Chapter 52
“The winner of this year’s hunting festival is…”
The official’s voice trembled slightly.
A moment later, with all eyes on him, he finally declared,
“His Highness, Prince Etias von Clyde.”
Silence fell over the hunting grounds like cold water had been poured over them.
I placed a hand over my chest and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Not only had I prevented the future where Etias would receive zero points and fall into disgrace, but I also managed to save my lottery ticket.
I’d bought the maximum limit—10,000 den worth—and the odds for Etias were 100 to 1.
Since no one else would’ve bet on him, the odds couldn’t have dropped.
That meant I’d be receiving a payout of 1 million den.
In Korean won… that’s 10 billion.
“…”
Meanwhile, the Emperor’s brow furrowed as he sat chatting with several nobles.
‘Heh. My fortune keeps growing.’
Unlike me, who kept a straight face to hide my satisfaction, the Emperor couldn’t conceal his fury.
He glared daggers at the official who made the announcement, brimming with killing intent—but what was done could not be undone.
‘Even after handing over a nameplate that lures wolves, he still won. He must be livid.’
It felt great to watch that despicable Emperor’s face contort.
The official continued nervously.
“P-Prince Etias von Clyde won first place with 53 points.”
‘Originally, it would’ve been 103.’
Since the black bear alone was worth 50 points.
In the original story, Duke Kamel Beatrice won with 78 points—Etias had far surpassed that.
‘I’m so proud of you, Etias.’
Then came the next announcement.
“Now, for second place.”
I flinched slightly—too late. Everyone’s eyes turned toward me.
“Second place goes to Lady Catrin Elemoer, with 50 points. She hunted the black bear, the highest-scoring beast in this festival.”
Surprised murmurs erupted across the crowd.
“Wait, Lady Elemoer caught the black bear?”
“How did she manage that?”
“With that bow she’s holding? Is that even possible?”
Even the Emperor stared at me with disbelief. Understandable—no one expected I had that kind of skill.
Of course, their assumptions weren’t wrong.
I hadn’t caught a single beast other than the zero-point wolf.
My only purpose for participating was to pass classified documents to Kamel Beatrice and reduce the hardship Etias would face.
“…”
I couldn’t very well say Etias had taken the bear down for me, so all I could do was offer the Emperor an awkward bow.
“This is the first time in festival history that the black bear hunter hasn’t won first place.”
The murmurs grew louder.
“Did she enter just to kill the bear?”
“So cold-blooded. Must’ve ignored everything else.”
“She only wanted to kill one thing, huh.”
Nobles shivered as they looked at me like I was a monster.
Etias didn’t mean for this, but I could feel my “villainess” persona intensifying, so I raised my chin proudly.
“Shall we proceed with the awards?”
The flustered official resumed.
He announced third, fourth, and fifth places.
Despite withdrawing early, Kamel Beatrice still ranked fifth—impressive.
Then the award ceremony began.
The Emperor would personally commend the winner and award a royal treasure.
Etias stepped onto the podium, and everyone held their breath.
Unlike the Emperor and nobles, who were dressed in shimmering clothes, Etias wore simple hunting garb—but no one stood out more than him.
He stood tall—around 190 cm—with broad shoulders, a sharp nose, cool eyes, and deep ocean-like blue pupils.
His posture was more upright than any knight, his gaze keen and cold.
“Ahem. I am pleased that Prince Etias has achieved such a fine result in this hunting festival, held for the prosperity and peace of the Empire.”
That wasn’t the original script.
‘Calling it a “fine result” instead of saying he won? How petty.’
“As this sacred festival prioritizes safety, some of the beasts may have been positioned more gently, and the most dangerous black bear was not hunted… Nevertheless, I shall bestow this prize for the honor Prince Etias has brought to the royal family.”
The Emperor handed over the award plaque with an annoyed expression.
When Etias accepted it, the Emperor glared at him like a spoiled child.
Seconds passed in silence until the Emperor slightly twitched his eyes as if asking, Why are you still here?
Etias then looked past the Emperor—toward a servant.
The servant was holding the real prize: the royal heirloom, the Sword of Douglas.
‘Right, that was the prize this time.’
It was a famous sword made of rare luminite—stronger than any steel.
“Surely Duke Kamel Beatrice will win. Why not offer a legendary sword to further secure his loyalty?”
That was the suggestion I’d slipped in when offering to deliver the invitations myself.
Now that Etias was requesting his reward, I saw the Emperor’s brow twitch violently.
He couldn’t cancel the prize just because someone else won.
The Emperor grabbed the sword irritably and handed it over.
“Almost forgot about this.”
Etias replied calmly,
“I tend to keep what’s mine.”
The Emperor’s brow furrowed even more.
Etias turned toward the nobles after stepping down from the platform.
None of them had been on his side—but he still achieved a remarkable outcome.
‘Good job, my boy.’
“…”
Our eyes met for a moment, and my fingers twitched.
He looked at me while holding the sword he’d won, his deep gaze making it feel like the world shrank down to just the two of us.
Others noticed his gaze—and stared at me as well.
Even the Emperor’s glare landed on me.
Then came the Emperor’s cold voice.
“Next is Lady Catrin Elemoer.”
I tore my eyes away from Etias and slowly stepped onto the platform.
I hadn’t even been able to congratulate him. As I reached the top, the Emperor was already looking at me.
I offered a cool smile befitting Catrin Elemoer, and one of his eyebrows twitched.
“If I’d known this would happen, I’d have caught another deer or two.”
Pretending to sulk over losing to Etias, I jested.
The Emperor gave me a brief look of disapproval before clearing his throat.
“I did not expect such skill from you… This brings me joy.”
A servant handed him the second-place plaque, and he passed it to me.
Now envious, fearful stares followed me everywhere.
Then the Emperor addressed the audience once more.
“Though Prince Etias claimed victory through the points system, Lady Catrin Elemoer is the true winner, having slain the black bear.”
‘What the hell? You petty old man.’
“And to commemorate this… one more thing: A month from now, we shall hold the ducal investiture ceremony for Lady Catrin Elemoer at the Imperial Palace.”
My heart skipped a beat.
‘I… didn’t expect this.’
As the crowd murmured, Etias—just stepping off the stage—paused and looked back at me.
“Lady Catrin Elemoer, heir of Duke Luciano Elemoer and loyal vassal of the Empire, shall shine on its behalf!”
The Emperor’s loud proclamation was met with thunderous applause and cheers—more than when Etias received his award.
‘Everyone shut up. You’re so loud.’
My head pounded from all the noise, but I dropped to one knee and responded to the Emperor’s declaration.
“It is my honor, Your Majesty.”
Then I turned to meet Etias’s gaze—and flinched.
He was smiling.
‘Was that… a smile?’
There was no way to confirm if it was real.
He had already turned away and was walking off in the opposite direction.
