“Actually, there are some people who would prefer if I didn’t go.”
It was obvious who it was even if you didn’t call them by name. Pristin smiled awkwardly, and the other empress candidates took the opportunity to share their thoughts, each carefully choosing their words.
“That’s true. Honestly, there are some people whom I’d rather not attend.”
“Don’t you think she’s a little arrogant these days?”
“Of course, it is true that Gennant made a great contribution to His Majesty’s regaining his position now, but the Gennant family is not the only family who participated in the opposition.”
While listening to the empress candidates’ discussions, it seemed that Tanya was originally a woman who enjoyed the finer things in life. She believed that showing off occasionally was acceptable, but too much of it became annoying.
Pristin perceived that the empress candidates’ dissatisfaction with Tanya had escalated since the infertility soap incident. The aftermath was still ongoing, and even now, Tanya hadn’t been invited to the current gathering.
“Anyway, I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll get to see His Majesty hunting, won’t we?”
“Oh, by the way, is this the first hunting competition His Majesty is participating in?”
“Has he never participated before?”
When Pristin asked in a curious voice, the young lady, who was next to her, answered quickly.
“Oh, the countess must not have known. Yes, His Majesty has never attended a hunting contest.”
“Why…”
“He doesn’t like hunting very much.”
“Unlike nobles, who love hunting, it seems.”
“…”
But Pristin thought maybe not necessarily for that reason.
Just as she was afraid of water, he might be reluctant to go to the forest where he lost Prince Arthur.
‘If that’s the case, what should I do?’
Is he okay? Pristin looked worried.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“…What?”
Tanya’s low voice rang through the room.
“Say it again, Brelin. Who’s saying what now?”
“Well… it’s reported that there’s a tea gathering at Lady Tumon’s palace.”
“And Countess Rosewell, that woman, went there?”
Tanya screamed in frustration.
“I wasn’t invited!”
She was aware that the attitudes of the empress candidates toward her had changed strangely since the last incident with the infertility soap. However, excluding her from social gatherings, and now a tea gathering!
Moreover, the fact that she was not invited, but that Pristin had been invited, bothered Tanya very much.
Tanya trembled with anger.
“How… how can this be!”
“Calm down, Princess.”
“Do I look calm now? I shouldn’t be treated like this! Who am I? I am Tanya, the only child of the Gennant family, a loyal supporter of the rebellion!”
Clink!
Tanya’s fingertips eventually shattered a well-baked piece of porcelain. Brelin closed her eyes tightly and shook slightly, and soon bent down and began to pick up the fragments.
Tanya’s long-standing habit to calm her anger was to break something. But this time, even if she broke something, she didn’t seem to be relieved.
Crack! Eventually, Tanya broke another cup of her own.
Watching the expensive teacup, which cost several heavy gold coins, breaking into pieces, Brelin felt a pang of regret, even though it wasn’t hers.
“Don’t worry about the other empress candidates, my lady. What matters is catching His Majesty’s eye to become the empress.”
In fact, even becoming the empress seemed far off, but Brelin didn’t speak the truth. If she did, she might end up shattered this time, not just a teacup.
Regardless, Brelin’s consolation seemed to soothe Tanya. She took a deep breath and calmed herself for a moment.
“You’re right, Brelin. If His Majesty chooses me, all these troubles will end.”
Tanya, who had regained her composure in a different manner than before, spoke to Brelin with a cold voice.
“I should practice horseback riding. I’m participating in this hunting competition as well.”
“A very constructive idea, Miss.”
“And one more thing. Bring me paper and a pen.”
“What? Why all of a sudden?”
“Hurry.”
Brelin did as she was told. Tanya put the paper on the table and quickly wrote something down. Brelin watched it with half-anxiety and curiosity.
Moments later, Tanya put the paper she had written on in an envelope and sealed it with sealing wax. And as she handed it to Brelin, she instructed in a very low voice.
“Send this to my father, Brelin.”
Brelin followed her instructions without asking what was written inside. Tanya, looking at her, had a wicked smile on her lips.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“Of course, Pristin should go with us!”
During the dinner with Claret that evening, Claret said with a confident voice.
“You weren’t thinking of not going, were you?”
“I thought it wasn’t a place for me to attend.”
“No way. Think about why you’re here in the palace right now.”
Claret said, crunching on the lettuce salad in her mouth.
“You said you’re here to assist me. I’m going to the Summer Palace, so of course Pristin should go too.”
“If there’s a reason, it should be fine, right?”
“Of course. And by the way, do you know how to ride a horse?”
“A horse? What’s all this about…?”
