Chapter 2.10

The two of them seemed unusually close.

‘Fine, I can accept the Commander calling her by her name, but….’

The Greta who used to tense up just by looking at the Duke of Adantie was now chatting with him quite naturally.

Having shaken off most of his initial shock, Richard finally realized that Greta’s injuries weren’t as bad as he had feared. While there were numerous wounds, none of them were deep.

“Richard, I’ve decided to explore the festival with His Grace.”

What? What is this atmosphere? Seriously, what’s going on?!

Richard struggled to keep his nostrils from flaring.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hmm, well, considering neither of you is in great shape right now, I think it would be best to wash off the blood and change into fresh clothes first.”

“That’s a good idea. If we appear like this, we’ll startle everyone.”

Thanks to Richard’s intervention, Greta and Ragaen returned looking much more presentable.

“Well then, both of you! Allow me to guide you around the festival!”

Even though Richard noticed the softened atmosphere between Greta and Ragaen, as well as Greta’s sharp glare telling him to get lost, he deliberately volunteered to act as their festival guide. Having already toured all the festival booths, he led them around as if the festival was his personal playground.

Greta wanted to throw Richard to the pack of Lorus for stealing her chance to spend time alone with the Duke. But, to be honest, it was also true that thanks to Richard, she could enjoy the festival more comfortably. Moreover, Richard’s naturally chatty personality kept conversations flowing between Greta and Ragaen.

Ragaen tried every food Richard recommended, and Richard, as if he had never eaten them before, ate them again. Greta couldn’t help but gape at the sight of the two large men eating endlessly like bears preparing for hibernation.

“Since we’re going on an expedition next week, Commander, you should eat plenty in advance.”

Richard remarked.

Ragaen even nodded seriously at Richard’s suggestion.

“Greta, do you not like the taste of that?”

Ragaen noticed that Greta wasn’t eating much of the sweetly sauced chicken she was holding, while his own spicy-sauced chicken was already almost gone.

“It tastes good, but I’m full.” 

“Commander, don’t worry about her. She always eats small portions.”

Though Greta ate quite a lot for a woman, these men seemed to have something entirely different in their stomachs. Seeing Greta’s troubled expression, Ragaen picked up his fork and ate the piece of chicken she was holding.

“Is it good, Your Grace?”

“Yes.”

“Then please finish it.”

For a moment, it seemed as though Ragaen’s eyes shimmered with emotion. Was it just an illusion?

“Thank you.”

Until the festival ended, Greta had to watch the two men eat endlessly. Though it wasn’t the heart-fluttering date she had hoped for, it wasn’t bad, Greta thought.

***

The winners of this year’s Lorus Hunting Competition were Countess Titania and her husband. They hunted an impressive 18 Lorus, breaking the record for the most ever hunted.

The incident involving the Second Prince Asiel using Rexodia was quietly hushed up. If it hadn’t been discovered by the Duke of Adantie, resolving the matter discreetly would have been impossible. Officially, it was reported that the Duke’s team had coincidentally been nearby when the Lorus pack exhibited unusual behavior. People clicked their tongues, saying it was sheer bad luck. However, rumors also spread that the Duke’s team had unofficially taken first place, having captured nearly all of the overwhelming number of Lorus.

After all the events concluded, Ragaen accompanied the Lievo siblings to the Lievo Count’s Residence. Convincing himself that it was purely out of guilt toward Greta, he ignored Richard’s protests and insisted on escorting them.

“Greta, make sure to keep monitoring the wounds caused by the beasts until they’re fully healed.”

“Yes, don’t worry!”

Greta waved her injured arm energetically as she responded. It hurt immensely for a moment, but she endured it. She had been pretending not to be in pain all this time, and suddenly showing signs of pain now would be far from impressive. Richard, seeing Greta exhale deeply using abdominal breathing, clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Your Grace! I had so much fun today. Thank you.”

He wasn’t entirely sure what was so enjoyable. However, Ragaen didn’t find the time he spent with Greta unpleasant or burdensome.

“I also enjoyed myself.”

