“Then, see you later. I’ll wish for Duke Richter’s victory.”

After saying those words, Chelsea grabbed Joshua’s arm and pulled him along.

She didn’t forget to respond to each of the nobles who greeted them as they walked.

Their destination was the VIP seat prepared for the royal family.

A place where no one’s gaze could reach, and not even a sound could be heard.

Only after fully entering this place did the smile disappear from Chelsea’s face.

She nervously let go of Joshua’s arm.

“Think before you act, Joshua.”

Along with a sarcastic advice.

“As long as your parents and mine are the same, we are bound by a connection that can’t be severed even if we want to. At least, it means people think of you and me as one unit. So if you get caught up in any terrible scandal, I’ll inevitably be dragged in with you. Don’t you think?”

Joshua only took a deep breath in response to her words, not giving him a chance to argue.

“I didn’t do anything to get involved in a scandal. The Duchess and I are just friends.”

“Oh my. I didn’t even mention that the problem was you two flirting, but seeing you explain so defensively… You did have some idea of what the problem was, didn’t you?”

Chelsea smiled gently at Joshua, who couldn’t give any answer.

“My brother. Whether or not you have strange feelings for the Duchess, that’s not important to me. What’s important is that whatever feelings you have, they shouldn’t be seen or discovered by people. I keep telling you, this sister wants to be benevolent to her brother.”

The threatening words laced with laughter were more suffocating than anything.

Joshua forcefully swallowed some emotion that was rising to the tip of his tongue.

“…I understand. I was short-sighted this time.”

“Oh. That’s unusual. You know how to admit it.”

“I’ve always been good at admitting things. I never rebelled against you, sister.”

Well. That was true.

At Chelsea’s nod, Joshua leisurely rested his chin on his hand.

“Still, I’ll continue being friends with the Duchess. She’s my first friend, you know.”

“Fine. Do as you please. I do like the Duchess too.”

Joshua threw a surprised look at Chelsea.

Quickly noticing this, Chelsea smiled slightly and looked down.

At the end of her gaze was Serpina standing alone.

Despite being alone again, she looked indifferent without seeming discouraged.

Since that woman became Duke Richter’s partner, Richter had been actively moving.

And as Dante Richter moved, there was someone who was getting stimulated.

Namely.

“We can mess with Isaac, you know.”

“What? What do you mean…”

Joshua tilted his head at the sudden mention of Isaac’s name.

Chelsea looked towards the western forest with her usual mischievous smile.

“Before the hunting festival started, Isaac was bragging that he would win. But now, Dante Richter is aiming for the win.”

As if they were even a match.

The moment Dante Richter decided to do it properly, no one would be able to compete with him.

It was as good as having an undisputed winner already.

So.

“Ah. Just imagining Isaac getting all upset later makes me tingle with excitement. Isn’t this all thanks to the Duchess moving Duke Richter?”

Hahaha.

A clear laughter filled the air.

Joshua stared at Chelsea with cold eyes before shaking his head and closing his eyes.

As expected, the royal family is insufferable.

“I don’t intend to live in hiding anymore.”

When would he be able to say such words himself?

Recalling Serpina’s voice lingering in his head, Joshua let out a sigh filled with lamentation.

Meanwhile, in the western forest where the hunt was taking place.

Dante stood still at the entrance and looked around the forest once.

He had been attending the hunting festival every year due to the Emperor’s insistence.

This meant it wasn’t his first time entering this forest.

But strangely, today the forest looked new to him. Was it because he had sharpened his senses today, unlike his usual lack of interest?

He suddenly realized that Serpina was always connected to his newfound perspectives.

“Come back victorious!”

Recalling her cheerful voice left behind his back, a faint smile involuntarily formed on his lips.

And that’s when it happened.

“You attended this year too. Well, His Majesty does cherish Duke Richter very much.”

An unpleasant voice nudged him.

The smile that had lingered on his lips quickly disappeared.

“…”

To Dante, who gave no answer, First Prince Isaac showed a crooked smile.

