“Exactly, which makes it even worse. What if something happens to the Princess during the hunt? Who will take the blame?”

“I will.”

“How? Come up with a detailed plan and then we can consider.”

At my words, Liri yelled impatiently.

“Stepsister!”

“Right, I’m your stepsister. So you should listen, shouldn’t you? How can I trust you if you scream and act rudely in front of guests?”

Every time I faced Liri, there was something to nag about.

Vi, who had been watching our argument, awkwardly pulled her hand back with a smile.

“Liri, come to the capital with Prince Vi later. There are safe hunting grounds suitable for young nobles. Let’s go together.”

“Princess! Why are you taking stepsister’s side? You want to hunt too.”

“I can always do it in the capital.”

“But…”

Liri was defeating herself with words. Had she merely been pitiful, I might have given in.

But if I gave in now, her habits would never change.

“Fine, let’s sit and have tea together.”

Vi sat on the sofa and tapped the seat next to her. Liri’s mood didn’t improve.

“Today… it’s my birthday!”

Birthday?

I had forgotten.

Since arriving here, I had no time to even think about anyone’s birthday.

I should’ve at least remembered Hertian and Liri’s birthdays. It was my mistake.

“So you didn’t know about my birthday either, stepsister?”

The arrow naturally aimed at me.

It was somewhat unfair.

If you’re going to be like that, get along with me too!

I had won the midnight bet and she didn’t even treat me like a stepsister. Did she think I’d forgive her just because it’s her birthday? Hmm.

“I knew you wouldn’t know. I didn’t expect you to.”

Liri grumbled. It was harsh of me to forget the birthday of one of the only two family members in the world.

I pondered deeply for a minute.

The conclusion came.

I can’t fight with Liri on her birthday of all days.

Sigh.

“Liri, let’s go hunting, just as you wish.”

Retreating a step seemed the only option.

“I’ll ask the Duke to assign a knight. Wait.”

Finally, Liri closed her mouth and smiled satisfactorily.

“Princess, go change. I’ll speak with the Duke.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

(This is a time separator.)

I resolved to reconcile with Liri this time.

I asked Hertian what food Liri liked and even ordered a cake in advance.

As a birthday gift, after much contemplation, I chose a pink silk ribbon that Liri liked. I packaged it beautifully and included a letter.

Let’s forgive each other’s past grievances and try to get along.

It would be uncomfortable for Liri to keep being awkward with me.

But what if she doesn’t accept this either?

I don’t know. We’ll just continue to be awkward.

“It’s beautiful.”
I don’t know. It was awkward, I guess.

“She’s pretty.”

The pink ceiling caught my eye; it was meticulously crafted.

As soon as Liri came in, I decorated a room in pink for the party.

Did I do a better job than I thought?

‘Maybe I have a knack for this sort of thing.’

It was always a joy to celebrate someone’s birthday. These were memories I could never have experienced before my reincarnation. I hoped Liri would like it.

I left the gifts in the room and changed my clothes before heading out.

Hertian wanted to come along, but due to scheduling issues, I assigned a knight from the Duke’s household.

“Your Grace, Duchess, how do you do?”

I looked at the knights with unfamiliar eyes.

Because there were security forces stationed throughout the capital, I had never had to walk with knights like this.

Among them was Osen, Hertian’s closest aide. I also greeted Osen, who seemed filled with some sort of dissatisfaction.

“You’re Osen, right? The Duke’s aide.”

“Yes.”

Osen had been stiff towards me ever since we first met. Did I do something wrong?

“Do you dislike me, Osen?”

I asked as I approached him, and he looked down at me strangely.

“Was there anyone else you said you disliked?”

His words were oddly unsettling. Unsure of what face to make, I scrunched my eyes and pulled at the corners of my mouth.

“I don’t like talking to people who say they dislike me. Please, just focus on protecting Liri and the princess.”

I quickly masked my expression and moved on.

Although Osen followed, I paid him no attention.

I’m not the most patient person, unlike Hertian.

The hunting ground was located midway up a mountain trail in the village. A flat plain with a thin layer of snow and protruding grass. The crisp, fresh air tingled my skin.

‘It feels good to be outside.’

I was even more excited because I was here with Violet.

Liri had a smile on her face too. Of course, she didn’t speak to me because of it.

“Princess, this is Ali, my friend since childhood.”

“Ali? That’s a pretty name.”

“His feather tail is pretty, too.”

Liri, who introduced me to Violet, looked happy.

Still, seeing Liri smile made me feel a lot better.

We settled in at the hunting ground.

“We’ll put up a tent.”

“Yes.”

The knights unloaded the luggage from the carriage and set up a temporary tent.

“Liri, don’t go yet.”

“Do you think this is my first time here? It’s safe.”

“I will follow Liri. Come along when the tent is ready.”

“Understood.”

I mounted a horse and followed her. We stopped at a dense evergreen forest. Liri hid behind a tree and placed a finger to her lips.

“There are Monglies living around here.”

“The furry ones you mentioned?”

“Yes, they’re cute, but we have to hunt them quickly.”

Violet nodded and followed Liri. I kept glancing back to see if the knights were coming.

“Let’s move when the knights arrive.”

“We don’t have time for that. They’ll all run away if they sense people gathering.”

“It’s still dangerous.”

“Sister, should we return without hunting on my birthday?”

Then stay within my sight.

“Fine.”

“Don’t worry too much, Anette. I’m here.”

“Please stop Liri from doing anything rash, Princess.”

“I will.”

Having Violet there was a relief. The two soon disappeared behind trees, apparently having found their game.

The knights took forever to arrive. What happened? Or did they lose track of the path we took into the forest? Alternating my gaze between the forest trail and Liri’s party, I finally moved a few steps towards the forest entrance.

There was no sign of the knights or even any sound of people. In hindsight, I should have asked them to forgo setting up the tent and come with us.

And not long after that…
Across the forest below, voices could be heard.

Turning my head reflexively, I saw a familiar face there.

“Cantard…?”