Episode 36: Hunting festival (4)
Since the system that would normally restrain me remained silent, I boldly confronted the empress.
“This woman! Can she really be called a mother? Right now, your son is lying unconscious! My son!”
“Aren’t you trying to avoid this situation by blaming me, you cunning woman!”
“Oh, I’m really frustrated to death.”
Even though I was speaking the truth eloquently, the other party only blamed me, so I turned my palms to cover my eyes. Gesturing impatiently towards the empress, I said,
“Don’t regret it later. Quickly, go and help your son. Hurry.”
If something tragic happened and your son never woke up, how much regret would you feel then? Unconsciously getting involved in this situation, the empress responded coldly as if she couldn’t believe it.
“These are wounds that heal in an instant. Making sure you can’t escape is more important.”
“His abdomen got pierced, and what…?”
Right at that moment, as the physician reached out, a dazzling light emerged, seemingly mending torn flesh as if it were being glued back together.
“Huh?”
I furrowed my brow in disbelief. Wasn’t this person a physician? Or can anyone use healing magic here?
‘No wonder you’re not afraid of getting hurt, then.’
Now I understood why other people remained calm when I caused a commotion while holding Julius. Nodding my head, I was caught up in another realization.
‘Wait a minute! Why hasn’t anyone treated me until now? Am I such a lowly existence?’
I also got slapped by the emperor, and my foot hurt because of the shoes! I’m still limping from the side he kicked.
As I puckered my lips like a crucian carp, the empress arrogantly lifted her chin and said,
“Did you see? Stop pretending to be impressive and surrender peacefully.”
“No, seriously.”
I am not the culprit. Your son could confirm that just by opening his eyes.
‘Why did they conclude that I’m the culprit in the first place?’
It was when I sighed in frustration that the empress licked her red lips and muttered,
“Vicious wench. This time, I can finally get rid of you in front of my eyes.”
I could feel her hatred towards me, and it sent shivers down my spine.
‘If this continues, Julius will wake up late, and I’ll be executed on the spot, disappearing right away.’
Her gaze toward me was unmistakably filled with ‘murderous intent.’ I hugged myself tightly. It was right at that moment. A small voice, like the fluttering of a mosquito, came from the other side.
“T-this can’t be happening.”
The empress and I turned our heads simultaneously. About ten steps away from me, a woman wearing a tight-fitting dress was trembling and muttering.
“There’s no way such a horrifying thing with blood splattering everywhere could happen.”
“…Beth.”
I recognized her at a glance. Beautiful, flowing hair, and azure eyes – there was only one person like that in this game.
Realizing that she was the protagonist, I shouted terrifyingly.
“There she is, the witness!”
Seeing her shivering like that, it was clear that she had witnessed our incident from start to finish!
* * *
Meanwhile, at the podium where the beginning of the hunting game was declared, there were two people. The emperor, sitting buried in a soft and massive cloak, and Percy Steward, dressed in a black uniform.
The emperor lowered his head and shook his hand with the hand that had a blossomed black mushroom to Percy, who was sitting in a voluminous cloak.
“It’s been a while, Duke Stewart.”
“I greet Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s brown eyes stared at Percy with a lizard-like glint. He twisted his lips into an unpleasant smile.
“We were heart and head, weren’t we? That’s why, perhaps. When I see a duke, I feel a strange longing.”
It was the story of the five noble families that supported the empire. Although the stories passed down only to the heirs were extremely sensitive, Percy casually brushed them off as if he knew nothing about them.
“Isn’t it a yearning left in the bloodline?”
The emperor chuckled. His eyes didn’t smile at all, but his voice was high, strangely sending shivers down the spine.
“Haha, indeed. Duke, do you feel the connection more strongly than I do? Since the Duke can’t resist me.”
These were intentionally provocative words thrown at Percy. As if truly provoked, Percy’s cold, rigid face twitched lightly.
“The answer…”
Unconsciously, the emperor leaned in to listen to Percy’s voice. It also represented his subconscious response to Percy’s imposing presence.
Percy concluded the conversation in a calm tone.
“It’s later than I thought. Even the leisurely dusk seems impatient.”
Not understanding the meaning, the emperor blinked for a moment but later laughed.
