Such a scheme posed a risk of making her never trust Rocord Kaidel again.

Starting this play with such a risk in mind, Rocord wondered if it truly aligned with their interests. Nevertheless, he had been contemplating ways to seduce her as she slept for the past few hours.

Rocord found this situation, where vague emotions and impulses were one step ahead of his rationality, quite uncomfortable.

‘What kind of play is this… Is it really appropriate?’

He was startled by a sudden thought that emerged within him. He shook his body in surprise and then left the room, his head filled with excitement.

When Hwinid was worrying about whether Kaidel Gongja had truly gone mad, Rocord reappeared.

He was holding a bunch of freshly picked roses in his hand.

Rocord, without a word, stuck the roses into Hwinid’s experimental flask and placed it beside Lorisha’s head before returning.

Hwinid, with her lips slightly open and stunned, was nowhere to be seen.

According to Director Roiman, I almost died. I had hit my head when I fell, and if I didn’t wake up within two or three days, there would be no hope.

But I woke up in just two days. How impressive.

“Thank you so much, Director.”

“The person to thank is someone else, Ms. Loar.”

I followed his gaze to the flower vase on my bedside table. The roses stuck in it were undoubtedly picked from the Imperial Garden.

“What should I do? I’ll make sure to thank Lord Londe.”

“Uh… uh… Well…”

The director seemed embarrassed because Lord Londe wasn’t the type to show any unusual behavior.

Seeing the director’s distressed expression, I laughed and said, “How can you pretend not to know that you saved my life? Don’t worry; I won’t embarrass Lord Londe.”

“Uh, the person who saved Ms. Loar is not Lord Londe. I’m leaving now!”

The director hurriedly left.

“Director? Director!”

I looked at the flower vase in amazement. Seeing the color and arrangement of the flowers, it seemed that Lord Londe had picked and arranged them for me.

Looking at the flower vase warmed my heart.

In this challenging life of a blue-blooded child, it was still so grateful to have people who helped me without expecting anything in return.

Lord Londe, Director Roiman, even if I had to mention him, Kaidel Gongja too.

In the happiness I felt after a long time, I turned to the side and enjoyed the flowers.

‘Mom, I’m not dead yet. Mom, your daughter is still strong.’

But I couldn’t prevent Orel Gongja’s appearance in the Hwanggung Forest from coming to mind.

He definitely attacked me intentionally. He hid in the forest, saving his stamina, and hunted me instead of a fox.

For someone who might ascend to the throne, such despicable actions.

I wished I didn’t know who the culprit was; that thought crossed my mind.
Orel Gongja’s message was clear.

“Get lost.”

To him, my life was not important, and the message was more for my two younger siblings than for me.

For Her Highness Miliora, it was a warning not to interfere in the competition anymore, and for His Highness Gracian, it was a declaration that they should face each other properly from now on.

However, since I unexpectedly survived… I was at a loss about how to proceed.

On one hand, it didn’t seem so difficult. What could be easier than doing nothing in the world?

The word ‘difficult’ was one that only those who took action could use.

“I’ll figure something out.”

Thinking so, I lay down immediately, but a sudden wave of fear overwhelmed me.

Unconsciously, I tightly pulled the blanket over myself, causing my entire body to shiver, but I couldn’t let out a groan.

The fear I felt was not because of Orel Gongja.

Emperor Hwangje.

What did he truly want in the third competition?

If there hadn’t been Orel Gongja’s sudden actions, how would the hunt have ended?

He eliminated his brothers with his own hands and ascended to the throne. So, if he wanted his children to undergo the same rite of passage, I would have lost all affection for the Hwangga.

The hopeful assumption I could derive from this situation was this: Emperor Hwangje released his children into the forest, wanting to check their temperament. If the imperial children were cruel and ruthless enough, or if they were turning the past cruelty into a virtue, they might have proposed leaving only one alive in the forest.

Emperor Hwangje embarked on an adventure to confirm his children’s character in a controlled situation where no one else could see, and now he might be relieved by the fact that only three foxes died in that hunt.

I wanted to believe that.

I might never have the chance to know the truth.

I thought that after a long time passed from now, I wanted to go into the Imperial Library. By then, Emperor Hwangje’s diary might be there.

I remembered Kaidel Gongja with deep torment. In the current situation, there was no one else who came to mind to consult about the next competition.

He was like a thorn in my side, always saving me.