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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Fierce Competition
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Aracilla and Demian drew everyone's gaze from the moment they entered.
Their figures, bathed in natural sunlight, were like a masterpiece, but it was also because, with a staff and a sword respectively, they clearly looked like rival mage and knight to anyone.
"They say this year's Hunting Festival champions are the Vandermir couple and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
"I wonder who will truly win."
"A couple wouldn't seriously fight each other, so I guess it'll be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Hearing the conversation nearby, Iris secretly shook her head. A couple wouldn't seriously fight each other?
No, those two *would* seriously fight.
Iris, sensing the subtle atmosphere between her sister and brother-in-law as they approached her, was certain.
Aracilla's eyes were burning with such competitive spirit, and Demian felt similarly.
'Even if a rivalry has formed, how can they be so alike?'
The fact that neither of them tried to stop the other and came this far... well, they certainly were well-matched.
Behind Iris, who was silently sighing, Adrian, dressed in a children's hunting outfit, poked his head out.
Although too young to participate in the Hunting Festival, the child's eyes, there as a spectator, sparkled brightly upon spotting his second sister and her husband.
"Hello, brother-in-law."
As soon as Demian approached, Adrian scurried forward, placed his hands on his belly button, and bowed. His green eyes looked up at Demian, sparkling.
"I heard you're participating in the Hunting Festival today. You'll definitely win, won't you, brother-in-law? I'll cheer you on with all my might!"
When he had so vehemently opposed the marriage, Adrian now called Demian 'brother-in-law.' A child's heart is inherently fickle and simple to the point of purity.
Now, in Adrian's world, the most handsome, tallest, and strongest person was Demian. So, it was natural for him to expect Demian to win the Hunting Festival.
On the other hand, Demian felt awkward under that admiring gaze.
Having little experience dealing with children in his life, he didn't know how to react in such a situation.
'Saying there's nothing "definite" in this world... that wouldn't do, would it?'
Recalling their first meeting, which had made Adrian cry, Demian dismissed the thought that had popped into his head.
He glanced sideways and saw that Aracilla, who already viewed him as a rival in the hunting festival, didn't seem inclined to help.
When their eyes met, she merely gestured with her chin, as if telling him to hurry and answer.
"...Ahem, thank you. I'll make sure to win."
Demian awkwardly placed his hand on the crown of Adrian's head. The child's head was so small compared to his large hand that his fingers felt out of place.
"Yes, brother-in-law!"
Fortunately, it seemed to be an appropriate answer, as Adrian smiled brightly. Demian briefly thought that this family's smiles seemed to resemble each other.
"Adrian, don't you know your sister is participating too?"
Aracilla, who had been watching the heartwarming conversation between her brother-in-law and younger brother, interjected. She pinched her brother's soft cheek.
"You've changed, completely! How can you not cheer for your sister and cheer for Demian instead? Do you like my husband that much?"
"Oh, no, sister. It's not like that... I want you to win too!"
Adrian waved his hands, quickly making excuses. Aracilla knelt down and pressed both of her brother's cheeks.
"Adrian, there can't be two suns under one sky."
"Huh?"
"Demian can only be the runner-up. I'm going to win anyway."
"We'll have to see about that, won't we? People who brag usually fall flat on their faces early on."
Demian retorted, as if he couldn't lose. Aracilla, releasing her brother's cheeks, stood up and looked at her husband.
Iris pressed a hand to her forehead, seeing the sparks of competition ignite in their exchanged gazes.
"Aracilla, Sir Vandermir. You two are a married couple, so you should be considerate and look out for each other. Winning the Hunting Festival comes after that, *after* that."
Even though she spoke with earnest advice, it seemed to fall on deaf ears for Aracilla and Demian.
Just as Iris's sigh deepened, the Marquis and Marchioness appeared.
"Both of you, don't get hurt today and have a good time. You know enjoying yourselves is more important than winning, right?"
"Oh, Ned. Didn't you say you hoped one of them would win? Yes, both of you, don't overdo it and just have fun."
Unable to continue their power struggle in front of the Hugo Marquis and Marchioness, Aracilla and Demian meekly nodded.
Soon after, a call rang out for all Hunting Festival participants to gather at the green tent.
Separating from her family, Aracilla headed to the green tent with just Demian. Other participants were also arriving from all directions.
The area around the tent was quite crowded, with ladies lingering nearby, hoping for one last chance to give out their handkerchiefs.
As the two navigated carefully to avoid bumping into others, someone blocked their path.
"I wish you good luck in winning the Hunting Festival today."
The person who offered a handkerchief with a shy smile was none other than Nora White. She was dressed brightly, as if attending a ball.
This contrasted sharply with Aracilla, who wore no makeup, had her hair tied back, and was dressed in hunting attire.
"This is given as a sign of respect and support, so please, do not misunderstand."
Nora's eyes curved gently. It was a remark intended for both Aracilla and Demian to hear.
Indeed, giving a handkerchief to a Hunting Festival participant wasn't always a sign of affection. Some noblewomen would give handkerchiefs to promising young men, who were like sons to them, as a gesture of encouragement.
The difference in the current situation was that Nora was not a noblewoman of such a position, and the recipient was a married man of her own age.
'Does she think I'll fall for that?'
Aracilla alternated her gaze between Demian, who stood still, not taking the handkerchief, and Nora, who steadfastly held it out.
Hmm. A handkerchief given by an outsider when even his wife hasn't given one... that certainly doesn't look good, does it?
"Good heavens, Lady White!"
Demian didn't seem inclined to accept it anyway, but Aracilla deliberately stepped in front of him. Her surprisingly loud voice instantly drew everyone's attention.
Demian instinctively stepped back, leaving Aracilla and Nora facing each other.
"I had no idea you respected and supported me so much, Lady. Thank you, I'll gladly take this handkerchief."
