The palace had been bustling since dawn.

Today was the day of the Imperial Hunting Competition, one of Bait’s grandest festivals.

Evelyn, who had woken earlier than usual, had a hectic morning preparing for the competition after finishing breakfast.

Since the competition involved horseback riding, Evelyn had to wear equestrian attire.

However, it was different from the clothes she wore when practicing riding with Reynard.

This outfit was more ornate and elaborate.

“All done.”

At last, the maid who had finished buttoning up Evelyn’s outfit addressed her.

Only then did Evelyn relax her posture and look at her reflection in the mirror.

The mirror reflected her image, prettily dressed just as Glenna had complimented her before leaving Hesta.

Yet Evelyn felt that this appearance of hers was unfamiliar and awkward.

After all, none of this truly belonged to her.

“Let’s go.”

With a consciously worn smile, Evelyn addressed those waiting nearby.

As Evelyn took the first step, the maids and attendants, including Laura, followed closely behind.

The palace corridor felt especially long today.

She had an overwhelming urge to run away, but she suppressed it and arrived at the entrance of the main hall.

Reynard was already there, waiting for her.

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.”

The attendants and maids, who had been waiting in advance, all greeted Evelyn in unison.

Evelyn approached Reynard and acknowledged their greetings with a slight nod.

“Took longer than I expected.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize so much time had passed. Did I keep you waiting?”

Evelyn spoke apologetically, unable to hide her regret.

Reynard gave a light chuckle at her words.

“Not at all. I haven’t been here long myself.”

Then he extended his hand to escort Evelyn.

Evelyn gently placed her hand atop his.

Whether from nerves or anxiety, her fingertips were cold to the touch.

Noticing this, Reynard gripped her hand even more firmly and securely than usual, as if to reassure her.

Evelyn’s eyes turned to Reynard at the warmth of his gesture.

Without saying a word, he met her gaze and began to escort her.

Horses awaited them in front of the main hall.

The horse prepared for Evelyn was, of course, Epha.

Reynard mounted his horse first, followed by Evelyn climbing onto Epha.

During the journey to the hunting grounds, Evelyn didn’t need to steer the horse herself.

All she had to do was remain on horseback while an attendant led the way.

The two horses matched their pace and began walking slowly side by side.

Behind them, knights, attendants, and maids formed a procession.

They left the palace and headed east of the capital, where the hunting grounds were located.

Because they slowed their pace for Evelyn’s sake, the journey took quite some time.

When they finally arrived, many nobles and officials were already present, waiting for Reynard and Evelyn.

The Hesta envoy, who had yet to return home, was also among them.

Evelyn’s gaze naturally shifted to the Hesta envoy.

Though they tried to appear indifferent, their anxious eyes were fixed on her.

No one could tell when or how they might attempt to take her life.

Evelyn swallowed dryly and turned her eyes to Reynard this time.

He was looking straight ahead, no different from usual.

As if nothing out of the ordinary would happen today.

‘Trust in His Majesty the Emperor. Everything will be fine. Even if something does happen, he said he’d save me.’

She repeated Reynard’s words to herself over and over.

She also recalled what he had told her before entering Bait.

He had said he always kept his promises.

So if something were to happen this time too, he would surely save her.

Moreover, anticipating a potential attack from the Hesta envoys, the number of guards assigned to protect Reynard and Evelyn had been doubled.

If someone tried to attack Evelyn, the knights of Bait would deal with them before they could even reach her.

She kept reassuring herself that everything would be alright, but her grip on the reins tightened involuntarily.

Then suddenly, she remembered something Reynard had repeatedly said during riding lessons and loosened her grip.

Horses were delicate and sensitive creatures.

They could easily pick up on their rider’s emotions and anxieties, becoming anxious themselves—so he had explained.

During lessons, Reynard could help control things to some extent, but in a situation like this, surrounded by others, anything could happen.

“You’re doing well.”

Just then, Reynard spoke words of encouragement to Evelyn.

Evelyn looked up and gave a soft smile.

The two of them arrived at the central area prepared for the hunting tournament.

Reynard urged his horse slightly forward to draw the attention of the others.

Just as he was about to begin speaking—

“Neighhh!”

Suddenly, Epha neighed violently and reared up on its front legs.

“Ahh!”

“Your Majesty the Empress!”

Evelyn nearly fell off the horse, but she barely managed to stay mounted by grabbing the handle attached to the saddle.

The real problem came next.

Epha, now wildly agitated, bolted forward in a frenzy.

“Your Majesty!”

To stay on the horse, Evelyn leaned her upper body against Epha and gripped the handle with all the strength she could muster.

A wave of fear struck her—if she let go, she would fall.

“Ha!”

Seeing this, Reynard kicked his horse’s sides and began chasing after Epha at full speed.

But catching up to a horse that had already taken off was not easy.

Worse still, Epha and Evelyn had disappeared into the hunting grounds.

The thick underbrush presented serious obstacles.

If they weren’t careful, they could crash straight into a tree—or fail to clear an obstacle and fall.

Even so, Reynard did not slow down.

Faster. Just a little faster.

Only when the wind started to sting his face did he finally manage to catch up to Epha.

But it was too soon to relax.

There was a cliff ahead in the direction Epha was headed.

If they kept going straight, they would fall off it.

“Ha!”

Reynard spurred his horse again, urging it forward.

He had to stop Epha before it reached the cliff.

The distance between them slowly began to close.

“Evelyn!”

Reynard called out to Evelyn, who was clinging to Epha in a state of panic.

But it seemed his voice wasn’t reaching her.

“Get a hold of yourself! You’re the only one who can control Epha right now!”

Reynard shouted louder.

“Damn it!”

It was no use. Evelyn wouldn’t be able to calm Epha down.

At this rate, he had no choice but to do it himself.

The only silver lining was that the distance between him and Epha was continuing to shrink.

At last, Reynard’s horse caught up.

Now running side-by-side through the forest, Reynard turned his head to check on Evelyn.

Her face had turned deathly pale with fear.

Seeing this, Reynard reached out and grabbed Epha’s reins. Then, timing his move precisely, he leapt onto Epha.

Somehow, he managed to get onto Epha’s back.

“Whoa!”

Reynard pulled the reins, trying to calm the horse.

But Epha, in a state of extreme agitation, would not be soothed easily.

Soon, the cliff came into view in Reynard’s line of sight.

If he couldn’t calm Epha now, both he and Evelyn were as good as dead.

“Whoa, whoa!”

Reynard tried again to calm the horse.

He skillfully adjusted the reins, coaxing Epha to settle down.

And finally, Epha’s speed began to gradually decrease.