“Oh, that story. It’s about the dilemma of my precious daughter.”
It was the marriage proposal Percy Stewart sent to Sienna. Percy’s eyebrows twitched significantly.
“Is saying that five islands are not enough?”
“Well, how could you paint me as such a harsh father.”
“I apologize.”
There was no trace of regret in Percy’s smooth face as he apologized to the emperor. Bowing his head, Percy twisted his lips.
“I don’t know if I’m harsh, but parents with ambitions are correct. I’ve already gathered the documents for the islands, but Sienna is delaying it.”
Even if the emperor’s actions now seemed like a third-rate peddler wouldn’t do, Percy was irritated by the emperor’s laziness. It was precisely at that moment.
“It’s a big problem!!”
A messenger rushed in. The emperor, as if expected, quickly stood up and shouted.
“What happened to Sienna?!”
Suddenly, Sienna. Percy, sharp as always, noticed that the emperor’s words sounded strange. Frowning, Percy observed the situation. The messenger grinned and then urgently shouted.
“No, Your Majesty. A stranger stabbed Prince Julius and escaped!”
“What did you say?”
Looking at the hardened emperor, Percy sneered. Even without observing the situation, he seemed to know it instantly.
‘Like a foolish man.’
It seemed like he pulled off a dirty trick because he didn’t want to pass Sienna, but Sienna once again acted unexpectedly.
‘That woman, I don’t seem to get tired of seeing her every day.’
How interesting she was.
“Go, let’s go! Follow me!”
“I will follow.”
The emperor, belatedly regaining his composure, started walking in that direction, pulling his thick cloak. Percy naturally followed behind him.
Upon arriving at the scene, he realized that his expectations were correct. The sight of the fallen Julius and the physician attending to him confirmed his anticipation.
‘Sienna.’
However, even though his expectations were met, the mood wasn’t pleasant. It had been entertaining coming here, but once he arrived, a sense of discomfort quickly engulfed him.
Sienna’s cheek was red, as if she had received a slap from the empress.
Upon seeing that, Percy extended his hand to Sienna.
“Sienna, come here.”
It felt like his stomach was flipping, and his head was growing dizzy. Yet, there was an inexplicable desire to be tender.
He still didn’t know what this emotion was.
* * *
“Sienna, come here.”
At that voice, I raised my head.
“Percy.”
After that, I couldn’t respond. Suddenly, the system began to control my speech.
‘Ugh, I was looking forward to saying everything I wanted today.’
Why does my speech close up only in front of this man?
I stood there, unable to respond. Then Percy called me again with a gentle voice.
“Come here quickly.”
“…”
That statement felt like it was pushing my back. I approached him reluctantly. Then, when Percy tried to take my hand…
‘Oh, blood.”’
Percy’s hand was wearing white gloves, and my hand was covered in Julius’s blood. Unable to hold hands, I hesitated behind, and the empress shouted fiercely from behind.
“That child is a suspect of Prince Julius’s murder, Duke Stewart!”
“Your hands are dirty.”
Ignoring as if he didn’t hear, Percy held my hand. Startled, my wrist was squeezed reflexively, preventing me from pulling away. He, using the edge of his cloak, wiped my hand stained with Julius’s blood.
“There’s no handkerchief, so use this for now.”
The cleanest-looking man in the world not only dirtied his gloves but also wiped my hand with his cloak!
I wanted to thank him, but I only had two choices.
▶ (Push his hand away)
▶ No, thanks.
Oh, this darn system!
‘Percy should read my mind. That’s what should happen.’
I chose the second option with a desperate feeling.
“No, thanks.”
To my cold words, Percy, who was wiping my hand, looked up at me. The perfectly red gaze felt like chains wrapping around me.
-Thump. Thump.
My heart started beating rapidly as our eyes met. When I was embarrassed and bit my lower lip, the empress, furious to the point where her anger radiated, stomped her foot.
“How dare you ignore the empress’s words, Duke Stewart!”
In the end, Percy sighed heavily, straightened his back with strength, and naturally, his gaze moved away from me. I pressed my cleansed hand against my chest.
‘I-I was surprised.’
I almost fell in love at first sight.
