Diana waved at Fleur, who waved back with a smile. Then, Diana’s eyes caught sight of Rebecca, surrounded by people beyond Fleur and Elliot, and she hesitated.
She looks better. That was Diana’s first thought.
Though not as much as before, Rebecca was still surrounded by people. Standing in the midst of them, her face once again wore the relaxed smile that had been absent for some time.
Is this Ludwig’s doing/ As Diana pondered this and subtly kept her gaze on Rebecca, the latter seemed to sense her stare and turned to look at Diana. Their eyes met before Diana had a chance to look away.
Diana quickly composed her expression and tried to turn her head after greeting her. But Rebecca, as if to make a point, smiled and nodded at her first.
…What is this? Is she provoking me?
Diana blinked in confusion, wondering if Rebecca had just smiled at her to get under her skin. However, based on her memories from before she returned, Rebecca had a different kind of smile when she was trying to provoke someone. In fact, this was more like… The kind of smile she gives when she’s trying to recruit someone.
Diana felt a pang of unease as she glanced at Rebecca. However, Kayden’s words soon pulled her away from that discomfort.
“That’s right. If you saw how well my wife handles a bow, you’d be surprised. I haven’t used a bow in quite some time, so I might even lose the championship to her.”
“Hoo, is that so?”
The nobles were impressed by Kayden’s playful remarks, and Diana, with her cheeks flushing, lightly tapped his shoulder. “Kayden.”
“Yes, Wife?”
“That was…! It was just a lucky shot that I hit the center.”
“Most would call that skill, wouldn’t they?”
“Indeed.”
“Perhaps it’s best to say skill with a touch of luck.”
As the nobles chimed in, Diana gave an awkward smile. It wouldn’t do for her to keep downplaying her abilities when people were being so complimentary. For someone in a position of authority, excessive modesty could be more of a hindrance than a virtue.
“You really are impossible.”
She ended up grumbling lightly at Kayden, giving him a look. Kayden found her reaction endearing and chuckled innocently. Seeing that smile, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat, and at the same time, a part of her heart ached.
How did it come to this?
Diana reflected on how things had changed between her and Kayden since she had returned to the past, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.
“From the first time we met, I didn’t get a bad impression from you. Actually…”
“I liked you. I wanted to be friends.”
Kayden and Diana had indeed become closer in this life, just as they had wished before. Diana was genuinely happy that she could be close to him and help him. That was an undeniable truth. But was it really a good thing for them…?
We weren’t supposed to become this close.
Kayden and Diana had grown so close that calling them just friends felt almost inadequate. But she hadn’t realized that this closeness would bring so much sorrow and pain.
Diana had the matter of Rebecca—something that had to be resolved. No matter how much she came to love Kayden, that wouldn’t change. The experience of being betrayed and killed, even just once, would never be erased from her life.
While Diana was lost in her bittersweet thoughts, Kayden noticed the change in her expression, and his smile faltered slightly. He looked around at the other nobles and gave them a courteous farewell. “Well then, see you later. I wish you all the best of luck.”
“Thank you.”
“May the light’s glory be with you.”
Fortunately, the nobles didn’t linger and returned his farewell with a polite nod before leaving.
Kayden waited until he was sure they were out of earshot before removing his arm from around Diana’s waist.
“Kayden?” His movement pulled Diana out of her thoughts. She looked at him, puzzled, and he offered her a straightforward apology.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“Ah.” Diana stared at him in confusion before realizing what he meant, her face flushing in embarrassment. She quickly shook her head at him. “That’s not it, really.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I told you, treat me comfortably. And besides, this was part of our agreement from the beginning.”
Diana smiled warmly as she finished speaking. But to Kayden, that smile felt sad. It seemed like she was telling him it was okay just so he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
Kayden swallowed a bitter laugh. It was his fault that Diana was being so considerate of him, that he couldn’t control his feelings. So there was only one thing he could say.
“…Well, if you’re okay with it, that’s all that matters.”
* * *
Not long after, the long horn sounded, signaling the start of the hunting festival.
“Make sure to stay at the edge of the forest. Or, if you prefer, stay with my older brother outside the forest, under the tent.”
“I know, I know. If you say it one more time, it’ll be the third time.”
“Diana, you too.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Only after repeatedly expressing his concerns for Fleur and Diana did Kayden disappear into the forest with Patrasche.
Fleur curiously reached out her hand into the air. It was as if she was blocked by an invisible wall. “Look at this, Diana. It really won’t let us pass.”
“Indeed.” Diana also felt a bit of amazement as she reached out to touch the air.
The imperial family had used a magical barrier to separate those who were lightly participating, like Fleur and Diana, from those who were aiming to win, like Kayden, ensuring everyone’s safety.
Those who didn’t wear the magical badges given by the imperial family—like Fleur and Diana—could only walk around the edge of the forest. In line with that, the edge of the forest had been stocked mainly with herbivores like rabbits and deer, which beginners could catch. Meanwhile, predators and magical creatures had been released deeper into the forest, where Kayden had gone. This way, both those who wanted to enjoy the festival and those who wanted to win it could be satisfied.
I think it was the fourth concubine who came up with this idea. Diana recalled what she had overheard from Rebecca before her regression. But her thoughts were soon interrupted when Fleur took her hand.
“Shall we get going? Even though it’s just a walk, it’d be nice to catch at least one rabbit.”
“A rabbit or a deer would be good.”
Diana agreed with Fleur, and they began walking together. Chatting quietly as they walked over the soil and among the trees was surprisingly pleasant.
Fleur chattered happily but then suddenly looked troubled. Diana asked her with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just wish Elliot could have come with us. He was really looking forward to it…” Fleur trailed off wistfully.
Originally, Elliot was supposed to join Fleur and Diana at the hunting festival. But recently, Elliot’s health had been rapidly declining, improving only to deteriorate again. Hence, people persuaded him to stay behind, and he reluctantly agreed to remain under the tent. Fleur knew it was the best decision for him, but that didn’t make it any less disappointing.
“We’ll be able to go together next time.”
“…You think so?”
“Of course.”
Diana gently patted Fleur’s back, comforting her. Fleur managed a small smile in response.
Diana smiled back, trying to reassure her. But inside, her thoughts were much darker. There should still be quite some time before Elliot’s illness becomes severe…
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