CHAPTER 52
“The winner of this year’s hunting festival is…”
The official’s voice trembled slightly.
A moment later, with everyone’s eyes fixed on him, he made the announcement.
“His Imperial Highness, Prince Etius von Clyde!”
The hunting grounds fell silent, as though a bucket of cold water had been thrown over the crowd.
I placed a hand against my chest and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Not only had I prevented the future where Eti scored zero points and suffered humiliation at the hunting festival, but I’d also protected my lottery winnings.
I’d bought the maximum amount allowed—10,000 den worth of tickets.
The odds on Eti had been a staggering 100 to 1.
Hardly anyone would have bet on him, so there was no chance the payout had dropped.
That meant I’d be receiving 1,000,000 den.
About ten billion won.
“…”
Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had been chatting leisurely with several nobles, frowned deeply.
Hehe… My fortune just keeps growing.
Unlike me, who was doing my best to keep a straight face despite my satisfaction, the Emperor made no effort to hide his fury.
He glared murderously at the official who had announced the results.
Unfortunately for him, the announcement had already been made.
He must find it impossible to believe. Even after giving Eti the wolf-attracting badge, he still won.
Seeing that despicable old Emperor’s face twist with frustration was immensely satisfying.
The official continued.
“His Imperial Highness, Prince Etius von Clyde, takes first place with 53 points.”
If things had followed the original story, it would’ve been 103 points.
The black bear alone was worth fifty points.
In the original novel, Duke Camel Beatrice had won with seventy-eight points.
Eti had surpassed that score by a wide margin.
I’m proud of you, Eti.
The official went on.
“And now… we will announce second place.”
Oh…
My fingertips twitched.
Immediately, everyone’s eyes turned toward me.
“Second place goes to Lady Katrin Elemore with 50 points. She successfully hunted the black bear, the highest-scoring prey in this year’s hunting festival.”
The crowd immediately erupted into astonished whispers.
“My goodness… Lady Elemore killed the black bear?”
“How in the world did she manage that?”
“With that bow she’s carrying? Is that even possible?”
Even the Emperor looked genuinely surprised.
That was only natural.
No one participating in this hunt had imagined I possessed such skill.
Of course…
They weren’t exactly wrong.
Aside from the wolves—which were worth zero points—I hadn’t actually hunted a single animal myself.
I’d only entered the competition to meet Camel Beatrice, deliver the confidential document into his hands, and lessen the suffering Eti would have endured.
“…”
Since I couldn’t exactly announce that Eti had killed it for me…
All I could do was offer the Emperor an awkward little bow.
The official continued.
“This is the first time in the history of the hunting festival that the person who hunted the black bear did not finish in first place.”
The murmuring only grew louder.
“So she entered the competition just to kill the black bear?”
“As expected of Lady Elemore. She probably ignored every other animal.”
“So it was… ‘I’m only here to kill one thing.'”
The nobles rubbed their arms as if chilled, looking at me as though I were some kind of monster.
It wasn’t Eti’s intention…
But I could practically feel my reputation as the villainess becoming even stronger.
I simply lifted my chin.
“Please continue with the ceremony.”
The official flinched before resuming the announcements.
Third place.
Fourth place.
Fifth place.
Despite withdrawing before even half the competition had passed…
Duke Camel Beatrice still managed to finish in fifth place.
Soon afterward, the award ceremony began.
The Emperor personally honored the winner and presented the promised Imperial treasure.
The moment Etius stepped onto the platform, everyone unconsciously held their breath.
Unlike the Emperor and the nobles, who were dressed in glittering formal attire, Eti still wore the plain hunting clothes little different from those of a commoner.
Yet…
He stood out more than anyone.
Nearly one hundred ninety centimeters tall.
Broad shoulders.
A sharp, high nose.
Cold, refined features.
And blue eyes as deep as the sea.
His posture was straighter than that of any knight, and his gaze held an icy determination.
“Ahem.”
“I am pleased that Prince Etius has achieved such an excellent result in this hunting festival, held for the prosperity and peace of our Empire.”
That wasn’t what he was supposed to say.
The Emperor deliberately changed the words.
