Just like during the diplomatic envoy visit, there was another Friendship Hunt Tournament scheduled between the two empires. The previous one featured a shooting contest with ring-necked doves.

“A hunting tournament…”

As the First Prince thought back to the winners of the last tournament, he grimaced again. It reminded him of the fierce competition between Kaeron and Rainian, culminating in a shared victory.

“This time, there will be a Partner Hunt Tournament, where women can participate as well.”

“A Partner Hunt Tournament?”

At the Empress’s words, the Second Prince’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Among Lisandro’s cultural events, there was a Partner Hunt where men and women formed pairs to participate. Of course, the Second Prince enjoyed rendezvous with women in the forest more than the hunt itself.

“Yes. Let’s set up snares properly for this hunt.”

With a meaningful smile, the Empress gestured as if urging the two princes to listen closely.

On the day of the Friendship Hunt Tournament, the morning air was unusually chilly. As they approached the hunting grounds, Idel’s expression hardened. Kaeron gently took her hand.

“You don’t have to be so tense.”

“It’s my first time, and I’m worried…”

“Don’t worry, just stay by my side.”

Idel, who was trying to calm her trembling nerves, felt a sense of relief at Kaeron’s comforting words.

“But… I’m afraid I’ll be a burden to you because I’m inexperienced.”

“Don’t worry. You’ve learned horseback riding, so you’ll be fine. You’ve become quite proficient since our last riding date.”

Encouraged by Kaeron’s affectionate words, Idel finally smiled. After the last riding date, where they occasionally visited the palace to ride the black horse, Caden, Idel had become quite comfortable with horseback riding.

However, Idel’s newfound calmness shattered at the entrance of the hunting ground, where participants had gathered. The surprise announcement by Emperor Lisandro, congratulating and declaring the beginning of the Friendship Hunt Tournament, was the reason. Idel was not the only one taken aback.

“What is the meaning of this? Assigning hunting partners through a random draw?”

Kaeron furrowed his brows at Emperor Lisandro’s abrupt announcement. In response, Emperor Lisandro smiled mischievously and replied.

“Hehe, isn’t it more fair to have partners selected randomly than hunting with someone you’re already compatible with?”

Looking at Empress Lisandro, who was smiling subtly beside him, Emperor Lisandro seemed to be implying something. The sudden addition of this rule left Kaeron bewildered.

“Is it because of the added rule that you’re worried Duke Elyos won’t win in the tournament?”
With a chilling voice of protest, Kaeron was questioned by the First Prince, who chuckled and spoke with a teasing tone. Kaeron narrowed his eyes, giving a sharp look at the First Prince.

His keen instincts made him feel that the current situation was somehow unusual. There was only one thing he feared.

‘The possibility of Idel being separated from me.’

He did not want to create the unsettling possibility of such a worrisome event.

“Winning is not important. However, I cannot allow the Duchess to be away from my side even for a moment.”

“Huh…!”

In response to Kaeron’s straightforward words, the First Prince opened his mouth in disbelief, as if it were audacious to speak so confidently in front of everyone.

Kaeron, embracing Idel’s shoulders and pulling her close to him, expressing strong affection, elicited different reactions from those observing.

‘It’s absurd…! Duke Elyos…’

The ladies-in-waiting, who were thoroughly ignored by Kaeron during the last ball, tore at their handkerchiefs with faces filled with jealousy, unable to believe it.

‘If he has a wife like the Duchess, it might be worth it.’

The nobles and attendants, including the Second Prince, who were dressed in riding attire for the hunt, understood Kaeron’s actions as they looked at Idel, exuding an innocent charm. Ophelia, watching Kaeron, who couldn’t hide his affection for Idel, gleefully chuckled. Rainian, standing next to Ophelia, smiled with relief, but there was a faint loneliness in his eyes as he watched the devoted Duke and Duchess.

“The Duke is always worried about the Duchess’s safety. By the way, didn’t the Duchess return safely from the last outing to the capital?”

“Hunting grounds with flying bullets are different. Much more dangerous.”

Emperor Lisandro chuckled as if mediating, and Kaeron immediately countered, saying it was still not acceptable. Then, the First Prince, in a ominous tone, confronted Kaeron with his words.

“Is the Duke doubting the safety guaranteed by our Lisandro? It’s an attitude that’s hard to see in a true alliance.”

‘Isn’t that right, everyone?’ The First Prince added, directing public opinion, and Idel, as if determined, stepped forward and spoke.

“That’s not the case. It’s because of my shortcomings that I caused concern to His Majesty. I believe the alliance between the two countries will always be strong. I, too, will participate in the tournament with confidence according to the new rules.”

“Idel…!”

As Kaeron urgently grabbed her hand, Idel looked at him with a firm expression.

Seeing her earnest gaze, hoping that there would be no friction between the two countries because of her, Kaeron reluctantly closed his mouth with a clenched jaw.

“Elyos Duchess seems more refreshing than expected! Now, Duchess, please draw the lottery first.”

The frivolous First Prince suggested Idel draw the partner lottery. Servants brought a velvet pouch containing lottery slips in front of her. She put her hand into the pouch and pulled out a wooden piece.

“…!”

Startled, Idel widened her eyes as she confirmed the familiar name engraved on the wooden piece.