ALL NOVEL Chapter 65
“
Ah
, I didn’t know he was coming. I didn’t prepare anything!”
“
Hmm
, is that so?”
“Don’t you believe what people say?”
“You should’ve controlled your gaze from the start…
Upp.
”
“Stop it already!” Selleana quickly covered Peredo’s mouth with both hands.
So, Peredo was wary that Selleana might give Rakrensius a handkerchief. Peredo’s light gold eyes briefly passed over Rakrensius, who was standing in front of the magic tower’s tent.
“I heard that Sir Esius, the former imperial martial arts instructor, gave up teaching him after a few lessons, citing archery…”
“He said he learned it when he was young.”
“Yeah, he wouldn’t really be a fool… How did you know that?”
“I heard it directly. Because we’re friends?”
“Friends, my foot.” Peredo snorted.
Rakrensius was indeed dressed as he had said the day before, with a bow and quiver. Differing from his usual attire, his hair tied up high, he wore leather pants and boots, and instead of the tower’s robe, he donned a warrior’s cloak, somewhat giving off the vibe of an archer.
“Look at how sentimental your gaze becomes.”
“Will you stop with the nonsense,
huh
?”
“Hey, you’re getting charmed by a man. What do you think your older brother should do,
huh
?”
“
Ah
, come on!”
“
Ugh
.”
Selleana stepped hard on Peredo’s foot, which didn’t actually hurt because he was wearing leather boots, but Peredo pretended to be hurt to give the impression of impact.
“Anyway, it’s good you’re not making a spectacle of yourself in front of everyone.”
“I’d think that much.”
“I thought you couldn’t.”
“Didn’t I behave impeccably like we were meeting for the first time yesterday?”
“Was pretending not to know him not an option?”
“Why would I? I’m Selleana Elard. How could I not know someone from the social circles?”
“Do you know why I said that? The crown prince pays close attention to your actions. He was watching you all of yesterday…”
“Enough. I haven’t done anything wrong, so I don’t want to be overly cautious.”
“You’re wrong…”
“…Brother.”
“Alright, alright, I get it.” Peredo sighed deeply, wanting to say she was wrong but choosing to hold back.
“Anyway,
um
.” Peredo cleared his throat and glanced over. “Do you, want, something?”
“Want something?”
“I mean from the hunt?”
“Why would I want something from the hunt? It’s all going to be offered as a sacrifice anyway.”
“
Cough
, the lady who receives the most game becomes the queen of the hunting festival.”
“That may be so… but being the queen of the hunting festival is unrelated to me.”
Up until now, Pavellian didn’t distribute his hunts equally to all his companions, and other gentlemen dared not offer tehri hunts to the designated crown princess.
“That’s in the past. If you’re really not participating in the selection contest, you should maintain your dignity here too, right? To prevent weirdos from picking fights.” Peredo’s gaze kept drifting towards Rakrensius.
“If Brother was at the Rondel party, such an incident wouldn’t have occurred… Wait, Brother, don’t tell me.”
“I’d be better than that nerd, right?” Peredo’s golden eyes sparkled with competitiveness, indicating he was ready to compete with Rakrensius.
Why is he like this all of a sudden?
Was it a late blooming instinct to compete, worried about his youngest sister bringing home someone other than the crown prince?
Rakrensius probably came just to make up the numbers and will hunt casually. Or… is there another reason?
Selleana realized she didn’t know the exact reason Rakrensius suddenly participated in the hunting competition. But it was for sure not for enjoyment.
Her gaze naturally drifted towards him. At the front of the tower’s tent, Eddie and a few other male wizards were also busy preparing for the hunting competition, perhaps to foster camaraderie between the magic tower and the imperial family. Despite the church and the magic tower not opposing each other, the hunting competition was an event heavily invested in by the church, making their participation somewhat awkward.
I’d probably get an earful if I went to ask…
Selleana knew she shouldn’t, and as she sneaked peeks, Rakrensius didn’t look her way, even by mistake. Well, today wasn’t the only day. Selleana turned her attention away, planning her day.
Since the treasure hunt is tomorrow, I should take it easy today. There’s a meeting of the Elard vassals’ ladies today… After that, I’ll go to Glen’s tent.
Usually, she would either host her own gatherings or attend those organized by other ladies throughout the hunting tournament, but this time, Selleana planned to spend as much time as possible with her friends.