Instead of acknowledging Eti’s victory, he merely called it “an excellent result.”
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
“As this sacred hunting festival places safety above all else, it seems the game animals were arranged somewhat more conveniently than usual. Although the most dangerous prey—the black bear—was not hunted…”
“…Nevertheless, the prince has earned a remarkable score and brought honor to the Imperial Family. Therefore, I shall bestow this award upon him.”
With an expression of obvious displeasure, the Emperor handed over the trophy brought by an attendant.
As soon as Eti accepted it, the Emperor glared at him resentfully.
Several long seconds passed.
The Emperor twitched his eyes as if wondering why Eti was still standing there.
Instead of moving…
Eti looked toward the attendant standing behind the Emperor.
The attendant was holding the Imperial heirloom awarded to the champion—
The Sword of Douglas.
That’s right… This was the grand prize.
The Sword of Douglas, the legendary blade of the Third Emperor, had been forged from the rare metal Luminite, making it incomparably stronger than ordinary steel.
“Duke Camel Beatrice will surely win. Why not offer the legendary sword as the prize? It would only deepen his loyalty to Your Majesty.”
That had been my suggestion when I volunteered to deliver the invitations for the hunting festival.
The moment Eti silently made it clear that he intended to claim that sword…
I saw the Emperor’s brow twitch violently.
But he couldn’t very well cancel the prize just because Eti, instead of Camel, had won.
With a dark expression, he snatched the sword from the attendant and handed it over.
“I almost forgot.”
Eti accepted the heavy sword and answered calmly.
“I always make sure to collect what belongs to me.”
The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched again.
Eti turned away from the platform and looked over the gathered nobles.
Not a single one of them stood on his side.
Yet despite being completely alone…
He had achieved an unbelievable victory.
Well done, my boy.
“…”
Then, quite suddenly…
Our eyes met.
My fingertips twitched.
Watching him stand there, holding the sword he had won, looking at me with those deep, dark eyes…
It felt as though the entire world had disappeared.
As if only the two of us remained.
The others noticed his gaze resting on me as well.
Every noble present turned to look at me.
Even the Emperor’s eyes shifted toward me.
Then his indifferent voice rang out.
“Now then… next is Lady Katrin Elemore.”
I broke eye contact with Eti and slowly walked up onto the platform.
Without even having the chance to congratulate him…
I found myself standing before the Emperor.
I gave him the cool smile befitting Katrin Elemore.
One of his eyebrows twitched.
“If I’d known things would turn out this way, perhaps I should’ve hunted one more deer.”
Hearing me sound as though I regretted losing to Eti, the Emperor gave me a reproachful look, as if asking why I hadn’t done exactly that.
Then he cleared his throat.
“Even so… I had no idea you possessed such ability.”
“You have brought me great joy.”
An attendant presented him with the second-place plaque.
The Emperor handed it to me.
From every direction…
Jealousy.
Admiration.
Fear.
Their tangled gazes wrapped tightly around me.
The Emperor addressed the audience once more.
“Although Prince Etius claimed victory under the point system, I believe Lady Katrin Elemore, who hunted the black bear, is the true champion.”
What are you talking about, you petty old man?
“Therefore…”
“To commemorate this achievement, one month from now, the Imperial Palace shall hold the investiture ceremony officially granting Katrin Elemore the title of Duchess.”
The moment he said it…
My heart skipped a beat.
I… didn’t see this coming.
As the crowd burst into excited murmurs, Eti—who had been walking away from the platform—stopped and looked back at me.
“Katrin Elemore! Succeed your father, Duke Luciano Elemore, my meritorious servant, and continue bringing glory to the Empire!”
At the Emperor’s passionate declaration…
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the nobles.
Cheers that hadn’t even been offered when Eti received his award.
Would you all shut up already?
Inside, my head was pounding.
Outwardly, I gracefully lowered to one knee and answered the Emperor.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Then I turned my head toward Eti.
The instant our eyes met…
I froze.
A faint smile rested on his lips.
He… smiled?
There was no way to check whether I’d imagined it.
Because a moment later…
He turned his back and quietly walked away.
