“…If we meet the First Prince, that is.”
I gave a vague reply to Callista’s question.
Of course I was okay with it. Kleion wouldn’t even run into Callista.
According to my memories from my previous life, the number of beasts caught on the second day of this year’s hunting festival wouldn’t even matter. A far bigger event would overshadow it.
One prince would die, and another would become a hero.
By the end of the festival, Kleion would announce to the world that he had avenged his brother by slaying the magical beast.
Whatever the truth may have been, that act earned him the nickname “The Reincarnation of the Founding Emperor.”
For slaying a massive magical beast, he beat out all other competitors—including Callista—and briefly enjoyed popularity as the winner of the hunt.
Since the Empress’s plan was set to unfold tomorrow, Kleion wouldn’t even have time to exchange anything with Callista.
Once everything ended, the Empire would be shaken by a major scandal, just like in my past life—even if the conclusion turned out a little different.
“I hope you and Aramis have fun hunting tomorrow.”
I spoke sincerely and looked up at Callista. Her blue eyes smiled warmly back at me.
While she’s out playing, I have to tweak the Empire’s future just a bit.
During the hunting festival, not only the nobles but even the Emperor stayed in tents rather than returning home.
Father, Callista, and I each had our own tent—rare for members of the same house.
As an observer and participant, Callista and I didn’t share space. And since Father and I disliked each other, we naturally split apart without discussion.
As a result, the tent I got was quiet and cozy.
Only Jenna and Sion were with me, so there were no prying eyes, and I could use the time to go over tomorrow’s plans with Sion.
“No issues,” Sion nodded in response to my question.
“Really?”
“Of course. Just like I said ten days ago.”
I had told him who needed to be saved the day after Killian’s birthday party.
He simply nodded after hearing my story.
“You’re not even surprised?”
I asked again in the tent, surprised by his lack of reaction. I’d shared a pretty shocking secret, after all.
“Well, I was a little amazed when I discovered that old portal near the hunting grounds was active—just like you said. It also answered the question of what the Luceik family had been secretly transporting.”
He shrugged.
“But you’ve always been a bit mysterious, miss. I’ve grown used to it.”
As he said, there was a portal near the hunting ground that was said to have been closed for over a century due to disuse.
I had only recalled it while researching the hunting festival from my past life—memorized knowledge from studying imperial maps during Theon’s training.
In my previous life, Kleion, who usually had heavy escort, ended up isolated because his guards collectively didn’t show up that day. He returned carrying Killian’s body alone.
When others visited the location he mentioned, only the corpse of a giant magical beast remained. No one cared what his guards had been doing.
It was all too theatrical—there had to be a director behind it. There was no way the Empress had told Kleion to take on the beast by himself.
Whatever angle you approached it from, the conclusion was the same: the Empress had planted guards who disappeared through that old portal afterward.
Sion had confirmed the portal was usable, and now we could use it too.
“But imperial conspiracies aren’t really that shocking. Noble houses have their own skeletons, after all… Actually, it’s quite fascinating.”
Sion, who had grown noticeably calmer and more composed over the months, looked down at me with sparkling eyes.
“If things unfold just as you predict, I’ll be privy to the Empire’s deepest secrets.”
He had changed so much.
Just a little while ago, he was still tender-hearted and emotional. Now he had transformed into a leader managing a sizable organization.
“Though I’m still unsure if the Second Prince will actually follow your—”
“Miss, you have a guest.”
Jenna quietly announced from outside, cutting Sion off. He fell silent as if nothing had happened.
When she lifted the thick curtain blocking the entrance, Killian was standing there. He was in full hunting gear, with a small leather bag slung over his shoulder.
“Harper.”
Killian called me. Just like in the palace, his deep eyes curved slightly, and his pupils sparkled.
“I’ll give you two privacy.”
Sion rose and stared directly at Killian’s face.
“…I take back what I said about being curious.”
He whispered softly, just loud enough for me to hear before leaving.
“Huh?”
“There are things one can see just by looking at someone’s face. You won’t need to worry about tomorrow.”
He murmured something cryptic, gave a polite bow, and left the tent.
“…Is he your bodyguard?”
Killian asked, glancing at the spot where Sion had disappeared, as if sensing something strange.
“Yeah.”
“He doesn’t feel like a regular knight.”
“…He’s a good person.”
Flustered by his sharp observation, I muttered vaguely. Killian smiled, as if that explanation was enough, and stepped closer.
“I brought you a present.”
“A present?”
He opened his bag and took something out.
Chirp—
A clear, adorable cry rang out as a baby chick peeked out of his hands.
The fluffy little bird, about the size of a child’s fist, rubbed its head affectionately against Killian’s finger.
“Looks like a wild chick or baby pheasant that fell from its nest.”
I took the chick and held it in my hands. It chirped and flapped its wings, clearly preferring Killian’s hand to mine.
“I found it standing dumbly in the middle of the road, about to be eaten by a leopard. I figured you’d like it…”
He said it so casually that it took me a few seconds to realize what was off about that sentence.
“…What about the leopard?”
“Killed it and left it there…”
“You killed a leopard?”
“It didn’t notice me because of the barrier I cast. So I just used a dagger.”
He looked at me with wide eyes, as if wondering what was so surprising.
