Chapter 9 (Part 2)

The nobles, who had been chatting, turned their attention to the arrival of Duke Richard.  

Therese glanced down at her arm, held tightly by the Duke, and whispered softly.  

“Your Grace, this seems a bit too close.”  

It was already conspicuous enough that they were wearing matching riding attire. At this rate, they were bound to become a spectacle.  

Despite Therese’s hesitant tone, the Duke clung even closer to her.  

“Today is the perfect day to show off our harmony, don’t you think?”  

Though it wasn’t something she wanted to do, he wasn’t entirely wrong.  

“…Fine. But only when others are watching.”  

Hearing her response, the Duke leaned in slightly and whispered.  

“Could it be that you were hoping for moments when no one is watching?”  

“…Your Grace!”  

Therese’s voice rose sharply, but she quickly composed herself.  

The Duke had a habit of casually saying things that could easily be misunderstood.  

‘I hope no one heard that.’  

Looking around, she saw that the two of them were standing a bit apart from the other nobles. Letting out a sigh of relief, Therese felt the Duke’s fingers wrap around her wrist like coiling roots.  

“Madame, it might be dangerous, so don’t let go of my hand.”  

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”  

Simply attending the hunting tournament together was enough to prove that the rumors of their romance weren’t baseless.  

Besides, the animals in the Emperor’s forest were reportedly limited to foxes, so there didn’t seem to be much danger.  

When Therese twisted her captured wrist, the Duke held her hand gently without hurting her.  

“I don’t feel reassured. Please allow me to protect you.”  

“…”  

Hearing the same desperate tone from the day the Duke had cried, Therese’s heart wavered.  

‘What should I do?’  

She wanted to embrace his vulnerable form and reassure him that everything would be fine.  

Suppressing her emotions, she answered calmly.  

“We should meet His Majesty first.”  

“As you say, Madame.”  

Fortunately, the Duke did not argue with her suggestion.  

Finding the Emperor’s tent wasn’t difficult. Covered entirely in gold, it glittered even from a distance.  

When the two arrived at the entrance of the Emperor’s tent, a guard collected the Duke’s weapon.  

“Duke Richard has arrived.”  

As the attendant’s loud voice echoed behind them, they entered the tent, pulling back the drapes to reveal the interior.  

The floor was covered with a handmade carpet from Pasa, and a long sofa made of buffalo leather sat in the center. Scattered around were oriental ceramics and weapons encrusted with jewels.  

At first glance, it felt less like the Emperor’s tent and more like a wealthy merchant’s treasure trove, as mismatched items were crammed into one place.  

‘Is this a display of wealth and power?’  

As she turned her gaze away from the ceramics, a pungent smell assaulted her nose.  

The tent was filled with the scent of the Emperor’s hookah. Therese tried her best not to grimace at the stifling odor.  

Beyond the haze of smoke sat the Emperor, a figure demanding caution in both words and actions.  

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”  

As Therese and Duke Richard offered their greetings, Emperor Felipe Morciani, who had been reclining, straightened his posture.  

“It’s heartwarming to see such an affectionate pair.”  

Holding his long pipe, the Emperor twisted his lips into a peculiar smile as he looked at the two of them.  

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”  

“The two of you being happy, brought together by me, is the most fulfilling thing I could ask for.”  

Shortly after, the sound of drums and trumpets signaled the start of the opening ceremony, wishing for a successful hunting tournament.  

An attendant introduced the prizes to be awarded to the winner of the day’s event.  

When a massive golden bow was displayed, the nobles in attendance couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.  

“Additionally, our benevolent Emperor will bestow gifts upon everyone gathered here today.”  

Attendants appeared, carrying jeweled swords and silk robes, distributing them to each noble present. The lavish gifts brought satisfied smiles to the faces of the nobles.  

“We will now introduce the next part of the program.”  

The attendant struck the ground with his staff, drawing back the curtain on the stage to reveal a short play featuring animals and hunters.  

“Catch them!”  

“Kill them all!”  

With loud shouts, the hunters charged forward, while performers dressed as deer and rabbits acted out being killed by arrows or swords.  

Even though it was just a performance, watching the scenes of death was unsettling.  

As Therese struggled to calm her churning stomach, the Emperor sitting beside her suddenly whispered.  

“The acting of the dying scenes is truly exquisite, don’t you think?”  

“…Yes.”  

“I personally coached them on how to fall convincingly.”  

