“Did you come here just to make fun of me?!”
At Meldor’s outburst, I smirked and lifted one side of my lips.
“No way. Are you seriously saying that without knowing I come here to practice more often than you?”
Shooting was one of the few hobbies I genuinely enjoyed. Meldor, who hated anything physical, rarely visited the shooting range unless necessary.
At my words, Meldor bit his lip in frustration, unable to argue. He then ruffled his hair roughly.
“Get out! I still need to practice!”
“Planning to join the hunting tournament again?”
“Again? Hah, Bellady Elten.”
Meldor glared at me, one leg cocked out.
“Not ‘again’—it’s always. That event is a significant social gathering hosted by His Majesty for the imperial dukes. Of course the heir should participate.”
“And what’s the point of an heir who can’t even perform properly? They’ll just become the butt of everyone’s jokes again.”
I chuckled dryly as I said it.
Meldor’s carefully maintained poker face crumpled once again at my remark.
“Hey—!”
He growled, breathing heavily, clearly furious. The tournament was close, and he was already on edge. My teasing had tipped him over.
“I heard your swordsmanship lessons have already fallen behind because of Mother’s funeral… Do you even have time to mess around with target practice?”
As I spoke, I calmly aimed at another target beside the one I hit earlier.
Bang!
As expected, the bullet pierced dead center, clean and precise.
“If you’re going to obsess over your lack of preparation, why not focus on what you’re supposed to be doing? It’s not like there’s a law saying the heir has to attend the tournament.”
“What’s it to you?!”
“It’s nothing to me…”
I didn’t even look at him as I delivered the line that would prod his deepest insecurity.
“But I do worry about Father’s honor. After all, every year the heir embarrasses himself with that shallow level of skill. Judging by today, it’s bound to happen again.”
Then I aimed at several smaller targets hidden among the trees—ones meant for hunting practice, not general training.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The squirrel-shaped targets all fell from the trees, struck dead-on.
I lowered the gun and looked over at Meldor. His face had gone pale at the mention of our father.
‘Too easy.’
He alternated glares between the targets and me before grinding his teeth.
“Fine! Keep wasting your time on this useless target practice!”
He yanked off his beginner’s shooting gloves and stormed out of the range.
I watched his back for a moment, then readied my stance again and aimed at the remaining targets.
One after another, the precise gunshots rang out, each one hitting its mark.
‘Meldor’s lack of athletic talent might be my greatest stroke of luck.’
This was his third year accompanying Father to the emperor’s hunting tournament.
But as the youngest among the heirs and an underwhelming hunter, he consistently came in last place. That must’ve wounded his pride deeply.
His post-tournament tantrums were evidence enough.
‘Spare yourself the humiliation this year, Meldor. Stay home and sulk.’
I aimed my final shot.
Bang!
I imagined Meldor’s face as I pulled the trigger—the bullet pierced the target’s center perfectly once more.
Grinning, I lowered the gun.
“I’ll be taking your place this year, little brother.”
That evening, my maid delivered news that Meldor had officially withdrawn from the hunting tournament.
I adjusted my hat slightly as I rode my horse forward.
A man with violet hair and golden eyes approached from the left.
“Bellady, want me to fix your hat?”
I shook my head.
“No need. As long as it doesn’t fall off, I’m good.”
Then from the right, a blonde man drew closer on horseback.
“I’m surprised you joined this year.”
I gave a soft laugh.
Riding on either side of me were my closest childhood friends:
Sion Agla, the second son of House Agla,
and Mostyn Fredo, the eldest son of House Fredo.
Mostyn tilted his head, confused.
“Did your brother not throw a fit? He seemed like a real brat last time.”
“He volunteered to drop out. Even if he had complaints, there was nothing he could do.”
At my words, Mostyn snickered.
“Really? Good! That guy always messes up hunts with his tantrums. I lost track of how many times he scared the prey away.”
“Hm, but didn’t he usually insist on joining no matter what? …Wait, Bellady—you didn’t do something, did you?”
Sion adjusted his glasses and peered at me suspiciously. I gave him a very innocent smile.
“I merely said that his skills reflect on our father’s honor. The decision was his.”
