101 - The Crown I Will Steal From You
Ch 5.
The day of the goodwill hunting competition dawned.
The royal hunting grounds where the competition was held were about half a day's carriage ride from the royal palace.
It was a place with lush forests, but thanks to the long-term management of the gamekeepers, dangerous wild beasts had long disappeared.
In addition, it was a pristine area with almost no pollution due to strict restrictions on people's access.
Soon, the Baldina royalty and the Kazen delegation arrived at the hunting grounds. Medeia followed the Queen Dowager out of the carriage.
The clear sky and the cool scent of the forest tickling her nose greeted her.
In the center of the flat ground was a barracks for the royals, and on both sides, small barracks where people who were not participating in the hunt could rest were lined up.
"I was going to cancel this competition in consideration of their circumstances, but they insisted on doing it, so I came all the way here."
However, the Queen Dowager's disgruntled appearance showed that she didn't even like looking at the Kazen people.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen Dowager and Her Highness the Princess."
The people who had arrived first and were waiting greeted them.
The Queen Dowager nodded, and soon frowned when she spotted the Kazen delegation standing across from her.
Both the 4th Princess and Iason were dressed in well-tailored hunting clothes. They looked like they were used to hunting.
The rules of the hunting competition were simple.
Pair up in twos and hunt animals living in the forest. The rarity of the animal's species or color determined the winner's ranking.
"Your Highness the Princess, please draw a lot."
The feather color of the lot Medeia drew was blue. Her green eyes looked to the side.
The 4th Princess was holding a pink feather, the same as one of the delegation members, and Birna had a yellow feather, the same as Iason.
"Oh my, Grand Duke! You have the same feather color as me!"
Goodness, how lucky could she be. Birna couldn't hide her joy and looked like she was about to jump up and down.
Not realizing the disappointment flashing in Iason's eyes, she drooped her eyebrows and subtly looked at him.
"What should I do? I'm worried, I'm not very good at hunting, I hope I'm not a burden to you, Your Highness."
"Not at all. It's just a friendly match with significance in participation, so I hope Princess Claudio doesn't worry too much,"
While giving Birna exactly the answer she wanted, Iason's eyes kept looking around as if searching for something else.
"……."
Just as everyone was busy finding their partners,
"Medeia."
She raised her head. Samon was walking over with a feather of the same color.
"You and I are in the same group."
Medeia smiled then.
"I'm so glad. I can just trust you, Brother."
"That's what I should be saying. I saw your swordsmanship skills with my own eyes when you defeated the 4th Princess last time."
"You know it was just luck."
Samon laughed at Medeia's words.
"Don't worry, just trust this brother. I'll definitely keep you safe."
However, Medeia didn't miss the cool chill in his eyes that curved with his smile.
At that time, Ciseo, who suspiciously watched Medeia and Samon become a team, suggested.
"Your Majesty the Queen Dowager. The hunting grounds are not small. They might get lost if they go around in pairs, so how about having knights accompany them one by one?"
'If knights are attached, our plan will be ruined.'
The faces of the 4th Princess and Samon hardened. The 4th Princess stepped forward first.
"Let's keep it light and friendly since it's a friendly match. Surely there aren't any dangerous beasts in the hunting grounds that require a bodyguard? Or, perhaps, are you trying to target me?"
She was still provocative.
The Queen Dowager looked down at the 4th Princess indifferently and smiled generously.
"Of course not. The 4th Princess is a precious guest who has brought twice the aid to our Baldina, so we can't let her get hurt by wild beasts."
That old fox! The 4th Princess trembled.
In any case, the participation of knights was prohibited due to the issue of fairness.
"Please come back here after hunting for half a day!"
Bang-!
The hunting competition began with the noise of celebratory fireworks breaking the clear sky.
\ \ *
Today, the royal family, the delegation, and even the high-ranking nobles of Baldina participated as spectators.
Underneath a large tent that blocked the sunlight, stepped seating was prepared.
It was a seating area for the audience to watch the hunting competition, facing a flat area where the hunted game would be laid down.
"Duke Claudio, have you been well?"
Ciseo offered a casual greeting.
"Yes, you look well too."
The Regent Duke's eyes scrutinized Ciseo's face closely.
'Why is he still okay?'
By now, Hallus should have caused a change in his head...
Whether the effect of the medicine was minimal, or Ciseo had developed a tolerance, the man before him seemed more intelligent and refreshed than usual, let alone showing signs of madness.
"Yes, Your Grace is perceptive. In fact, I used to have a very heavy head, and I was driven crazy by the pain and dizziness as if I was in a fog."
Ciseo, who noticed the Regent Duke's question, wore a deep smile on his lips.
"But now that the cockroaches that smear filth on the royal palace have disappeared and the Kazen's aid has solved the hunger, all my worries have disappeared and my head is very clear, what can I say?"
"……."
The Regent Duke glared at Ciseo.
"Well, that's a relief then. It would be a disaster if you, the chancellor of Baldina, were to collapse."
"Yes, so I'm even getting holy water these days. After all, I realized that serving His Majesty for a long time is for the sake of this country."
Ciseo teased him pointedly.
"Ah. The Queen Dowager is calling me. Then, Regent Duke, I hope you enjoy today's hunting competition in comfort."
"……."
The Regent Duke trembled and swallowed his anger.
"That young mudfish, I will never let him live when I become king. I will pull out his tongue and hang it on the walls!"
"Your Excellency, please calm down."
The back of his neck ached stiffly.
"……It's okay."
The Regent Duke tried to show composure to his subordinate and hid the shame that was washing over him.
His eyes shone with spite and murderous intent.
"Let's see if you can be so confident a little later."
Will he be able to spout those fine words even in front of Medeia's corpse, torn to pieces by wolves?
His son, preparing for the hunt in the distance, came into view. The Regent Duke unfolded his black fan with a snap.
Samon nodded as if he understood the meaning.