“So, where do you plan to stand like a statue this year? I’d prefer if you found a corner to occupy.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Isaac’s brow furrowed slightly at the cold response.

‘These brothers are both equally dislikeable.’

Both the deceased Oscar and the Dante before him.

These brothers somehow gave off an intimidating aura. It felt as if there was an unnecessary force behind every word and glance.

And that stirred something within Isaac.

Something unnecessarily uncomfortable, unpleasant, and ominous…

“Fine. You’ve thought well. Just stay out of the way and don’t be a nuisance.”

Isaac, growling unnecessarily, moved his steps irritably.

What was important now wasn’t that annoying Duke Richter.

It was to claim first place in the hunting festival and receive his father’s acknowledgment.

He was confident.

Among the nobles, there was no one who could be his match.

In fact, since Isaac started participating in the hunting festival, the victory had consistently been his.

Moreover.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to win.”

Julia’s encouragement also contributed to Isaac’s confidence.

For him, Julia was nothing short of a goddess of fortune.

Although she was a woman he couldn’t even get permission to be engaged to, even if he won, he couldn’t give her the title of ‘Lady of the Year’.

‘I’ll just give the gift to another lady first, then take it back and give it to Julia.’

Just as he had always done.

Those who were to assist Isaac in his hunt followed behind him as he went ahead.

Watching the procession move away, Dante clicked his tongue.

Can’t they do anything on their own?

“What a fool.”

An uncharacteristically harsh word escaped through his teeth.

It couldn’t be helped.

In a way, Isaac was the man who had stabbed his brother in the back while holding Julia’s hand.

If Dante had been a little more impulsive, Oscar’s arm would have been long gone by now.

Dante’s gaze, after roughly running his hand through his hair, focused somewhere.

The inner part of the forest, pitch-dark due to the dense trees.

It was a place where no one dared to enter, trembling with fear, but Dante moved towards it without a moment’s hesitation.

And not long after.

Thud.

A massive sound reverberated through the forest.

The sight of startled birds simultaneously taking flight was quite spectacular.

There are three bears in one house.

Mama bear, Papa bear.

And one is right in front of my eyes.

…It’s a bear.

Wow, I’m seeing a bear for the first time.

It seems I’m not the only one seeing a bear for the first time.

“A, a bear?”

“It’s a bear.”

“It’s a bear indeed.”

Other nobles were equally shocked, looking at the bear gently thrown on the ground.

The only one who wasn’t surprised was Dante, who had proudly thrown down the bear he had carried on his back in front of everyone.

He wiped the blood off his cheek with a swipe and surveyed his surroundings with an impassive gaze.

When our eyes finally met,

“Serpina.”

Life returned to his dead eyes. As he approached me without hesitation, I smiled brightly.

“Wow. Congratulations on your victory.”

Yes. This is a win without even looking.

Even if he did a forward roll, a side roll, and a backflip, this was Dante’s victory.

Although there were still about 5 hours left until the end of the hunting festival, it was clear that the victory belonged to Dante without waiting.

And then.

“The winner is Duke Dante Richter, who hunted a bear!”

My prediction was not off by even a bit.

Amidst the pouring gazes, Dante’s victory was announced.

Soon, a scream of “Impossible!” burst out from somewhere.

It was one of the ladies who had been making bets earlier. Hmm. The woman who had bet that our Dante ‘wouldn’t win’.

Oh my. How pitiful.

…No, actually, I don’t pity her at all. Serves her right. It’s so satisfying. She got what she deserved!

Suppressing the urge to go in front of the woman and stick out my tongue, I clapped my hands vigorously.

Clap clap clap.

Following my loud applause, applause came from here and there.

Surprise is surprise, but what needs to be done must be done.

Even that lady, who won’t be able to show her face in the capital’s social circles for a year, is fulfilling her duty with a dazed face.

Savoring the stunned applause with satisfaction, I whispered to Dante.

“The award ceremony is tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. The awards will be presented at tomorrow’s ball.”