Mostyn widened his eyes and shook his head in mock shock.
“Wow, Bellady Elten. Ruthless.”
“So you’re not happy I came?”
“Are you kidding? I much prefer being with you~.”
Mostyn smiled playfully, while Sion looked thoughtful.
“Didn’t your parents forbid you from participating in these events? Are you really okay now?”
I slowly closed my eyes, then reopened them.
“Mother’s not here anymore…”
She had always hated the idea of me, her daughter, participating in something as rough as hunting. She only allowed me to shoot within the safety of the manor’s range.
‘But she’s no longer around to stop me.’
I looked ahead.
The western forest of the Imperial Palace stretched lush with greenery. At the center rode the Emperor himself, flanked on his right by the Dukes of Fredo and Agla.
On the left, riding a black horse, was my father.
I watched their backs and continued.
“Father never really paid much attention to me anyway.”
Knowing my situation, Sion and Mostyn fell silent with bitter expressions.
I recalled what had happened two nights ago.
After Meldor declared he wouldn’t attend the tournament, I went to see Father.
—I want to go to the hunting tournament in Meldor’s place.
Though it was a social event hosted by the Emperor, it was ideal for at least one heir from each house to attend.
If Meldor didn’t go, I had the perfect excuse to step in.
‘I planned that well—provoking him just enough.’
Father raised an eyebrow, surprised.
—I didn’t know you had an interest in the hunting tournament.
Even Meldor knew I enjoyed shooting. Anyone with that hobby usually had some curiosity toward hunting.
‘I even hinted it a few times before.’
Yet he still looked surprised, as though he never really listened.
‘Before I regained my past life’s memories, that might’ve hurt.’
Now? It meant nothing. I simply realized where I stood in his priorities.
I kept smiling.
—I couldn’t go before because of Mother, but I’ve always been curious. And since Meldor’s staying home to focus on sword training, I thought now would be a good chance.
He still didn’t react.
I had to push further.
—I also want to see my friends again.
—Ah, the other dukes’ children. They were your friends, weren’t they?
—Yes, Father. They’re attending this year.
Thankfully, he remembered Mostyn and Sion.
Of course. To him, sons of dukes were more worth remembering than his own daughter’s interests.
He finally nodded.
—Just don’t bring shame to the family.
—Yes, Father.
That’s how I got his approval to attend.
“Whether I bring shame or glory to the family… I suppose we’ll soon find out.”
“Hm?”
Sion glanced at me. I only smiled silently in return.
Just then, the Emperor’s horse came to a halt.
“We’ve entered deep enough. Let’s begin the hunt here.”
At his command, the attendants swiftly set up tents and a resting area.
The three of us rode forward to join him.
The Emperor glanced over at us, then turned to the dukes and spoke.
“I wonder who will bring me joy this year.”
Duke Fredo gave a charming smile.
“Whoever it may be, they will surely give their all to delight Your Majesty.”
As expected of the most politically savvy of the three houses—his words flowed effortlessly.
‘So that’s where Mostyn gets his silver tongue.’
I glanced left at Mostyn. Reading my expression, he puffed out his chest proudly. Both I and Sion let out soft laughs.
The Emperor then gestured to an attendant.
“I will remain here. The rest of you, go and begin. Make sure to return to this tent before time is up.”
The attendant raised a red flag high.
“Begin!”
At the signal, the dukes and their knights headed into the forest. Mostyn and Sion called their own knights as well.
A few knights from my house approached me—those who usually assisted Meldor.
I grinned at the sight of a particular face among them.
‘He’s here, as expected.’
Then Mostyn shouted.
“I’m heading out first!”
Energetic as always, he took off into the woods in the opposite direction of the dukes.
Sion hesitated, then approached me.
“Bellady, are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? Want to go together?”
“No.”
I loaded my gun with a click.
Then swiftly took aim and fired.
Bang!
Something dropped from the sky.
Sion blinked and muttered in disbelief.
“W-Was that… a bird?”
I looked calmly at the fallen bird and spoke coolly.
“Add it to my list.”
At that moment, I heard the sound of someone clapping behind me.
