The knight dismounted and retrieved the arrow embedded in a tree.

Cedric discovered who the arrow belonged to and turned his head to look in the direction it had come from.

The one who appeared, riding a snow-white horse, was none other than the emperor.

“Oh dear, oh dear. I’m sorry. My eyes aren’t what they used to be. But why were you standing there like a fool in the hunting grounds?”

“I apologize. It seems I disturbed Your Majesty’s hunt.”

“It looks like the winner of the hunting competition has been decided.”

The emperor looked at the cart full of animals.

“I had no idea you were so skilled at hunting. It feels like I’ve discovered a side of the Grand Duke I hadn’t seen before.”

“You flatter me.”

Though he knew it wasn’t a compliment, Cedric responded calmly.

“A scar on that handsome face. Claire will resent her father greatly.”

“It’s fine. She’ll probably like that I look more manly with it.”

The emperor’s face cracked at his nonchalant attitude.

Winning the hunting competition would secure quite a few points. So from the emperor’s perspective, the current situation was unwelcome.

“Your Majesty, whatever you’re planning, it would be better not to do it.”

“……Oh?”

“You wouldn’t have thought I came unprepared, and you know what kind of man I am.”

Cedric stared directly into the golden eyes, his blue eyes gleaming. He met the emperor’s gaze without flinching.

“The hunting competition will end boringly. But don’t be too relieved. I’m still looking forward to the remaining competitions.”

The emperor passed by Cedric smoothly. He wiped the blood flowing down his cheek with his hand and headed toward the encampment where Claire was waiting.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Someone is returning over there!”

At the sound coming from outside, I stepped out of the encampment.

“It’s the Grand Duke of Monteroz!”

“I thought the Grand Duke of Monteroz would win, but… this quickly?”

People began to murmur. Soon after, the flags of the Monteroz knights came into view.

“I knew His Grace would be the first to return.”

Kaven spoke with excitement. Alita also nodded repeatedly with a proud expression.

With Cedric on his black horse leading the way, the knights filed in. The cart was full of animals.

“M-Monteroz House has hunted eight animals!”

People stirred at the number of animals. I glanced at the cart.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the animals pretending to be dead. Among them, I could see some that were actually injured.

“……In such a short time? And they say there’s even a tiger.”

“As expected of the Grand Duke of Monteroz. Perhaps House Shalom has been winning until now only because he hasn’t participated.”

The ladies looked up at Cedric with love-struck eyes. I immediately approached Cedric.

When I saw him dismount from his horse, my eyes nearly popped out.

“You’re hurt?!”

My heart tore at the wound on his cheek. Who! Who dared to mar this handsome face!

“It’s just a graze.”

“Did something happen in the hunting grounds?”

Did Father send an assassin? To hunt Cedric instead of animals?

I gritted my teeth and grabbed his cheek, furrowing my brow.

I won’t let this slide. I’ll make sure to give whoever did this the same wound on their face.

“Wife, you look ready to kill someone. Please calm down.”

“How can I be calm?! This beautiful face has been wounded.”

“Thanks to the luck you gave me, it only grazed me.”

I immediately grabbed Cedric’s hand and pulled him toward the encampment.

“They just need to score the points and finish, so it doesn’t matter what happens to the dead animals, right?”

“What? Yes, that’s correct.”

The competition official nodded with a confused expression.

“Animals are scarce in the North. I’ll be taking these.”

Understanding my meaning, the knights promptly pulled the cart with the animals toward our encampment.

“Wife.”

Cedric was led by me into the encampment. I immediately sat him in a chair and examined the wound on his cheek.

“I’m upset.”

“Oh dear, and I told him you would like it.”

“Told who? The one who wounded you?!”

I put my hands on my hips. Was it House Shalom? They’ve gone too far.

“Was it House Shalom?”

Cedric only gave an enigmatic smile. I narrowed my eyes and asked again.

“Was it Father?”

He continued smiling as he spoke.

“I told him you’d like that I’ve become a rougher man.”

A rough man doesn’t become so just by getting a facial scar. And in truth, Cedric was already quite rough in other ways.

He was gentle, but there was an occasional burst of masculinity. That was something only I should know, but…

I still didn’t like seeing a wound on his face.

“Who did this? I really won’t let them get away with it.”

Cedric caught my hand as I tried to heal the wound.

“I think it’s better not to treat it. Since they know I’m wounded, it would raise suspicion if it healed completely.”

“……But it must hurt.”

