Lina couldn’t help but admire the adorable appearance of the foxes. She instinctively picked up one of the foxes that was nearby.

“So cute.”

Perhaps because they inhabit only the Southern Continent, they were smaller in size and looked a bit different from other foxes. Moreover, compared to the foxes in the Empire, which had an orange tint, the desert foxes had a cream color. At that moment when Lina’s heart was melting due to their incredibly charming appearance.

“Oops!”

Whether the unfamiliar touch of a stranger petting its fur was uncomfortable, the fox she was holding growled and bit Lina’s finger.

“Oh, Yeongae! Are you okay?!”

“I’m okay. It doesn’t seem like I got seriously hurt.”

Since it was still a cub, the injury wasn’t too severe, but due to its sharper fangs than expected, there were drops of red blood falling from Lina’s index finger.

“No, this won’t do. I’ll quickly go and get some medicine!”

Leaving those words behind, Michelle disappeared without giving Lina a chance to reply. Perhaps because she was a precious young lady, being bitten on even one finger felt like a major injury.

Michelle, who seemed cute while letting out a forced laughter, covered Lina’s index finger with the handkerchief she handed over.

However.

“Wait a moment!”

The fox that Lina had asked earlier now took the handkerchief she was holding and started running over the fence with it.

“Miss Michelle Yeongae…”

If it had been her own handkerchief, she might have ignored it, but having a fox steal someone else’s handkerchief felt different.

Sighing softly, Lina approached the forest where the fox disappeared.

“According to the Duke, there are no dangerous animals…”

It should be okay.

There was no intention to go deep into the forest.

However, things didn’t go as Lina wished.

The rules of the hunting competition were simple. The one who brought the most game would win. And this year, the strongest candidate for victory was Duke Fermannes.

“Duke, this should be enough, I believe.”

Philip, looking at the pile of game on one side, said in astonishment.
“Since there’s still time, let’s search a bit more.”

Although he had caught only ten deer during the four hours, when combined with small animals like rabbits, it easily amounted to fifteen.

‘Why is the Duke doing this?’

Originally, he was someone who avoided unnecessary hunting. That’s why Philip didn’t expect him to be so enthusiastic about the hunting competition.

Could it be that he wanted to make his fiancée the heroine of the event?

However, for some reason, Philip, feeling a fierce aura, quietly followed behind the Duke.

“You stay here and watch over the game.”

“Yes, understood.”

Seeming tired of following the Duke, Philip sat down by a tree and replied. The Duke continued walking for a while.

When they reached the stream, Bellige, who sensed something, hid her body behind a tree. Peeking out slightly, she saw a large deer drinking from the stream.

Any animal is most relaxed while eating. Bellige, not wanting to miss the opportunity, pulled back the bowstring.

Swish.

Along with the sharp sound of the wind being cut, his arrow was about to pierce the deer’s neck. Suddenly, another arrow from the right hit Bellige’s arrow.

In the end, startled by the loud noise, the deer, which had been about to run away in alarm, escaped, and Bellige clicked her tongue in frustration.

Tsk.

Perhaps someone else was aiming for the same game. It felt too surprising to be a coincidence. Frowning, Bellige raised her eyebrows and stood up.

Then, with a rustling sound, a man appeared, pushing through the bushes. Despite the dense trees making it darker than usual, his golden hair shone brightly.

“…Second Prince.”

It was Blitaeus.

“Are you not Duke Fermannes?”

Smiling casually, he picked up the fallen arrowhead.

“Oh, I’m sorry about this. My arrow pierced through the Duke’s arrow.”

There was a blue ribbon attached to the oddly bent arrow, indicating that it belonged to Duke Fermannes. Bellige, who had been staring at her broken arrow, shifted her gaze.

“It’s okay. It’s just one arrow.”

“As long as you think so, I’m relieved. But, it seems like both of us were aiming for the same game. How strange that our hunting preferences align so well.”

Bellige twitched at the raised corner of Blitaeus’s mouth.

‘Hunting preferences?’

Perhaps it was just a mood swing. Since a while ago, Blitaeus had been subtly affecting his emotions.

However, whether aware of the Duke’s feelings or not, Blitaeus continued speaking.

“Thanks to that, unfortunately, we both missed the prey.”

“I’m fine. I already have enough caught game.”

As Bellige spoke, her gaze turned to the handkerchief attached to the Second Prince’s arrow. Realizing the Duke’s gaze, Blitaeus spoke.
“It’s made of golden silk. As far as I know, it was difficult to obtain this silk in the empire this year… What a funny coincidence that the two of us have the same handkerchief.”

Blitaeus untied the handkerchief that was attached to the arrowhead and played with it. The subtle energy flowing between them seemed a bit more tense than before.

“There’s no way. It just has a similar color; it looks completely different.”

“Well, think whatever you want.”

He showed a friendly smile. However, behind that smile, there was a sense of hidden cunningness that made Bellige frown.

“Rather than hunting, if I had known that the Duke was targeting it, I would have gladly conceded at least one deer.”

“There’s no need for 2nd Prince to consider me.”

“No need for consideration…?”

Blitaeus tilted his head as he pondered Bellige’s words.

“You might regret it.”

Blitaeus, always wearing a gentle smile, had a colder voice than ever, as if he was implying something.