Giving a handkerchief to someone usually carries a meaning of support, so if in the same position, there would be no need to bother giving one.

Moreover, if Arasila were to win the hunting festival as a magician……

‘Wouldn’t that be an external achievement enough to push down Travis’s pride?’

While Travis had talent comparable to Arasila in the field of magic research, he couldn’t even be compared in the attack department.

He couldn’t even keep up with the tip of her toes.

He had never achieved any external merits. Unable to go out and fight, he just stayed in the magic tower repeating research and inventions.

‘If I win the hunting festival as the magic tower representative, everyone will shut their mouths.’

It was a good opportunity to not have to give a personally embroidered handkerchief to Demian, and to gain an achievement to proudly present to the magic tower.

“Paula, there’s no rule that women can’t participate in the hunting festival, right?”

“Huh? Yeah, as far as I know, there isn’t. But why? You, don’t tell me……”

Seeing her friend’s astonished look, Arasila grinned.

“How could I let my husband go to the hunting festival alone. As you said, I should participate together.”

“No, I meant you should come as a spectator.”

“When’s the deadline for submission? I need to express my intention to participate right away.”

Half-ignoring her friend’s words, Arasila called Audrey and ordered her to find out about participating in the hunting festival.

Paula rubbed her temples and shook her head.

“Many couples come to the hunting festival together, but you two would be the first to participate together as a couple.”

“Really? That’s good, I like the word ‘first’.”

Arasila, who had already made up her mind to participate in the hunting festival, smiled brightly.

Arasila officially submitted her entry for the hunting festival. And when she informed Demian of this fact, he raised an eyebrow and said this:

“That suits my lady better.”

That was all. There were no words to dissuade her or actions that belittled her participation.

Instead, the problem erupted elsewhere.

As attention focused on the news that they were the first couple to participate together in the hunting festival, a structure of mage versus knight competition formed at some point.

“I heard Lady Vandermir is participating in the hunting festival as the magic tower representative? Might she be the first woman to win?”

“Nah, the great knight Lord Vandermir is participating too, right? Originally, knights are better at hunting than mages.”

“No, I heard Lady Vandermir is unexpectedly talented in the attack field as a mage.”

“Still, I think Lord Vandermir has a higher chance of winning? He’s a Sword Master after all!”

This external atmosphere naturally seeped into the magic tower and the knights order as well.

Arasila’s juniors and the Red Hawk Knights members pestered their superiors, wanting victory in the hunting festival.

“Senior! You absolutely can’t go easy just because he’s your husband! You must come back victorious!”

“Commander! You can’t lose even if she’s your wife! It’s your first participation, so you must win!”

Even the two who had no thoughts before, after repeatedly hearing such words, their competitive spirit began to boil.

As they originally belonged to the representative rival groups of the Setron Empire, they couldn’t help but develop a competitive psychology.

The competitive spirit that had been buried while getting married for their respective goals began to creep out.

“Are you preparing well for the hunting festival, my lady?”

Demian, who had returned from training in preparation for the hunting festival, asked upon encountering Arasila in the entrance.

Arasila, who had returned late for the same reason, nodded roughly.

“Yes, well. I’m doing so-so. How about you, Demian?”

“I’m just swinging my sword in my spare time.”

A conversation like that of academy students who stayed up all night studying during exam period but pretended to have slept early to their friends the next day ensued.

“Then work hard, Demian.”

“Well, it’s not something to put that much effort into. You work hard too, my lady.”

“I don’t really need to make an extraordinary effort either.”

The two who had returned to their respective bedroom and office thought.

I should practice more from tomorrow.

And so, on the day of the hunting festival.

A strange tension flowed between the couple as they moved in a carriage to the Panther Forest on the outskirts of the capital where the hunting festival was being held.

Demian rolled his eyes slightly to observe Arasila. With her hair tied up high in a ponytail, she was dressed in a navy blue checkered hunting outfit.

Her snow-white nape was clearly exposed.

In her hand was a long, huge staff that she didn’t usually carry around. The large blue sphere of magic stone embedded at the top sparkled.

‘She came prepared.’

Meanwhile, Arasila also scrutinized her husband with subtle sidelong glances. The hunting outfit based on black and gray accentuated his already good body more than usual.

With his hair neatly swept back so as not to obstruct his view, his handsome features were clearly visible.

Arasila narrowed her eyes at the hawk-patterned sword at his waist.

‘Isn’t he dressed up too much?’

Perhaps because he had a body and face that would look great even in rags, wearing a hunting outfit that clung to his body a bit gave the impression of being dressed up.

“Can you run in those clothes? Won’t they tear if they get caught on branches?”

Arasila broke the silence and spoke first. She meant for him to take it easy since his attire looked uncomfortable for running.

“Your boots look uncomfortable, my lady. Be careful. You might fall while walking.”

Demian replied calmly. He meant for her to take it easy and not fall unnecessarily.

Sparks flew where their gazes met in the air.

‘I will definitely win.’

‘I’m the one who will win the hunting festival.’

