Chapter 40

It wasn’t long before a call went out summoning the participants.

Holding Lyle’s handkerchief, Tereza followed the predetermined ritual, stealing a kiss from him before dashing away.

Without looking back, Lyle watched Tereza retreat with an expression that suggested he couldn’t believe it, though his face held an unmistakable smile.

“Aren’t you going?”

Aneta asked Carlos, who was gazing at the Lopelac couple with an envious sparkle in his eyes. Unlike Tereza, Carlos’ steps seemed reluctant to move.

“I should go,” he said but made no effort to leave.

As Carlos took a step closer, Aneta instinctively tensed, worried he might do the same as Tereza. But her tension was for naught; Carlos’s kiss landed not on her lips.

In the flood of gazes, Carlos gracefully bent down and kissed the back of Aneta’s hand.

A hush fell over the area as if a solemn oath had been sworn between a knight and his lady. An undeniable gravity permeated the air, and his gaze narrowed intensely.

“I’ll be back, Aneta.”The sound of someone taking a quick breath was heard from somewhere. Aneta was able to understand the feelings of this unknown person fully. His face indeed held a formidable charm.

“Watch over me.”

Carlos then strode away confidently, seemingly oblivious to the gazes following him.

Even as he joined the crowd of participants, his presence stood out. The sweet gaze he had shown Aneta had long since vanished.

With Russell’s arrival, his vigilant eyes shone as coldly as metal infused with chill.

Accompanied by his guards, Russell promptly ascended the stage. His ceremonial speech ended with a wish for the event to conclude safely.

As the sound of a horn pierced the sky, signaling the start, the participants scattered with shouts.

“Aneta!”

Aneta, still lingering where Carlos had left, turned her head towards the familiar voice calling out to her. Spotting Vernon seated with Chris, he waved her over.

“Come over here and sit with us!”

Vernon, who had become increasingly comfortable with her since helping her before, invited Aneta to join them.

“Lyle, would you like to join us?”

“No, I have other company to mingle with, so please, go ahead.”

“Alright then, excuse me.”

With a polite farewell, Aneta walked towards Vernon, leaving Lyle behind.

Vernon’s seat was located slightly away from the podium. Chris quickly stood up as Aneta approached.

“Aneta! I was wondering when you’d arrive,”

A bright smile lit up Chris’s face as she greeted Aneta with a cheerful voice that could lift the spirits of anyone who heard it.

“Did you wait long?”

“I was afraid my throat would dry up from waiting so long. I wanted to show you my dress first!”

Her playful complaint only made her even more endearing. Aneta couldn’t help but curve her lips into a gentle smile at the sight.

“How do I look today?”

The gratitude she had expressed overflowingly in the carriage on their way back was now replaced by a shy question.

Aneta’s response was predictable.

“You were already beautiful, but today you look even more so.”

Aneta didn’t hesitate to express her feelings. Surely, she wasn’t the only one who thought so. Just looking at the young men sneaking glances at Chris and the warning looks Vernon gave them.

The conversation between Aneta and Chris could have been mistaken for that of lovers. This left Vernon, who had called out to Aneta, regretting his decision.

Chris, who had been chatting merrily by Aneta’s side, was now focusing all of her senses on Aneta. Knowing that it stemmed from admiration, a small twinge of jealousy still stirred in a corner of Vernon’s heart.

But it was too late to turn back now. Having summoned her over, he couldn’t very well push her away again.

Desperately thinking of a way to join the sweet conversation, Aneta extended a helping hand.

“It’s a bit surprising. I thought you would participate in the hunting competition this time as well, Vernon.”

The reason Vernon didn’t participate was obvious. It was undoubtedly to keep others from approaching Chris.

Aneta knew this but asked anyway.

Finally, Chris turned her attention to Vernon, who had longed for it.

Aneta couldn’t help but smile meaningfully as she saw Vernon’s face light up.

Delighted, Vernon felt a sudden prickling sensation in his chest. It was like standing before a villainous schemer with no means to protect himself.

“You really shouldn’t be smiling like that.”

“Just answer the question.”

Despite Vernon’s disgruntled words, Aneta didn’t seem bothered.

“If I go out there, it’ll just be a waste of effort or at most catching a single rabbit. It’s better to watch the competition comfortably from here.”

Vernon, who had little experience in physical endeavors, recalled his records. Out of six attempts, he had returned empty-handed four times.

So it was natural for him to give up, but sharp-witted Aneta wasn’t convinced.

“Is there no other reason?”

“Of course not.”

“I see.”

Vernon responded brazenly, then sighed in relief after Aneta backed off. He knew she didn’t truly believe his claim, but he also knew she wouldn’t easily push him to reveal the real reason.

While Vernon harbored his unspoken trust, Aneta observed Chris’ expression. The momentary flash of disappointment in her eyes vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by her usual brightness.

“But you were so amazing back there, you looked like you were going off to war. Such a desperate gesture of affection for just a moment’s separation.”

Vernon gestured to the handkerchief wrapped around Aneta’s wrist. The black handkerchief had a tangible presence as if it were protecting her on behalf of its owner.

