Ruans felt like he was truly going insane. The thought of those pretty violet eyes and smiling face that had been directed at him now smiling at Teishar instead made him feel like vomiting.

Clutching his head, Ruans hung his head low. Carlien coldly stared at his appearance.

“Carlien.”

“Yes.”

“During the hunting competition, create an opportunity for me to meet my monster.”

“But Prince Ruans. That day is an important day.”

“Do as I say.”

“I understand. I will try my best to create an opportunity, but I cannot guarantee it.”

“Make it happen if I say so.”

The hunting competition was an important day when Adrian would die according to Lorencia’s prophecy. However, Ruans felt like he was going crazy because Lorencia’s face filled his mind more than Adrian’s death or the position of emperor.

“I think I miss my monster. I’m used to seeing her every day, so not being able to see her is probably why.”

Just as much as Lorencia’s face filled his mind, his desire to kill Teishar was also overflowing. No, he had to kill him no matter what.

“Prince Ruans. After the hunting competition, if Duke Teishar escapes, Lady Lorencia will return to the Pol Heredian estate. So you can see her plenty then.”

“I have no intention of sending Lorencia back to the Pol Heredian estate.”

“Then what will you do about the lady’s residence?”

“I’ll confine her to my palace.”

Carlien calmly nodded.

“I’ll have her keep sleeping in the bed I sleep in. I will satisfyingly look down at that…”

Many things would happen after Adrian’s death, but the fact that he would no longer have to be apart from Lorencia made Ruans’ irritation slowly subside.

“Yes. After the day elder brother Adrian dies… The monster will continue to be…”

By my side.

Lorencia poked her head out of the carriage window and looked up at the blue sky. It was a day with a slight chance of rain, not suitable for hunting. However, the carriage was heading towards the clearing in the forest behind the imperial palace where the hunting competition was being held.

‘We’ve finally come this far.’

She had succeeded in saving the lives of all the people Ruans wanted to kill.

Adrian wore a leather vest with animal blood collected near his heart in preparation for being shot by an arrow. And when it starts to rain, Teishar will shoot an arrow in Adrian’s direction. That’s when it truly begins.

Lorencia told Adrian and Teishar what would happen that day.

“Are you nervous?”

“I’m a little nervous, but it’s okay.”

As Lorencia closed the window with a small sigh, Amelin, who was sitting in front, asked.

“Thank you for worrying about me. Amelin.”

The carriage that had arrived at the hunting competition venue stopped. Lorencia and Amelin got out of the carriage and looked around. Tents were set up in preparation for the hunting competition, and servants were busily moving around to greet the nobles arriving in carriages.

“Miss Lorencia. You brought a handkerchief, right?”

Lorencia shyly lowered her eyes. Giving a handkerchief scented with your own perfume to your lover meant that you would always wait at the starting point, so come back safely without getting hurt.

“Yes. I didn’t forget, and I sprayed the perfume I use on the handkerchief.”

“Well done. The person receiving the handkerchief will be happy.”

At Amelin’s words, only one person came to Lorencia’s mind. It was Teishar. He had been busy moving around since early morning to escort Charlotte. They had only exchanged glances at Charlotte and Adrian’s engagement ceremony.

Before long, as the tents were being completed one by one.

The carriage carrying the emperor and empress came into view. Knights leading horses tightly surrounded the carriage, solemnly escorting it. And behind the emperor and empress’ carriage, the carriage carrying Charlotte and Adrian was also coming.

Lorencia easily spotted Teishar among the group and the corners of her mouth naturally rose. His expression was clearly different from when he was with her.

“Duke Teishar looks solemn when he’s working.”

Lorencia watched in fascination as Teishar, holding the reins of his horse, thoroughly surveyed the surroundings.

That’s when it happened.

“Pol Heredian Estate’s daughter.”

A low baritone voice called out to Lorencia. It was a voice she had heard somewhere before, but strangely, it instantly gave her goosebumps all over her body.

Lorencia turned around to see who had called her. It was none other than Duke Daniel Graykan. Through the past shown by the carnelian beads, he was the enemy of her parents.

Although this was actually their first meeting and she absolutely shouldn’t show any agitation, Lorencia unknowingly gritted her teeth.

“Red hair that seems to burn and devour everything, with violet eyes. The Pol Heredian estate’s illegitimate child, no, the estate’s daughter, that I’ve heard rumors about, it seems to be true.”