The two who happened to want the same thing at the same moment were, in a way, a very well-matched couple.

Near the entrance of Panther Forest, numerous tents were set up. The higher the family’s prestige, the larger the tent, and the closer it was to the tent where the royal family stayed.

This year’s hunting festival participants and spectators gathered in small groups. As it was a hunting festival hosted by the imperial family, all the famous nobles were in attendance.

Of course, the Vandermir ducal family was included among those famous noble families. Besides Demian, Oscar was also determined to participate in the hunting festival.

“Oscar, have you practiced hunting? Demian is participating this year too, so you should produce a result that’s not shameful.”

Duke Vandermir glared at his eldest son who was sauntering over like a good-for-nothing. Oscar hid slightly behind his mother as he replied.

“I’ll try my best, Father.”

“Don’t just try, bring results! I’m not even asking for the golden laurel wreath, just make it into the top 3!”

The hunting festival winner is given a laurel wreath made of pure gold. And the hunting festival queen to whom they dedicate their game is bestowed a flower crown made of undying flowers.

Duke Vandermir knew that his eldest son’s sword skills were inferior to his second son’s. So he didn’t make the unrealistic demand of beating Demian.

He only insisted on bringing a result no less than him. Even that was too much to ask of Oscar.

“If Demian wins, he’ll surely dedicate his game to his wife. Then won’t those two become the representative couple receiving the laurel wreath and flower crown? If that happens-”

“That would be truly wonderful.”

A gentle voice cut through the duke’s voice as he was ranting while holding onto his unreliable eldest son.

The Vandermir family, startled for a moment, turned their heads to find their in-laws, Duke and Duchess Hugo, standing there with beaming smiles.

“It’s been a while, Duke. Duchess.”

“Yes, it has. Have you been well?”

The duchess reluctantly returned the greeting. The duchess, arm-in-arm with her husband, gracefully nodded.

“We’ve been well. How about you, Duchess? I heard the grand duchess injured her leg on her way down to the dukedom. It must be hard taking care of her.”

At this, the duchess’s mouth twitched as if she had a lot to say.

The grand duchess, who had injured her leg while trying to hit Arasila, vented all her anger and stress on her daughter-in-law, the duchess.

The old lady, unable to move from her bed, was thrashing about so much that the duchess had even lost weight by now.

Thanks to this, her hostility towards Arasila was deepening day by day. Even though it was the grand duchess who was actually tormenting her, she blamed and hated Arasila.

But she couldn’t reveal these inner feelings in front of Arasila’s parents. So the duchess had no choice but to force a smile.

“No, it’s fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s nothing. Now that our children are married, we should live worrying about each other’s well-being.”

Despite her modest and gentle impression, the smiling duchess exuded an aura that couldn’t be easily ignored.

The duchess thought that from mentioning the grand duchess first despite knowing about the controversy between her and Arasila, she was no ordinary character.

The duke, standing tall like a gentle giraffe next to his wife, burst into hearty laughter.

“Haha! By the way, I’m so glad that the duke and duchess seem to look fondly upon our Arasila and Lord Vandermir.”

“…We look fondly upon them?”

The duke retorted, thinking this was nonsense. They might hate them to death, but how could they look fondly upon them?

The duke, with a face very similar to his second daughter, replied with a sunny smile.

“Didn’t you say you hope Lord Vandermir wins and those two share the laurel wreath and flower crown? We think the same.”

“……”

The duke, who was about to say that would lead to an even more unpleasant situation, was at a loss for words due to embarrassment.

Well, he couldn’t deny it either.

His lips quivering, he barely managed to squeeze out some words.

“But there’s no guarantee Demian will win. He might not even make it into the top 3. It’s better not to have too high expectations.”

After this indirect rebuttal, the duke added.

“Oscar is also participating in the hunting festival, and there are many other skilled participants.”

It was a subtle hint that Oscar was also a candidate for victory, but Duke Hugo, thinking he was just being modest, said cheerfully.

“Oh come now, my friend. A Sword Master and a mage, and you’re being humble?”

“……”

“Of course, I understand you said that to not put pressure on the children. But when you’ve raised your child so splendidly, it’s okay to be a bit proud.”

The duke, who was surprisingly picking out only the words that would make the Vandermir family uncomfortable, showed not even a speck of ill will.

For the first time in his life, the duke realized that an opponent without ill will was more difficult than one with ill will.

Fortunately for the Vandermir family, who were barely managing their expressions, Arasila and Demian arrived at the forest at that moment.

The Duke and Duchess Hugo, spotting the couple conversing with Iris and Adrian, wrapped up their conversation with the Vandermir family to go greet them.

“Well then, we’ll be going now. Let’s meet again next time.”

Duke Hugo, who had half-turned his body, finally patted Oscar’s shoulder.

“I heard you’re participating in the hunting festival too, young lord? Do your best.”

Oscar was slightly irritated, unsure what he was being encouraged for, but before he could ask, the duke left with his wife, wearing a kindly face.

The remaining Vandermir family was left fuming.