Chapter 60
“Huh? Why?”
Cheshion blinked in confusion.
“Because it’s dangerous outside.”
“Haha, you know I have royal powers. I’m pretty strong—”
“Doesn’t matter. Forbidden.”
Gremory abruptly grabbed Cheshion’s left hand and slipped a ring onto his fourth finger. It was a black ring made of dark mana stone.
Cheshion’s lips twitched upward when he saw the same ring on Gremory’s left ring finger.
“Mori, do you know what it means when a man and a woman wear matching rings?”
“Nope. Just don’t take it off.”
“I’m not planning to.”
Cheshion looked at the ring curiously, his smile slowly growing. The black ring sparkled in strange hues depending on the angle, finely cut and rather unique. When had she even prepared something like this? His smile was unstoppable.
And being forbidden to go out alone? Was she being possessive? Maybe worried he’d meet another woman? That kind of possessiveness… wasn’t so bad.
‘Looks like it’s time to define our relationship clearly.’
As he was about to say something with a sly smile, a knock came with Isollen’s voice.
“Your Grace, may I come in? I’ve finished the urgent paperwork.”
“Ah, yes. Come in.”
Isollen opened the door and stepped inside. When she spotted Gremory idling while she had done all the work, she was furious.
“Your Grace, here are the documents you—ACK! Mori! I nearly died working alone! What were you doing?!”
She slammed the documents on the desk—and on her finger…
Was the same black ring as Cheshion’s.
Cheshion’s eyes widened in shock.
‘Wait. Wasn’t this a couple ring?’
Just then, Anna came in with snacks.
“Your Grace! Here’s your snack!”
Anna, too, had the same ring on her finger.
‘Don’t tell me she gave this ring to everyone in the estate? Without any special meaning?’
As Cheshion’s hope collapsed, Isollen grabbed Gremory by the collar and dragged her out of the office.
Later, even Seara had the same ring on. So did her nanny, Alice.
Sigh.
Having pieced together the situation, Alice smirked wickedly.
“Ohoho! You thought it was a couple ring? Sadly, Mori’s brain is too simple to understand the romantic implications of couple rings! She probably sees it as just a token she gives to close people. Even the abbess received one!”
“…Leave me alone. Don’t mock me.”
“Oh no, I wasn’t mocking. I was simply laughing.”
“Get lost.”
“Okie~”
Alice cheekily responded and disappeared with Seara in tow.
* * *
Dragged by Isollen, Gremory was put to work in the maid office reviewing documents. Or more accurately, watching them being reviewed.
“What’s this? A hunting festival? Like a monster-hunting event? Why is it held in the Grand Duchy?”
“The Grand Duchy is crawling with monsters. It’s the perfect place for a hunting festival. Especially in the southern forests, strong and rare beasts appear. Just catching one can earn huge honor. That’s why every capable man shows up.”
Isollen flipped through the papers as she spoke.
“So, it’s like a tea party for making friends while hunting?”
“Not at all. It’s a competition. Whoever kills the most monsters wins.”
“And what’s the prize?”
“A massive reward. That’s why His Grace joins every year. The event is funded by the royal family, so if he wins, he gets the prize money too. He’ll likely join again this year.”
“Even though he’s already rich from slaying dragons and barbarians? He sold those dark mana stones too.”
“You clearly didn’t read the documents. The Grand Duchy’s financial situation isn’t good. A fortune was spent on magic tools and holy artifacts for protection. To last until winter, we need that prize money.”
“…You bought holy artifacts? I hate those.”
Gremory’s lips drooped. Holy artifacts suppressed the power of witches and demons. With the witch hunter squad on her tail, being near such things was the last thing she wanted.
“Why? It’s not like you’re a witch or a demon.”
“I am a witch.”
“Don’t joke. Just get to work.”
Isollen slammed a stack of papers in front of her.
Gremory’s lips drooped even more. She started working through the papers with Iris’s help.
As she absentmindedly wrote what Iris dictated, a sudden thought hit her.
‘Wait. The festival takes place in the monster-filled forest. Isn’t that the perfect place for something bad to happen?’
What if Cheshion went alone and something went wrong? What if he was kidnapped by the witch hunters or Marvas?
‘Especially Marvas—he’s a stealth master. He could get summoned into the human realm and strike suddenly.’
Even though Gremory had handed out rings to protect against curses and critical injuries, it didn’t calm her. If Cheshion was attacked in a way the ring couldn’t prevent, it would be useless.
She suddenly stood and stormed out of the office. Isollen’s voice shouted behind her, “Skipping work again?!”
‘I’ll just join the hunt too.’
She barged back into Cheshion’s office.
“Cheshion, I want to join the hunt.”
Cheshion, now used to her barging in, barely flinched.
“I don’t see why not. But why so suddenly?”
“You need prize money, right? If you get 1st place and I get 2nd, we’ll get even more.”
“True. Second place gets a decent prize. Let’s do it.”
Cheshion handed her a participant application.
“There’s one guy to watch out for. If we keep an eye on him, we’ll win.”
“Let me guess—some weak human?”
“We’re hunting monsters, not humans. You do know that, right?”
“Obviously.”
This year, a noteworthy participant had entered. Kurhen Tebel, a burly marquis from the border, who had never shown up before despite a heroic track record. His entry caused a nationwide stir, drawing in even more contestants and making this year’s festival the largest ever.
“And Mori, I have a problem.”
“What is it?”
“Our hunting grounds only support 300 people. But we got 500 applications.”
“Then just tear up the weak ones’ applications.”
“I can’t just tear them. I have to write rejection reasons for 200 people.”
“I’ll help.”
Gremory grabbed an application and pen. She scribbled a rejection note:
“Rejected because you’ve never been in a battlefield or had good results in past hunts. Just some country bumpkin.”
“Mori! You can’t be that blunt! I’ll be criticized!”
“Let him be criticized. He dared enter a tournament for the strong? Everyone will understand if we’re honest.”
“I mean… you’re not wrong… sigh.”
Gremory was already scribbling on the next one. Soon, polite rejections and brutally honest ones began stacking alternately on Cheshion’s desk.
The day of the Hunting Festival arrived.
Spectator stands were packed. Gremory stood among the participants, waiting for Cheshion’s opening speech.
As the host, Cheshion began.
“To the brave warriors gathered here today, I offer my deepest praise for your courage, and my heartfelt thanks for your participation—”
As the speech dragged on, Gremory checked her axe blade. Suddenly, she felt a sticky gaze. Looking up, her eyes locked with someone familiar.
Red hair. Kenneth Ortega, the young duke, was staring at her.
Gremory sharpened her axe edge and asked coldly.
“What are you looking at?”
“You should be careful today.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve fallen for you. Again.”
His golden eyes were full of Gremory. To him, who thought she was just a graceful maid, the sight of her wielding a weapon was wildly attractive.
“…What are you talking about?”
“Someone who looks so delicate, yet has enough strength to compete in this? That’s quite the twist. Very charming.”
Gremory’s expression turned sour. And Cheshion, who was still giving his speech, suddenly radiated killing intent.
