EVHE 65

Chapter 65

I tried to ask Lake about Olivia’s current situation, but I quickly gave up.

I remembered that he usually only stayed at the temple and rarely returned home.

Besides, prying into someone else’s family wasn’t exactly appropriate…

Sigh.

In front of my eyes, I saw people busily moving about.

They were carrying things one by one, so they didn’t seem like priests. Their clothing looked ordinary, so they weren’t knights either.

“Are those people from the temple?” I asked.

“No. They are workers who supply the goods,” Lake explained.

“They all look so busy.”

“That’s because the Hunting Festival is about to begin,” he added, perhaps worried I didn’t know.

He went on to give a detailed explanation.

“The Hunting Festival is usually organized jointly by the temple and the royal family. Because of this, the temple is always busy during this time.”

I remembered that this was an event even in the original story. It was a competition to capture various dangerous prey to prove one’s honor and courage.

The thought of witnessing an event I’d only read about in text made my curiosity spike.

But that fascination didn’t last long.

“…Huh?”

My excitement quickly turned into a stunned question.

“W-what is going to happen?!”

I shouted at Lake in panic. He looked just as surprised by my reaction.

But the bigger problem wasn’t his expression. I hadn’t thought of this at all, being so absent-minded lately.

The Hunting Festival was the third major event in the original story.

It wasn’t a scene where Lilith and Olivia directly clashed. It was simply a situation where Olivia resolved a problem with her Estella.

That was the problem.

Following Olivia’s kidnapping, Knox crushed Vistard completely. But the surviving remnants held grudges, and during the Hunting Festival, they sought revenge…

In the process, they mistakenly targeted someone else, and the repercussions hit Calix.

Normally, a few people could handle Calix easily, but the problem was that they used forbidden spells.

So Calix would be seriously injured, and Olivia would heal him with Estella…

But the current Olivia seemed to have no Estella. If she couldn’t resolve the incident at the Hunting Festival…

Calix would be in danger!

The thought made cold sweat break out on me.

As soon as I got home, I wrote a letter to Calix, asking if he could avoid participating in the Hunting Festival.

I wrote everything—from my recent restless dreams to the absurd notion that some forces seemed to threaten him.

I paced back and forth, unable to focus on anything else, waiting for his reply.

I wasn’t even sure if Olivia could save Calix now. Even if she tried, without Estella, he might not survive.

For four days, Calix didn’t reply. Just when I was at my wit’s end…

On the fifth day, I finally received his response.

The content was that as a prince of the empire, attendance at the Hunting Festival was mandatory.

Ah, that damned Calix!

He never listened to me the first time.

Perhaps the major events of the original story were unavoidable. It seemed inevitable that Calix would participate in the Hunting Festival.

Then…

I had no choice but to attend the Hunting Festival myself.

I couldn’t just sit idly by and wait to hear news of his demise after the competition ended.

“Ugh! Ow, that hurts!”

I quickly pulled my finger away from the needle. Luckily, it didn’t draw blood.

Why am I sewing something I have no knack for…

A handkerchief was essential for a lady wishing safety at the Hunting Festival. That explained why I was struggling so much.

I proudly gazed at my work after two nights of sewing.

As before, it was a mess. I would likely need to make it again.

“Ellie, when exactly is the Hunting Festival?”

“Next week.”

“That’s bad.”

Could I finish this in time? Three pieces, no less!

No matter how many times I thought about it, it seemed impossible.

“Ellie…”

As I whined, she smiled as if to say, “Just trust me.”

She truly was the savior of my life!

I looked at her with eyes full of admiration.

The Hunting Festival was held in the massive Alois Forest. There were so many participants that I could barely hear the announcer.

Since the festival lasted three days, I didn’t come alone. I brought Ellie, a few maids, and several knights.

Although the announcer explained the rules in detail, I already knew them.

Points were awarded based on the danger and size of the prey captured, with extra bonuses added for special achievements—the final ranking was determined accordingly. A simple set of rules.

After the opening ceremony, people scattered to prepare for the competition. Young ladies gathered in groups of three or five, while participants checked their equipment.

