Chapter 49: A Bad Feeling

It was the same this time.

It was all just actions performed to show others, to be seen.

I deliberately ignored the strange pounding in my chest and forced a smile to appear as natural as possible.

“Yes, then please be careful and come back safely.”

As the Emperor left, other nobles also began to move.

They carried swords or spears in one hand as they made their way, chatting among themselves.

Soon, chairs and tables were set up in the previously empty outdoors, with snacks and tea being brought out.

It seemed like they were trying to make sure the waiting guests wouldn’t get bored.

“Lady Minero, who do you think will bring the best hunt today?”

“Hehe, I don’t need to think about it. It will definitely be His Majesty.”

“But… His Majesty hasn’t really participated much in the past, right?”

“Perhaps this time will be different. It seems like someone is trying to catch His Majesty’s eye.”

Even from a distance, I could feel the glances directed toward me.

The voices, too, seemed to carry no attempt to hide their intention.

“Then, what about Sir Samuel? What do you think will happen to him?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him much recently. Could it be… he couldn’t bear His Majesty’s new lover and ran away from the palace?”

“Poor Sir Samuel… I was rooting for the two of them.”

At that moment, I heard footsteps approaching.

Then, a sharp voice followed.

“Is it really necessary to assign such meaning to this? It’s just a fleeting thing for His Majesty, after all.”

The voice belonged to Lady Enulin.

She was smiling at me through a fan she held over her mouth.

The meaning in her gaze was blatant disdain.

“Why does she hate me so much, ever since last time?”

Unlike the simple tea time before, her dress, a deep red color, was so well-fitted that it made me admire how perfectly it suited her.

She looked undeniably beautiful.

The dress, which was perfectly tailored to her body, emphasized her full chest and a waist so slender that it could be held in one hand.

In contrast, the long skirt trailing down to her ankles gave her an elegant appearance.

A few other ladies, who were seated, greeted Lady Enulin with surprised expressions.

“Lady Enulin, you’ve finally arrived! We were so surprised to hear you had withdrawn from social circles.”

“I’ve been a little unwell, but thanks to all your concern, I’m feeling much better now.”

On the other hand, some people frowned upon seeing her.

“Could it be that you came to support your fiancé, the Duke of Charniche? You seem to get along quite well.”

With a tone laced with amusement, Lady Enulin turned to look.

There stood Lady Minero, who had been the center of conversation just moments ago.

Lady Enulin’s gaze turned cold, but the smile on her lips remained as she stared at her.

“So it’s Lady Minero. Oh, come to think of it, isn’t the dress you’re wearing right now the limited edition from Le Comman Boutique?”

“Yes, that’s right. I bought it without hesitation, thinking it was something I should wear. But why do you suddenly ask about that?”

Lady Minero, who had been proudly showing off her dress, stiffened.

Her face grew tense as if she had sensed something ominous.

“I’m not sure how to put this…”

Lady Enulin, who was dragging things out, smiled awkwardly in response to Lady Minero.

“What’s the matter?”

“It seems Count Raymond hasn’t mentioned anything. I heard his family is going through a tough time lately… If it were me, I think I would have focused on dressing more modestly rather than indulging in luxury.”

“Ha! Who’s spreading such baseless rumors…!”

“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m just telling you this for your benefit, Lady Minero. Yesterday, Count Raymond came to borrow some money, saying that your dowry wasn’t enough. But it wasn’t a large sum, so my father willingly lent it to him.”

Pity, concern, and an underlying mockery—Lady Minero’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment.

The other ladies seated around her watched with interest, even holding their breaths.

“I… I don’t know anything about that! But I’m curious, Lady Enulin, how is it that you—who said you were unwell—manage to attend every event hosted by the Grand Duchess?”

Lady Enulin lowered her eyes slightly, trying to hide the smile that threatened to escape.

Then, with a gaze full of sympathy, she looked at Lady Enulin.

“Actually, I was worried. After being rejected by His Majesty at the ball, I thought the emotional pain might have led to a hasty engagement… But seeing that you came here to support Duke Charniche today, I suppose I don’t need to worry about that.”

“…What?”

Afterward, the conversation became more pointed, with the women commenting that it was better to give up on unattainable goals early.

They started criticizing Lady Minero for being envious because her fiancé was showing her attention.

‘Why do they hurt each other with words like that?’

Watching them, I couldn’t help but feel tired.

If it were me, I would have preferred to talk about the most delicious desserts in the world or imagine what the world beyond Hamillon might be like.

I really wanted to leave this place and rest for a moment.

“Beratry, would it be alright if I step out for a bit and get some fresh air?”

“Sure, that’s fine. But I recommend you avoid venturing too deep into the forest. You might end up with arrows flying your way if you’re not careful.”

