Chapter 55
The hunting competition was being held in the Hayton Mountain Range, north of the capital.
Above the middle of the mountain, the slope became steep and rough, but up to that midpoint the incline was gentle enough for carriages and carts to travel.
So a waiting area for the participants was set up by a large lake located halfway up the mountain.
Given the nature of the event, most of the conversations among the attendees were about the hunting competition.
“I heard His Highness the Second Prince will be attending this time?”
“But isn’t he still a minor? How is he allowed to participate in a hunting competition?”
“Perhaps he’s attending in place of the First Prince. After all, the First Prince wouldn’t be able to make it up here…”
“Oh my, haven’t you heard? The First Prince is attending as well.”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yes. He won’t be holding a bow himself, but he’s coming to encourage the Second Prince and the others participating in the competition.”
Someone pointed toward the wide platform set up nearby.
Sure enough, one of the large imperial tents beside it bore the First Prince’s flag.
People began whispering in surprise.
“He didn’t walk all the way up here himself, did he?”
“Oh dear, if he had, he would have collapsed halfway. Of course he came by carriage.”
“Even so, that’s impressive. Maybe his health isn’t as bad as the rumors say…?”
Until now, the First Prince had rarely appeared at official events. Even when he did show his face, it was only for a brief moment before disappearing.
Neither the First Prince nor the Empress had ever officially explained the reason. But everyone knew. His health was so poor that he couldn’t endure even a single hour.
That was why no one expected to see him here, halfway up a mountain—even if the slope was gentle.
People began murmuring that perhaps his condition was not as severe as the rumors claimed.
Of course, the reason so many were saying similar things was because someone had been quietly spreading those whispers in advance.
A servant who had successfully carried out the First Prince’s orders returned and reported to him.
“For now, we’ll leave it at this level. What shall we do?”
“End it here. This is enough for now.”
His treatment had only just begun. It was still too early to heighten people’s curiosity and expectations.
What Kaien wanted was simply for the nobles to begin thinking, Perhaps the First Prince’s health isn’t as bad as we thought.
“And what about the Duke’s household?”
“They are quiet. Aside from Sir Veloz, who was assigned as security for the competition, no one has left the estate.”
“Cecilia as well? And her maid?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He had wondered if Cecilia might secretly send a handkerchief through her maid, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
After all, hadn’t she firmly declared it herself?
“Then there won’t be a handkerchief of yours tied to my brother’s bow?”
“Of course not. I told you I’m not going. I can swear on my name.”
“You’re quite a cold fiancée. Your betrothed is attending a hunting competition for the first time, yet you won’t even send a handkerchief.”
It sounded like he was criticizing her, but the mockery and ridicule in his voice were unmistakable.
Besides, wasn’t he the one who had made sure Cecilia couldn’t deliver a handkerchief to her fiancé?
None of the First Prince’s attendants were unaware of that fact, yet none dared to speak in front of Kaien.
With a satisfied smile, Kaien made a small beckoning gesture.
“What was your name again…? Never mind.”
He didn’t even bother to say her name.
Still, the attendants, used to this kind of vague summons, exchanged quick glances. After a silent agreement, one maid stepped forward.
“You called for me?”
“Was it you? Anyway, you prepared the handkerchief, didn’t you?”
At that, the maid bit the inside of her cheek and bowed deeply.
“Yes. I prepared it.”
“Let me see.”
The handkerchief she presented was an ordinary cotton one, the kind commoners used in daily life. It was far from the silk handkerchiefs nobles typically exchanged as tokens.
But it pleased Kaien. He especially liked the carelessly embroidered name stitched in one corner.
“The name… Liz, is it?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“To have a handkerchief embroidered with your name tied to the Second Prince’s bow—what greater honor could there be?”
At his laughing words, Liz lowered her head, biting her lip.
Honor, my foot!
“Well then, shall we go see my brother, who must be busy preparing for the hunt?”
Following behind Kaien as he rose with a cheerful expression, Liz squeezed her eyes shut.
This is insane. How did I get dragged into this?
“It’s quite unfortunate that my brother’s fiancée isn’t attending the competition. But as the Second Prince, he has appearances to maintain. How can he hunt with a bare bow?”
“Ah, yes. You there. Do you have a fiancé? …No? Good. Then I shall grant you a great honor.”
Just because she had happened to be standing there, Liz was forced into tying her handkerchief to the Second Prince’s bow.
Only then did she realize—Kaien had planned this from the very beginning.
If the fiancée simply didn’t attend and the Second Prince hunted with a bow without a handkerchief, it might be laughed at in the moment. Still, people would accept that she had a legitimate reason for not coming.
But if she didn’t come and instead a maid’s handkerchief was tied to his bow?
And not even a maid from his own palace, but one from the First Prince’s residence.
It would become a lasting scandal for the Second Prince, and Liz’s prospects for marriage would be ruined.
And if that were all, it would be fortunate. She might even be expelled from the imperial palace entirely.
Liz regretted not fleeing the palace the moment she received such an absurd order from the First Prince.
At least one small consolation remained: she likely wouldn’t incur the wrath of the young lady of the Duke of Rohaim.
Good thing I taught her how to do maid work back then…
She hadn’t shown kindness for this reason, but still—if the Duke’s daughter learned that it was Liz who tied the handkerchief to the Second Prince’s bow, she might not hold resentment toward her.
Besides, Fiona had said so.
“The young lady of the Duke of Rohaim seems like a good person. Unlike the royals, she’s kind and warm-hearted. I’ve decided to pledge my loyalty to her.”
Yes. It’ll be fine. Fiona’s always good at judging people.
As Liz tried to calm her anxious heart, she noticed that the area around her was growing noisy.
Carefully lifting her head, she saw a commotion near the Second Prince’s tent.
What in the world was happening?
“F-fire!”
Fire? Why was there suddenly a fire in the Second Prince’s tent?
While attendants scrambled to find water, someone walked out from inside the tent.
…It was the Second Prince, holding a bow that was engulfed in flames.
“Y-you… That bow—”
“Your Highness, the First Prince! It’s dangerous!”
Kaien’s knights hurried forward to shield him.
They even drew their swords as if Lionel were about to cause serious harm to Kaien.
Drawing swords against the Second Prince—this was unthinkable, especially for imperial knights sworn to serve the royal family.
But everyone knew this incident would bring them no punishment.
In any emergency, they were under strict orders from the Empress to prioritize the First Prince’s safety above all else.
Of course, Lionel knew that as well. Instead of getting angry or frowning at the knights, he turned as if to head back into the tent.
But Kaien stopped him.
“Wait! Rio, what on earth is that bow?”
Pushing aside the knights and stepping forward, Kaien looked Lionel up and down.
Though the bow in Lionel’s hand was still burning, not a single burn marked his body. Not even a strand of hair was singed.
And then, the flames went out.
They died down as if they had burned everything there was to burn—yet the way they extinguished was anything but natural.
Narrowing his eyes, Kaien asked,
“That bow… is it a magic bow?”
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