“You know what kind of person His Majesty is. If Miss Kasalyn is in trouble, he’s probably taking shelter somewhere with her. They’ll be back soon.”

Duke Rudwik remained calm while everyone else was frantic because the Black Griffon, specially trained to seek out its master if any problem arises, had not yet appeared.

In contrast, Queen Rose was unable to find peace, dirtied her dress in the mud without noticing as she hovered around the forest entrance.

The image of Kasalyn tumbling down the slope haunted her.

If Kasalyn never returned, it would be her fault.

But she swore it wasn’t intentional.

She hadn’t realized Kasalyn was so sick that she couldn’t control her body.

At that moment, Duke Rudwik glanced at Queen Rose, who was repeatedly washing her face with dry hands in fear.

“King Shallen of Khan Kingdom has returned!”

Just then, Shallen, who had left at dawn to find Kasalyn, returned empty-handed.

His disheveled hair, muddy clothes, and unfocused eyes suggested he had taken several tumbles in the mud.

He scanned the gathered crowd for someone before approaching Rose.

“Has Kasalyn returned?”

“Not yet…”

As Rose hesitantly shook her head, a deep despair spread across Shallen’s face.

“It’s as good as my fault. Because of me, she…”
He seemed to be lost in a bottomless pit of despair and self-reproach, as if he might lose his mind at any moment.

That was, until Parnes appeared, holding Kasalyn close in his arms, looking perfectly fine.

Seemingly mocking the soldiers who had been running around the mountain, Emperor Parnes appeared with Kasalyn seated on the back of the Black Gryphon.

A soldier blew a whistle, and nobles who happened to be outside the lodge gathered around, tears streaming down their faces.

“Your Majesty! Where have you been all night? Everyone was so worried.”

“We’re relieved you’re back safely!”

Parnes acknowledged the nobles’ worried comments with a heavy nod and immediately approached Duke Rudwik.

“The hunting contest must end earlier than planned. Tell the knights to safely escort the guests back to the palace.”

“Understood. Everything’s ready for withdrawal, don’t worry.”

“And prepare a carriage. I need to take her to the palace doctor. She’s just caused a night-long commotion.”

Parnes looked emotionlessly at Kasalyn, who was sitting quietly on the Black Gryphon.

Duke Rudwik observed his master’s expression and then shifted his alert gaze to Kasalyn.

Is it my old eyes deceiving me, or is the atmosphere between them different from yesterday? he pondered.

“What happened, exactly?”

As the gathered guests started to disperse, each breathing sighs of relief, Shallen, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Kasalyn, approached with a short question.

“Where have you been all night? Do you have any idea what’s happened because of you?”

“We’ll talk later, King Shallen.”

“I’m not asking you. I need to hear it from Kasalyn.”

Shallen’s face, previously filled with worry and anxiety, grew increasingly red with anger.

He stepped past Parnes, heading straight for Kasalyn.

Parnes grabbed his shoulder firmly, showing his sharply edged eyes as a warning.

“Can’t you see she’s suffering?”

Shallen swallowed his rough breath and glared at the black cloak enveloping Kasalyn’s shoulders.

He had searched for her all night, tumbling in the mud, only to find her returning with the beloved Emperor Parnes after spending the night together.

They must have thought it was an opportunity to be alone.

Sheltering from the rain in some secluded place.

The image of Kasalyn deliberately seducing Parnes under the guise of illness became so vivid in Shallen’s mind that he couldn’t help but flush with anger.

“Your Majesty. The carriage is ready. We should leave now.”

“Right.”

Parnes extended his arm to Kasalyn, still sitting on the saddle.

Kasalyn glanced briefly at Shallen, who still couldn’t hide his anger, and then willingly let herself be taken into Parnes’s arms.