117. That Loving Gaze, Meant Only for Me

At Edward’s offhand remark, Larael’s eyes widened as she looked at him. Of course, the Emperor had every right to join the Hunt, but during his reign, Edward had never once taken part himself.

The Hunt was held in the Rendura Forest to the west. As in previous years, the prize for the winner was a golden brooch, but this time it was different—the brooch was also a magical artifact. At Edward’s direct command, it had been crafted to flaunt the Kazel Empire’s abundance of mana stones. A small mana stone had been set inside the brooch, giving it magical properties.

The effect itself was modest—it simply kept the wearer warm—but once word spread among the noble ladies, the brooch became highly coveted. Competition, if not outright rivalry, arose over who would claim it. As a result, this year’s Hunt drew the largest number of participants since the Founding Festival began. And now, Edward had added his own name to the list.

“Your Majesty, do you like that golden brooch so much?”

“The brooch can always be remade. What matters are the eyes you had while watching the duels in the tournament. That loving gaze—I want it only for myself.”

“What??”

Hearing his reason, Larael was startled—and then burst into laughter.

“Are you serious? Truly serious, not joking?”

Her laughter made Edward’s face flush red in an instant.

“Of course I’m serious! What else would I be?”

“You’re too adorable, that’s why. Even the way you bristle is cute.”

Unable to contain her feelings, Larael cupped his cheeks in both hands and kissed him, loud enough to make a soft pop against his lips. Edward’s eyes wavered nervously, unsettled. Smiling with curved eyes, Larael kissed him once more before letting her hands fall.

“Truly, I love you so much, Your Majesty.”

A peachy flush bloomed across Larael’s cheeks. Her lips trembled with emotions too strong to hold back.

“I love you.”

At Larael’s confession, Edward felt a rush of tangled emotions surge up his throat. His nose tingled, and his eyes grew hot. Yet inside, he felt as though a refreshing tide had swept through his heart, leaving him clear and light.

“You really… never let me be.”

Overcome by an irresistible desire, Edward seized her lips like a storm crashing down. Ecstasy surged through his body in waves he could not control. Larael’s eyes flew open at the intensity of his kiss, then closed slowly.

“Your Majesty…”

At last, Larael pushed him back a little, breaking the endless kiss. Edward’s eyes were heavy with sticky desire. Pulling her head back, Larael gently wiped his lips with her hand. But Edward leaned in again, breath coming fast.

“Your Majesty, it’s still morning. And this is…”

Her words made Edward glance around. Abella Palace’s reception room was famous for its light. Sunlight streamed in even in the dead of winter, filling the space with brightness and warmth.

“Why so shy all of a sudden?”

There had been mornings when they lazed in bed until nearly noon. Catching Larael as she tried to pull away, Edward tugged her back. Flustered, she jumped up from the sofa. Edward leaned back with a sigh.

“Larael… come here.”

“But, here is a little…”

Edward only smiled languidly, then pulled her onto his lap with a swift motion.

“So what?”

Larael looked around nervously, then finally gave up and adjusted herself to sit facing him on his thigh. She brushed back the strands of hair falling over his face as she looked down at him.

“Your Majesty, you’ll have to take responsibility.”

***

Edward suddenly had much to prepare once his participation in the Hunt was decided.

Because of these preparations, he could not keep his promise to tour the capital with Larael. So Larael made plans to go out alone. Sasha and Joanna, who had never seen the capital during the Founding Festival, were even more excited than she was. The city center was swept up in a festive atmosphere, with countless events large and small.

“Did you pack the gift for Beatrice?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Carrying the gift for Beatrice, whose delivery was fast approaching, Larael headed for the Argen Marquisate. She had originally planned to go with Edward, but since he had suddenly joined the Hunt, he could not accompany her. Larael couldn’t bring herself to resent him for it. In fact, thinking of his reason made her chuckle quietly.

“I greet Her Highness, the Empress Consort.”

When she arrived at the Marquis’s residence at the appointed time, the Marquis and Marchioness of Argen were there to welcome her. As they exchanged greetings, Larael’s gaze fell on the young man standing beside them—Dean.

“Your Highness, would it be all right if Count Winters joined us? If you prefer otherwise, I’ll have him leave at once. He came to bring a gift for the baby, and as it happens, it’s nearly mealtime…”

Sensing Larael’s gaze, Beatrice spoke carefully. Inviting someone unannounced could easily be considered discourteous to Larael, so her tone was cautious.

“Of course it’s fine. If it’s Dean, I welcome him as well.”

Larael smiled warmly at Dean. Beatrice did not realize that Larael and Dean were closer than she imagined. Relieved, Beatrice instructed her maid to prepare a place for Dean at the dining table.

Until the meal was ready, they decided to wait together in the reception room of the Marquis’s residence.

Larael handed the prepared gift to Beatrice, who accepted it with a delighted expression.

“Thank you for always being so thoughtful.”

The Marquis of Argen also expressed his gratitude.

“It’s nothing. Aren’t you nervous about meeting the children?”

“Don’t even mention it, Your Highness. Beatrice hasn’t been able to sleep at night these days.”

“But you still look well, which is a relief.”

Larael gazed at Beatrice with a hint of envy as happiness radiated from her face.

“What wind has blown His Majesty to suddenly declare that he will participate in the hunting festival?”

The Marquis of Argen asked Larael, but she couldn’t possibly reveal the real reason.

“Well… um…”

Seeing Larael hesitate to answer, the Marquis guessed that she was, in fact, the reason behind it.

“I see. I understand.”

He smiled as he spoke to her.

“Will the Marquis of Argen and the Count of Winters not be joining the hunting festival?”

“No. I promised Beatrice that we would spend the Founding Festival quietly together.”

Larael’s gaze shifted to Dean.

“I will not participate either. Hunting is not to my taste.”

“I see.”

Larael nodded, and Dean, watching her reaction, continued.

“Your Highness, I was astonished by the winner of the swordsmanship tournament.”

Dean had been watching from the stands when Joy removed his helmet, and he dropped the magnifier he had been holding. At first, he was taken aback, but he never imagined that Joy would so effortlessly defeat Gerard. Through Four Seasons, Dean tried to investigate Joy’s background, but the man’s identity only grew more mysterious. No matter how deep he dug, he found no information—almost as if Joy had sprung out of nowhere with no past at all.

What Dean also envied was his ability to speak his mind openly before others without hesitation. Even though he could clearly see Larael flustered by those words, he still found Joy admirable.

“To be honest, I was surprised as well. I never expected Joy to possess such skills. Marquis of Argen, public opinion is not favorable, is it?”

Larael cautiously asked, gauging the marquis’s expression.

“To be frank, I cannot say it is favorable.”

“Jayden!!”

Beatrice quickly called out her husband’s name.

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

“It’s all right.”

“My lady, the meal is ready.”

A maid entered the drawing room to announce that the meal had been prepared. At her words, everyone in the room moved to the dining hall. On the way, Dean walked beside Larael and lowered his voice to speak.

“As Your Highness said, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has requested information regarding Sir Berser.”