“…Thank you, brother.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Next, Marquis Rodion offered his congratulations to Adrian with a strange smile. The Emperor’s attendants and maids all bowed in unison, offering their blessings for Adrian and Emily’s engagement. The Emperor smiled contentedly at the sight.
Thus, Adrian and Emily’s engagement was effectively confirmed.
The Emperor declared that he must immediately issue an official proclamation announcing Adrian’s engagement and ordered the head chamberlain to summon the Minister of Internal Affairs.
After paying their respects to the Emperor, Daniela and Ashid exited the tent. Daniela still wore a dazed expression and muttered quietly.
“I never imagined His Highness the Crown Prince would get engaged to Miss Emily…”
“Is that so surprising? He can’t leave the seat beside him empty forever.”
Ashid responded curtly. Daniela nodded, still looking unconvinced.
“I suppose that’s true, but…”
‘But what about Camellia? What happens to the future now?’
Just as Daniela swallowed her questions, Adrian approached them, calling out,
“Brother.”
Emily clung to him closely, as if they were one body. Instinctively, Ashid stepped closer to Daniela’s side and responded,
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“No, not really. I just thought we could walk back together, since your tent is right next to mine anyway…”
Adrian spoke, but his gaze unintentionally drifted toward Daniela standing beside Ashid.
Sensing his gaze, both Ashid and Emily’s faces stiffened. Ashid subtly moved to block Daniela from view.
“Do as you wish.”
He quickened his pace, eager to part ways with Adrian and retreat to the ducal tent as soon as possible. Daniela had to half-run to keep up with him.
Soon, the four of them arrived in front of two adjacent tents. Adrian offered a farewell with some reluctance.
“I’ll see you later in front of the Mona Forest, Brother.”
“Good luck, Adrian. Though I expect my knights and I will be the winners of this hunt.”
“I’ll do my best not to fall behind you.”
The brothers exchanged formal pleasantries. At that moment, Emily spoke to Daniela with a haughty tone.
“Once the hunt begins and the gentlemen depart, the noble ladies will gather in the central tent to build camaraderie. You should come too, Duchess.”
“Of course, Miss Emily. I’ll see you then.”
Daniela replied with a polite smile. Emily scoffed as if offended, then sharply retorted,
“Did you just call me Miss Emily?”
“…Yes. Is something wrong with that?”
“Didn’t you hear what His Majesty just said earlier? I’m going to be engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince soon. That means I outrank you. In other words, you should refer to me as Your Highness the Crown Princess, not ‘Miss Emily.’”
At Emily’s words, Daniela’s eyes narrowed.
‘Ah, so that’s what this is about.’
It was so absurd she almost laughed aloud. Clearly, Emily had never gotten over being told to show proper respect to the Duchess at the princess’s party. Daniela glared at her.
Then Ashid cut in mockingly,
“Perhaps you should wait until after the engagement ceremony before demanding proper titles.”
Emily’s pushy attitude—so quick to assert authority over Daniela—reminded him unpleasantly of Empress Catherine. He couldn’t stand it.
Ashid added dryly,
“If you’re already so eager to be treated as a superior, I wonder what you’ll be like after the engagement. Maybe you’ll demand that I bow to you too, Miss Emily.”
“Th-that’s not what I meant! You misunderstand, Your Grace…”
“You’d better watch your behavior from now on. The Duchess might overlook it, but I’m not the kind of person to tolerate disrespect.”
“…I apologize, Brother. I’ll apologize on Emily’s behalf as well.”
Emily’s face turned pale under Ashid’s threatening stare. Adrian stepped forward protectively and apologized in her place.
Ashid gave the two of them a cold look before turning to walk toward the tent. Daniela quickly followed, a small smile tugging at her lips. Honestly, it felt incredibly satisfying to see him put Emily in her place.
As Ashid lifted the tent flap, Daniela murmured quietly to him,
“Thank you, Your Grace. Honestly, that was… refreshing. Really satisfying.”
Ashid let out a low chuckle at her words. He thought the slight blush on her cheeks was quite cute.
After Ashid and Daniela entered their tent—
Adrian looked back at Emily with a blank expression and said,
“I’ll let it go this time, but don’t do that again. Miss Emily.”
“I—I’m sorry, Your Highness! Please don’t be angry!”
Emily pleaded desperately. Adrian gently pushed her approaching hand aside and went into his tent alone.
Left by herself, Emily stared at the tent flap with a face that looked ready to burst into tears. Then her expression twisted with rage and humiliation.
‘Daniela, that damned woman.’
This was all Daniela’s fault. If only that woman disappeared…
Then she could repay Duke Ashid Alverick for the humiliation he had just dealt her.
And perhaps, Adrian’s lingering, wistful gaze that always chased after Daniela would finally turn toward her instead.
‘Today will be your last day as the Duchess.’
Emily glared at the duke’s tent with hate-filled eyes and clenched the small vial hidden in her billowing sleeve.
A long horn sounded.
It was the signal from the captain of the Imperial Guard, under the Emperor’s orders, summoning the royals and nobles who had finished preparing for the hunt to the front of the Mona Forest.
Ashid quickly donned mithril armor over his uniform and belted his sword to his waist—his preparation was simple and efficient.
Meanwhile, Daniela pulled a warm cloak over her dress. She would be staying in the central tent with the other noble ladies until the men returned from the hunt, so she needed to dress warmly.
As Mela fastened a brooch at the top of Daniela’s robe, Ashid suddenly asked,
“Do you have a favorite color for clothing?”
Daniela tilted her head at the unexpected question, then answered casually,
“Hmm… black? I also like white and gray.”
Typical Korean taste—Daniela liked those achromatic tones. They were easy to wear with anything, and always matched well with other colors.
Ashid made a strange face at her answer, then muttered,
“That’s quite the unusual preference.”
Then he left the tent with his knights. He decided to change his plan—he would hunt a beast with black or gray fur instead of the originally planned, vividly colored majo. It would be a belated gesture of gratitude for her help in Resinia.
“What did you say?”
Daniela snapped at his comment, but Ashid had already gone.
Mela patted her shoulder comfortingly and said,
“Come now, my lady. Let’s be on our way too.”
“…Alright.”
Daniela stepped out of the tent with Mela and her maids. In the central tent, several noble ladies had already gathered, including the Empress herself. Daniela approached the front row and paid her respects.
“Daniela Lilianne Alverick, Duchess of the Grand Duchy, greets the esteemed Empress Victoria.”
“Please, have a seat, Duchess.”
The Empress, a princess from a neighboring small kingdom and the current Emperor’s wife after Empress Catherine’s death, appeared young and delicate—quite the contrast to her imposing husband.
Daniela took the seat the Empress indicated. Unfortunately, Emily was seated right beside it. Daniela masked her discomfort, gave Emily a polite nod, and sat down.
“……”
Emily pretended not to notice and stood up. She walked over to where the palace maids were gathered and spoke to the youngest among them.
“I need to fix my makeup. Can you help me?”
“Yes, Lady Emily.”
Emily’s hand, adorned with a pearl ring, lightly grasped the young maid’s hand. From her long sleeve, a small vial slipped out and landed discreetly in the maid’s palm. The young girl tucked it into her own sleeve without hesitation.
It was so natural, no one suspected a thing.
