Chapter 52

Cutting through the deluge of flower petals, it was immediately clear who Sergei was among the approaching figures.

The description of Marquis Vilum’s son, the secondary male lead, included charcoal-black hair and eyes as dark as a cave.

His body was described as muscular, like that of a horse, and among the approaching men, only one fit that description.

As Liliana got closer to Sergei, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

Wow, he really lives up to being the second male lead’s father. He’s incredibly handsome. The way he approached, holding the reins in one hand with a stern expression, he looked like a black panther.

“Your Highness, what are you looking at?”

Helio asked displeasedly when Liliana couldn’t take her eyes off Sergei. However, utterly oblivious to his tone, Liliana spoke as if in a trance.

“I was looking at Marquis Vilum.”

“Why?“

“Because he’s impressive.”

It was more like admiring a magnificent piece of art than looking at a handsome man. Even in formal hunting attire, his chest muscles seemed ready to burst, making it clear why he was enthralled by the noblewomen.

“He has a fiancée.“

Helio’s voice was filled with dissatisfaction. Liliana turned to him, her eyes sparkling.

“Really?“

“Yes, she’s a wonderful and noble woman.“

“Wow!”

Liliana expressed pure admiration. In the original story, the romance between Marquis Vilum and his wife was given significant importance.

The second male lead was portrayed as a deeply devoted man, influenced by his parents’ love.

Devotion was always moving, so Liliana looked at Sergei more excitedly. She was oblivious that Helio was watching her with an incomprehensible expression.

Lucia stepped onto a high platform when the nobles and knights finished their procession.

With a stern expression, she explained the rules of the hunting competition, her arrogant demeanor reminiscent of Helio. They looked so much alike that it was hard to believe they were half-siblings.

“The animals you can find in the hunting grounds include black foxes, continental foxes, red deer, and crescent boars…”

As Lucia listed the types of animals, the spectators began to murmur. The participants maintained a composed demeanor but showed signs of surprise.

“Aren’t all those animals native to the empire, including the black fox?“

“The crescent boars have been ruining farms lately. They seem too common…”

It seemed that just the black foxes did not satisfy the nobles.

Expected as it was, Liliana clenched her fists nervously. She worried whether her plan would win people’s approval.

After glancing at Liliana, Lucia signaled the attendants. They brought a large object covered with thick cloth from the corner.

“The most distinguished lady is attending this hunting competition.”

A lady? With everyone’s attention focused, the attendants unveiled the large object.

It revealed a beautiful statue of a woman with arms spread wide. Seeing the laurel crown on her head and the patterns on her necklace, people recognized her as the Spirit King of Light.

“The person who offers the most animals to the Spirit King of Light will earn honor and be awarded a golden laurel crown. All the animals offered to the Spirit King will also be distributed to the citizens.“

Lucia’s words caused a stir among the crowd. One of the most important traditions of the hunting competition was for participants to offer their animals to a cherished lady.

It seemed grand and romantic, but it often caused trouble.

Especially for married participants, if both their wife and mother were alive, one side would inevitably feel slighted no matter who they offered the animals.

The most unfortunate were those with no lady to offer their animals to.

Those without a female relative, mother, wife, fiancée, or any royal support couldn’t attract attention, no matter how many animals they hunted.

However, if the Spirit King of Light was acknowledged as one of the ladies, with the noble excuse that the animals would be distributed to the citizens, it could solve many awkward situations.

Moreover, earning the golden laurel crown would be a significant honor.

Nobles of all ranks seemed quite pleased with this arrangement. Of course, not everyone was happy.

“This is nonsense! It means I’ll receive fewer animal offerings!”

Beatty grumbled from where the people of the Duke of Gabriel were gathered.

“Who came up with such a ridiculous plan?“

“They say it was Empress Consort Liliana.“

“Ha! Everything that woman proposes is like this.“

“My Lady, please lower your voice.“

“Why should I!”

Beatty shouted back but said nothing more after that.

Though her face was still full of discontent, it wasn’t wise to keep causing a scene when public opinion was clearly favoring Liliana.

