Among the naive noble youths, there were many who were more interested in observing the princesses than the hunting festival.

Stella, in the back row of princesses gathered as lively as the land ghosts, was standing at the very last spot.

The princesses assigned to the back rows openly expressed their dissatisfaction, but Stella felt rather comfortable.

While the emperor was delivering a speech in the front, she couldn’t hear it properly. Fortunately, the sun wasn’t too hot, and the breeze blew gently, making the situation quite comfortable.

“Stella, you look beautiful today!”

“No, you look cool.”

“Be quiet. Why bother saying such things when she can’t even respond?”

When Oton teased, Ark and Esta squinted their eyes and glared at him.

Whether he responded or not, Oton continued to look around without pause. When Stella raised her eyebrows as if asking what he was looking for, Oton responded with a sharp tone.
“You never know if those land ghosts will come out again. You don’t even have a hoe now. If you see even one, I’ll let you know, so at that time, pretend to be hurt and go into the mansion. Judging from the way they ran away earlier, they probably won’t show up again, but this place is where monsters roam, so their energy is strong.”

Stella smiled slyly and pointed inside her dress with her finger. Otton, who had been wiggling his eyebrows without knowing the meaning, widened his eyes in surprise.

“No way, did you hide it inside your dress? The hoe?”

Stella responded with a slight shrug of her shoulders as an answer.

“Well done.”

Otton chuckled and said. Stella continued to fiddle with him, finding Otton cute, and gently patted his round and small head.

“Why are you like this? Do you think I’m an idiot? Tsk!”

But as Stella continued to play with him, Otton pretended to be upset and patted her back.

Stella tapped Otton’s back with her finger. Every time she touched him, Otton cringed cutely and endearingly.

“I heard that a handkerchief was tied to the emperor’s sword. Did you hear about the handkerchief chosen by the emperor?”

A voice discussing various matters could be heard from the front. Nearby princesses leaned slightly towards the direction of the princess who was sitting, intrigued.

“Really? Which princess made the handkerchief? Have you heard about the handkerchief chosen by the emperor?”

No one seemed to have heard, and the princesses shook their heads nervously.
Stella stretched her neck and stared at the lineup. The princesses were sitting in rows by region, and the front row was occupied by Princess Anette of Muge Castle. Being at the very back meant being at the bottom of the Plant Zone hierarchy.

Stella glanced discreetly at the princesses seated at the very back, including herself. Despite being adorned in beautiful clothes and fancy jewelry, their expressions seemed gloomy, like people attending a funeral.

During this, Stella made eye contact with one princess who, like her, was looking around. It was the only princess at the back who had a bright, cheerful smile.

The two exchanged smiles as if making a promise, then turned their attention forward.

Under the platform where the emperor stood, knights stood in formation as if they were swords.

“I wonder if Royce is among them?”

Stella wondered if Royce had tied the handkerchief she gave him to his sword.

After finishing his speech, Harman quickly approached Kai. The hunting festival was the only event held in the imperial palace that the emperor didn’t dislike. Except for giving speeches.

“Your performance today was truly magnificent. It was much more impressive than the speech you gave last year. Perhaps Your Majesty is getting better at speeches as time goes by. I was so moved that I had to wipe away tears throughout.”

(Note: The names and genders of the characters in this translation are assumed based on the context provided. Please verify the accuracy according to your story.)
Harman showered praise until his mouth went dry. Seeing the emperor’s spirits lifted, Harman felt a sense of pride in his successful flattery.

“Harman.”

Kai’s voice calling Harman was extremely gentle.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Was it truly more impressive than last year?”

“Of course. You know I can’t lie.”

“Is that so?”

Harman nodded contentedly. Although he hadn’t fully listened due to his slightly distracted state during the speech, the thunderous applause from the crowd assured him that it was undoubtedly a successful speech.

“Yes, it was excellent.”

“It was the same as last year’s speech.”

“Really?”

“I said the same thing last year.”

While Kai spoke, Harman’s round, sparkling pupils lost focus as if his gaze had drifted away.

“But as the years go by, it becomes more impressive. It’s quite a fascinating thing.”

Having finished speaking, Kai left Harman standing there in bewilderment and effortlessly mounted his warhorse. Kai’s vigorous black horse, in high spirits, pranced and kicked its hooves.

Then it happened. The handkerchief tied to Kai’s sword came loose and fell to the ground. Harman, standing slightly stiff, swiftly caught the falling handkerchief.
The gaze of the princess and noble ladies who had been observing this place suddenly concentrated. The emperor chose a handkerchief and even tied it to his sword, but no one heard any news about the owner of the handkerchief.

“Your Majesty, I caught the handkerchief.”

Harman, who himself was unaware of the handkerchief chosen by the emperor, pretended to convey the news, subtly examining the pattern embroidered on the handkerchief.

“Hmm?”

Harman’s head tilted curiously. Smirking, Kai, who had taken the handkerchief from him, tightly tied it to his sword again.

“Your Majesty, what is that handkerchief…”

To be honest, Harman wanted to ask where he picked it up. He couldn’t figure out why a carrot was embroidered on the emperor’s handkerchief.