The Emperor’s voice carried a faint excitement, as if he were deeply engrossed in the performance.  

However, Therese couldn’t understand why they needed to watch a play about hunting right before an actual fox hunt.  

‘I already knew he enjoyed bloodshed.’  

Trying to ignore the Emperor’s heavy breathing, she turned her attention back to the stage, where the play was reaching its climax.  

The protagonist, a hunter, raised his sword high over a cornered deer. Wearing a solemn expression, he turned toward the audience and delivered his line.  

“Oh deer! Do not run away! To die for His Majesty the Emperor is the greatest honor!”  

As the hunter plunged his sword into the beast’s heart, the performer dressed as the deer collapsed, spilling red blood. Grand music swelled as the curtain fell.  

Although the play had ended, the atmosphere remained silent.  

The Emperor, surveying the audience, was the first to speak.  

“Though it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t real blood, wasn’t it a high-quality performance overall?”  

At the Emperor’s evaluation, the nobles finally broke into applause.  

Some even stood up and loudly shared their thoughts.  

“It was a profound play, delving into the philosophy of life and death.”

“Indeed, none of us can match your refined taste, Your Majesty.”  

The Emperor’s lips twitched, seemingly pleased with the noble’s flattery.  

“Next, how about we have a little archery contest for fun? Simply hunting animals feels far too barbaric.”  

Even before the Emperor finished speaking, a servant in the distance began setting up a target and brought over several large bows.  

“I shall go first.”  

Removing his jacket, the Emperor grabbed a bow and fixed his sharp eyes on the target. Without pause, he shot three arrows, one after another. The servant standing far away waved a red flag, signaling that all three arrows had hit the bullseye.  

Startled birds flapped their wings and soared into the sky amidst the thunderous applause.  

“Then, how about Duke Richard goes next?”  

At the Emperor’s words, Therese tensed up. The Duke was in no condition to even ride a horse, let alone shoot a bow.  

‘If he shoots, he might collapse right here.’  

If that happened, his shoulder injury would be exposed. She had to find some excuse to decline.  

‘But that…’  

Refusing the Emperor’s command was akin to committing treason.  

Therese glanced at Duke Richard, who was preparing to rise without hesitation.  

‘No, this won’t do.’  

She reached out and pressed down firmly on the back of his hand.  

The Emperor and the nobles cast curious glances at Jeremy Richard, who remained seated. The tension was palpable when suddenly, someone cleared their throat from behind.  

“Your Majesty, if it is not too presumptuous, may I take his place?”  

The one who stepped forward was Gabriel Richard. Emperor Felipe Morciani’s sharp gaze swept over him from head to toe.  

‘Why is the Duke’s younger brother stepping forward?’  

Though annoyed, the Emperor couldn’t find a reason to object. With a leisurely expression, he nodded toward him.  

“If Young Lord Richard wishes to take his place, I see no reason why not.”  

Soon, Gabriel stood across from the target. The bow, which he hadn’t held for a long time, was stiff, and sweat trickled down his forehead as he struggled to nock the arrow.  

He had spent eight years trying to forget the name “Richard,” but now he was forced to make a fool of himself before the Emperor and the nobles.  

‘…Damn it.’  

Cursing inwardly, Gabriel recalled what had happened earlier.  

Upon arriving at the hunting grounds, Gabriel had sought a secluded spot to hide. He wanted to avoid meeting nobles, exchanging introductions, and engaging in pointless small talk.  

‘I didn’t make a single friend at the academy, so why would I start here?’  

The only reason he had come to this hunting tournament, which he had no interest in, was because of Duchess Richard.  

‘Gabriel, I believe you’ll need to accompany us to this hunting tournament.’ 

‘I have no interest in killing animals for sport.’

‘To avoid suspicion, there’s no other choice.’ 

Rumors had it that investigators were even scouring Oxford Academy. If it were discovered that he had printed the newspaper, it would be disastrous.  

‘Damn it.’  

Kicking at the damp ground in frustration, Gabriel spotted a small shadow moving behind a tent. It was none other than Duchess Richard.  

‘I need to speak with you about something important.’  

‘I’m not interested.’ 

After scanning the surroundings, Therese cautiously spoke.  

‘His Grace was attacked by a monster. He is unwell.’  

‘What does that have to do with me?’  

Gabriel responded coldly to the Duchess, but from that moment on, he couldn’t stop glancing at Jeremy Richard.