ALL NOVEL Chapter 57
“With the temple… Are you saying?”
“His Majesty mentioned that the decision regarding the fifth prince’s fate lies with the empress. So, I thought maybe the relic is connected to the temple.”
“Indeed, there are tales that the founder of the kingdom received several relics from an apostle of Orot when he dedicated the kingdom.”
“Of course, those relics are all being used in the Grand Temple… But there’s no guarantee that nothing is hidden, right?”
Hidden relics… Selleana was deep in thought as she listened to her father and Count Norman’s conversation.
I didn’t feel any divine energy from that sword…
Of course, it’s not like Selleana had the ability to discern such things.
The continuation of the duke’s words sounded reluctantly. “So, Lea. Since His Majesty said he would find out the empress’s intention, we’ll wait and see… Until then, it seems I’ll have to look into it personally.”
“Yes.”
“If the relic is connected to the temple, it would be difficult to find out through ordinary means.”
Was it considered a secret kept by the imperial family from their subjects? The duke’s eyes, exchanging glances with Count Norman, flashed fiercely.
* * *
“Lady?”
“
Ah
, yes!”
Oops.
Selleana snapped back to attention. She had wandered into Rakrensius’s office and gotten lost in thought.
“Do you have something on your mind?”
“
Ah
, no, not really…”
Unable to reveal her curiosity about what exactly his relic is that it concerns the imperial family, Selleana playfully said, “Were you feeling neglected because I wasn’t paying attention to you?”
“… That’s not it.”
Selleana smiled brightly. “The hunting competition is next month. I was thinking about that.”
“
Ah
.”
“Aren’t you participating, Master of Tower?”
“Well, I’ve never been invited before.”
“Aren’t you invited to all imperial events?”
“The hunting competition is a place to demonstrate loyalty to His Majesty and the gods by offering beasts. The master of the tower is not a subject of the emperor.”
“
Ah
…”
It made sense now why Rakrensius had never attended official events. When he was in the palace, he pretended to be the foolish prince, and after leaving the palace, there was no reason for the master of tower to go.
“It’s a shame. It would be interesting to see you there.”
“It would only be interesting for you…”
Considering Selleana’s recent bold behavior, he was perplexed about what she might do in a public place.
I wonder if she finds it amusing to see me in trouble…
Uncertain whether her words were sincere, his heart skipped a beat every time, hoping that Selleana would leave him alone.
Regardless of her actions, he had no way to ignore her.
“Fun aside, the scenery of Bellanyu Forest is beautiful. There’s also a lake at the entrance to the hunting grounds.”
The Harvest Festival hunting competition took place in the royal hunting grounds in Bellanyu Forest, located to the northwest of the capital. The forest, as large as any great estate, mostly consisted of plains, making it suitable even for beginners to enjoy hunting.
“The lakeside is incredibly scenic. The autumn leaves should be turning now, making it really beautiful. It’s also a popular spot for couples to stroll.”
“If we’re talking about lakes, the lake at Elard’s riding grounds was also quite beautiful.”
“The lake in Bellanyu Forest is shallow enough to enjoy water activities in the current sunny weather.”
“Do you engage in such activities?”
“Me? No. Swimming is the one thing I can’t do.”
Her assertion was filled with confidence in everything but swimming. Rakrensius smiled weakly, sensing this.
“I almost died once when I fell into deep water as a child.”
“
Oh
…”
Hearing her continue, the man’s face darkened instantly. A frown formed, his eyebrows drooped slightly, and his eyes slightly twisted. It was an event that nearly cost her life ten years ago, yet he looked as if he was the one who had been wronged right now, worrying about her.
He’s so kind.
It was always thrilling to see a handsome man’s face filled with concern for her.
“Well, it’s good to have something one can’t do, isn’t it?”
“Still, that must have been an unpleasant experience to have in your childhood…”
Unpleasant, it was far too pleasant. Thanks to that, she remembered her past life. But claiming to remember a past life in this world sounded absurd, so Selleana just smiled slyly.
“It turned out to be a good experience. Now that the Master of Tower is worrying about me.”
“Wh-What worry did I…?” He started to say, fumbling with his words as he rubbed his mouth. “Anyway, with many dangers out there, are you sure it’s okay to go?”