“Ha, this is really great. I have five younger sisters. Can you imagine catching five black foxes and giving one to each? It was a dilemma, but now we have a perfect excuse.”

Liliana could hear a knight let out a sigh of relief.

“Well, I have no complaints if it’s just black foxes. Even if you catch something like a sunset parrot, there are always complaints about damaged feathers or demands for live birds. If those guys are out of the picture and we have more black foxes, that’s a welcome change.“

“Haha, it’s definitely easier for us hunters.”

The knights expressed their honest, albeit sheepish, thoughts. The atmosphere wasn’t bad; in fact, it was rather good. Liliana gripped her reins tightly, feeling relieved.

This method could be maintained if the results were positive, leading to substantial financial benefits. Once a statue was made, it could be used repeatedly, eliminating further costs.

While crafting the golden laurel crown involved expenses, they were far less than the cost of capturing rare animals from various countries.

“Excellent.”

Helio offered Liliana a brief word of praise. Last time, it was “not bad“ last time, but now he said “excellent,“ which was a significant improvement. Liliana smiled brightly, feeling delighted.

After fully explaining the rules of the hunting competition, an attendant shot an arrow with a loud whistling sound into the sky. This signaled the start, and the horses kicked up the sand as they headed toward the hunting grounds.

Liliana had never ridden among so many people simultaneously, so she focused on Helio’s back as she rode.

After a while, the vast clearing disappeared, and they entered a densely wooded area far more lush and grand than the forest she had seen near the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Looking up at the sky, the leaves covered the sky so much that the sunlight broke into pieces like shards of glass.

“Wow.”

Liliana couldn’t help but exclaim in awe, then covered her mouth, thinking about the knights who might hear her.

“Haha. This forest is indeed impressive.”

Worried that she might appear frivolous, Liliana was relieved when Helio and the First Imperial Knight Division Commander, Reid, agreed with her admiration, laughing good-naturedly.

However, Liliana rarely conversed with such large men, so she momentarily froze.

“Don’t bother the Empress Consort. You’ll startle her.”

When Helio scolded Reid, he grumbled, feeling unjustly accused.

“I don’t think I have a terrifying appearance. If anything, I’m rather handsome, don’t you think?“

“The Empress Consort has high standards. She doesn’t like me much either.“

“I think it’s more of a personality than a face issue.”

What kind of conversation is this? Liliana looked confusedly at Helio, who was the most familiar person there. Helio smiled satisfactorily as Liliana moved her horse closer to him.

Meanwhile, Reid continued to speak to Liliana without hesitation.

“Your Highness, doesn’t His Majesty seem perfect? Don’t you think he never makes mistakes?”

Liliana found the topic too interesting to ignore and stared intently at Reid.

“Reid, shut your mouth.”

When Helio tried to forcibly silence Reid, Liliana’s curiosity only grew. She looked at Reid with sparkling eyes.

“Does His Majesty make mistakes?“

“Empress Consort, come here.”

Liliana had slowed her horse to move next to Reid without realizing it. Despite Helio’s gestures calling her over, she shook her head like a stubborn child.

“Sir Reid, what mistakes has His Majesty made?”

Liliana was no longer wary or afraid of Reid. Reid, enjoying her reaction, eagerly continued.

“It was when His Majesty was not yet the Emperor. He was about this tall.”

Reid gestured to indicate a height roughly that of a thirteen-year-old.

“At that time, he received an imperial order to join a battle. We had to pass through many villages to reach the frontier.”

Though Reid seemed to find this amusing, Liliana’s expression darkened.

She knew Helio had participated in countless wars but hadn’t realized he was only around thirteen. However, Reid, oblivious, continued his story.

“One night, His Majesty was curious about the night market and sneaked out. I followed him, worried.“

“Reid shut the f*ck up.”

Liliana was startled to hear Helio speak so harshly for the first time.

However, Reid seemed unfazed. He shrugged nonchalantly and fell silent. When Liliana looked back and forth between Helio and Reid, Reid whispered in a small voice.

“It’s best to stop fooling around when he starts swearing.”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.