STUT 15

Chapter : 15

Aim for the Head.

Sharlop hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Just by chance. It smelled nice, so I once asked about it.”

“Life in this world doesn’t always have a reason. Right. I asked something unnecessary.”

It was only a few years later that coffee truly settled in. Because drinking it early in the morning cleared the head and chased away fatigue, it became popular among the nobility.

Sharlop stiffly rubbed her chest.

“Are you all right?”

“Pardon?”

“I thought your chest might feel tight.”

“I’m fine. But why did you call for me so early in the morning?”

“It’s nothing else. I just heard you came home late last night…”

Was it serious enough that it reached her grandfather’s ears?

“There are people at home waiting for you, so wouldn’t it be better to be careful?”

“I—I’ll be more careful next time.”

“We’re not trying to restrain you. Still, if someone is waiting, isn’t it only right to at least let them know?”

To some people, it was only natural.

If you go out, you say you’re going out.
If you’ll be late, you say you’ll be late.

But for Sharlop, who had never enjoyed such ordinary things even once, even these facts felt unfamiliar.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“I also heard about your father. They say he’s had a habit of putting his effort into the wrong places since long ago.”

“Who told you that?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince told me himself. He meant that I shouldn’t scold you for being late, so don’t hold it against him.”

After some hesitation, Leandro arranged his words.

“This incident as well… and the hunting competition is coming up soon.”

Leandro took a black case from the drawer and placed it in front of Sharlop.

“It’s a crossbow. It loads bullets instead of arrows, and it’s neither big nor heavy, so it should be easy to carry around.”

It was small enough to fit in one palm.

“Why this?”

“I thought it might be good for you to try the small-game hunting grounds at least once.”

“Is Grandfather attending the hunting competition too?”

“At my age, where would I be going? I’ll just be sending your uncles, so keep that in mind.”

Leandro handed the crossbow to Sharlop.

She took it out of the case and held it in her grip. It fit neatly into one hand.

It was foldable—kept folded long, but when you pulled the string, the bow opened out to the sides.

Up to four bullets could be loaded inside.

“Your uncles say it’s dangerous and that I shouldn’t give it to you, but you’re not going to shoot people with it, so wouldn’t it be fine?”

Late at night, Sharlop took the crossbow and went outside.

“Lord Leandro gave you something dangerous.”

As she aimed at a tree across from her as a makeshift target,
Benjamin fiddled with the crossbow and then set up a temporary target opposite her.

“With arms that thin, I’m worried you might just drop the crossbow.”

Benjamin wrapped his hand around Sharlop’s forearm.

His fingers touched her slender arm, and he spread her shoulders wide.
The body pressed against her back felt unusually large. His fingertips were firm.

“Aren’t you going to shoot?”

Looking down at her, Benjamin asked. Only then did Sharlop pull the trigger. The bullet struck the very center.

“Nice impact, and high accuracy too. It seems easy to use.”

“I’ve never handled a weapon before.”

“Then start learning now. The controls are simple, and if you learn it, it’ll come in handy somewhere.”

Loading the crossbow could be done with one hand.
With one hand you hold the body, and with the other you load it and pull the trigger to fire.

“Your shoulders and arms shouldn’t shake.”

From behind, Benjamin held her shoulders and arms in place.

“Your gaze is wavering, Sharl.”

In that brief moment, Benjamin grasped both the target and the crossbow precisely. From loading, to pulling the trigger, to hitting the target—everything he did was smooth.

“With your eyes, just look straight at the target. They even reduced the weight—so why are your hands dropping? Don’t let your wrist tremble. Fix your wrist firmly and pull the trigger. Straighten your shoulders too—don’t hunch them.”

Benjamin guided even the movement of her fingers one by one. The bullet flew swiftly and embedded itself in the target.

“For catching a small animal, this weapon seems rather luxurious.”

“Still, it’s more than enough to blow off a small animal’s head.”

In an even tone, Benjamin corrected Sharlop’s posture again.

“Lift your arms and look at the target again.”

You need to get used to the controls beforehand. Saying so, Benjamin explained the operation in detail.

“Learn it well.”

He murmured briefly and smiled faintly.

“From now on, if someone annoys you, just shoot them in the head.”

“You’ve gotten quite violent.”

“It’s light and easy to use, so even you, Sharl, will be able to hit easily.”

At his whispered words, Sharlop pushed his shoulder lightly so it wouldn’t hurt.

“It’s a hunting competition, Sharl.”

Benjamin patted her shoulder. Saying she should try on her own now, he took his hands off the crossbow.

“Want to try by yourself?”

“I’ll give it a try for now.”

“A smart Sharl like you will adapt quickly.”

Letting go, Benjamin watched as she practiced alone.

Afterward, he smiled in satisfaction and said, “Excellent. You’ll hit the head in one shot.”