As Ragaen said this, he smiled faintly. The red sunset, created by the setting sun, rested upon his smile. That faint smile, tinged with red, landed in Greta’s chest like a spark, nurturing the tiny ember that had sprouted like a bud last spring and causing it to blaze.

Love.

The name of the flame burning in Greta’s chest.

“Richard.”

“What?”

As she watched Ragaen leave, Greta spoke with a face that looked as if she were about to cry.

“I feel like I’ve become a mimosa.”

“What? Did you hit your head too?”

“Like a mimosa that shrinks at the slightest touch, I lose all sense of self at every word and small action of His Grace.”

Gazing absentmindedly at the road soaked in the sunset where Ragaen had disappeared, Greta spoke.

“I thought love would only bring good things, but why does it make me feel so much weaker?”

The Greta Richard had known since last spring was already half gone. Now, it seemed the remaining half had completely vanished. Richard turned his gaze away with a distant look in his eyes.

‘I need to go home and wash my ears. They feel dirty.’

Richard had no desire to know any more about the intricate emotions of love his sister was experiencing.

Richard Lievo was a true older brother.

***

“I heard from Count Karol that Lady Lievo is practically a divine archer. He said it’s as if Joanna Lievo has been reborn.”

“My son is a knight, you know. He said that among the Lorus corpses at the scene, not a single one had wings that weren’t pierced. There were confirmed to be as many as thirty-four.”

“Thirty-four? Didn’t the first-place winner this year hunt eighteen? That would be an unofficial record-breaking number, wouldn’t it?”

“If not for the rescue signal, they would have surely taken first place. I imagine His Grace made the unavoidable decision for Lady Lievo’s safety.”

“By the way, what is Lady Lievo doing these days? Is she planning to pursue further studies?”

“Probably not. If she intended to, she would have stayed at the academy in the first place. Why do you ask?”

“Well, my youngest is turning seven this year, and hearing how remarkable Lady Lievo’s archery skills are, I was thinking of asking her to be his archery tutor.”

“Oh? That’s a great idea.”

The nobles engaged in conversation each let their imaginations run wild. “Our son, trained by Greta Lievo, the descendant of the divine archer!” Just the thought filled them with pride.

“By the way, have you heard? The relationship between the Duke of Adantie and Lady Lievo seems unusual.”

“I’ve heard rumors, but… still….”

“Right. There’s the matter of the Lievo succession.”

“Couldn’t the Crown Prince’s silence on the matter mean there’s nothing between them?”

“Well, it is the Crown Prince we’re talking about.”

“Yes, it’s the Crown Prince.”

The nobles, imagining Crown Prince Hayel’s ever-smiling, friendly face, all shuddered in unison.

***

At a tea party in high society:

“Did you hear? His Grace the Duke of Adantie and Lady Lievo withdrew from the competition and enjoyed the festival afterward!”

“Yes, I saw them too!”

“Oh my, you saw them in person? How was it?”

“Up close, His Grace looked even more intimidating.”

“No, not that. What about the atmosphere between him and Lady Lievo?”

All eyes turned to the young lady being questioned. Pressured by their insistence, she racked her brain to recall the two’s demeanor during the festival.

“His Grace had his usual stern expression, and Lady Lievo looked as cheerful as she always does when she shows up at social gatherings. There wasn’t anything particularly special about their atmosphere….”

“Oh, that can’t be!”

Everyone was visibly disappointed. They had been imagining the perfect romance!

Just then, a faint memory surfaced clearly in the young lady’s mind.

“Oh!”

“What? What is it? Tell us quickly!”

“Oh my goodness! Now that I think about it, His Grace called Lady Lievo…!”

“Lady Lievo…?”

“Greta!”

“Eeeeek!”

“What do we do, what do we do! He called her Greta!”

“They’re already on a first-name basis! Eek!”

“Could they actually get married?”

A sudden silence fell.

“Hmm… isn’t that unlikely…?”

“But couldn’t they at least date?”

“Yes, yes. If they date, the succession issue might resolve itself.”

“I really hope it works out.”

“Me too. I hope His Grace the Duke of Adantie and Lady Lievo end up together…!”

Truly, it would be wonderful if that happened.