“Not exactly an act of affection, is it?” asked Aneta

“Isn’t it? You’re so calm about it.” Vernon answered.

“And you’re no different from me,” said Aneta

Aneta fidgeted with the tied part of the handkerchief, then turned her attention to the sound of a blaring horn.

The signal of a successful hunt heralded the return of Carlos and Tereza. Having each captured a boar, they now ignited a fierce competition. The real rivalry began then.

From there, the tally rose to two, three, and then four boars. Finally, they were down to the last one.

With Carlos slightly ahead in the scores, Tereza proposed.

“How about we use our Glory abilities to catch the last one?”

Tereza showed no signs of impatience. Instead, she exuded confidence, shining brightly under the sun.

“Not a bad idea. And what do you think, Duke of Baltimor?”

The intense competition had already driven many participants to give up. With no one else able to catch up, Russell asked for Carlos’s opinion.

“I’m alright with that.”

With Carlos’ agreement, Russell approved Tereza’s proposal. Glory possessed both aerial and piercing attack capabilities, so the audience eagerly anticipated witnessing something on a whole different level than before.

Tereza gripped the piercing Glory she had been carrying on her shoulder. In response, Carlos transformed into an eagle.

As the black eagle soared, pushing against the air, Tereza mounted her horse and began galloping.

The competition had now become a stage solely for the two of them, and most of the nobles reacted as if they had expected this outcome all along.

“That comment about them going off to war has become a reality. If those two start going at it in earnest, it’s enough to make one’s hair stand on end. Their stamina is truly remarkable.”

“The two of them look so magnificent!”

While Vernon shook his head with a drained expression, Chris continued her pure admiration.Observing the contrasting reactions of the two, Aneta refilled her empty teacup.

The fact that Tereza proposed using Glory and that it was accepted, was not part of the original story. Each time Aneta faced such changes, she couldn’t help but deeply feel that this world was no longer the one she knew.

At this point, Aneta could no longer be certain of the outcome of the hunting competition, let alone what lay ahead.

It was several minutes later a dark shape appeared in the sky. Aneta recognized it as the return of Carlos.

Carlos’s claws dug into the bear’s neck, the massive body swaying precariously beneath. Before returning to his original form, he flung the bear’s carcass to the ground.

As dust billowed up around him, he landed and released his power, breathing heavily. Carrying an entire bear, even with the Glory’s strength, had taken its toll.

His arms, veins bulging and soaked with blood, were a mess. As Carlos hastily brushed off the dripping blood, Aneta caught a passing servant.

“Excuse me, but could you please bring some warm water and a towel?”

“Yes, My Lady. I’ll have it ready shortly,” the servant replied, bowing before leaving.

Seeing this, Vernon gave Aneta a knowing smile. It was obvious whom her request was for.

“What’s with that expression?”

“I’m just glad to see Carlos’ efforts finally paying off. It seems his hard work wasn’t all for naught.”

“Nonsense.”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. I’m sure Carlos will be thrilled to know.”

Ignoring Vernon’s teasing remarks, Aneta focused on observing the process of scoring Carlos’s hunt. Judging from the wide-eyed expressions, it seemed he had received a remarkably high score.

“At this rate, the Duke of Baltimor is going to win, isn’t he?”

“Unless something extraordinary happens, the victory is practically his.”

It appeared that the majority shared Aneta’s assessment, already anticipating Carlos’ triumph.

However, this atmosphere didn’t last long. The long-absent Tereza suddenly appeared, exuding a victorious aura, like a returning general.

“Goodness, everyone, look at that!”

Gasps and exclamations filled the air as Tereza made her entrance. Even Aneta, who had hoped for Carlos’s win, was taken aback.

Tereza returned with just ten minutes left, carrying a massive tiger over her shoulders. Aimed precisely at the neck were a dozen arrows, making Aneta exclaim in admiration. Tereza’s skill was as impressive as ever.

As Tereza presented her trophy, the outcome of the competition shifted. Aside from the neck, the tiger had no other wounds, and the fur was in excellent condition.

“The results are in. The winner of this year’s hunt is Duchess Tereza Lopelac,”

At Russell’s announcement, thunderous applause and cheers erupted, reaching the heavens. The most delighted were those who had bet on Tereza’s victory.

Aneta looked at Carlos with a heavy heart. He had lost. Once again, the events were not unfolding as per the original storyline.

“Congratulations, Duchess Lopelac. …Ah, I can’t shake hands with this,” Carlos said, accepting his defeat gracefully. He noticed the dried blood on his hand and began to withdraw it, but Tereza grabbed it anyway.

“Thanks to you, it was an enjoyable challenge,” she replied.

“The pleasure was mine. But next time, I won’t lose.”

“We’ll see. Even next year, I won’t be so easily defeated” she responded with a smile.

With smiles on their faces, the two parted ways.

Just as Carlos was about to move towards Aneta’s location, Erez suddenly appeared, blocking his path.

Aneta, watching Carlos approach, frowned as Erez stepped in his way. She knew Erez craved Carlos’s attention and affection, but today, it bothered her more than usual.