Sharlop had clothes fitted for the hunting competition, and also chose matching accessories.

It was a pale sky-blue brooch. And to match its color, she bought a handkerchief as well—this one was meant for Benjamin.

“I’m not confident about embroidery, but would a sun be all right?”

Becky clapped her hands in response.

“Isn’t that the symbol of the imperial family? It’s an embroidery that suits His Highness the Crown Prince perfectly!”

She deliberately chose varied colors for the handkerchief. Would it be enough to embroider just the family crest and name?

“I’m worried my crude skills might only invite ridicule.”

“The entire Windsor family will be delighted.”

At Becky’s and the maid’s confident answers, Sharlop trailed off awkwardly.

If it were her maternal relatives, she wouldn’t even worry.

“I was thinking Benjamin might laugh…”

“Perhaps His Highness’s character isn’t that bad!”

It was the night before the hunting competition. Sharlop took the handkerchief and went to Leandro’s study.

The area in front of the study was dark with the lights off, yet inside, the lamp was still lit.

Knock, knock.

When Sharlop knocked, permission to enter came from inside.

Leandro set aside the documents he had been writing and quietly gestured to her.

“What brings you here so late at night?”

“Tomorrow is the hunting competition.”

Sharlop placed the handkerchief on Leandro’s desk.

“I’m not going to the hunting competition. Haven’t you heard yet?”

“You told me yourself, Grandfather. I remember.”

Leandro would stay behind to guard the family, while Aster and Cesar would accompany them to the hunting grounds.

“Even if you’re not attending, Grandfather, it feels wrong to give gifts to the others and leave only you out.”

Without a word, Leandro accepted the handkerchief.

“This is for me?”

“I prepared ones for the other two as well.”

At the soft feel of the handkerchief, Leandro’s fingertips trembled slightly. Though his hand was hidden beneath it, she could feel the small tremor through the cloth.

“At the hunting grounds, never act alone. Wherever you go, go with Katarina.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything reckless.”

At her smooth reply, Leandro closed his eyes.

“Thank you.”

At that single word from him, Sharlop only nodded quietly.

“Have a good night.”

“You too. Be careful.”

Leandro clenched the handkerchief tightly in his hand.

Sharlop took in that 모습, then quietly left the study.

They traveled to the hunting grounds in the Windsor family carriage.

The Fontrea Forest was located on imperial land called Fontrea, hence its name.

“So even your usually indifferent face has days when it shines.”

As Sharlop looked out the carriage window, Aster spoke from across while folding his newspaper.

“Your grandfather couldn’t come because he’s busy with family affairs.”

“He told me last night, so I know. It feels like we’re almost there—are we not yet?”

Tall conifer trees stood in rows. Just then, the coachman stopped the carriage.

“We’ve arrived.”

The carriage stopped at the entrance to the forest. When the door opened, a wide clearing spread out before them.

The guards were stationed around the forest, and they headed toward the Windsor family’s tent.

“You’re here?”

“I’m sorry we’re late.”

“No, I just arrived at the tent myself.”

Cesar, who had arrived first, greeted them. Sharlop sat down on a simple bed inside the tent.

“Both uncles are attending the hunting competition, right?”

“It’s hosted directly by the imperial family, so we should at least show our presence. We’ll be outside, so rest a bit inside.”

Leaving only Katarina behind, the two uncles went out. Sharlop slowly looked around the inside of the tent.

Carpets were laid in the spacious tent, with a table and sofa placed on top. Deeper inside, there was even a simple bed—it was as if they had brought an entire guest room.

“May I go outside for a bit?”

Katarina nodded quietly.

“Is it really all right?”

Katarina then opened the tent flap and gestured outside.

As Sharlop remembered, Katarina was the knight who had been at Benjamin’s side when he ascended the throne.
Strictly speaking, she belonged to the Crown Prince’s direct faction. In her past life, she had only briefly seen her portrait in a bulletin…

“Sharl?”

At the familiar call, Sharlop smiled brightly.

The entrance to the hunting grounds was a wide clearing. Many knights participating in the competition were gathered there. Among them, she spotted the Windsor family’s knights. Cesar and Aster were there too.

“Uncle.”

Aster strode toward her.

“Why are you out here? I told you to rest inside the tent.”

Sharlop handed Aster and Cesar the handkerchiefs embroidered with the Windsor family crest.

“I almost forgot. Please come back safely.”

“Did you make this yourself…?”

The handkerchiefs for her uncles had been finished the night before. With their names embroidered in cursive at the bottom and the crest added, despite her clumsy skills, they looked decent enough.

“My skills may be lacking, but please accept it for the thought. Due to personal reasons, my fingers are a bit dull.”

Cesar held the handkerchief back out to her.

“Will you tie it on for me?”