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Chapter 26
The carriage procession came to a halt before the hunting grounds. Servants began unloading equipment from the baggage wagons for the hunt.
Quivers packed tightly with arrows were distributed to each participant. Each arrow shaft had a differently colored silk ribbon tied to it so that the hunter could identify their prey.
Excitement filled the faces of those preparing for the hunt. Even the hunting dogs, still bound by their leashes, seemed to sense that the hunt was near and barked excitedly.
Ladies who had stepped down from the carriages handed handkerchiefs to their husbands or lovers mounted on horses, wishing them a safe return.
Iselle also started walking toward her father and older brother, who were seated on their brown horses.
Even though there was no need, the two men dismounted as soon as they spotted her and approached, their faces filled with concern that she might trip over a tree root on her way.
At their unchanging attentiveness, Iselle smiled faintly.
“Father, Brother, please return safely.”
“Iselle, stay close to the others. Understood?”
Leo’s uneasy gaze drifted toward Duke Resian and Caesar Resian standing in the distance. They would be participating in the hunt as well, so it was unlikely they would cross paths—but he couldn’t help but worry.
“Yes, I will.”
Iselle nodded, reassuring them.
“Don’t worry, Young Master! I’ll make sure the young lady stays safe!”
Alec, standing behind Iselle, thumped his chest confidently.
Harris and Alec would not be joining the hunt; they would remain behind to guard Iselle. There should be nothing to worry about.
And yet, Count Blisha and Leo couldn’t shake their unease.
That uneasy feeling revealed itself soon enough.
“Iselle.”
Everyone turned toward the voice. Standing there with a quiver slung over one shoulder was Grand Duke Kanox.
Leo, Count Blisha, Harris, and Alec all stared at him in stunned silence. Alec and Harris, who knew nothing of the situation, looked especially confused. Only Iselle immediately composed herself and greeted him.
“Your Grace.”
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Why would you be looking for our lady…?
Alec glared, darting his eyes between Iselle and the Grand Duke.
What Iselle did next shocked everyone.
She stepped half a pace closer and held something out to him—a small carved piece of wood wrapped in a white handkerchief.
“…!”
Alec’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
He nudged Harris, demanding an explanation, but Harris was too overwhelmed to respond.
He clearly remembered warning Iselle not to speak even a word to the Grand Duke. Yet here she was, offering him a handkerchief.
What on earth happened?!
Ignoring the stunned onlookers, Iselle and the Grand Duke seemed to exist in their own world as they spoke.
A soft, almost visible pink atmosphere seemed to bloom between them.
Receiving the item, the Grand Duke asked,
“…What is this?”
“It’s the carving I promised you.”
“….”
The flat wooden piece, shaped like a brooch, bore the engraved emblem of the goddess Enix.
A straight staff with wings spread wide—said to always be carried in the goddess’s right hand.
It symbolized protection and healing for believers, and was also the emblem of the religious order.
Lahan stared silently at the carving for a long moment.
Worried that her gift might be too insignificant, Iselle hurriedly added,
“My carving skills aren’t very good… I’m sorry it’s only something like this.”
“That’s not true. This is…”
Lahan trailed off, gripping the carving tightly as if afraid to drop it.
“I will always keep it with me. Thank you.”
Iselle stared blankly at his smiling face.
She had given her carvings to others before—but she had never seen someone so genuinely delighted.
He looked like a man who had received a treasure unlike any other.
As warmth rose to her cheeks, Iselle belatedly added,
“Please… stay safe.”
Though she had said the same words to her father and brother, her heart raced and her lips tingled.
“I will return safely, Iselle.”
With a polite bow, the Grand Duke turned and walked away. Iselle continued to stare at his retreating figure until the cool breeze brushed her flushed ears.
After he left, the four men were about to interrogate her—but a servant rushed over, urging them to prepare as the hunt was about to begin.
After the Emperor’s opening speech, the sound of a horn echoed deep into the forest, signaling the start of the hunt.
Dozens of horses carrying their riders galloped into the woods.
*
While the men were away, Iselle had tea with the ladies at tables set up by the servants.
Harris and Alec stood at a distance, watching over her.
They were desperate to know what had happened earlier, but couldn’t ask in front of others.
Unaware of their frustration, Iselle listened to the conversation among the ladies.
Lady Celine Lotsa led most of the discussion.
“Lorelaina Atelier? The one even the Empress of the Rosca Empire praised?”
“Yes, I’ve already placed an order for their new designs.”
“Will you wear it to next month’s masquerade ball?”
Celine shrugged lightly in affirmation.
Iselle studied her face closely. Her features were sharp and distinct—she would make a fine model for a carving.
Meanwhile, the conversation at the table felt strangely off.
All the women were focused on Iselle, who had danced with the Grand Duke at the banquet.
They had countless questions but hesitated to ask.
Just as one of them gathered the courage—
The sound of approaching horses echoed nearby.
The men began returning from the hunt.
Some came back empty-handed, while others had captured enough prey to require carts.
As Iselle craned her neck looking for her father and brother, Caesar Resian appeared riding a chestnut horse, looking smug.
She turned her head slightly to hide her displeasure.
Fortunately, Caesar did not approach her, likely aware of the many watching eyes.
Instead, attention shifted to the cart behind him.
A massive wolf lay atop it—far larger than a man.
Gasps of admiration followed.
“How impressive!”
Flattery poured in from nobles eager to gain his favor.
Iselle sat silently, lightly touching the handle of her teacup.
She wished her father and brother would return soon.
Then—
“Good heavens!”
Two carts filled with animals entered the clearing.
There were easily over fifty.
Each had arrows marked with the same black ribbon—clearly belonging to one person.
The winner of the hunt was obvious.
As servants moved the carts, Iselle’s gaze froze.
The lifeless eyes of a deer stared blankly.
Animals sacrificed purely for human amusement.
She had eaten venison before—but seeing the dead bodies directly was different.
She froze.
Then—
The Grand Duke returned.
He handed his reins to a servant and looked around, searching for someone.
When he found her, he walked toward her.
Iselle stood pale beside the cart.
“Iselle? What’s wrong?”
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed.
Realizing what she was looking at, Lahan’s eyes widened.
“…It’s too much…”
Her trembling voice barely escaped her lips.
He instinctively reached toward her shoulder—
“Your Grace?”
A baron approached.
“Is this your catch?”
He pointed at the cart.
Startled, Iselle looked at the Grand Duke.
“Remarkable! Not a single one left—”
He stopped mid-sentence.
The Grand Duke’s gaze was terrifying.
“You seem to be mistaken, Baron.”
“But—”
“I’m ashamed to say I didn’t catch a single animal.”
He met Iselle’s eyes.
She looked confused.
“Though it’s a hunt… I couldn’t bring myself to kill innocent animals.”
The baron blinked in disbelief.
The arrows clearly belonged to him.
Yet he denied it.
He felt bad about killing animals?
From a man said to cut down soldiers like grass?
The baron stared at him in disbelief—but the Grand Duke only watched Iselle.
