Chapter 9 (Part 1)

Finally, the day of the hunting tournament dawned.  

Once again, Emperor Morciani had invited only a select few nobles to the Imperial hunting grounds. Following the recent ball, the noble families summoned by the Emperor were effectively recognized as the most prestigious in the Empire.  

“It is truly an honor that His Majesty holds our family in such high regard.”  

Maria Richard, dressed in her newly tailored riding attire, spoke with a voice full of admiration.  

The jacket, adorned with fox fur at the collar, was worn over perfectly fitted trousers. The brim of her derby hat, tall and round at the crown, was accented with a feather.  

“It exudes elegance befitting the most distinguished family in the Empire.”  

A hawk-nosed maid assisting her with her outfit showered her with flattery, her words flowing freely.  

At the same time, Therese was also donning her hunting attire. Since she often wore men’s clothing, it didn’t feel particularly awkward, yet she couldn’t help but sigh.  

She didn’t enjoy hunting, and the thought of having to meet the Emperor alongside Duke Richard weighed on her.  

‘The Emperor is truly formidable.’  

The mere memory of him touching the nape of her neck made her scalp tingle with unease.  

“Madam, have I mentioned that sighing invites misfortune?”  

Not wanting to hear Sophia’s superstitions, Therese quickly shut her mouth.  

“How is it that the riding clothes sent by His Grace fit so perfectly? He didn’t even take your measurements.”  

“There must be a record of my measurements somewhere.”  

Therese responded to Sophia while awkwardly adjusting the collar of the riding clothes she had received as a gift the day before.  

‘I’d love for you to wear it, but I won’t be greedy.’  

Yet, contrary to his words, the Duke had gazed at Therese’s face with a wistful expression, clearly hoping she would wear it.  

‘It would’ve been better if he had just ordered me to wear it.’  

No matter how much she thought about it, the Duke was cunning. Still, she found herself more pathetic for grumbling about it while being unable to refuse.  

“All done, Madam.”  

When she looked in the mirror, a rather elegant lady stood there instead of her usual boyish self.  

The beige, slim-fitting trousers showcased her toned, slender legs, while her white shirt was complemented by a white stock tie secured with a gold pin engraved with the family’s emblem—a unicorn.  

After putting on a yellow vest and a black jacket, she was ready for the hunting tournament. Sophia handed her a black velvet hat with a chin strap and gloves, whispering softly.  

“His Grace has been waiting for you since earlier.”  

“…Already?”  

When Therese stepped outside, the Duke, who had been leaning against the corridor, straightened his posture.  

“…Ah.”  

Therese swallowed a breath when she saw his attire. The Duke’s riding clothes, except for the size, matched hers in both design and color.  

“It suits you well, Madame.”  

As he approached, the Duke handed her a blue hydrangea.  

“While walking this morning, I noticed this flower that matches the color of your eyes.”  

Therese stared blankly at the flower in his hand.  

The same color as my eyes?  

“Not coldness, indifference, cruelty, or arrogance?”  

Therese muttered absentmindedly, and the Duke looked troubled.  

“What do you mean, Madame?”  

“Oh, it’s nothing. Thank you for the flower.”  

Not wanting him to notice her flushed face, Therese hastily took the hydrangea, almost snatching it. 

Previously, when he had given her flowers, she had thought Duke Richard was deliberately trying to humiliate her.  

‘I misunderstood him.’  

“Madame, let’s walk slowly. You might trip otherwise.”  

The Duke, who had followed her with long strides, grabbed her hand. Not even thinking to pull her hand away, Therese walked beside him.  

When the two descended to the lower floor, Maria, who had already prepared and was waiting, spoke in an excited tone.  

“Your Grace, may we expect great things from you today?”  

“…We’ll see.”  

“Well, the important thing is that we’ve been summoned by His Majesty.”  

Maria hoped that Duke Richard would perform moderately well at the hunting tournament. Maintaining their family’s excellence in all areas required constant effort.  

‘And yet, he acts so indifferent.’  

Hiding her frustration at her son’s reaction, Maria watched as Duke Richard boarded the carriage with only her daughter-in-law.  

Moments later, inside the carriage, Therese couldn’t hide her discomfort.  

‘It feels like I’m sitting on a bed of thorns.’  

Maria Richard wore a perpetually displeased expression, while Gabriel stared out the window.  

The silence was exhausting.  

‘Why is this man acting like this again?’  

From the moment they got into the carriage, Duke Richard had been staring only at Therese.  