I diligently tried to spot familiar faces.

However, I only saw a few ladies, including Siri. The two princes I expected weren’t there.

They aren’t skipping this, are they?

Why had I struggled so much for weeks?

Still, it might be safer if Calix didn’t appear. He wouldn’t be in danger then.

Is Reshel not coming either?

Reshel wouldn’t help Calix no matter what.

I had intended to ask him to empower a necklace for Calix, but this plan seemed destined to fail before I could try it.

There’s a Plan B, though.

I brought the brooch Calix had given me and the amulet I purchased separately from Rose Tower.

The amulet contained powerful magic for attack, defense, and healing.

Hopefully, I won’t need to use it.

I anxiously waited in place.

At that moment, someone I wasn’t expecting appeared. I felt a dark presence before even seeing him and hurried toward a distant tent.

Ugh…

Knox exuded an overwhelmingly terrifying aura. Even from afar, the chill it sent down my spine didn’t fade.

Olivia didn’t seem to be by his side. Considering Knox’s unusually bad mood, she hadn’t arrived yet.

“Your Highness.”

When would Olivia come? I had so many things to ask her…

“Your Highness?”

Or was she avoiding me? Should I visit her at home? Though going without an invitation would be impolite.

“Princess Crescent.”

A sweet voice whispered close to my ear, making me shiver.

Turning, I saw Lake standing nearby, grinning playfully.

“Sir Lake.”

Before I could even greet him…

“Over there, further!”

I dragged Lake to a spot where Knox couldn’t see him.

“You’re participating in the Hunting Festival?”

I spoke casually, as if nothing had happened.

“Yes. If I have no urgent business, I attend every time,” he replied.

“Do you enjoy hunting?”

He nodded calmly, which was surprising. He disliked parties, yet he liked hunting? From his demeanor, I would have thought he even opposed hunting events that harmed animals.

“The Hunting Festival has many meanings for the temple… but explaining all of them might bore you, Princess,” he smiled knowingly at my reaction.

“Oh, right. Sir, please accept this.”

I handed him a handkerchief I had prepared. On its neatly folded surface was the emblem of Primrose.

It was literally the result of blood, sweat, and tears with Ellie.

Compared to the other two pieces, I had put in seven times more effort. I didn’t want him to see my work as lacking in front of someone perfect.

Lake looked deeply moved as he accepted it.

He knelt on one knee, gently holding my right hand, resting his forehead on the back of it.

“I will make sure to dedicate my victory to you, Princess.”

He lifted his head and gazed at me earnestly.

“If that happens…”

His fresh green eyes stared into mine. His smooth, neat face carried a soft smile.

“Would you grant me just one wish?”

His composed eyes curved gently. He looked confident.

Would it be difficult?

Knox would certainly win first place. Even without going to the extent of the original story, Knox’s skill alone proved that.

But I didn’t need to speak it aloud. Even thinking about it was slightly rude.

“I’ll be waiting.”

His words alone were heartwarming.

Lake soon left, saying he had to meet the temple colleagues. I waved lightly as he departed.

I hoped Lake would also remain safe. He was too talented to lose.

I sat blankly under a tree after parting from Lake. After a while, I saw a familiar face in the distance.

It was clearly the knight who always accompanied Calix. I hurried toward him.

“Sir Allen.”

Allen’s eyes widened when he saw me.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess,” he greeted politely.

“Do you know where Calix is?”

Allen’s presence here meant Calix was nearby. Perhaps he was in this area…

“His Highness entered Alois Forest first,” he said.

“What?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“He entered ahead with the vanguard to ensure safety. The competition will also start there,” Allen explained, thinking I hadn’t understood.

“You sent a warning letter, so he insisted on confirming the safety thoroughly. He was concerned other participants might get injured,” he added.

And then came the words I didn’t want to hear.

I flinched as the brooch and amulet in my leather pouch clinked together.

Plan B?

Why did everything always go wrong?

If Olivia can’t save Calix…

My dry throat made me swallow hard. The recurring fear made me feel drained, my hands and feet tingling.