SLDS 34

“Isn’t a hunting competition a bit much at a time like this?” Claude muttered as he meticulously checked the white horse he had tied to a line. With the hunting competition just ahead, he was even more on edge than usual.

Then, a laugh was heard from behind him. Alexis, dressed in a form-fitting hunting outfit, was full of leisure, unlike Claude.

The way he took out his longsword and turned it this way and that was also far too relaxed for someone about to go on a hunt.

“You’re being fussy, even though you know it’s an annual event. What, are you afraid you won’t be able to catch even a single bird?”

“A bird? I have my pride as the Knight Commander. I’ll easily catch at least three or four foxes.”

Claude tightened the horse’s saddle strap once more and glanced at the lush forest spread out before him.

Rare animals, difficult to encounter, appeared in the hunting grounds where the imperial flag fluttered.

In particular, the white fox that inhabited only this forest had clean, soft fur, making it very useful. He would definitely catch a big one and make a pretty scarf for Yuria.

Claude reaffirmed his personal goal once more and lightly patted the snorting horse.

“Your Highness must absolutely win today.”

“Well. There are so many competitors. It won’t be easy, I think?”

Alexis jabbed his sharp longsword into the ground and tilted his head back, revealing his sharp jawline to the world. Not too far away, he could see the busy figures of the participants who were preparing for the hunt, just like them.

The young high-ranking nobles were busy showing off their expensive clothes and equipment, while some of the royal guards and knights who had been selected for today’s hunting competition were preparing their respective weapons with grim faces.

The number of specially selected participants alone amounted to about fifteen. The winner of the competition would receive the emperor’s praise, along with a prize of 3 million Salas, fertile territory within the capital, and a small mansion.

What was most important was honor. The one who caught the basilisk, a beast of which only one was said to be released in the hunting grounds, was declared that year’s winner.

Not only was it an incredibly difficult animal to catch, but there was also a superstition that possessing a basilisk’s fang could ward off misfortune for a year, so everyone and anyone wanted to be the winner.

This year, the crown prince and the knight commander were also participating. It was their first time at the hunting competition, but they had no worries. These were two men who had been through far rougher places than this.

“Everyone, get ready. I’m going to be the winner.”

Yuria chimed into the conversation. She, too, was dressed in form-fitting riding clothes instead of a dress. The determined look in her eyes could be seen as she even tied up her long hair with a leather strap.

“Your determination is quite something.”

Alexis smiled, looking back at Yuria.

“Don’t act up, and just stay in the tent, alright?”

“Look at that! Claude always talks like that, you know?”

“What did I do?”

“I’m going to participate too! His Highness gave me permission!”

Alexis’s smile deepened at the sight of them bickering like siblings.

“Claude. Take Yuria with you. Otherwise, it’s obvious she’ll whine for months.”

“Whine! When have I ever done that!”

“Just please don’t cause any trouble and stick right next to me, okay?”

Claude gave Yuria a stern warning. Unlike his harsh tone, his eyes were busy checking Yuria’s attire. Seeing her loosely tied bootlaces, he clicked his tongue, then knelt down and tied them for her himself.

Alexis watched them with a fond look in his eyes before turning his head.

Behind the camp for the hunting competition participants, he could see thin, fluttery linen fabric waving. It was the place where the spectators of the hunting competition were gathered.

Under the leisurely tents, elegant noble ladies, noblemen who were not participating in the hunt, and the emperor and empress had taken their seats.

To them, the hunting competition was nothing more than a form of amusement. They were enjoying delicious food and drinks under the warm sunlight, predicting today’s winner.

“This year is very difficult. Alright, I will bet on Alexis.”

The emperor handed over a wooden plaque with his name engraved on it.

“Oh my, as expected of the likely winner. Prince Alexis’s pouch is already full. In that case, I will bet on Baron Patrick.”

A noble who had been flattering him from nearby held out his name plaque with a hearty laugh. This, too, was placed in a pouch. Other nobles also began to join the bet one by one.

“Cecil, who will you bet on?”

The emperor asked Cecil, who was quietly keeping his seat.

Cecil, who had not uttered a single word and had only been sipping sherry by himself since arriving at the hunting grounds, finally forced the corners of his mouth up into a faint smile.

“Well. I think I need a little more time to think.”

As he said this, he looked at the pouch with Alexis’s name engraved on it. So many people had chosen the crown prince that the red velvet pouch was already bulging with name tags sticking out from the opening.

Cecil knew who would win today.

