Moreover, bringing it alive added to the score.

The winner of the hunting competition had the authority to convey their wishes to the royal side.

Seated on the golden chair on the platform, Owen, stretching his crossed legs, spoke, “Do you have a request?”

In reality, Atia was the one who caught the silver fox. Kasus looked at Atia, signaling with his eyes.

Approaching Owen, Atia smiled and said, “I would like an indoor gymnasium.”

“An indoor gymnasium?”

“Yes. Open 24/7, accessible to anyone, under those conditions.”

The nobles, unable to comprehend her strange request, exchanged glances, bewildered.

‘Ah, there probably aren’t facilities like a gym in this era.’

Atia explained in terms suitable for the era, “In simple terms, an indoor gymnasium is a place like a training ground that enhances physical fitness. It’s a pleasant exercise facility where you can lift things like barbells without sharp weapons. Please make that for us.”

The nobles buzzed with confusion.
I thought they would ask for a lot of jewels, gold, or gold coins, but to wish for something like that…

The nobles whispered among themselves.

“What kind of scheme is this…?”

“Perhaps the Duchess has some eccentric hobby.”

“An indoor gymnasium? What would one do with that inside the palace?”

Owen found Atia quite unusual. However, instead of expressing his thoughts directly, he accepted without saying anything.

“Is that really okay?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, so be it.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Atia bowed her head in gratitude.

After the award ceremony, Atia released the silver fox back into the forest.

“Sorry. Return to your family.”

“Squee!”

It was essential to be cautious, as there might be some bad actors lurking around to capture the creature.

Kasus carried a torch, and Jen followed behind.

“Remarkable, capturing such a rare creature. However… didn’t the royal side request the silver fox?”

“Normally, the one who hunts keeps the prey. That’s the rule.”

“Still, it’s strange that the royal side would just let go of such a precious thing like this. Unless there’s something more important, it seems odd not to show interest…”

Jen watched as the silver fox disappeared into the distance with a puzzled expression on his face.

Atia returned to her room.

After finishing the hunting competition, Kesha and Harry warmly welcomed Atia.

“Madam!”

“Madam! You’ve returned! How was the hunting competition today?”

After spending the whole day riding, hunting, and moving around, Atia’s face looked exhausted.

“Just, you know… it was fine.”

Atia replied with a smile.

Kesha quickly brought a towel soaked in water for the tired Atia.

“Oh, I prepared a full-course meal for you in case you’d be tired when you returned, Madam.”

?

Kesha wiped Atia’s legs and feet with the warm, wet towel.

Harry assisted with a massage.

“Oh, you two are quite talented. Don’t you want to be my successors?”

With her eyes closed, Atia praised Harry and Kesha’s massage skills.

“We’d love to!”

Snap!

At that moment, someone opened the door without knocking.

“Hey! They say you won the hunting competition!”

Leo stood in front of the door, grinning broadly.

“And you caught a rare animal, claiming the first place!”

Leo enthusiastically entered the room.

Simultaneously, his face showed concern.

Having seen Atia vomit, he knew how bad her physical condition was.

Instead of telling Atia some ominous news, Leo cheerfully propped her up.

“Amazing! There’s a rumor spreading all over the palace that my sister-in-law won! Passing knights said the same.”

“Wow, really? Madam?”
There was no mention, so Kesha and Harry didn’t even know that Atia had won. Kesha and Harry looked at Atia in surprise.

“Well, it happened.”

Atia casually laughed and replied.

“No… Why didn’t you tell us something so important…! You won first place! It’s something to spread the word throughout the town!”

Harry shrugged his shoulders, protruding his lips.

While Kesha diligently wiped Atia’s tired body, she said,

“You must be exhausted after hunting all day. Right, Madam? You seem tired, so it would be good to get some rest early.”

In the Crown Prince’s study,

Sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, Owen recalled what Atia had said.

[Dash] “Please undo the black magic on my body.”

The Duchess was under black magic. It was unheard of and surprising.

Casting black magic on a specific target wasn’t too difficult, but undoing it was challenging.

She was convinced that the black magic on her body was because of the royal family.

[Dash] “This body won’t last more than a few months. If you undo the black magic, I can give you what you want.”

It was entirely unexpected.

The reason the Duke and Duchess came to the capital was because the Duchess was under black magic.

[Dash] “Undo the black magic? Why ask me for that?”

[Dash] “Because Your Excellency knows about it.”

[Dash] “I don’t know. You seem to have mistaken the address.”

[Dash] “Then… let’s pretend this never happened. Shall I predict one thing? Your Excellency’s current route exploration will miserably fail.”

[Dash] “!”

The policy of exploring new routes was Owen’s most strenuous effort. The main purpose was to actively engage in trade through the routes and strengthen ties with neighboring countries.

Atia prophesied that the policy would fail, turning the critical matter into a challenge. Owen, who was heavily involved in this crucial matter, wasn’t one to overlook such a casual provocation.

However, her words haunted Owen’s mind, making him feel uneasy.

‘She seems to know a lot.’

Although he tried to shake it off, Owen couldn’t help but feel uneasy about what might happen in the near future.