‘I want to tell him to stop staring.’  

But to do that, she would have to initiate a conversation with him, which felt too burdensome.  

“Madame, are you feeling motion sickness?”  

“Thank you for your concern.”  

Just then, the carriage jolted as it hit a stone, and the Duke extended his arm to steady Therese.  

“If you sit like this, it’ll shake less.”  

Noticing Maria and Gabriel’s glances, Therese pushed his arm away and spoke.  

“Thank you for your consideration, but I’m fine.”  

The Duke’s unusual obsession had grown even more persistent. Wherever Therese went, he would appear and interfere like this.  

Because of this, Therese often had headaches, but Sophia’s mood was at an all-time high.  

‘How wonderful it is that the two of you get along so well. I’m looking forward to good news soon.’  

‘Sophia, it’s not like that.’  

‘Oh my, what did I say to make you react like this?’  

Though Sophia feigned innocence, Therese had caught her secretly sewing baby clothes whenever she had a chance.  

‘Why am I even thinking about that now…’  

Embarrassed by her own thoughts, Therese cleared her throat lightly.  

Soon, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the hunting grounds where the tournament was being held.  

The carriages carrying noble ladies sparkled magnificently, and nobles dressed elegantly in riding clothes were chatting amicably on horseback.  

Nearby, there were easily over a hundred hunting dogs drooling. Clearly starved, they flapped their large ears at the slightest noise, their excitement unrestrained.  

The ferocious scene made Therese frown instinctively.  

Woof! Woof!  

When the hunting dogs barked fiercely, Maria Richard scowled.  

“I need to rest in the tent for a while. My headache is unbearable.”  

Dressed as if for a ball, Maria Richard left for the Richard family’s tent, supported on either side by her attendants. Gabriel quickly got off the carriage as well.  

“Gabriel, where are you going?”  

“…”  

Without answering Therese’s question, he disappeared as swiftly as the wind, leaving only a cold breeze behind.  

“But I had something to say…”  

When Therese tried to follow Gabriel out of the carriage, the Duke’s arm reached over her shoulder, closing the door and blocking her way.  

“…Your Grace?”  

Therese’s eyes widened as she found herself almost in the Duke’s embrace.  

She tried to push away his arm, which was blocking the door, but the Duke showed no intention of moving.  

“…Why are you doing this?”  

Startled, Therese turned to look at him, only to see the Duke’s flushed face. His dry lips parted, and he spoke in a low voice.

“I’m a man who gets jealous very easily.”  

“And?”  

Therese was already well aware of the Duke’s childish jealousy. Whether it was clashing with Roshan or even being wary of Victor, who had treated her wounds, his insecurities knew no bounds.  

‘But there’s no reason for him to be jealous right now.’  

Therese felt troubled by the Duke’s unpredictable jealousy. Tilting his head, the Duke spoke in a gentle yet subtly menacing tone.  

“How should I interpret you calling my younger brother’s name so affectionately?”  

“…Ah.”  

It was then that Therese realized what had caused the Duke to act this way.  

“Are you saying you’re jealous because I called your brother casually?”  

Feeling jealous of his own brother was absurd, yet Therese couldn’t help but find his behavior endearing.  

The Duke, watching her reaction, whispered softly.  

“Madame, I have a name too.”  

Therese had to try hard not to laugh at his words.  

Of course, she knew his name very well. And she understood exactly what he wanted from her at this moment.  

Suppressing her laughter, Therese turned to face him.  

“Your Grace.”  

The Duke, who had been holding her shoulder, quietly withdrew his arm and sat upright. He licked his lips and looked at her with expectant eyes, as if waiting for something.  

When Therese simply stared at him without saying a word, the Duke, unable to hold back any longer, spoke first.  

“Madame, could you say something…?”  

“I have a name too, Your Grace.”  

“…Ah.”  

Therese, amused by his flustered reaction, quickly stepped out of the carriage.  

Woof! Woof!  

The hunting dogs barked ferociously, but Therese’s face was full of smiles.  

“What is all this?”  

As she wrapped the whip in her hand, a peculiar scene caught her eye.  

Under a large tree, long drapes hung down, and a massive statue stood prominently at the entrance.  

‘Are they trying to set up a ballroom here?’  

Rather than being impressed, Therese felt an odd sense of discomfort at the bizarre sight.  

“Madame, let’s go together.”  

The Duke, who had belatedly followed her, grabbed her arm firmly.