Contrary to many people’s expectations, Alexis would not clinch the victory this year. He clearly remembered that he would be seriously injured while trying to save Yuria and would have to drop out midway.

Cecil stood up from his seat and personally put the wooden name tag into a pouch. Then he turned his head and discreetly looked around.

Leo, who had been waiting in a corner for his master’s instructions, nodded with a determined look in his eyes. In Leo’s arms was a wine bottle that Cecil had brought separately from the imperial palace.

Cecil walked quietly. The place he headed to after leaving the tent was the area where the hunting participants were gathered. There, he approached a young noble who was commanding a particularly large number of servants.

“Lord Rowen.”

“Ah, Mr. Cecil.”

“Are the preparations going well? I just stopped by to offer some encouragement.”

Baron Rowen struck a pose with his weight on one leg, putting on an air of arrogance. The new hunting clothes he was wearing had a red, luscious sheen, looking exceptionally luxurious.

“As you can see, there are no problems. I’ve come fully prepared for today.”

“I’ll be praying for your victory. After all, I cast my vote for you.”

“Is that really so? Haha, my, my… I must win, for Mr. Cecil’s sake! I will make sure to bring you the basilisk’s fang, Mr. Cecil!”

Rowen threw his head back and laughed loudly, revealing his Adam’s apple. His laugh was so boisterous that it drew the attention of those around him.

Cecil hid his annoyance and put on his characteristic smiling eyes.

As if someone like you could win. It was true that Rowen was skilled in horse riding among the nobles and was quite good with a bow, but he was not the winner either.

On the contrary, he was the main culprit who would injure Alexis. Under the empress’s secret orders, he would shoot a poisoned arrow at Yuria, which Alexis would end up taking instead.

He clearly remembered that it was dismissed as a mistake that could happen at a hunting ground, and he received no punishment whatsoever.

“…I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Cecil had to try hard not to glare at Baron Rowen. The fortunate thing was that since he knew the whole story, he could interfere before the accident happened.

“Leo.”

He beckoned and called his servant. Leo, who had been waiting a few steps away, heard the call and came running at once.

“I would like to offer you a glass of wine to wish for your victory, would that be alright?”

“Is there any question? It would be an honor.”

Rowen knelt on one knee and offered an exaggerated thanks. Cecil snorted and poured the wine himself.

The beautiful glass was filled with dark red wine. Although they had an important task ahead, for nobles who drank wine like water, this much was nothing more than a palate cleanser.

When he kindly offered the full glass of wine, Rowen drank it down without any suspicion. The way he even licked the excess wine from his lips with his tongue suggested it suited his palate quite well.

“As expected, the wine from the imperial palace is on another level. The rich aroma is truly amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Cecil turned the remaining bottle upside down. The wine trickling out from the long neck stained the ground red.

“My, that precious thing…!”

“I told you, didn’t I? It’s a wine to wish for victory. It is customary to drink only one glass and offer the rest to the ground. The goddess of the earth will also drink this wine and send you the spirit of victory.”

Cecil had completely destroyed the evidence. The sleeping pill mixed in the wine now remained only in Baron Rowen’s stomach. The concentration was likely quite high, so even a man of a strong physique would probably fall helplessly asleep in about ten minutes.

“I didn’t know you would care for me so much.”

“You serve Her Majesty the Empress so devotedly, do you not? I am merely repaying the favor as a son should. I trust you will bring back good results.”

A meaningful glance was exchanged. Rowen understood the meaning behind Cecil’s words and gave a sly smile.

“You can trust and leave it to me. I will never disappoint Her Majesty the Empress and Mr. Cecil.”

Rowen kissed the back of Cecil’s hand as if in reverence. The feeling of his greasy lips was creepy, but Cecil maintained his picturesque smile and let Rowen do as he pleased.

The sound of a horn echoed from afar. It seemed the hunting competition was about to begin. Rowen turned around, full of confidence. After watching him mount his sturdy horse, Cecil also turned his back.

The smile that had filled his face was gone as if it were a lie. He had returned to his usual prickly and sensitive expression and glanced around listlessly.

“……”

In the distance, he could see Alexis, Claude, and Yuria mounted on their horses. The distance was considerable, but Alexis’s figure was distinct.

He felt that Alexis’s head, while on his horse, was somehow turned toward him. His expression would be bleak, no need to even look. Cecil stopped for a moment and looked in his direction.

Alexis. I pray for your victory. I will bear all the dirty infamy, so I hope you will always live in glory.

Please, this time, come back unhurt.