Chapter 2.3

A deep night cloaked in thick darkness. 

In the shadows, a man held something in his hand, his lips curling into a soft smile. The angelically beautiful man placed the object on the desk. It was a small pouch. The man let out a low, satisfied chuckle.  

“To think I managed to get it in time. How lucky.”  

The small pouch, emitting an enigmatic fragrance, was intricately embroidered with the golden eagle, the symbol of the Imperial Family of Yegahen.  

“Heh heh… Heh heh heh heh…. This time, I will succeed for sure.”  

His eyes, filled with an unknown desire, gleamed under the moonlight.  

***

Finally, the day of the hunting competition dawned.  

Greta had trained tirelessly, to the point her fingers were sore! She arrived at the hunting grounds, riding Zara with a proud and confident demeanor. Normally, she would have traveled to the hunting grounds with her partner, but Ragaen, as the chief of security, had to inspect the grounds with the knights earlier than anyone else. Thus, Greta had to go alone. Strictly speaking, though, she wasn’t entirely alone. Richard, who had meticulously planned his leave to coincide with this busy period, was accompanying her.  

Watching Richard, who was casually dressed and relaxed amidst his hardworking colleagues, Greta clicked her tongue. Richard, already busy eyeing the bustling stalls preparing for the small festival accompanying the hunting competition, was devising a systematic plan for what to eat first.  

“You’re such a terrible knight, Richard. How can you take leave and laze around while your superiors and colleagues are all working hard?”  

“Quiet, you unemployed bum. Do you even know how hard I’ve worked for this day? Besides, this is all part of the bigger picture for next week’s expedition training. Do you know how exhausting it is to handle security for the Emperor’s Cup hunting competition? If I go straight to the expedition after that, it’ll kill me. Don’t you feel any concern for your brother, knowing he’ll suffer for two months during the expedition?”  

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”  

Though Greta mocked him, Richard, thrilled to be resting while others worked, hummed a tune.  

“Greta, make sure you win first place today. If it weren’t for that bear last time, you would’ve taken first place at the Ayarn Quail Competition instead of second. Now that it’s come to this, win first place! Restore the honor of the Lievo family!”  

“You wouldn’t have even placed if it were you!”  

“You have a bad habit of underestimating your brother. It’s a terrible habit you need to fix.”  

The two bickered like siblings for a while.  

“Oh, there’s the Commander.”  

“Where? Where?”  

“He’s coming this way.”  

Ragaen, riding his massive black horse, Devin, approached them. Having been meticulously groomed by the servants since dawn, Ragaen looked exceptionally dashing. Even Devin’s coat and mane glistened more than usual, though the horse was in a foul mood after the unexpected bath the previous day. Only Jespa, glaring at Ragaen from afar, knew this fact.  

Dressed in an elegant, jet-black hunting outfit that matched his dark hair, Ragaen astride the muscular, glossy-coated warhorse looked so impressive that even Richard, as a fellow man, couldn’t help but be awed. His commanding presence perfectly suited the title of “Hero of Adantie.” It was a sight never seen within the Knight Order.  

Richard found it amusing that the usually modest Ragaen always appeared as splendid as a peacock spreading its tail whenever he met Greta. He discreetly tapped the back of his sister, who was staring at the approaching Ragaen with her mouth agape. If she didn’t compose herself before greeting “her Duke,” she might end up crying all night out of embarrassment later.  

Ugh, no thanks.  

“Are you dead?”  

“Gasp, I-I thought I was going to die.”  

“Get yourself together.”  

“O-okay.”  

By then, Ragaen had reached Greta and greeted her.  

“Lady, how are you?”  

“Y-yes.”  

“Sir Richard.”  

“Yes! Commander, how are you?”

“Though you’re on leave today, I hope you’ll fulfill your honorable duties as a knight in case of an emergency.”  

“Of course, Commander.”  

“Miss, the participant waiting line is over there. I’ll see you later, Sir.”  

“Y-yes….”  

Ragaen’s sharp gaze swept over Richard. When reorganizing the security plan for the hunting competition, Richard’s absence had caused him significant headaches. Fully aware of this, Richard awkwardly laughed and made his escape.  

“Ahaha, then I’ll be off!”  

Having finally recovered from the immense mental shock caused by the devastating beauty of the one she loved, Greta sighed inwardly as she watched Zara and Devin, who got along far better than their owners. She would have to find ways to keep seeing him in the future, but how could she handle trembling like this every time they met? Ragaen, misinterpreting Greta’s worried expression, spoke up.  

“Lorus is fierce, but the hunt itself isn’t difficult, so don’t worry too much. Though I may be lacking, I will do my best as well.”  

‘No, all my worries stem from your face!’ 

Greta shouted internally.  

“Yes. I’ve never hunted Lorus before, but I’ll make sure to win for you, Your Grace!”  

“…I see. Thank you.”  

Ragaen looked slightly flustered by Greta’s enthusiastic words. Usually, the role of securing victory fell to him. However, upon reflection, the key to a Lorus hunt was the archer. Greta Lievo, who was playing the role of the archer, bringing home the victory was indeed the correct way to phrase it.  

When they reached the participant waiting line, someone called out to Ragaen.  

“Duke Adantie!”  

