Chapter 3 – Part 6

“Eliana Leiberte. I expect you to attend the hunting tournament with your father, the Count. If you fail to attend, there will be severe consequences for you.”

By reading the words, Eliana could almost hear Cedric’s domineering voice.

‘He’s likely planning to bring up the breakup that day, making sure not to schedule anything else.’

The Emperor and Empress, along with other royal family members, would naturally attend the hunting tournament. Since gathering everyone in one place would take time would take time, Cedric seemed to plan on revealing everything on that day.

‘He even included a warning message in case I might try to avoid it.’

Cedric’s assumption that Eliana would want to avoid this confrontation was entirely wrong.

“I heard you rode back with the Second Prince’s carriage yesterday. Did something happen at the palace?“ the Count asked worriedly.

“There was a confrontation with His Highness Cedric at the palace.“

“A confrontation?”

At Eliana’s reply, Count Austin frowned deeply. Eliana thought it was time her father knew the truth—that the engagement would be broken.

“Haven’t I told you repeatedly to support His Highness well? What exactly did you do to anger him?”

“Father… His Highness believes this engagement is an act of mercy toward me and our family. He said neither the agreement between our families nor I meet his expectations, and he wishes to break off the engagement.“

“That’s absurd.”

The Count’s face turned serious.

“He must have said that in a moment of anger. He’s always been sensitive.“

“No, Father. He meant every word. The reason we went to the palace yesterday wasn’t for nothing. We went to see His Majesty. Although we couldn’t meet with him, it seems His Highness plans to gather everyone to see His Majesty at the hunting tournament. There, he will announce our engagement’s dissolution.”

Though Eliana’s words reached the ears of Count Austin, he wasn’t ready to accept them as truth. It was something he could never accept.

“What did you do wrong for His Highness to even mention breaking the engagement?”

He scolded Eliana harshly.

“How could His Highness speak of breaking the engagement unless you committed a grave mistake?”

All Count Austin ever wanted from Eliana was a marriage alliance with the royal family. He had never considered her feelings.

“Why are you staying silent? Speak up, it’s frustrating.”

Eliana quietly observed her father, who only cared about the Crown Prince’s position and not his daughter’s feelings. The emotions she felt during their conversation about Paul resurfaced in her heart.

“You must do everything you can to fulfill the family agreement. There have been rumors since the last party.“

“Father, His Highness detests that word ‘agreement‘ more than anything.”

Eliana conveyed Cedric’s feelings to her father without sugar-coating them. He scowled as if he didn’t want to hear them.

“Even if His Highness feels that way, you should still hold it in high regard. After all, once you’re engaged, nothing changes.”

“...”

“Do your best to calm His Highness’s anger on the day of the hunting tournament.”

Whether Count Austin accepted the truth about the royal engagement being broken or not, the day was approaching.

***

On the day of the hunting tournament, the royals and the nobles they had invited gathered early. Eliana stood in a place with almost no people.

At that moment, she noticed Calix with a large bow entering her view. He, too, seemed to have been seeking a moment of quiet away from the crowd of nobles.

“Calix.”

Eliana approached him first.

“Eliana.“

“That’s a huge bow, as always. It must be heavy just to hold.“

Instead of answering, Calix stared at Eliana. After their conversation in town, Calix passed her advice about Peran to Logan, but he didn’t reveal that it came from Eliana.

“Why not write a letter first to see if they are interested in peace before plunging into war? I received this advice. Logan, what do you think?”

“A letter?”

“Yes.”

He expected Logan to respond that it was a ridiculous idea. But Logan seemed to be thinking it over carefully.

“Your Grace, as a matter of fact, our informant in Peran has mentioned that despite outward appearances, their view on war is more skeptical.”

“How skeptical?”

“Frequent funding for military supplies has caused public opinion to sour domestically, though it’s not widely known due to their efforts to suppress it.”

“...“

“‘There’s a divide within their leadership between those who favor a hardline approach and those who don’t, creating a lack of consensus.”

“In such a situation, if we propose a peace settlement…”

The answer was uncertain. However, it was clear that the situation in Peran wasn’t one where they insisted war was the only solution.

In truth, Calix had been thinking of attacking Peran for defensive purposes, even if it meant stretching his resources. It wasn’t just because of the Emperor’s orders; the defense of the northern region was crucial. He wouldn’t have considered an alternative if it had not been for Eliana’s advice.

‘A lack of internal consensus…’

This was an unexpected situation. Even more surprising was that Eliana’s advice was appropriate.

