The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

“Ethan, now…!”

 

At Dorothea’s signal, Ethan released his bowstring.

 

However, the arrow that flew from his fingertips flew to the wrong place, so that the wild duck sitting still by the waterside, didn’t even move.

 

“Oops hahaha.”

 

Joy’s laughter erupted from behind, and Ethan kept his mouth shut.

 

“It’s okay, Ethan.”

 

Dorothea quietly comforted him.

 

“That’s the reason why we went hunting where there were no people.”

 

Joy said that if he had hunted in a place where people passed, Ethan’s arrow, which flew in the wrong direction, would have hit the person.

 

Even Dorothea couldn’t deny that.

 

They had come to a remote place on purpose to avoid people’s attention, but Joy was right. With Ethan’s skill, he could accidentally hurt someone.

 

“Ethan, let’s do it again.”

 

Dorothea wrapped her arms around the back of Ethan’s.

 

“You have to relax your shoulders and keep the arrow straight on the bow. Don’t tremble, Ethan.”

 

Dorothea took hold of his shaky arm and whispered.

 

But how can he not tremble? Dorothea hugs him from behind, touches his arms and wrists, and whispers sweetly in his ear.

 

“You’re a mess, young master. Go home and practice. Don’t just play the piano.”

 

Joy looked at Ethan’s body, which was trembling and stuck out her tongue.

 

“Joy.”

 

“Yes, Princess. I’ll be quiet.”

 

As Dorothea spoke, Joy shut her mouth.

 

Dorothea focused on Ethan again, adjusting his posture.

 

“The west wind is blowing, so let’s aim slightly west.”

 

Dorothea steadied him and slowly released his hand.

 

Ethan held his breath and waited for a while, then trusted Dorothea and released his bowstring.

 

The arrow flew fiercely through the air.

 

and.

 

“closely!”

 

The duck, startled by an arrow stuck in the sand nearby, quacked briefly and flew into the sky.

 

Then Dorothea quickly drew an arrow from her back, aimed at the flying duck, and fired the arrow.

 

Before Ethan could see properly, the arrow pierced through the air and the duck crashed to the ground.

 

The duck that fell to the ground dropped like a pillow.

 

‘I’ve seen it a few times, but it’s a rare skill.’

 

“It’s a hit, Princess!”

 

Joy gave Dorothea a round of applause and smiled at Ethan.

 

Joy ran to pick up the duck and Ethan’s stray arrows.

 

Dorothea’s arrow pierced the duck’s neck precisely.

 

“You are so amazing. I don’t know how to do that no matter how hard I try.”

 

“That’s exactly how I feel when I see you playing the piano and violin, Ethan.”

 

“Really?”

 

“I guess we each have our share in our hands.”

 

Dorothea laughed.

 

Just then, the faint sound of a horn trumpet echoed through the forest sky. The three raised their heads at the same time.

 

“What does it mean?”

 

The sun was still in the middle of the sky.

 

The horn trumpet to announce a gathering when hunting still going on?

 

Dorothea had a somewhat ominous feeling.

 

* * *

 

Without delay, the three ran to the imperial villa where the hunting competition had begun.

 

Many people had already returned from hunting.

 

Dorothea walked toward the villa in search of Raymond.

 

Then she saw Theon talking to the doctor with a serious expression on the back of the villa.

 

Theon nervously rubbed his forehead, looked into the air, and then nodded.

 

“Theon!”

 

Dorothea ran towards Theon anxiously.

 

Theon’s eyes trembled when he saw Dorothea.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince is injured.”

 

“What…?”

 

Dorothea’s heart pounded.

 

It wouldn’t be just an injury if they summoned people with a trumpet.

 

Raymond’s personality wouldn’t stop the hunting competition with a slight cut or injury.

 

Without Carnan, such an unfortunate incident happened.

 

Her heart was pounding with anxiety.

 

“How could that be…?”

 

“He suffered a serious head injury from a fall. He is still unconscious.” Instead of Theon, the doctor said.

 

If he falls from the horse, it is an accident that is difficult to protect or prevent even if the knights are nearby.

 

Dorothea couldn’t believe this unfortunate news.

 

Raymond, who treats the horse like his own body, had fallen?

 

When Dorothea turned to Ethan, he also wrinkled his brow and shook his head.

 

An accident that didn’t exist before the return.