“I understand. Then…”

As I glanced around at his advice, I noticed a quiet riverside not too far from the hunting grounds.

“I’ll go there for a moment.”

“Then let’s go together. Hey, little one, come over here too.”

As Perry began to move, I hurriedly stopped Sir Veratri.

He had been showing signs of discomfort with me being out and about lately, so I wanted to give him some freedom, at least for this moment.

“Leave Perry here and go without him.”

“…What?”

“It won’t be for long, and it’s just right ahead. I don’t think we need to move with two knights for such a short trip.”

Veratri, who had been scratching his chin, eventually agreed.

“Well, I suppose so. You might be right. Then, you stay here.”

I left the ferry behind and headed toward a lakeside with Veratri, where no one else was around.

Indeed, the power of nature was magnificent.

The wildflowers swaying in the breeze stirred my heart just by watching them.

The clear sound of the water reaching my ears also calmed my weary mind and body.

“Ah, I think I can finally breathe.”

As I was about to watch a butterfly gently land on a wildflower, a strong gust of wind blew.

My hat, which I had been wearing, flew off and dropped into the river.

As Veratri moved to retrieve the hat, I stopped him.

“I’ll go, Veratri. I heard that staying still too long isn’t good for the body.”

“Is that so? Well, then go ahead.”

The hat that had fallen into the river drifted further inside.

Fearing it might be carried away to a deeper area, I quickly moved and retrieved it.

Just as I was about to stand up with the hat, I heard the murmurs of people in the distance.

“Wait, there were people here before me?”

Trying not to disturb their conversation, I moved to avoid being seen, but the voices sounded strangely familiar.

“When do we have to stay hidden here? Didn’t you hear anything from your mother about what’s going on?”

The unsettling conversation made me crouch in the bushes and listen.

There stood Prince Sharniche and his bodyguard.

“I don’t know either. All I heard was the command to not send the young master into the forest.”

“Then something should have happened by now, shouldn’t it? What happens if I return empty-handed? What will happen to my reputation?”

“What are they talking about…?”

At that moment, Veratri came looking for me.

He saw me hiding in the bushes and asked, somewhat puzzled,

“What are you doing over there?”

“Shh!”

I quickly covered Veratri’s mouth with my hand and crouched down.

But by then, they had already noticed something.


It seems like there’s a rat hiding somewhere.”

“Shall we search the area where the sound came from?”

Prince Sharniche’s bodyguard began walking toward my hiding spot.

I was torn between staying still and pretending I didn’t hear anything or running away immediately.

As the bodyguard drew near, a rabbit, startled by his movement, jumped up from the bushes.

“What, was it just a rabbit?”

Unlike Prince Sharniche, who seemed relieved, his bodyguard still kept his guard up.

“I’ll check further in, just to be sure.”

“No, don’t waste time. Besides, we don’t know when others might arrive. Let’s move to another spot.”

I stayed in my crouched position until their footsteps fade away.

Veratri did the same.

Only when they were completely gone did I release my hand from Veratri’s mouth.

“Phew! What in the world was that about?”

“I’m sorry, Veratri! That was a bit of a shock, wasn’t it? I went to pick up the hat, but then those two started talking about strange things…”

“What strange things?”

“Well… the Duchess told Prince Sharniche not to enter the forest because it’s dangerous. So, Prince Sharniche and his bodyguard didn’t go hunting but spent time nearby.”

Veratri frowned as he looked at me and asked,
“Why?”

“I didn’t hear the rest. But if what they said is true… doesn’t it mean that His Majesty and the others are in danger?”

“Hmm… Actually, I’m not too worried about Argon. Walton is with him, after all.”

I, too, had seen the Emperor fight in the rose garden. It was amazing how he subdued his opponent without proper weapons.

Even knowing that, I still couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

‘Lately, he’s been looking more exhausted than usual…’

“But just in case…”

I couldn’t feel at ease, so Veratri, after a moment of contemplation, spoke.

“I’ll just go into the forest for a bit and check the situation. But you, under no circumstances, leave Perry’s side.”

“Yes, understood.”

Veratri took me to where Perry was.

He then waved toward Perry.

“Kid, I’ll be back soon.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“I need to check something in the forest.”

With a nod from Perry, Veratri turned and headed toward the forest.

While I had felt calm by the lakeside, I was quickly growing weary again as I returned to the ongoing tensions between the noble ladies.

‘Now the topic of conversation has shifted to the most expensive jewelry in Hamilton.’

I waited impatiently for Veratri to return, when suddenly, a scream was heard in the distance.

There, I saw the stableman limping and desperately running away.

“Everyone, hurry and flee! We need to escape…!”