Chapter 38. Hunting
The sun was especially bright today.
And Violet, who was bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, was also beaming with a bright smile.
“Don’t you need to go, My Lady?”
“I actually prefer it this way. It’s nice to speak freely with you while His Highness is away.”
After Serdis had left, I spent some tea time alone with Violet. Even though it was cold and we could only enjoy the scenery from indoors, the warm sunlight and the rich aroma of tea gave the moment a comforting serenity.
“I never knew the Blandice Territory was such a beautiful place. Snow never melts all year round here. The way it sparkles in the sunlight is so pretty.”
“It looks beautiful, yes, but I still wish we could enjoy our tea outside.”
“Well, when you come up to the capital, let’s have tea at my residence.”
“I’d love that.”
I answered with a wide smile. Violet sipped her tea while taking in the view, then suddenly turned to me and asked:
“Is it comfortable living here?”
She must have been curious about how I lived away from my family, alone in a faraway region.
“It’s fine, aside from the cold. The people here are all kind.”
She let out a sigh of relief and cautiously added,
“That’s good. But… it doesn’t seem like things are going well with Lili. Should I talk to her for you?”
“No, it’s okay. I suddenly showed up calling myself her new sister-in-law, so it’s probably just awkward for her.”
Probably.
I honestly don’t understand the mind of a teenage girl.
“I see.”
“How do you know Lili, My Lady?”
“I met her at some parties before she came to the ducal castle. She’s been fond of me from the beginning.”
As expected of Violet.
She had an inexplicable charm that made people gravitate toward her. Serdis was just too oblivious to notice.
Especially those cheeks—those white, chewy rice cake-like cheeks always made me want to poke them. I’d have to sneak a chance once we got closer.
“But for a newlywed home, the castle seems a bit bleak. Once I return to the mansion, I’ll send you some decorative gifts to create more of a newlywed atmosphere.”
Violet said with a cheery glance around.
It was true—the ducal castle did feel somewhat barren. The previous Duke hadn’t had a wife, so the place lacked a woman’s touch.
“It’s a little empty, right?”
“Well, yes. Since you said it was love at first sight, I suppose I expected a bit more… romance.”
She fidgeted as if hoping for something more. Marriage born from love at first sight must have seemed like a fantasy to her.
‘If that’s what the Lady wants, I suppose I should meet her expectations.’
Chuckling, I took her hand.
“This way, My Lady.”
I led her to the cabinet in the drawing room.
“This room is for guests, so I couldn’t display things openly… but since you’re curious, I’ll make an exception.”
I flung open the tightly shut cabinet doors—and Violet’s eyes turned as round as full moons.
“What is all this?!”
“These are the items we use when we have tea together in this room.”
Matching teacups.
Matching spoons.
Matching quill pens.
…
And finally, a pair of carved mandarin ducks.
The so-called “couple items.”
They were things I’d prepared even before arriving at the castle. Beyond the drawing room, the bathroom, dining room, and bedroom were filled with similar items that shouted, We’re newlyweds!
All for the sake of appearances when my parents or other family elders came to visit.
“You’re the first person I’ve shown these to, My Lady.”
I leaned close and whispered in her ear.
“Actually… even the underwear I’m wearing now has the same pattern as his.”
“Oh my… how embarrassing.”
Violet blushed like a young girl and looked at the items with admiration and a tinge of envy.
“When you marry His Highness Serdis, I’ll give you a set as a gift.”
“Really? That would make me so happy!”
Violet’s face lit up—briefly.
“My Lady!”
The drawing room doors flew open as Lili burst in noisily. She completely ignored me and rushed straight over to cling to Violet.
“Lili? What brings you here?”
“My Lady, come play with me!”
I sighed briefly as I watched the scene.
“Lili. Aren’t you going to greet your sister-in-law?”
Lili gave me a side glance and begrudgingly greeted me. Ever since the scuffle we had, things had been like this.
“Good afternoon, Sister-in-law.”
That was all. She never said another word. I had tried to make peace first, but she’d stayed cold. Eventually, I had no choice but to switch into mother-in-law mode.
“Lili. Don’t be rude to the Lady.”
Even Violet added a gentle rebuke.
“Okay. I’ll be polite from now on. Anyway, My Lady, let’s go hunting!”
“Hunting?”
Violet perked up at the word.
“There are lots of bows at the castle. You’re good with a bow, aren’t you? Show us your skills, please?”
“But unlike the hunting grounds near the capital, the North has very different terrain and climate. We don’t really have rabbits or deer to hunt.”
“There are other small magical beasts. There’s one fuzzy one that’s so cute.”
Excited, Lili tugged on Violet’s arm, but I blocked her.
“No.”
“I didn’t ask you to come with us, Sister-in-law.”
“Then that’s even worse. If something happens and My Lady gets hurt while I’m not there, who will take responsibility?”
“I will.”
“And how, exactly? Come back with a detailed plan, and I’ll consider it.”
Lili shouted at me in frustration.
“Sister-in-law!”
“That’s right. I am your sister-in-law. So listen to me. Yelling and acting out in front of a guest just makes me trust you less.”
Every time I dealt with Lili, I found myself scolding her more and more.
Violet, who’d been watching, awkwardly pulled her hand away.
“Lili, come visit the capital later with His Highness. There’s a safe hunting ground for young ladies. Let’s go there together.”
“My Lady! Why are you taking her side? You want to hunt too!”