“There’s a hunting competition in Itidian in the summer. Just in case you were thinking of participating.”
“Oh… no. I can’t. I don’t know how to ride a horse. I might know about herbs, but I can’t ride horses. I can’t even shoot a bow.”
“This is a chance to learn.”
“It doesn’t seem easy to pick up just because you learned it.”
Pristin awkwardly laughed and shook her head.
“Princess, what about you? Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“No. My father strictly forbade me from going near horses, saying it’s dangerous.”
Claret added, shaking her head.
“And I don’t really like riding horses either. I like riding in a carriage.”
“Well, don’t force yourself.”
“Let’s just see who catches the most. How about that?”
“Okay, sounds good.”
Pristin nodded with a gentle smile.
“If I end up participating in the hunting competition, I’ll probably work as an herbalist.”
“Yeah, true. Sometimes I forget that Pristin works in the herbal garden.”
Claret stared at Pristin and added.
“I hope it’s a hunting competition where Pristin doesn’t have to work too hard. Agreed?”
“Yes. I hope everyone comes out of the competition safe and sound.”
Pristin responded with a faint smile.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
After dinner, Pristin returned to Camer Palace. She had to pack her bags in advance because she would be there for a month at the least, leaving for the Summer Palace in Itidian within two weeks.
“I’m so excited that the day to go to Itidian is coming back.”
Aruvina, looking very excited, began to pack Pristin’s luggage with the maids. Obviously, leaving for Itidian seemed to be expected of everyone.
‘But would it be the same for him?’
What continued to weigh on Pristin’s mind was the fact that Jerald had to participate in the hunting competition. While it was possible to avoid it during his time as the crown prince, it became impossible after he became the emperor.
Pristin was constantly disturbed by the thought.
‘…Maybe I’m thinking too much about useless things.’
Suddenly this thought occurred to Pristin, who went for a walk outside to vent her mind.
‘…Oh, my gosh.’
And, as if fate itself, she encountered the man she had been thinking about. Seeing Jerald’s figure after only a short walk, Pristin naturally became flustered.
“Surely, it’s fate. Don’t you think so?”
Only then did Pristin come to her senses and lower her head at the sight of Jerald smiling charmingly, revealing his white teeth.
“I see the sun of the empire.”
“Just walking around at night like this, Pristin.”
Jerald came close to Pristin. Pristin was unknowingly nervous.
“Any concerns on your mind?”
He didn’t seem to know that he was the one she was worried about. She wondered if he knew.
Pristin remained silent for a moment before gently broaching the subject.
“I heard that we’ll be going to the Summer Palace soon.”
“Ah, yes. Where did you hear that from?”
“I heard it from the empress candidates and also from the princess.”
“It seems you’re quite close to the empress candidates.”
“…It just happened that way.”
“Perhaps it’s because of your charming presence?”
Jerald chuckled and looked at Pristin intently. The gaze felt like it was tickling her heart, and unknowingly, Pristin swallowed dryly.
“It is the charm that has captivated the emperor. I wonder how others feel about it.”
“…That’s embarrassing to hear, Your Majesty.”
“Anyway, are you going too?”
There was a quite expectant look in his eyes. Even though Pristin had already made up her mind, she hesitated needlessly. Seeing her indecision, Jerald raised an eyebrow and asked.
“You’re not going to go?”
“Would you hate it if I didn’t go?”
“Dislike, feel hurt, and regretful, perhaps?”
Jerald asked more impressively.
“What’s the reason?”
“No, I was just asking.”
“…Unbelievable.”
Jerald murmured in a voice of bewilderment.
“I think you’ve changed a bit, Pristin. You used to joke around with me.”
“…”
“I wonder if I should see this as a positive change. It feels like you’re keeping less distance from me, and that’s a good feeling.”
“There’s a hunting competition every summer in Itidian, right?”
When the subject suddenly changed, Jerald looked at Pristin with an interested expression.
“Is it okay for you to participate?”
“What does that mean?”
“I might be overthinking things.”
Pristin hesitated for a moment, as if she meant it.
“Perhaps you’ve never participated in the hunting competition before because you’re afraid of the forest.”
And as soon as she heard that, Jerald’s expression changed significantly. Pristin only stared at him with a mysterious stare.
After a while, Jerald slowly took a step toward Pristin. Then, he leaned in closer, bringing his upper body nearer. As his scent wafted over, Pristin felt her chest become heavy.
Feeling a strange tightness in her heart, Pristin looked up at Jerald with slightly trembling eyes.
“…It sounds like you’re worried about me, Pristin.”