It’s suspicious how the original male leads keep getting involved, and it’s also the last hunting tournament I’ll spend with Rosi…
While Selleana was assessing her schedule, looking around the busy camp preparing for the expedition.
Huh?
She felt a piercing gaze from somewhere.
Is it the empress’s faction again? Lately, more than a few people have been acting hostile, making it quite exhausting. Thinking she should confirm who it was, she looked around…
Sigh.
At the end of that gaze was Pavellian.
When Selleana nodded her head in greeting, his face lit up with joy. He adjusted his stance towards her, clearly expecting her to come to him.
He must be thinking I’ll give him a handkerchief.
Selleana had given him a handkerchief at every hunting tournament so far. Even though there was no emotional exchange, Selleana was Pavellian’s conversation partner, and in some future, they were likely to become exclusive partners. But now that Selleana had decided to reject that future, there was no need to give him a handkerchief.
Why is he acting like this when he usually doesn’t care whether I give it to him or not?
Besides, he already had a pile of handkerchiefs on a silver tray held by his attendant.
To prevent any misunderstanding, Selleana lifted the hems of her dress and greeted him according to imperial etiquette. She’s not going far, so don’t get the wrong idea.
When she raised her head, Pavellian turned away in apparent displeasure.
Is he… sulking?
What are they to each other…?
Really, these days, the crown prince’s emotions are impossible to understand.
It was when Selleana tried not to laugh out loud.
“It’s been a while, Milady. May the blessings of Orot be upon this peaceful morning…”
“Oh my, Margrave. Hello?”
“Yes,
um
…”
At the appearance of Margrave Gotenfrid, the two brothers, who had been receiving handkerchiefs here and there, were visibly tensed.
Don’t worry, he’s not interested in me.
Selleana answered before he could ask a question. “Lady Agnesia seemed very tired from yesterday, so she’s still resting in her quarters.”
“In her quarters… you say.”
“Yes. In the tent specially prepared by Her Majesty for the members of the church.”
Selleana emphasized ‘specially’ and ‘members of the church.’
“It is guarded by the paladins, so even women can’t enter unless they’re members of the church.”
“…”
Margrave Gotenfrid looked somewhat pained, seemingly stung by Selleana’s decisive answer that blocked further questions. He had been intending to go straight to Agnesia’s tent.
Indeed, this person…
Recalling Agnesia’s words, Selleana shook her head internally.
He must have been distressed, being ignored for two months…
Agnesia had consistently shown she didn’t want any ties by ignoring him. Not respecting that and being absorbed in his own feelings was Margrave Gotenfrid’s fault.
I’ll have to tell Nesia to be straightforward with him at least once.
With an internal sigh, Selleana greeted him politely.
“It’s not as good as the priest’s blessing, but I wish you good luck, Margrave.”
“Thank you. It’s an honor to have the lark of Elard wish me luck.”
It suddenly felt real that this was a place where all the original male protagonists had gathered. At some point, Prince Erenst, who said he would talk business with Theonis, had come over.
Can’t you see Michi isn’t around? It’s annoying, right?
And in the distance, the young lord of Hargen was wistfully watching Doloret distributing handkerchiefs to her business partners.
Given the situation, keeping an eye on Michi’s other original male leads wasn’t a bad idea. And Pavellian, too.
Damn marriageable age…
Selleana shook her head and went to her mother.
“Wife, I’ll be back.”
“Take care, Dear.”
“Please come back safely, Father.”
“Yes. Take care of your mother.”
Duke Elard had a lot to say but left without speaking. In truth, he had been anxious since the fifth prince’s arrival yesterday.
After that, the two brothers also left for the hunting grounds with the duke.
“Mother, shall we go prepare for the tea party?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Selleana took her mother’s arm and headed towards the Elard tent, unaware that someone had been watching her all along.
“
Um,
Your Majesty?”
“
Oh
, yes. Lady Langeusha.”
“This is the first time Your Majesty has stayed at the hunting tournament camp, so we have prepared various things with utmost sincerity to ensure your enjoyment.”
“For an imperial event, you all went to such lengths for me….”
The empress, who had been watching Lady Elard all along, finally turned her jet-black eyes towards the ladies of the empress’s faction gathered before her.
“Truly, there’s no one as reliable as all of you.”