“I can hunt whenever I want in the capital.”
“But…”
Lili always made things worse with her own words. If she’d just acted a little kinder, I might’ve let her go.
But if I gave in here, Lili would never learn.
“Come now, sit down and have some tea.”
Violet patted the seat beside her. Lili didn’t calm down though.
“Today… is my birthday!”
Birthday?
Ah.
I had completely forgotten.
Since arriving here, I hadn’t had time to remember anyone’s birthdays.
I should have at least memorized Hertian and Lili’s. That was my mistake.
“Even if My Lady didn’t know… you didn’t know either, did you, Sister-in-law?”
Of course, the blame came straight for me.
I felt a bit wronged.
Then be friendly with me!
You didn’t even treat me like a sister-in-law even after losing that first-night bet, and now you expect me to care just because it’s your birthday?
“I knew it. I didn’t expect anything anyway.”
Lili huffed in a grumble. Though she hated me, I was still one of the only two family members she had left—maybe forgetting her birthday was a bit harsh.
I pondered for a full minute.
And I reached a conclusion.
Fighting with her on her birthday was pointless.
Sigh.
“Lili. Let’s go hunting—just like you want.”
I’m your sister-in-law now, but it’s not like you remembered my birthday either, so let’s not be petty.
I had no choice but to back down.
“I’ll ask the Duke to assign some knights, so wait here.”
Only then did Lili smile in satisfaction.
“My Lady, go change with Lili. I’ll go speak to the Duke.”
“Alright, I will.”
✦✦✦
I decided to use this as an opportunity to make up with Lili.
I asked Hertian what food she liked and ordered a cake in advance.
For a gift, I thought hard and chose a pink satin ribbon—her favorite. I wrapped it nicely and wrote a heartfelt letter.
Let’s forgive each other and live well together, cherishing one another.
Surely Lili was uncomfortable being distant from me too.
But… what if she rejects this?
Oh well. I guess we’ll just go on being awkward.
“How cute.”
The pink sealing wax was stamped neatly, and I was satisfied.
I also decorated a whole room in pink for a small party the moment Lili came in.
Turned out better than I expected?
“Maybe I have a talent for this kind of thing.”
Celebrating someone’s birthday was still a joyful thing. It was a kind of memory I never got to enjoy before being possessed. I sincerely hoped Lili would like it.
I left the gift in the room and got dressed.
Hertian had wanted to come too, but due to scheduling, he assigned some knights instead.
“Greetings, Your Grace the Duchess.”
I looked at the knights a bit awkwardly.
In the capital, guards were stationed everywhere, so there was no need for personal knights. This was my first time going anywhere with them.
Among them was Ossen, Hertian’s closest aide. He looked displeased as always, but I greeted him.
“You’re Ossen, right? The Duke’s assistant?”
“Yes.”
He was as stiff as the first time we met. Did I do something wrong?
“Ossen, do you dislike me too?”
I stepped closer to ask, but he gave me a strange look.
“Were there others who disliked you before me?”
His reply was both worrying and insulting. I didn’t know how to react, so I frowned while forcing a smile.
“I don’t like talking to people who dislike me. Just take good care of Lili and the Lady.”
I quickly composed myself and strode ahead.
Ossen followed behind, but I didn’t spare him a glance.
Unlike Hertian, I hold grudges.
The hunting ground was midway up a mountain trail near the village. There was a layer of snow over flat ground and patches of grass poking out. The crisp, fresh air tickled my skin.
“Being outside really does feel nice.”
Since I wasn’t sneaking out and was with Violet, I felt even more excited.
Lili had a big grin on her face. Of course, she still didn’t say a word to me.
“My Lady, this is my childhood friend, Ali.”
“Ali? What a pretty name.”
“And isn’t her tail feather gorgeous too?”
Lili looked truly happy as she introduced her bird to Violet.
Watching her smile made me feel at ease.
We all settled at the hunting spot.
“We’ll set up a tent.”
“Alright.”
The knights unloaded the supplies and pitched a simple tent.
“Lili, don’t go yet.”
“Do you think I haven’t been here before? It’s safe.”
“I’ll go with her. Once the tent is up, please follow us.”
“Understood.”
I mounted my horse and followed her. We arrived at a dense coniferous forest. Lili hid behind a tree and put her finger to her lips.
“There are Mongli around here.”
“The fuzzy creature you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. They’re cute but quick, so we have to be fast.”
Violet nodded and followed her. I kept glancing back, checking if the knights were on their way.
“Let’s wait for the knights before moving.”
“No time. If the creatures hear us coming, they’ll run before we get there.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Sister-in-law. You brought me all the way here just to make me go back without hunting? On my birthday?”
Then at least stay where I can see you.
“Alright.”
“I’m here, so don’t worry too much, Anette.”
“My Lady, please stop Lili if she tries anything reckless.”
“Of course.”
Thankfully, Violet was with her, so I was somewhat reassured. The two of them moved off and soon took position behind some trees, likely having spotted prey.
But the knights were still nowhere to be seen. Had something happened? Or could they not find the trail we took into the forest?
I kept glancing between the path and where the girls were, then took a few steps toward the forest entrance.
There wasn’t even the sound of people—let alone the knights.
Maybe I should’ve just told them to skip the tent and come along right away.
Then, not long after—
I heard voices below, from deeper in the forest.
I reflexively turned my head and spotted a familiar face.
“Kantad…?”