Smiling as refreshingly as an apple that would crunch with a single bite, Aracilla snatched the handkerchief from Nora's hand.
Nora, who had stayed up for nights embroidering flowers on the handkerchief to give to Demian, was left flustered and dumbfounded.
"Who said I was giving it to *you*, Madam?"
"If you had any sense, you wouldn't give it to a married man, so of course it's for me. You didn't specify the subject, did you, Lady?"
Of course, the direction Nora had extended her hand was precisely towards Demian, so even without a specified subject, there was no room for others to misunderstand.
However, if she were to retort like that, too many eyes were on them. If she appeared overly eager to give Demian the handkerchief, she might incur unnecessary scrutiny.
'Ah, but I don't want to give this woman the handkerchief I worked so hard to embroider!'
Noticing Nora's dilemma, Aracilla gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I heard I'm the only female participant in today's Hunting Festival. How clever of you, Lady, to know that and prepare a handkerchief just for me."
"..."
"Or perhaps, after saying 'just you wait' last time, you've truly fallen for my face?"
Just like the day they met at the Vandermir mansion, Aracilla cupped her chin with her hand, making a flower pose. She looked as fresh as a flower blooming in the morning dew.
"What nonsense—!"
"Anyway, I'll make good use of the handkerchief, Lady White. Well, I'm busy, so I'll be off."
Aracilla, having unilaterally bid Nora farewell, who was bristling with indignation, grabbed Demian's hand and pulled him along. Demian obediently followed her.
Left all alone, Nora could only watch the departing couple's backs.
She had intended to spite the wife by giving her husband a handkerchief in front of her, but instead, she ended up having her carefully embroidered handkerchief snatched away.
'Annoying! Utterly infuriating!'
Leaving Nora, who was seething with anger, Aracilla entered the tent and casually shoved the handkerchief into her pocket.
"Demian, take this."
She then untied the white ribbon from her hair and handed it to Demian.
"What is this?"
"Instead of a handkerchief."
Originally, Aracilla hadn't intended to give him anything, but seeing Nora offer a handkerchief just now changed her mind.
She thought that if she truly gave him nothing, another lady might subtly approach and offer a handkerchief.
Even as a contract couple, they needed to prevent such situations to some extent, given their publicly amicable relationship.
It was also her judgment that showing support for her husband, who was participating in the same competition, would make their marital bond appear stronger.
Demian silently took the ribbon. Aracilla's name was embroidered on the end, making it instantly clear whose it was.
"Don't people usually give a handkerchief they've embroidered themselves?"
"My embroidery skills are truly terrible. You'd be better off with this, wouldn't you?"
Demian silently tied Aracilla's ribbon to the hilt of his sword. Then, realizing Aracilla was still holding out her hand, he raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you still holding out your hand?"
"You have to give me something too."
"..."
Demian, not immediately understanding what she meant, looked at Aracilla in confusion. Even without makeup, her cheeks and lips had a healthy flush, making her look vibrant.
After a few seconds of silence, Demian finally realized that Aracilla was asking him for an item like a handkerchief or a ribbon, and he raised both hands.
"I have nothing to give."
"Look harder. If you really have nothing, then tear off a piece of your clothes."
Aracilla waved her hand like a creditor demanding payment. Under pressure to hurry as the competition was about to begin, Demian quickly surveyed himself.
He couldn't really tear his clothes and give them to her...
His gaze, as he pondered, fell upon the gloves on his hands. Being right-handed, he took off his left glove and handed it to Aracilla.
"This is the best I can do."
"Well, it's not bad. It has the Red Hawk emblem on the button, so everyone will know it's your glove."
Since there was no rule that only the husband should receive support from his wife when a couple participates in the same competition, Aracilla also received an equivalent substitute for a handkerchief.
The more obvious their exchange of items was, the more suitable it would be for displaying their affection.
With a satisfied expression, she put the glove on her left hand. It was loose due to the difference in hand size, but since she was also right-handed, it wouldn't interfere with holding her staff.
"The Hunting Festival will begin soon! Participants, exit the tent and prepare for departure!"
The powerful shout of a royal attendant was heard. As they walked out, Aracilla said,
"Demian, don't expect any mercy just because you're my husband today. Be prepared."
"That's what I hoped for. Madam, do not expect me to yield either."
Whoooooosh—!
The sound of the horn, signaling the start of the Hunting Festival, echoed. The participants collectively headed into the forest.
Aracilla and Demian also moved at the same time.
* * *
Meanwhile, Oscar, who had been standing in a corner of the tent, hesitantly emerged only after everyone else had disappeared.
In truth, he hadn't practiced for this Hunting Festival one bit. All he had done was use practice as an excuse to sneak away from his mother's watchful eye and spend time with women.
So, while it pained him that Demian was a strong contender for the win, he lacked the confidence to actually surpass him, and thus he kept circling the same spot.
'Damn it, I'm not good at hunting. What do I do?'
It was then, as he sighed, the bow slung over his shoulder feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.
The Duchess, spotting her son loitering alone near the entrance, hurried over and slapped him on the shoulder.
"Oscar! What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Mother."
Startled by his mother's sudden appearance, Oscar quickly checked for his father's presence.
Fortunately, the Duchess was alone, without her husband.
Oscar felt relieved, as it was clear his father would have lectured him while holding his ear.
"I asked what you're doing here?"
"Do I really *have* to go hunting? Who can beat that brute Demian, who's only strong?"
Oscar grumbled, believing that Demian was barbaric and crude, only good at physical tasks, while he himself was cultured and intelligent, thus the opposite.
The Duchess, after glancing around, lowered her voice and whispered.
"Don't worry about that. We have something prepared. Demian will never win. So go and catch as much game as you can!"