‘She shouldn’t know much about war, yet…’

It was truly strange.

“Want to try holding the bow? See how heavy it is.“

“If I try, my arm might fall off first.”

Though she joked, Eliana accepted Calix’s bow.

“Wow, it’s really heavy.”

The moment she pretended to almost drop it due to its weight, Calix quickly supported her hand from underneath. Even though it was cold in the morning, Calix’s hand was warm. Eliana returned the bow to him.

“Be careful.”

His red eyes were filled with deep concern.

“Sorry, it was just a joke.”

Calix immediately took back the bow.

“Eliana, I’ve been thinking about what you said last time.”

Eliana recalled the things she had told Calix. Judging by his serious expression, he likely referred to their conversation about Peran.

“You’re seriously considering it?“

“After discussing it with my aide, it seems it’s not entirely impossible.”

Eliana’s expression brightened. She was truly pleased with Calix’s decision, and her blue eyes shone with confidence as if she knew exactly what she was talking about.

“It won’t hurt to try, so make sure you do.”

As Eliana was speaking, a palace maid appeared from around the corner. She had come to take Eliana to where the other royals were gathered. Eliana wanted to provide more detailed information about Peran, but she couldn’t say anything more due to the maid’s presence.

“Lady Leiberte, here you are. Everyone has been looking for you.”

Eliana made a reluctant expression in response to the maid’s words. There was nothing to gain by staying near the royals except for nagging. The Emperor, the Empress, and even the Crown Prince were identical.

‘But it’s only until today.‘

“Calix, I should go now. Be careful during the hunt.”

After bidding him farewell, Eliana walked toward where the royals were gathered. Calix remained rooted to the spot, watching her as she walked away.

***

She arrived at the place where the royals were gathered.

‘As expected, the Emperor, who loves hunting, seems to be in the best mood.’

The hunt began early in the morning. The women who did not participate in the hunt spent time in a separate enclosed area. Eliana was with Empress Heather, her daughter Cynthia, and a few maids. The Empress’s attitude was much colder than before.

‘Cedric must have told her something.’

Instead of trying to please the Empress as usual, Eliana waited for everyone to return from the hunt.

Noon arrived, and the hunters returned. Although they were outside, a luxurious meal rivaled any indoor banquet was prepared. After the meal, before the afternoon hunt began, there was a period of leisure.

Feeling the time had come, Cedric stood before everyone with a resolute expression. His face was so severe that everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions.

“I have something urgent to say to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress. It is of utmost importance and must be addressed today.”

Cedric dismissed everyone except the Emperor, Empress, Elesio, Cynthia, Count Austin, and Eliana. Once the murmuring nobles had exited,

“What is this about?“ the Emperor asked.

“Is there something troubling you, Your Highness?”

Count Austin inquired, studying Cedric’s expression. Cedric glanced coldly at the Count, causing him to flinch. A bad feeling came over him. Suddenly, he remembered what Eliana had said at home, words he had brushed aside.

Now that he thought about it, the signs had been ominous since the morning.

“Stand back, Count. Your presence is interfering with the hunt.”

“Ah, my apologies, Your Highness. I will step back.”

“No, I said to move farther away.”

The Count had tried to appease him, but Cedric had kept his distance.

Ignoring the Count’s words, Cedric spoke only to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I ask you to reconsider my engagement. I wish to break off my engagement with that woman.”

Cedric spoke with determination, pointing at Eliana. One of the Emperor’s thick eyebrows twitched upward. To him, this was an unexpected declaration.

The Emperor’s deep eyes seemed to pierce through the soul. His eyes, set in sunken sockets, were as fierce as a hawk’s. Seated in a position higher than anyone else, his aura of intimidation was anything but light. His gaze briefly landed on Eliana before shifting back to Cedric.

“A breakup of the engagement?“

“Yes, that is correct. I wish to break off my engagement with Eliana Leiberte.”

Cedric enunciated each word clearly and deliberately.

“…!”

The coldness of Cedric’s gesture and the use of the term “woman“ without affection made the Count feel his heart had dropped. While the Emperor listened without much reaction, Count Austin’s eyes trembled with visible distress.

The Count looked at Eliana. She wasn’t meeting his gaze but was sitting upright, staring straight ahead. Her expression was just as rigid as Cedric’s.

‘It was true after all…’

The words of his daughter, which he had dismissed as impossible, were now being spoken by Cedric. And in front of the Emperor, no less.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.