NRAL | Chapter 114

~Chapter 114~

Our Luck

“Remember, Ellie. Today, you’re just going to sit there like a doll and wait for me to return.”

Eleanor quietly looked up at her father.

Dressed in tight-fitting clothes made for horseback riding, Duke Astria looked impressive. His face, which had once captured the hearts of many women when he was young, still had its charm despite the passing years. His large, muscular body was still firm and fit, without a trace of fat, just as it had always been.

Despite his stern appearance, many women still tried to marry him. It wasn’t just because he was rich—it was because he was still good-looking.

“No matter who insults or mocks you today, just smile sweetly like a doll and do nothing. Don’t move a step without my permission or the Duke of Royster’s.”

But would those women really want to marry her father after hearing these words?

Eleanor thought about asking the women who admired her father if they would still want to marry him.

She bowed her head.

“Yes, Father. I understand.”

Her response was so polite that no one could tell she was thinking something else.

Duke Astria, however, gave her a sharp, suspicious look. Although she had once been his most trusted child, ever since Nora was officially recognized as the true princess, he hadn’t trusted Eleanor fully. He was suspicious of her actions, perhaps because he felt like he’d lost his place to her.

“Why does that man want to take you with him?”

If he could, Duke Astria would keep Eleanor locked in her room until the money came in. But because Karsian had asked for her, that wasn’t possible.

“Don’t worry too much, Father. I’m not even participating in the hunt. I’ll just be waiting for you in a safe place. Some of the nobles might try to provoke me, but if I don’t respond, there’s nothing to worry about. You know I have great patience, right?”

Eleanor spoke calmly and gently. Duke Astria raised an eyebrow and looked her over as if evaluating her.

He thought that Eleanor was quite patient, in fact, he had taught her that patience.

He often remembered the day he first brought her into his home. She had been small, thin, and dirty, almost like a wild animal. Meredith had left her behind, and though he had embraced her out of pity, he had known that he had to turn this street child into a proper person.

Sure enough, Eleanor had acted like a wild beast, causing trouble in front of the nobles and even picking fights with young noblemen. She had been everything but calm and composed.

So, Duke Astria had made the decision to teach her how to be a proper person.

Of course, raising a child wasn’t easy—he had to discipline her, lock her in a room, and make her go without food for days. But he didn’t give up, partly because of his memories of his late wife. In the end, he succeeded in transforming the wild child into a noble and beautiful princess.

“…Alright, enough talk. Let’s go if you’re ready.”

Now that he thought of her as his own creation, he felt a little less anxious.

His thoughts were clear: the child he had raised would never mess up his plans. With that, he left the Duke’s mansion, and Eleanor followed behind with a wry smile.

***

Before they left the mansion, Hilda approached Eleanor with a worried look on her face.

“Miss, did you remember to bring it?”

“Of course. How could I forget something you made with your own hands?” Eleanor replied, raising the hem of her skirt playfully and giving Hilda a wink. However, knowing what would happen today, Hilda couldn’t smile back.

“…Please be careful.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Eleanor responded by giving Hilda a tight hug, patting her small shoulders a few times before heading out.

Their destination was Adray Forest, where the annual hunting event was taking place.

***

The usually quiet Adray Forest became lively on this day.

From early morning, people gathered at the forest non-stop. Fox hunting was an elite sport for the upper class, and since the Emperor himself was hosting the event, everyone present were high-ranking nobles from the capital.

The participants checked their horses and gear one last time. The nobles, who were sitting under the tents to avoid the sun, chatted among themselves, wondering who would catch the first fox.

After offering a formal word of encouragement to her father, Eleanor sat in her designated spot and observed the surroundings.

She noticed some people preparing for the hunt in the distance. To her surprise, the number of women wasn’t as low as she had expected.

Hunting usually involved releasing dogs to catch the foxes, with servants and guards handling the other work. Nobles mostly just rode around, giving commands during the hunt.

Of course, some nobles took pride in the hunt themselves. They would shoot arrows at the prey and decapitate the dead animals, which was more of a show-off move. Duke Astria was one of those who liked to show off his skills.

