“Why is Prince Tesler coming to the Laphion Empire?”

I asked, my fists unconsciously clenched.

“As Your Majesty is aware, don’t all countries gather each year for the continental hunting competition?”

“Yes, but I thought it hasn’t been held for several years now?”

The continental hunting competition, though purposed for fostering friendship between nations, was in fact a contest with an underlying aim of monitoring each other’s movements.

“That’s correct. Due to the wyverns beginning to inhabit the Valley of Death located between the two continents, a war broke out, preventing the hunting competition from taking place for the past three years. However, it might be possible to hold it this time.”

“I heard it’s the time for the wyverns to return. Even then, they’re holding the hunting competition?”

“Yes, it seems there are discussions because of the personal letter that the Emperor of the Tevello Empire in South Continent sent to each country.”

“What letter?”

“It proposed dealing with the wyvern issue while maintaining peaceful relations with each other, rather than recklessly instigating wars.”

“Ah, so they’re gathering all the emperors of the countries under the pretext of the hunting competition to discuss the issue?”

“That’s right.”

The Duke of Martins nodded.

“So, there’s also a scheme?”

“Of course. As long as one of the two continents doesn’t give up on the wyverns, the war won’t easily stop.”

“Then why bother holding the hunting competition? I mean, if they’re going to wage a war anyway.”

When I asked, puzzled, the duke laughed heartily.

“The continental hunting competition is a good opportunity to spy on each other.”

There was a point to Duke Martins’s words.

“If the hunting competition is held this time, it would be a silent war, wouldn’t it?”

“You have seen it well, Your Majesty.”

“Is that why Prince Tesler is coming here?”

I asked, scrunching up my nose.

“Yes, it seems the purpose is to meet Your Majesty in advance before the hunting competition, as they’re both located in the North Continent.”

“Then he won’t stay long?”

“That’s right. If the hunting competition is confirmed, he will have to come again.”

If the hunting competition is held this time, the starting point of this year’s competition was the Laphion Empire.

This means that all the dignitaries of the countries participating in the hunting competition gather in the Laphion Empire.

“Then since the starting point is in the North Continent… which country in the South Continent becomes the destination?”

“It is said to be the Partsha Empire, which just had a change of emperor recently.”

A smile unfitting the conversation spread across Duke Martins’s face.

“Duke, why are you laughing? Do you have some connection with the Partsha Empire?”

“Ah, did I laugh?”

He rubbed his face with his hand, bringing down his uplifted lips.

“There is a connection. Well, rather than with me, it would be deeper with Princess Resilia.”

Princess Resilia? Why?

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll find out eventually. It seems good for Your Majesty to start paying attention to the Partsha Empire.”

Me?

“Why?”

“Because it’s a more important country than you think.”

Duke Martins’s answer was simple, but it made me feel vaguely uneasy.

I decided to remember the Partsha Empire of the South Continent, as per his advice.

“Ah, is that why Your Majesty is in a meeting with the representatives since this morning?”

“Perhaps. They’re probably discussing whether to agree on hosting the continental hunting competition.”

“When will the prince arrive here?”

I didn’t feel confident to face Prince Tesler with a smiling face.

I even thought I wished someone would shoot an arrow at Prince Tesler’s heart in the hunting competition as if it were an accident.

If that were possible, I would……

“Your Majesty, rash actions are forbidden.”

Duke Martins spoke as if he knew what I was thinking.

Feeling caught, I blushed, but I didn’t feel like denying it, so I stayed silent.

“He is a cruel man.”

The duke said.

“Pardon?”

“Prince. He might seem gentle on the outside, but he has a very cruel temperament.”

Prince Tesler is cruel?

I knew he was a bad guy, clearly, since the day I was sent here as a proxy empress.

But until then, I didn’t know Prince Tesler had a cruel personality.

My gaze fell again on the jewel box.

The duke, watching me not easily agree to his words, put more force into his voice.

“Your Majesty must not have had the opportunity to experience Prince Tesler’s cruelty up till now.”

I turned my eyes back to him.

“Duke.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Will the prince not kill Bonis?”

I asked, clenching my fists as if the bones were about to pierce through my skin.

“He will not kill. Not yet.”

At the end of the words slowly added by the Grand Duke, my heart sank.

“Not yet? So you think there’s a possibility in the future?”

“Of course. This is the beginning of a warning. If you, Your Majesty the Empress, continue to get closer to him, he will send a bigger warning.”

“A bigger warning …”

I did not want to imagine it.