Chapter 54

We dismounted our horses and followed the deer tracks. Julian seemed as skilled in hunting as I was. His slow, fluid movements made no noise as he alternated steps.

When had he learned to hunt? I found that I quite liked this time padding with him. Then, in the distance, we saw a deer drinking water. Its size was impressive, and its antlers were large and beautiful. I quickly drew my bow and aimed.

At that moment.

Thud, thud!

The loud sound of a horse running was heard. Our horses were quietly following us, so it wasn’t from them. The sound must have come from another direction.

I looked towards the sound and then quickly turned back to the deer. The deer, bending down to drink, suddenly stood up and ran.

Julian tried to grab me, but I slipped from his grasp like an eel. He might have been stronger, but I was just as quick.

I swiftly mounted my horse. As I pulled the reins, it started immediately without any sign of surprise. I pursued the deer, gradually closing the distance.

The startled deer seemed unsure of which direction to flee and was darting back and forth in confusion.

I steadied myself on the galloping horse, drew back my bow, held my breath, and released the arrow. Time seemed to slow as the arrow flew.

Whoosh—

The arrow cut through the air, and the deer fell. The arrow had struck straight through its long, beautiful neck.

I slowed the galloping horse and jumped off. It was a reckless move, but I was extremely excited to have caught my first prey.

“Julian! Come here!”

I shouted in excitement. But Julian, who had dismounted and followed me, shouted angrily.

“Laila!”

Startled, I flinched like someone with hiccups. Julian was quickly striding towards me.

“You promised not to do anything dangerous!”

Julian was usually a very kind husband, so it was rare to see him like this. I stammered, backing away.

I didn’t intend to run away, but being caught like this would result in a long scolding.

“Ju-Julian! Wait a minute. I was just….”

Julian’s eyes flashed with alarm as I backpedaled, and something heavy caught my foot. He reached out, but I fell backward.

Thud!

I squinted down at my feet. It seemed I had tripped over the deer’s antlers. I might have sprained my ankle if I had been wearing a dress, but I was in comfortable hunting clothes. My butt hurt a bit, but that was all.

“Oh…”

I blinked, staring up at the sky. Julian’s face appeared like a painting at the edge of my vision.

The wind blew through Julian’s jet-black hair, revealing his smooth forehead.

What a pity.

I thought.

It would have been fun if Julian had fallen with me.

Julian would surely chide me for saying such foolish things if he heard this. But at that moment, I genuinely thought so.

Julian would have rushed to my side usually, but now he just stood there, watching.

“What are you thinking about?”

Julian shook his head. It seemed he didn’t know either.

“…You.”

“Thinking that you should lie next to this deer?“

“Why?”

Why indeed… Because it would be romantic. The thought made my face flush and my ears buzz.

“Do you want to lie down?”

Julian didn’t answer. He just stared at me.

Say something. Just as I was about to urge him,

I felt a faint vibration at the back of my head. It was so subtle that Julian, who was standing, didn’t notice. I abruptly sat up. Only then did Julian extend his hand to help me up ultimately.

“What’s wrong?”

I stared at Julian. His eyes, gentle only when looking at me, were full of concern. He was worried that I might have been hurt when I fell.

This kind of person… would not agree with my plan.

I smiled and mounted my horse. Our eyes met at an angle. This time, I looked down at him from above, and he looked up at me.

“Julian, let’s have a competition.”

“What kind of competition?“

“I told you before, didn’t I? The loser rides the winner’s horse to see who can hunt more!”

I shouted quickly before Julian could object.

“If you follow me, you automatically lose!”

I kicked the horse’s flank and was hit by a strong wind again. It didn’t feel as refreshing this time, perhaps because I had left Julian behind.

After running for a while, I was far from where we had been. I pulled the reins to slow down and looked back. Julian was nowhere to be seen. It seemed he wasn’t chasing after me.

I quietly urged my horse in the direction of the ground’s vibration. As I neared the source, the tremors became strong enough to unsettle my horse.

I tied the horse to a tree and moved stealthily, silencing my steps. As I advanced through the underbrush, an unpleasant smell permeated the air.

It was a thick, foul stench reminiscent of filth. I could never forget it, having encountered it occasionally at the border. The terrifying scenes I had witnessed when I first smelled it had etched into my memory.

It was the smell of a monster.

I scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes, but a smile crept onto my lips. Tripping over the deer antlers had proved unexpectedly helpful.

Had I not fallen and felt those small tremors, finding this place would have taken much longer. If that had happened, I might have missed the right time.

There were about six monsters beyond the bushes. They were breathing heavily, green saliva dripping from their mouths.

However, for some reason, they were either standing still or moving very slowly. Each time they moved, a loud thud accompanied by a vibration echoed. Not long after I started observing them, the sound of hoofbeats reached my ears.

“Ugh, what a stench. It’s utterly repulsive.”

The voice that grumbled belonged to none other than Prince Cain, accompanied by three knights. Prince Cain ruffled his silver hair with one hand while pinching his nose with the other.

Seeing Prince Cain brought an even brighter smile to my face. Everything so far matched what had been described in the letter from Kazak.

“D*mn it, let’s get this over with quickly. The smell is driving me mad.“

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Prince Cain frowned deeply and drew his sword. He gritted his teeth and began to cut a long gash down his left arm. One of the knights accompanying him tried to stop him in alarm.

“Y-Your Highness.“

“Shut up.“

“This isn’t what Princess Abigail instructed.“

“I said shut up!”

Prince Cain kicked the knight in the abdomen. The knight staggered back, seemingly considering that if he didn’t fall, Cain might get even angrier. He then suddenly threw himself backward.

Prince Cain spat on the knight’s fallen body. Then he continued cutting his arm. Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead from the pain.

“Now, kill these monsters. And don’t forget to cover yourselves with their fluids.“

“Yes, sir!”

At that moment.

Whoosh—

An arrow embedded itself in the center of one knight’s forehead. Startled, Prince Cain and the remaining knights turned to look at the arrow.

“A black arrow.“

“A black arrow? Isn’t that from Grand Duke Zan’s bow?”

Prince Cain ground his teeth and glared in the direction the arrow had come from. Right where I was. Before they could fully grasp my presence, I shot another arrow. This time, it aimed for the head of one of the remaining knights.

“Ugh.”

With a brief groan, the knight collapsed lifelessly. Only the knight who pretended to fall from Prince Cain’s kick and Prince Cain himself remained.

I shot another arrow. However, the knight on the ground hurriedly blocked it with his sword. I drew my bow once more and stepped into view.

Upon seeing me, Prince Cain shouted angrily.

“Laila Zan!“

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

I smiled sweetly, aiming my bow at him. My smiling face seemed to infuriate Prince Cain, whose pale face turned red with rage.

“You wretched woman, why are you here!“

“How could I stay still when Your Highness is up to such significant things?”

The letter from Kazak had said:

「…Princess Abigail plans to bring monsters tamed with rare stones to the royal hunting grounds and have Prince Cain kill them, then request the Emperor to investigate the mysterious monsters that attacked. And…」

Monsters are drawn to magic. However, when exposed to rare stones for too long, they become what is known as addicted. Initially, their movements slow, and eventually, they become completely dazed.

People rejoiced when this fact was first discovered, believing they could finally be free from monsters.

However, too many rare stones were consumed, and it remained only a theoretical method.

There was also a fatal flaw in this method.

‘Monsters become even more ferocious if exposed to rare stones again.’

When I lowered my bow, Prince Cain appeared momentarily relieved. But when I pulled a glowing stone from my pocket, his face twisted in horror.

“No!”

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