“Is Dongryeong about to start the hunting season?”

Ariana nodded in response to Isaac’s words.

“They say the opening ceremony for the hunting season is on October 7th. Dongryeong starts a bit later than the Empire because of the favorable climate.”

“If it’s the opening ceremony, both the Eastern Lord before and after Dongje will go hunting. We can see both of your skills.”

Isaac smiled as if looking forward to it.

“According to Isabelle, Uncle Felos always brings back the biggest prey. There’s a dangerous area beyond that forest where many wild beasts come out, and it’s off-limits, but Uncle Felos always goes in there for hunting.”

“Even bears?”

“Seems like it.”

“You must be excited. During this hunting season, Your Highness will probably receive the most prey among the Dongryeong ladies, right?”

“With Isabelle and Lady Wiona around, you never know.”

When the hunting begins at the opening ceremony, men go into the hunting grounds with weapons, while women wait at the entrance.

After a short day or up to three days, men return with prey and present it to the woman they favor.

The woman who receives the best prey that year is treated as the ‘Shining Lady of the Year.’

If a marriageable woman becomes the ‘Shining Lady of the Year,’ the number of suitors often multiplies.

“Oh, Isabelle.”

When Isabelle’s name was mentioned, Isaac’s face turned pale. Isaac chuckled and said,

“Quite a difficult lady to deal with. Challenging.”

Surprisingly, Isaac, who seemed to get along well with everyone, found Isabelle very challenging. Perhaps Isabelle’s unconventional behavior was uncomfortable, as he always avoided Isabelle.

“Anyway, Your Highness. Shini will soon be able to enjoy walks.”

As if not wanting to talk about Isabelle for too long, Isaac quickly changed the subject.

“Really? Can she move now?”

“Yes. The bent bones have straightened, and with her physical recovery, she should be able to take a walk under the sunlight without any problem. If she gradually increases the time spent moving, she should be able to roam around like an ordinary person before the end of this year.”

“Thank you so much, Isaac. If it weren’t for you, there would have been no solution. How can I repay this favor to you?”

Staring silently at Ariana for a moment with a strange expression, Isaac averted his gaze.

“It’s better not to show such an expression in front of any man…….”

“What expression? What expression did I make?”

Unable to understand, Ariana gently touched her face with her hand. Isaac shook his head.

“You’d better not know. What worries me about Shini is that she is the child of Paganus.”

Ariana’s eyes widened.

“How did you find out?”

Upon returning to Dongryeong, Dongjehu Russell exerted effort to manipulate the circumstances surrounding Shini’s birth.
So, the girl with golden eyes that Ariana rescued from the slave market, contrary to what was known to the public, was actually rumored to be of mixed descent from the small tribes of Luano and Pabv in the southeastern region of the continent.

Isaac also didn’t tell Ariana that Shini is Paganus.

“Paganus has a unique organ structure compared to ordinary people. The blood circulation is different. Usually, people wouldn’t notice, but those with advanced medical knowledge would find it challenging to conceal.”

“Ah… I see.”

“People not of Paganus lineage obtain the power of darkness through consciousness, but those born with that blood can use the power of darkness from birth. Shini also likely has the talent for it.”

Isaac looked back at Ariana with a worried expression.

“Do you know what the talent for blood means?”

“I do. The ability to use the power by consuming the heart of a living being in its raw form.”

“Yes. That power may seem very convenient, but the more you use it, the more it consumes a person with darkness. The more you use it, the more you lose yourself and are led to act under the influence of darkness.”

“I see.”

“I won’t ask what Your Highness plans to do with Shini. However, if you make her use that power too often, she might be led by darkness and eventually thrust a knife into Your Highness’s back.”

Ariana smiled lightly.

“I won’t make her use that power.”

“That’s fortunate.”

The two stopped walking in front of a pergola with a blue roof. They sat on the bench under the pergola and looked up at the night sky visible through the curtain.

“Your Highness, now that Shini’s treatment is complete, I’ll return to the Northern Command around the time the hunting season opening ceremony ends. The blood wind should have stopped by now.”

Blood wind.

At the unexpected words, Ariana turned to Isaac. Isaac had a bitter look, not saying anything.

“Was there something wrong in the Northern Command? I heard Duke Heron also returned in a hurry, saying there was an urgent matter.”

“Well, it’s always something, but this time seems a bit more significant.”

“What happened?”

It wasn’t a question seeking an answer. Ariana wouldn’t disclose the affairs of the Northern Command to the princess of Dongryeong.

However, Isaac spoke without hesitation.