He shook his head. With no choice, I gave up on healing him and slumped into a chair.

“I’m fine, so please look after the animals. Despite your efforts, some of them are injured.”

I turned my head to look at the animals sitting obediently in the cart.

As if they’d been waiting, the deer immediately began to whine dramatically.

“Peeeeeeeng! Peeeeeeng.” (I’m hurt. Claire, I’m in pain.)

Looking closer, I could see blood on the deer’s body. Because of that, even the unharmed animals were stained with blood.

“Let me see.”

I examined the deer’s body. An arrow must have grazed its torso, as there was a deep gash on its side.

“It will hurt, but bear with it.”

“Peeeeng.” (I ran for my life.)

“You must have been very scared.”

I placed my hand on the deer’s side and exerted my power. Paaah— A soft light spread, and gradually the wound healed.

‘Since I’ve used my power, Zeno must be feeling it too.’

Perhaps he was already on the move. Now, with most people away from the imperial palace, was the perfect time.

I spent quite a while treating the animals. There were many small wounds, which took some time.

“His Majesty the Emperor has returned! The number of animals is four!”

At the news of Father’s return, I ground my teeth. Despite my reluctance, I had to go out.

People spared no cheers, eager to flatter the emperor.

Soon after, one by one, the participants returned to the starting point, and the winner of the hunting competition was, of course, Cedric.

People couldn’t hide their amazement at the marks showing he had caught large beasts like tigers, deer, and bears.

“For the protection of the competitors until the mounted lance competition in two days, we will provide two days of rest. Please stay in the designated areas and prepare for the competition.”

With the announcer’s words, people dispersed. Each reunited with those they had been supporting, concerned whether they had been injured.

I turned my head and met the gaze of my father, who was staring at me fiercely.

‘It was Father.’

It was certainly Father who had wounded Cedric’s face. He was looking at the wound on his cheek with regret.

I couldn’t contain myself any longer.

“Your Grace! A letter has arrived from the grand ducal residence!”

Sir Kaven, who received the letter from the messenger, quickly approached and handed it to Cedric.

Cedric immediately opened the letter, quickly scanned it, and then handed it to me.

I took the letter with a puzzled expression and read it.

Your Grace. The airship has been completed. It’s thanks to the holy power tree that the work progressed faster.

My lips curved into a full smile at the airship being completed sooner than expected.

❖ ❖ ❖

Zeno transformed into his human form. Then, looking around, he scratched his head.

“Aren’t they underestimating us too much?”

“Grrrr.” (You can be free because you’re not wearing a binding spell.)

“Is that why you can’t transform into humans?”

“Grr.” (Complete awakening makes human transformation easier, like yours.)

The dragon seemed oddly provoked. It snorted at Zeno’s innocent question.

“Grrrrrr.” (What on earth did she see in you to make a contract?)

“Well, I’m overflowing with charm, of course.”

Zeno giggled as he touched the iron bars.

“So you’re free because you don’t have binding spells? Everyone’s keeping a good watch.”

“Tweet tweet!” (Zeno! Zeno!)

After a moment of silence, a bird flew in. Judging by its fuss, it seemed to be bringing some news.

“This sparrow always pecks at my head!”

Even as he waved his hand, the sparrow dodged nimbly and mischievously pecked his head.

“Tweet tweet, tweet!” (The airship has been completed.)

“That’s news I’ve been waiting for. Then I should relay this information.”

“Tweet, tweet tweet!” (I already told Clarira. She says to stay put.)

Huh.

“Is my Master worried about me even when we’re apart?”

“Tweet?” (What nonsense are you talking about?)

“Isn’t she afraid I might get hurt?”

“……Tweet tweet.” (How on earth did you interpret it that way?)

The sparrow tilted its head sideways and looked at the divine beasts.

“Rawr.” (Ignore him. I’ve been watching, and that guy is a bit strange.)

“Grrrr.” (I agree.)

The eagle and the golden-maned lion, who had been watching the two divine beasts’ intense reactions, shook their heads and sighed.

Zeno stretched, ignoring the divine beasts’ reactions.

“Did you hear that? You’ll all be getting out soon too. I’ll bring you something good before then, so wait here.”

The guards were already sprawled on the ground, deep in sleep. Zeno easily passed by them and headed toward the place where the power calling him was located.

When he finally arrived, there was a tree emanating holy power.

Zeno broke off a branch ostentatiously and tucked it away carefully. He didn’t forget to prune the tree nicely as well.