‘That’s why there’s always a pile of fox fur back at home.’

The Duke was a skilled hunter and would always return from the hunt with a good amount of spoils. When she was younger, Eleanor had tried to convince herself that this was how her father showed his affection. She didn’t realize that he was just throwing away things he didn’t need, like donations.

She snorted to herself when she suddenly heard a commotion. Everyone who had been talking stopped and turned to look in one direction.

Karsian had arrived. Eleanor didn’t even need to turn her head to know this.

Sure enough, the gazes of the people began to focus on her.

“Eleanor. You’re early,” Karsian said.

“Good morning, Karsian,” Eleanor replied.

She mentally scolded him for calling her “Eleanor” in front of everyone, but didn’t say anything.

Then she suddenly forgot how to breathe.

‘Was horseback riding gear always like this?’

She couldn’t help but gulp as she stared at him, his figure looking completely different from the other men around.

He was wearing the usual outfit for riding—navy jacket, white pants, black gloves, boots, and holding a riding crop. It was a common sight, but it looked completely different on him.

Most riding outfits are tailored to fit the body, which means they show off the wearer’s physique. His broad shoulders, well-defined chest, and muscular thighs were all perfectly visible.

“Eleanor? Is something wrong?” Karsian asked, noticing she was staring at him in silence.

She almost said it out loud: Your body is the problem.

But she stopped herself. The surrounding nobles were still watching, and she had to act appropriately in front of them.

“No, I was just happy to see your face first thing in the morning.”

She smiled sweetly, and Karsian seemed startled. His expression softened slightly as he realized the attention from the others, and he responded in a kind voice.

“…I’m happy too, seeing you.”

He smiled faintly, but Eleanor noticed that he didn’t look particularly happy. She realized that he was probably worried about the events of the day. He hadn’t given her a full explanation, but he had mentioned that something would happen today, so his mind wasn’t at ease.

Feeling a bit guilty, Eleanor opened her mouth.

Meanwhile, the other nobles were shocked by Karsian’s reaction. His dark expression didn’t even catch their attention—they were too focused on the fact that the Duke of Royster was showing affection to his mistress.

The Duke of Royster was a feared figure in the nobility. With a tall and imposing figure, he commanded attention with just a glance. The nobles both admired and feared him, and they were fascinated by his mysterious nature.

But now, rumors were circulating that Karsian had a mistress, and when they saw the look he gave Eleanor, many of them couldn’t believe it.

Love, huh?

With a face like that, it has to be love.

He’s so into her. Why doesn’t he just make it official?

I guess it’s because the princess is fake. No matter how much he loves her, he can’t bring a woman of unknown background into his home.

The whispers and jealous stares filled the air.

Eleanor ignored them and spoke lightly.

“I think your seat is further inside. It would have been nice to sit next to you, but it’s a pity.”

“If you wish, I’ll sit next to you,” Karsian responded.

That was a foolish thing to say. Karsian’s seat had already been prepared near the Emperor. To sit elsewhere would be an insult to the royal family.

In Cardiff noble society, such a careless remark could easily lead to shame. A newcomer at the hunt could lose the privilege to attend the next year if they made a mistake like that.

Of course, no one would dare embarrass the Duke, but Eleanor quickly corrected herself, thinking of his reputation.

“Haha, Karsian, you’re such a joker. I’ll be here cheering you on. Please catch a beautiful fox for me.”

It was a tradition to present the fox’s fur to your partner as a gift. The bigger and softer the fox, the more envy you would attract.

But Eleanor had no desire to receive a dead fox. She never really liked hunting, especially after seeing the animals suffer, like her father’s victims.

“…I understand. I’ll go greet the Emperor and then get going.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you.”

Karsian, as if holding something back, gave her a look before slowly reaching for her hand.

His lips brushed gently against the back of her hand.

“May luck be with us.”

Eleanor, looking at him with wide eyes, smiled softly.

“May luck be with us.”

At the end of his whispered words, a whistle sounded in the distance the signal for the hunt to begin.