Chapter 58
“Um… if you don’t mind… please accept this.”
Her unease was plain to see; even her hands and voice trembled.
“What is this…?”
Kaisa looked at the object she had shoved into his grasp.
It was a small sachet, with a long cord so it could be worn around the neck.
Though clumsy in execution, Sharie had embroidered it herself, stitch by painstaking stitch.
A great serpent rising against a circular backdrop— the emblem that signified the head of the Barhad tribe.
Inside, the sachet was stuffed with herbs and flowers, giving off a pleasant fragrance.
“It’s good for repelling insects, and also helps with sleeplessness. They say if you keep it with you, you’ll always return safely no matter where you go. And also…”
Sharie’s voice grew smaller as she babbled on without being asked.
Kaisa gave no reaction, and she found it hard to lift her bowed head.
‘So… he doesn’t like it after all?’
She had stayed up late, sacrificing sleep, to embroider the piece, but the result was unimpressive.
Even Anette, who had guided and encouraged her through the process, had shown a conflicted expression when she finally saw the finished product.
“It doesn’t have to be handmade. As long as it carries sincerity, that’s enough.”
Perhaps she should have heeded Anette’s advice.
Worry surged belatedly.
‘Maybe my sense of aesthetics really is far worse than others’…’
When she had just finished it, she thought it looked all right— perhaps excitement had blinded her. Looking at it now, it only seemed ugly.
“You don’t have to carry it if you don’t want to. If you dislike it, just—”
“That could never be.”
In that moment, Kaisa lowered his forehead gently against hers.
“I like it very much.”
Like an enormous hound nuzzling its master, he rubbed his brow against hers. He looked genuinely delighted.
His fingers softly traced the awkward emblem embroidered on the golden cloth. Then, treating it as though it were a precious treasure, he pressed his lips to the sachet.
“I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.”
Without hesitation, Kaisa hung the tangled cord around his thick neck and whispered:
“To give me such a precious gift… I must repay you.”
“I-it’s really… fine.”
But why did he need to whisper those words directly into her ear?
Every brush of his low voice against her earlobe sent shivers through her whole body.
Since the night they had shared a bed, her senses had grown even more sensitive; now the slightest touch made her react.
“I didn’t give it expecting anything in return.”
Her cheeks flushed red as she turned her face away, but he only leaned closer.
“Don’t say that.”
His eyes sparkled with laughter as he gazed at her blushing face.
“Then what shall I give you in return? Clothes? Dresses? Jewelry? Books?”
Though his hands and feet were always cold, his breath was hot.
Every time his lips teased her delicate ear as if about to bite, it tickled unbearably.
Sharie shrank her shoulders, blinked nervously, and finally spoke:
“If you really want to… then…”
His expression softened, as if he would grant her anything she wished.
“Promise me you’ll always… come back safely to me.”
At that unexpected answer, Kaisa’s smile faded.
He gazed at his wife for a long time as she pleaded in her fragile voice.
In his golden eyes, an unreadable emotion flickered and vanished. His jaw clenched tight, as though holding something back.
“It will be as you wish, Sharie.”
His large, well-boned hand enclosed hers, gripping so tightly she could not escape.
“…It seems you’re being summoned, my lord.”
A servant hovered nearby, uncertain whether to interrupt.
If the contest was to conclude before sunset, it was time for the opening speech.
Kaisa narrowed his eyes, savoring the warmth of Sharie’s hand through his gloves, then pressed a kiss to her fingertips.
“I’ll see you soon.”
As he walked toward the podium, she stared at his broad back. For some reason, her chest tightened painfully.
‘Perhaps… I already knew.’
She had expected him to accept her gift with joy.
Because she believed in him.
No matter how poor, how lacking, Kaisa would always accept her.
When had she come to trust him so completely?
Her eyes shone as they followed the man’s departing figure.
* * *
Though hunting was often thought of as the domain of men, in Barhad things were different.
Regardless of gender, many pursued hunting as a pastime, a means to strengthen both mind and body.
Thus, among the contestants today, women were hardly a rare sight.
Yuri Densler was one of them.
“Easy, easy.”
Her hunting hawk beat its wings excitedly upon her shoulder, delighted to see its mistress again after so long. Lately, she had been too busy with her shop to meet it often.
“Such a darling.”
All around, participants were stroking their hawks, soothing them in preparation.
“Quiet, everyone. The Lord is about to speak.”
The murmurs died down as all eyes turned to the podium.
Their chieftain stood at the center, opening his mouth to speak.
Normally, Kaisa would have been the most powerful contender, but since the tournament was hosted by the royal court, he was ineligible to participate.
Unlike the guests, buzzing with excitement, Kaisa’s face was expressionless.
“The game hunted today shall be used to aid the poor and to support villages suffering from famine.”
His cavernous voice reverberated like a drumbeat in their ears.
Kaisa spoke briefly, outlining the purpose and rules of the tournament.
The regulations were simple:
The participant who captured the largest quarry would earn the right to drink from the great lord’s ceremonial cup.
That victor would also be seated at the place of honor during the evening banquet, showered with respect.
Winning meant glory and power both.
Each contestant’s eyes burned with ambition as they measured their rivals.
“I am eager to see which warrior will shine brightest today.”
At last, a smile curved Kaisa’s lips. The rise of a valiant warrior was always welcome.
“Let the hunt begin.”
At his signal, a mighty horn blast rang out.
Bwooooooo—!
The contestants sprinted into the forest, unleashing their hawks to flush out prey.
Dozens of raptors soared skyward with piercing cries.
Fweeeeee!
“See you soon!”
Yuri Densler gave a brief farewell before vanishing into the trees.
Lady Nepir sighed as she watched her go.
“Everyone is so full of energy. Truly, it amazes me.”
Even with strong traits running in bloodlines, personal temperament still varied. Some with excellent physiques had no taste for rigorous training or strenuous activity.
Lady Nepir was one of those.
“I’d much rather be reading by a warm fireplace. Don’t you agree, Miss Olivia?”
She stopped short.
“Miss Olivia, are you all right?”
“Yes?”
“Your face is so pale.”
Olivia’s lips trembled before she forced an awkward smile.
“I’m fine.”
Lady Nepir wanted to press further but held her tongue.
‘Of course. She must be in turmoil.’
Not long ago, Grand Elder Zaveni had been arrested on embezzlement charges.
That the head of the Kusley family— once so powerful he could topple even birds mid-flight— should be taken away was unthinkable.
Of course, such a charge was only a stalling tactic. He would be freed once bail was paid.
‘Still…’
A father behind bars could not sit lightly on his daughter’s heart.
Lady Nepir was about to comfort Olivia when—
Boom.
The forest erupted in commotion. Birds burst from the trees in a sudden frenzy.
Startled, Lady Nepir muttered under her breath:
“Oh my… has something happened?”
Olivia, too, flinched violently, her gaze snapping upward.
‘It’s begun— the plan Father set in motion.’
As his daughter, Olivia knew her father’s nature better than anyone.
He would not let things end so easily.
And only a few nights ago, her vague unease had hardened into certainty.
She had caught sight of the old butler slipping out the back door of the Kusley estate under cover of darkness.
The butler had scanned his surroundings nervously before hurrying down a shadowed alley to meet with a group of shady-looking men.
Men whose appearance alone screamed of ill repute.
Normally, such dealings would have been handled more discreetly. But since Zaveni’s arrest, anxiety had stripped away caution.