“As Master of Tower said, it’s a place to show loyalty to the imperial family. I doubt I’ll fall into the lake.”
“No, it’s more than that… Since that party, it will be your first time attending a social gathering.”
“That party?
Ah
.”
“Yes, and it seems many are still hostile towards you. Those…” Rakrensius stopped himself, realizing his slip.
That day, he was disguised as Collin. he had hurried a bit since he was out anyway. He had watched Selleana working at the bazaar for a long time. Thus, he witnessed the ladies of the empress’s faction continuously provoking her. He didn’t know exactly which faction or family they belonged to, but it was clear there were more than just a few.
“Moreover, since it’s a hunting competition, participants will be carrying weapons…”
“Are you worried I might get hurt?” Selleana smiled and set down her teacup. “Master of Tower. Do you know?”
“What… are you referring to?”
“None of them can beat me.”
The smile on Selleana’s face showed no signs of fading. To Rakrensius, it seemed nothing more than youthful bravado, not because he doubted her but because his concern was too great.
She couldn’t help but notice the worry etched on his face.
“Let’s see.”
Selleana wiped a butter knife on a napkin and looked around.
“That scratch on the window frame can be fixed with magic, right?”
“Yes, something like that…”
“Good.”
Selleana, having weighed the knife in her hand, said, “Look.”
In an instant, her hand flicked through the air.
“
Huh
?”
“Hit!”
Selleana’s gloved hand formed a fist in triumph. The butter knife had lodged precisely into the crevice where the two window panes met. She demonstrated the same accuracy at the Rondel garden party when she broke a wine glass next to a tree surrounded by ladies of the empress’s faction.
“I’m the younger sister of Commander Peredo of the Imperial Guard. I’ve picked up a thing or two about various weapons over the shoulder.”
“That’s how I recognized your sword too,” Selleana boasted, shrugging her shoulders confidently.
“Even so, to go to such lengths… Are you participating in the hunting competition then?”
“The main competition is only for men, but…”
In this conservative world, who else but the man before her would ask if a woman would participate in a hunting competition?
“
Um
, there’s a treasure hunt competition that women and children can join. It involves tagging small animals like rabbits with tickets, knocking them out, and collecting those tickets. I was thinking of trying that.”
Selleana explained in detail to the man who had never been to a hunting competition before.
“Until now, I haven’t participated because His Highness the Crown Prince said women who join such events seem like tomboys, and he doesn’t like it.”
“Tomboy…” A wrinkle formed between Rakrensius’s brows as he listened to her.
“Well, many gentlemen in Nepelsian think that way.”
Selleana mildly recited what Agnesia had said about ‘all the b*stards here being the same.’ Indeed, the men of Elard had never once suggested her to join the treasure hunt, as if it were beneath the dignity of a lady of Elard.
“Maybe doing something tomboy for once will make the crown prince drop me for being beneath his dignity. It would be interesting,” Selleana said with a mischievous smile, lightly licking her lips.
Caught in that scene, Rakrensius momentarily lost his words. “Fun… Torturing animals must be quite amusing.” He broke the silence with a grumble.
Selleana swallowed her laughter and smiled sweetly.
He’s really different. Pavellian has been a hunting fanatic since he was young, accompanying His Majesty.
Despite being a year apart, Rakrensius grew up without knowing the warmth of father-son affection. That such a cold father needed to approve Rakrensius’s marriage to her seemed cruel, given the imperial laws. Of course, convincing Rakrensius was the first hurdle…
“
Um
, Master of the Tower, if I may ask.”
“Yes.”
“Do you not normally communicate with His Majesty?”
“Not really.”
“And yet you attended his birthday celebration?”
“
Ah
…”
Recalling the reason for attending the birthday celebration made him embarrassingly shy, but Rakrensius tried not to show it.
“Each year, invitations are sent for the birthday celebration and the victory feast, not to me personally but to the master of the tower.”
“
Ah
.”
Selleana subtly observed Rakrensius and then cautiously asked, “So, His Majesty hasn’t… contacted you recently? About personal matters?”
“His Majesty?”
“Yes. Like personal contact… or anything?”
Selleana’s question seemed meaningful. Mulling over her words, Rakrensius narrowed his brows, suddenly feeling a premonition of unease.
“Did His Majesty ask about me, by any chance?”