Chapter 4 – Part 4

“I’m beginning to suspect that the entire count’s family has some ulterior motive, seeing how desperate you are to bring your daughter into the palace.”

“That couldn’t possibly be the case.”

Cedric calculated this insult. While Eliana was undoubtedly a consideration, Cedric’s primary goal was to rid himself of the Count, who kept pestering him to reconsider here and now.

The engagement hadn’t been broken off yet. With everything already laid bare, Cedric was more than capable of doing worse—if it meant breaking the engagement.

“In the past, your family was one of great service to the Empire, but now? I’m not sure what remains besides your desperate attempts to get a foothold in the palace. I see no trace of your former grandeur.”

Count Austin’s heart sank in despair. No matter what others said, the Leiberte family was a noble house. But now, Cedric treated them like trash, clinging to the royal family for profit.

He knew what he’d just said about letting the healing power work was a stretch. But if the engagement were to be broken, Eliana would never find a match as good as this again, and the reputation of the Leiberte family would indeed decline. He had to prevent that.

“If this engagement is broken… my daughter will suffer an irreparable wound, Your Highness. Surely, I can’t allow that as a father.“

“And what does that have to do with me? Your daughter told me I could say whatever I wanted to His Majesty. I’ve simply said what needed to be said. Let go of your vain ambitions.”

Cedric coldly dismissed him and moved to remount his horse. Count Austin couldn’t let the conversation end like this. If it ended now, meeting him again would be much more complicated.

“Your Highness, please listen to me a bit longer. The discussion isn’t over yet.”

The nearby bushes rustled at that moment as if a small animal was hiding within.

“Move aside, Count.”

Cedric raised his bow, aiming at the animal.

“Your Highness.”

But Count Austin, too focused on continuing the conversation, failed to react swiftly.

“Move aside.”

Cedric, annoyed, released the arrow toward the bushes. Hidden animals scattered in all directions.

It was more than one, unexpectedly. One of them bolted straight towards where Count Austin and Cedric stood. Cedric aimed to hit the animal, but in his haste, his shot went awry.

“Argh!”

The stray arrow grazed Count Austin’s arm.

“Ugh…”

The excruciating pain made the Count clutch his arm and drop to his knees. Chaos erupted around them.

“Oh no, this is serious.”

“An accident, the Count of Leiberte has been hit by an arrow.”

As murmurs spread, Calix quickly approached the two men. An accident had occurred that should never have happened. The conversation had already turned tense, but no one expected Cedric to injure him. Blood was steadily flowing from the Count’s arm.

“Bring a cloth to stop the bleeding.”

Calix ordered a servant and inspected the Count’s wound more closely.

“Are you alright, Count?”

The Count was pale. A servant brought a cloth, and Calix tied it around the Count’s arm to stop the bleeding.

“The wound appears deep.”

Count Austin was too shocked to respond to Calix’s words. The fact that Cedric had shot him with an arrow was a massive blow.

‘He didn’t listen when I told him to move.’

Cedric looked down at the Count, who was hunched over in pain. He had accidentally shot the arrow because the Count kept pestering him. The unintentional mistake left Cedric feeling highly displeased.

“Count Austin, are you alright?”

Noah carefully examined the Count’s condition.

“Where’s the physician?”

Calix asked Noah.

“They’re waiting near a tent a little distance away. We’ll need to travel on horseback to get there. Let’s go quickly.”

Despite Noah’s suggestion, Count Austin struggled to stand, his legs buckling beneath him. Ignoring the blood staining his clothes, Calix helped the Count to his feet.

Only then did the Count look at Calix. He wanted Cedric, not Calix, to show concern for him. But instead,

“Didn’t I tell you to move? Why didn’t you listen and avoid unnecessary danger?“

Cedric’s cold sneer pierced the Count’s ears. It was a reprimand instead of an apology. There was no hint of regret for the mistake nor any words of comfort or concern.

“Take him away.”

Cedric ordered. He was about to mount his horse when his eyes met Duke Calix’s. The Duke’s red eyes glared at him with an intensity that made Cedric even more uncomfortable.

“Duke, why are you looking at me like that?“

“Stop the hunt, Your Highness.“

Calix’s voice was deep and steady.

“Why should I?”

It was audacious for Cedric to act so brazenly after injuring someone.

“Did you not hit the Count with your arrow due to your mistake?“

“So you’re saying I should end the hunt because of a mistake? Do you not understand how important this event is?“

“I know how important it is. That’s why it’s even more appropriate to stop. Everyone will think the same except for you, Your Highness.”

Calix firmly criticized Cedric’s behavior more resolutely than ever.

‘Why are you getting involved?’

Cedric glared at Calix.

‘You look at me as if I’ve committed some serious crime. It’s infuriating.’

Calix had always been ahead of Cedric in everything since they were children. Despite Cedric’s higher status and the fact that he had learned everything first, there wasn’t a single thing he could surpass Calix in. The constant comparison made Cedric dislike him.

‘When the Duke and Duchess died in an accident, I was relieved that Calix was out of sight. Why did you have to come back and meddle? Who do you think you are?’

The words almost slipped out, but Cedric held them back.

“Everyone thinks so? You just can’t stand up for yourself, so you’re dragging others into it.“

“That’s not true.”

Calix denied it.

“Is that so? Then let everyone speak.”

Cedric swept his sharp gaze over the nobles.

“Should I stop the hunt here? Do you all agree with the Duke’s ridiculous suggestion?”

None of the nobles dared to respond like Calix. However, the heavy atmosphere that had settled over the group was far from the lively mood of the earlier hunt.

“Stop the hunt, Your Highness. You should be concerned with the Count’s condition, not hunting animals.”

Calix spoke again. He had to say what needed to be said. Cedric ignored the words from Calix, who met his gaze with unyielding determination.

“Don’t interfere in my affairs.”

Cedric snapped as he mounted his horse, as he had initially intended. He gripped the reins irritably. The horse neighed. He wanted to ride off immediately, away from all this loathsome mess.

But Cedric couldn’t gallop away. The eyes and mouths of the watching nobles were bothersome. These weren’t just any nobles; they were high-ranking ones. He couldn’t completely disregard them.

“D*mn it.”

In the end, Cedric dismounted again.

***

Eliana jumped up from her seat in shock when she saw her father, Count Austin, walking toward her, bleeding.

“What happened? What is this…?”

Eliana approached Count Austin, who was groaning.

Calix was with him. There was blood on Calix’s clothes as well.

“What happened?“

“The Count was hit by an arrow.“

“What? How did that happen?”

Although various injuries can occur during a hunt, it was rare for someone to be hit by an arrow. Eliana asked her father how it happened. Count Austin merely shook his head, keeping his mouth shut.

“It was just a glancing shot from my arrow.”

At that moment, Cedric’s voice came from behind. His tone was indifferent, entirely at odds with the situation.

‘You shot him?’

Eliana even wondered if it was intentional. There had been an argument before the afternoon hunt. Her father had pleaded with Cedric to change his mind. She couldn’t help but think that her father must have done the same during the hunt.

“Take him to the physician quickly.”

Cedric commanded, with no hint of remorse, as if saying he wanted the obstacle removed from his sight. Eliana approached Cedric. His golden eyes turned to her.

“How could you shoot my father?“

“This happened because he foolishly interfered with my hunt.“

“How could you accidentally shoot someone?“

“Don’t make such a fuss.”

Eliana unconsciously bit her lip at his vile attitude.

“The Count got hurt because of you, Eliana.”

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