# 49
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A few days later, the day of the hunting festival arrived.
Before leaving the palace, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
My long hair, tied into a single ponytail, shimmered elegantly, and my equestrian suit and tight hunting jacket made me look like a graceful and elegant warrior.
“Looking at it, they say I have a lucky physique.”
I didn't even work out once, I ate whatever I wanted, and I still maintained a toned body.
Now that I thought about it, Duke Elmore was also skilled with a sword.
Well, considering that he had seized the succession rights in the fierce Elmore family, it was natural that he would be physically exceptional as well.
Maybe that's why my skills as a former archer stand out more in this world.
I squeezed my muscles that refused to bulge as I looked in the mirror.
At that, Hirose smiled slightly and said.
“It's time to leave now, miss.”
I nodded and walked out of the palace, where Elmore's luxurious carriage was waiting for me.
“Pio, take care of yourf!”
She waved to Pio, who was perched on Anais' shoulder.
He looked at me with eyes full of longing, as if he wanted to follow me, but there was no escape.
He might be mistaken for prey if he came with us.
“Peeoo—”
Accompanied by Hirose, she boarded the carriage, which soon set off.
“Everyone seems so excited.”
Colorful balloon-like structures hung everywhere, and children were already running and playing.
I whispered this while watching the streets full of joy and excitement before the festival, and Hirose replied.
“Well, the Hunting Festival is one of the three largest festivals in the empire.”
“It's just a party for the royal family and nobles anyway.”
The public doesn't actually participate.
“This... is probably because of the lottery.”
“Lottery?”
“Yes, people buy tickets betting on who will win the fishing tournament. If the person they chose wins, they get a big bonus.”
“Ah...”
It looked like horse racing in my old world.
“From the imperial family’s point of view, it is a profitable business—making money through taxes. Where can I buy these tickets?”
“Should be available at official lottery kiosks downtown.”
She let out a small laugh and responded.
“You know... I already know who will win this year's hunting festival.”
". … Who is he?"
I came close to Hirose's ear and whispered the name of the person I was thinking of.
Hirose's brown eyes trembled.
Shortly after, after purchasing a lottery ticket, I arrived at the Hunting Festival grounds.
The forest behind Elim Hill, adjacent to the Imperial Palace, was where wild animals lived.
The entire path was magnificently decorated, and many royals and nobles were gathered, showing off their precious horses.
Noble ladies and girls, wearing dresses, cover their mouths with fans of feathers as they chatter.
Among participants in hunting clothing, the sex ratio was about eight men to every two women.
“Oh my God, Mrs. Elmore, are you participating in the hunting festival yourf?”
“Wow… something feels different today.”
I heard the whispers around me.
“Did she even know how to shoot a bow?”
“Now that you mention it, there were rumors that the Duke of Elmore was a skilled sniper...”
“But participating in the hunting festival as an unmarried woman...”
“Anyway, it's not ordinary, Mrs. Elmore.”
I could sense that the people were not entirely happy with me, but they were watching warily—perhaps because I claimed to be the Emperor's right-hand man and was building a new faction, marginalizing parts of the original Imperial Circle.
Among the ladies gathered in small groups were two or three of my cousin Lucia's friends.
Since Lucia had been arrested as Vadelmon's accomplice, they were doing their best to avoid my sight.
The most noticeable person here was, of course, the Emperor.
He was the only one who came wearing a golden cloak into this dreary forest – and naturally, he stood out.
The Emperor did not actually participate in the hunting festival.
He had neither the skills nor the spirit to practice swords or hunt.
“Greetings to His Highness.”
However, I had to show formal respect.
The Emperor looked at me with satisfaction.
“Indeed, for the young lady to participate herf, it makes me very happy.”
“As the heiress of a loyal family, I will dedicate the glory of victory to His Highness.”
He nodded, "Good, good," in response.
Not that he really expected me to score points in this fishing event.
After all, I've never participated before.
Everyone else, too, had expressions that seemed to say, What would a villain do in the wild?
Mixed looks of doubt and mild awe.
“Protect.”
As I turned away from the Emperor's tent, my eyes suddenly met a familiar and unpleasant man.
Filius regalo.
Despite being fired from his government position and his house nearly falling apart, he manages to dress himf up in some fancy clothes.
He approached me, stopped, and said
“Lady Catherine Elmore.”
His wavering lips were absolutely disgusting.
“I, Filius Regalo... have now decided to leave you, and I sincerely apologize for all the mistakes I have made so far.”
With a slightly gaunt face, he bowed in front of me.
To leave me? Well, that's a good first thing he says.
“Looking back now, the things I did, blinded by obsession...they were truly terrible, I regret them so much that I wish I could cut off my own hand.”
People started casting curious looks at us.
As his eyes filled with tears, he continued.
“But please, I beg you for just one thing: let me protect you, just for once, from the monsters of the Hunting Festival.”
What an absolute joke.
As far as I know, Velius regalo are all bark and no bite.
He loved to show off in the name of art because he could not keep up with other noble heirs in fencing or swordplay.
“After today, I swear I will never talk to you again.”
On the surface, it would look like a man tearfully regretting past mistakes and making a desperate plea for protection from his ex-fiancée.
“...Indeed...”
I crossed my arms and looked at Filius from head to toe.
“There is something truly terrible standing before me.”
He looked confused for a moment but quickly understood the insult in my eyes, and his face flushed.
“Be careful not to get hit by an arrow.”
I touched the bow hanging behind my back. His eyes twitched.
“I might have shot you by mistake, thinking you were a monster.”
No matter how he pretends to be remorseful now, it won't work on me.
He tried to poison me, and to forgive that would be sheer hypocrisy.
“Most important of all, I can see through your schemes.”
People around us stifled their laughter behind their hands.
“It's definitely Mrs. Elmore, all right.”
As the whispers died down, a sudden silence fell over the crowd.
I could see the Emperor, sitting in the front, smiling wickedly.
'. …He has arrived, Etheus.'
All eyes turned to the man who had just dismounted from his horse.
Unlike the others adorned with golden robes, he was wearing a plain black equestrian suit.
His hair is black as night, and his eyes are piercing blue.
With tall stature, broad shoulders, and a powerful chest – he had the commanding physique of any first-class knight.
It was Ethios, the true heir to Oswell's throne.
Our last meeting had ended somewhat mysteriously.
“You are the one who presses on my heart.”
With that, I focused my mind on today's goals.
In addition to establishing communication with the Duke of the Western Region to gift Ethios with overwhelming reinforcements—there was something else.
If the original story is true, Etheus would be in serious trouble today.
'I need to stop that.'
“Greetings to His Highness.”
Etheus gave the Emperor a slight bow, then turned and looked directly at me.
Was it just my imagination? Every time I looked into those sad blue eyes, my heart ached.
‘Etheus looks very pathetic. …’
How must he feel bowing down to the man who took everything from him?
My excessive sympathy, which had not battened even in the drama of Philaeus—was now fully at work for Etheus.
But why was he staring at me like that?
Even when I lowered my gaze slightly, I still felt his intense stare for a long time.