 

But in this situation where Dorothea and Ethan changed so many things, it was pointless to argue that it was the same as before the return.

 

“When do you think he’ll regain consciousness…?”

 

Dorothea’s voice trembled softly.

 

“I can’t say for sure. The trauma is not severe, but the head is always an unpredictable part…”

 

“That means…Are you saying that Raymond could die?”

 

“In the worst case, yes.”

 

At the doctor’s words, Dorothea’s legs weakened.

 

“Princess!”

 

Ethan, Theon, and Joy grabbed Dorothea, who was about to collapse, at the same time.

 

Thoughts were scattered as if they were echoing in her head.

 

Raymond is dead? She should be the heir to the throne.

 

‘I’ve lived my entire life trying to keep him alive, hoping he would take over the throne….’

 

“What should I do, Princess?” The doctor asked Dorothea.

 

Now that Raymond had fallen, the decision was in Dorothea’s hands.

 

She has to judge. And she has to make important decisions. There is no such thing as time to stumble in shock.

 

Dorothea made up her mind.

 

She straightened up her trembling body and slowly removed the hands that supported her.

 

“Where is Raymond?” Dorothea asked.

 

* * *

 

The villa’s room is reserved for the Crown Prince.

 

Blood blurred through the bandages on Raymond’s head.

 

His pale face looked like the white blanket that covered him.

 

Dorothea took Raymond’s hand. His hands were as cold as ice.

 

‘You must never die, Raymond.’

 

Dorothea bit her lip.

 

“Inform the imperial family and prepare to take the Crown Prince with you. And Theon.”

 

Dorothea turned to Theon, who was standing behind her.

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

“You and Raymond go back to Lampas. I’ll organize the rest of the work here and go back.”

 

“Then the condition of His Highness Raymond….”

 

“I’m not going to announce it for now. I will tell people that he went up first because he was not feeling well. So those who know this should be thoroughly controlled.”

 

The crown prince’s critical condition is a matter of national importance.

 

And at a time when Carnan’s health is not good, it could throw Ubera into turmoil.

 

“I understand, Princess.”

 

“Ethan, Joy. You must never talk about this either.”

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Ethan bowed his head, and Joy answered with a rigid voice.

 

“Prepare right away. I will go out and tell the nobles to start hunting again.”

 

Dorothea ordered the doctor and Theon and walked to the place where the people had gathered.

 

* * *

 

“Raymond is in critical condition?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. They are coming right up from the hunting grounds in a carriage.”

 

As soon as Carnan heard the report, he immediately stood up.

 

Fortunately, the imperial hunting grounds were not far from Lampas, so Raymond’s carriage would soon reach the imperial palace.

 

“What exactly is his condition?”

 

“He has a head wound and is still unconscious.”

 

Carnan moved quickly.

 

“Let’s go to Styx Palace.”

 

He made his way to the Crown Prince’s palace before Raymond had even arrived.

 

“Robert, leave the people of Styx’s Palace with only those who can be trusted and transfer them all to other palaces. And keep the rest of them in check.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“Check each department strictly so that there are no strange rumors.”

 

As he looked around Styx Palace, having finished preparing to meet Raymond, Raymond’s carriage came in.

 

Carnan greeted Raymond’s carriage in person.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Theon got off the carriage first and bowed his head as if to apologize.

 

The knights who followed also knelt.

 

But since Raymond’s condition. was more important than their apologies, he passed them by and approached the carriage to check on Raymond.

 

As reported earlier, Raymond was still unconscious.

 

“Carry him quietly to his room.”

 

At Carnan’s command, the servants didn’t make a fuss but brought Raymond into his room and laid him on the bed.

 

Carnan received a detailed report of Raymond’s condition from the doctor and confirmed the accident situation from Theon and the other knights.

 

Since it was an accident that no one was to blame, the knights could end up in prison for several weeks despite the Crown Prince’s serious injuries.

 

“Theon, you will guard Raymond at all times and report to me daily in detail. When he wakes up, you have to run to me first and let me know.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Carnan cleared things up and sighed deeply.

 

‘If Raymond doesn’t wake up like this….’

 

“Where is Dorothea?”

 

“The princess said that she would come up after finishing the remaining hunting competitions.” Theon replied.

 

Carnan nodded at him.

 

And as soon as Dorothea came up, he sent a message to come to him.

 

* * *