She had been taught that according to etiquette, there was no need to greet someone who held animosity towards you. Accepting the words of someone hostile would be acknowledging that you were an easy target.

However.

“Who are you? Do you know me?”

Lorencia tilted her head and innocently asked back. She had to show Daniel foolish words and actions of someone uneducated in etiquette and literacy. She absolutely must not arouse his wariness towards her.

“I know you well.”

“Me? Who are you?”

At Lorencia’s behavior, Daniel laughed out loud.

“Why are you laughing? It’s unpleasant.”

“You take after your mother.”

“My mother?”

“Let me introduce myself. I was friends with Lady Lorencia’s mother.”

Lorencia once again unknowingly bit down hard on her teeth. Hatred boiled up, but if she showed her emotions now, all her plans would be for naught. Lorencia suppressed her emotions deeper than usual, and suppressed them again. She deliberately raised the corners of her mouth and gave a friendly smile.

“You know my mother?”

“Of course. We were close.”

“How do you know her?”

When Lorencia deliberately asked in a weak voice, Daniel smiled and nodded.

“Brant Heredian and your mother met through me and fell in love with each other.”

Daniel examined Lorencia’s face and raised the corners of his mouth wide. The inside of his black mouth was visible. Daniel stuck out his black tongue and licked his lips.

“Your mother loved Brant Heredian very much. Not knowing my feelings…”

“I would prefer if you stopped the conversation there. Duke Graykan.”

Teishar, who had approached at some point, stood in front of Lorencia. Daniel’s sharp gaze pierced into Teishar.

“Oh my… Duke Spencer.”

“I would appreciate if you refrained from saying anything to her.”

“I was merely talking about the mother of the Pol Heredian estate’s daughter, who is Duke Spencer’s lover. You shouldn’t interrupt a conversation. Unless you came here out of jealousy towards this old man, I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”

“There’s no reason for misunderstanding.”

“Oh my, oh my. It seems the lover of Lady Lorencia is not the jealous type.”

Teishar tightly shut his mouth, not wanting to respond to Daniel’s words.

“Barging into a conversation without manners is not the etiquette of the Floyds, is it?”

Teishar’s irritation automatically rose at the manner of speech so terribly similar to Ruans’.

“The hunting competition will begin soon. It would be best for you to return to your tent.”

Daniel’s gaze shifted to Lorencia. If Teishar’s red eyes felt as warm as the sun in the sky, Daniel’s red eyes seemed to hold the cold scent of blood.

“Lady Pol Heredian. I’ll tell you many stories about your mother next time, so make sure to meet with Prince Ruans.”

“I told you to stop talking. Duke Graykan.”

Teishar clenched his fists at Daniel’s words.

“Lady Lorencia. I’ll send you a letter later. Well then.”

Daniel spoke in a kind voice, contrasting with his crafty snake-like eyes, and disappeared.

“Loa. Are you alright?”

“No. I’m not alright.”

Lorencia bit the soft flesh inside her mouth. She wanted to shout at Daniel with her trembling lips not to carelessly speak about her parents.

“You endured well.”

The moment she spoke with Daniel, her entire body felt as if the blood had drained out, turning cold. If she could, she wanted to pull out the sword from the scabbard at Teishar’s waist and plunge it into Daniel’s heart. She suppressed the bursting hatred with all her strength. She even felt hatred towards herself for smiling at Daniel.

“I have to endure.”

Lorencia rolled her lips and smiled with her eyes. In Teishar’s eyes, Lorencia looked extremely pained.

Lorencia released the lips she had rolled. Daniel had deliberately brought up the topic of her mother Musilla to her and left. It was obvious that he wanted to make her curious and seek him out.

Daniel had said Brant was her biological father. He casually told her that terrible lie.

If she hadn’t known the truth, she might have kept thinking about what Daniel said. She might have been curious about her mother and clung to him, asking him to tell her about her mother.

Just the thought of it was horrible.

“Loa. Would you like to go inside the tent and rest for a bit?”

“Yes. I think I need to rest a little. Thank you for worrying about me. Ter.”

As she was looking at Teishar’s face, full of concern for her, the voice of an attendant looking for him could be heard from afar.

“Duke Spencer. His Highness Adrian is looking for you.”

Teishar let out a deep sigh at the news that he was being sought. He couldn’t even escort Lorencia due to guarding Charlotte and Adrian. It hurt, but there was no helping it. On an important day like today, he had to take a step back.