Chapter 36

“Men really are all the same, I suppose.”

Watching Raon, who had shown interest first, Countess Jun said.

“I suppose so.”

Since Kina had never had that kind of conversation with Raon, she could neither fully agree nor deny it, so she responded with an awkward smile.

“Exactly. I can even see my husband among those excited backs.”

When someone said that jokingly while looking at the men who had followed after Earl Jun and Raon, everyone burst into laughter. Starting with her, the others also chimed in and carried the mood along.

Even some of those who normally would have rushed at Kina and torn into her at once only glanced at her briefly today before stopping.

Stories about the Duke and Duchess of Graize were in a state where only rumors that sounded true ran rampant. And yet, not long after the Duke of Graize in those rumors had returned to the capital, he had brought Kina with him and begun participating in high society in earnest.

So they decided to watch the situation a little more leisurely. Since he was the right hand who did not hesitate to speak frankly even to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, they could not recklessly rush in and tear at someone in front of Duke Graize.

They thought there would be no need to hurry; they could enjoy the amusement of playing with the Duchess after learning the whole situation.

“It cannot be said of all men. I am still here, after all.”

It was Abil.

“Earl Winders, you share our interests, after all.”

At his playful words, the ladies laughed softly. As a man involved in many businesses, he was well-versed even in women’s interests. That was why, despite his age, women enjoyed conversing with him. Since they could obtain new, up-to-date information from someone so sensitive to trends, it was killing two birds with one stone.

“But somehow today, I feel I ought to step aside for a while for the ladies’ enjoyable conversation.”

Even as he left the place where the women were, he did not go very far. While conversing with others, he did not neglect to glance elsewhere from time to time.

At the end of that gaze was Kina, but the person receiving it did not know.

* * *

The space Earl Jun had mentioned was one of the reception rooms on the second floor.

“It is here.”

Earl Jun opened the door himself. Inside, hunting weapons sorted by type and size were neatly arranged along the walls and on the tables. Various longswords hung on the wall, while daggers were lined up on the table. Bows were also hung by size, and the kinds and shapes of the arrows were diverse as well.

“You really do like it.”

The gleaming weapons showed signs of having been well cared for on a regular basis.

“You may touch them.”

With Earl Jun’s permission, Raon picked up the nearest bow and lightly drew it back. When he released the string he had lightly pulled, it gave a clear twang. The string fit well in his hand and was of an expensive quality. It was light and highly elastic, an item well worth its value.

The swords were the same. The thinly honed blades were sharp enough to seem as though they would cut cleanly with the slightest touch.

“They are good enough that one could go hunting at once without lacking anything.”

Though his voice was calm, it was praise fine enough to make Earl Jun feel as though he were floating.

“If it would suit you, Your Grace, how about going hunting together in a few days? I was already planning to go hunting with Earl Ollin.”

If it was Earl Ollin, he was someone who preferred outdoor activities to balls, and someone who enjoyed gatherings in small numbers. For Raon, it was not a bad opportunity.

“The honor would be mine.”

*

When the men returned to the central hall, Kina was talking with Countess Jun. With a faint smile on her lips, she seemed to be mostly listening.

“What are you all talking about so pleasantly?”

The hearty voice of Earl Jun, now in high spirits, cut in between them.

At that, Kina quickly turned her gaze toward Raon. And when their eyes met, the emotion that flickered for a very brief instant was delight.

After that, until the ball ended, the two were never apart.

Thus ended the first ball attended by the Duke and Duchess of Graize.

* * *

“It has been a long time.”

“It has indeed been a long time, Your Grace. To think I would hunt together with you and rise so far in life.”

Earl Ollin greeted Raon with a hearty laugh.

“Though in exchange, I suppose I must handle all those people.”

Raon looked around. Unlike what Earl Jun had said about it being a small gathering, the event, now with quite a few more people, looked almost like a large-scale hunting competition.

“Duke Graize, you are an idol even among men, after all.”

In case the increased number of attendees might upset Raon, Earl Jun quickly added that.

Unlike balls, Raon was not particularly fond of hunting. Swinging a sword and cutting down life was work to him as much as anything else.

So when he, of all people, attended not only a ball but also a hunting gathering, the nobles hurriedly moved to speak with him at least once, keenly aware of the change in Duke Graize.

Unlike Earl Jun’s concerns, Raon did not particularly care. Since he had been accustomed to drawing attention since childhood, it was not the first time. Besides, it was not as though he had failed to expect a situation like this.

“Does the person who catches the most animals win?”

“Let us judge by the size of the animals brought back.”

“What about the rarest animal?”

Before the hunt began, the men were heatedly debating how to determine superiority. Aside from rank, the things considered most manly were physique, strength, and hunting skill. In a hunt there was no rank, so this was the only time to show off one’s superiority.

Having no intention of joining the heated discussion, Raon simply waited for the starting signal.

“Shall I bring the longsword as well?”

Seorin, who had joined today as Raon’s hunting aide, asked.

“Just bring yours. A bow is enough for me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Seorin separately prepared a longsword and a dagger, and just in case, he also took a quiver filled generously with arrows.

With the sound of flags flapping, dozens of horses raced toward the forest. It was the true beginning of the hunt. The nobles aiming for victory charged ahead from the start. Raon rode at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.

“Are you not going to catch it?”

Seeing even a small rabbit and still not looking as though he intended to raise his bow, Seorin asked Raon.

“If you are bored, then you catch it.”

“No thanks. Why would I?”

Even Seorin, answering back, did not look as though he especially enjoyed hunting.

“Did you not volunteer because you wanted to hunt?”

“I volunteered to assist you, Commander.”

At the testing remark, Seorin replied with a smile.

“I do not need your help outside gatherings like this.”

The smile he had been wearing so slyly stiffened. Raon already knew what Seorin had been thinking when he volunteered.

“We should hear what the other person thinks too. One never knows. Perhaps my help might be needed.”

But at Raon’s expression as he soon looked at him sternly, Seorin gave a small groan and shut his mouth.

‘He sees through his own heart just fine, so why does he not understand his own wife’s heart?’

Seorin grumbled inwardly. As the two moved along as though they had come out on horseback for a stroll, a small fox came into view. It was a fox with a beautiful, vivid color.

“Commander. They said the animals caught in the hunt can be taken by the person who catches them, right?”

“They did.”

“Then may I catch that fox?”

At Seorin’s sparkling eyes, Raon looked at him as if to ask why he was asking his permission for that. There was even a slight trace of horrified suspicion, as though he were wondering if Seorin was asking him to catch it instead.

“Even if I catch it, it will still belong to you, Commander, will it not? Could you give just that one to me?”

“I will.”

No sooner had he given permission than Seorin spurred his horse in the direction the fox had run off.