Turning his head, he saw a beautiful and mature woman approaching him with unconcealed delight. Greta immediately recognized the stunning woman with fiery red hair. It was Countess Titania, famed as the greatest female warrior. According to what Greta knew, Countess Titania had participated in the Great Demon War and achieved remarkable feats. Yet, despite having roamed such a dreadful battlefield and nearing her forties, Titania was nothing but breathtakingly beautiful. Her shirt was so taut from her muscles that it seemed ready to burst.  

“I didn’t expect you to participate, Duke.”  

Although Countess Titania addressed Ragaen with respect, her tone was casual and friendly.  

“Countess. It’s been a while.”  

“It has been. This is my first time visiting the capital since your ducal investiture ceremony, so it’s been quite some time. By the way, have you perhaps regained the arm you lost? Participating in a hunting competition of all things.”  

What? Can she say something like that?  

Even Greta, who was merely listening, was stunned by the remark. However, Ragaen remained composed.  

“Unfortunately, it’s still missing. Today’s archer is this young lady. Miss Greta Lievo. Miss Lievo, this is Countess Titania.”  

Ragaen introduced Greta, who wore a stiff expression. Between the two, it was Countess Titania who recovered first.  

“Lievo, ah. My goodness. Oh, pardon me. I’m Roana Titania. Nice to meet you, Miss Greta.”  

“It’s an honor to meet you, Countess Titania.”  

Countess Roana Titania examined Greta with curious eyes. Despite her efforts, Greta couldn’t completely hide her discomfort.  

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”  

“You’re the youngest of the Lievo family, right? How old are you this year?”  

“Twenty-three.”  

“Oh my, oh my.”  

Roana didn’t stop exclaiming “oh my” as she continued to observe Greta for quite some time. Seeing Greta’s growing discomfort, Ragaen finally spoke.  

“…You’re aware that your behavior is sufficiently rude, aren’t you, Countess?”  

“If I offended you, I apologize, Miss. By the way, Duke, may I have a word with you?”  

“…Miss, please excuse me for a moment.”  

After seeking Greta’s understanding, Ragaen and Roana moved away. Once they were far enough that their voices wouldn’t reach Greta, Roana raised a fuss.  

“Ragaen, you thief.”  

“What are you talking about?”  

“A six-year age gap? You’re planning to devour her whole? And with an arm missing, no less!”  

“I don’t understand what you mean, Roana.”  

“You two. Are you dating?”  

Ragaen’s eyes widened at Roana’s question.  

“Dating?”  

“You and Miss Lievo. The two of you.”  

“Dating? That’s absurd.”  

I’ll need to add someone else to the list of people whose brains need stitching.  

“Miss Lievo is my—”  

“My what?”  

“My fan.”  

“What?”  

“You’re as dense as ever. Miss Greta Lievo is my fan, Roana. During the Ayarn Quail Hunting Competition in early spring, I saved her from being eaten by a bear. Because of that, she became my fan. She’s been sending me fan letters ever since and invited me to participate in this Lorus hunting competition with her. I accepted.”  

Ragaen was entirely serious. On the other hand, Roana was at a loss for words.  

“Usually, fans give gifts, but occasionally, it’s the other way around. His Highness the Crown Prince told me so. He called it… fan service, I believe.”  

D*mn that Crown Prince. What has he been teaching him?  

Unaware that the Crown Prince was feeling quite wronged, Roana silently cursed him several times while maintaining a smiling face. She glanced at Greta, who was far away. The young woman was nervously glancing in their direction, clearly anxious. She looked exactly like a lovesick girl. Yes, unfortunately, a lovesick girl!  

And what about the other party? Ragaen’s face was innocent, pure, and completely oblivious.  

“Does His Highness the Crown Prince know about this?”  

“Of course.”  

Hearing that only made her sigh even more.  

“You hopeless fool.”  

“Roana, I outrank you now. Show some decorum.”  

“Look at you acting all high and mighty. Ugh, hopeless fool. A fool who kicks away blessings that roll his way.”  

Roana had already figured out the situation. Greta Lievo had a one-sided love for Ragaen, but Ragaen mistook Greta’s feelings as pure fan admiration. She didn’t know what that creepy Crown Prince was thinking, allowing Greta to stay close to Ragaen.  

Feeling exasperated, Roana lightly punched Ragaen’s chest with her fist.  

“Do better, Kid.”  

“Though I don’t know what you mean, I’m not a kid….”  

“You’ll always be a kid to me. A frustrating kid, but a kid nonetheless. By the way, are you still experiencing phantom pain?”  

“No.”  

“Good. That’s all that matters. Let’s catch up later. Your partner is waiting. Mine is over there.”  

Ragaen nodded and turned his horse toward Greta.  

The mere sight of him approaching brightened Greta’s face, filled with the freshness and loveliness unique to someone her age. If her nephew had lived, he would have been about Greta’s age. Roana couldn’t understand why a girl who seemed to have grown up showered with love would fall for someone as emotionally stunted and unpolished as Ragaen. Besides, wasn’t he quite intimidating in appearance? The women of the Lievo family traditionally preferred delicate men.  

Though Roana cared for Ragaen, her evaluation of him as a man was low. He was far too clueless about romantic relationships—or even human relationships in general—to be a proper partner.  

‘He probably doesn’t know anything!’  

Suddenly feeling as though Greta was her niece, Roana sighed deeply with pity.