The day of the hunting competition was approaching. As soon as we arrived at the venue, the first face I saw was that of my stepmother. Her face turned pale with surprise when she saw us, probably because she thought the Laphireon family wouldn't attend. As soon as our eyes met, she fled, but in reality, she was no different from a mouse trapped in a cage. She couldn't escape from this competition venue.
“Selphi, do you really have to participate in the hunting competition?”
The two of us changed into hunting gear as soon as we arrived. Unlike the indifferent Terdeo, Selphius was brimming with enthusiasm.
“Of course. I need to show everyone who the successor of the Laphireon family is.”
I held Selphius's arms with a worried expression and earnestly advised him.
“Selphi, how about just participating and staying away from the hunting grounds? Just sit near the entrance to avoid getting hurt. Okay?”
“Mom, really! I need to show the bravery of the Laphireon family!”
“Bravery? Forget all that! What if you get hurt while hunting!”
“Don’t worry! I can keep secrets too!”
Selphius brought his index finger to his lips and made a shushing sound. I grabbed his hand and spoke seriously.
“I’m not worried about the secret, Selphi. I’m worried about you.”
“...About me?”
“If you get hurt, you’ll be in pain. I don’t want my son to be hurt.”
Selphius's cheeks turned bright red. His lips moved uncontrollably, but he was resolute.
“But Mom, I’m also the successor of the Laphireon family. I have to do my part.”
Lately, Selphius has been suddenly enthusiastic about his successor studies, perhaps because he learned something strange at the academy. Whenever he had time, he would follow Terdeo around, learning and practicing swordsmanship. He especially wanted to do everything Terdeo did.
‘At this age, kids usually want to do everything their father does.’
Since Selphius's father is Terdeo... Is that why? Seeing no sign of Selphius changing his mind, I sighed deeply.
“Then you have to promise me you won’t get hurt. Got it?”
“Yes, Mom! I won’t get hurt. I promise!”
Selphius gave a firm answer and rechecked his equipment. I looked at him with concern, and Terdeo, who had been silently listening to our conversation, spoke dismissively.
“There’s no need to worry so much. We’re just going to pass the time and come back.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“More importantly, you haven’t forgotten that I’m also participating in the hunting competition, right?”
“Huh?”
“Where should I be?”
Terdeo looked at me with eyes full of expectation. Where should I be... Is he asking where the best place to hunt is?
‘I’ve never been to a hunting competition, so I don’t know the best spots...’
It’s his first time participating, so he’s probably nervous and wants to win.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know the best spots, so I can’t help you.”
“What?”
“But I’ll cheer for you.”
I clenched my fists.
“The hunting isn’t that hard. Try your best! It’s okay if you don’t catch anything, so don’t worry too much!”
“...Do you think I won’t catch anything?”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want you to feel pressured.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the sound of a trumpet announced the start of the hunting competition.
“I have to go now.”
Terdeo looked at the tea table where Dodolea was seated. While the participants enjoyed the hunt, the remaining noble ladies and young ladies would enjoy tea together, a customary practice.
“Still, be careful. You never know what they might do.”
“Don’t worry about me, Theo. You be careful and don’t get hurt.”
“I finally get to hear that from you.”
A gentle breeze blew, and Terdeo’s hair fluttered, revealing a faint smile on his lips. His face, illuminated by the bright sunlight, seemed to sparkle.
“Huh!”
“Is the Grand Duke of Laphireon smiling?”
The first time seeing such a tender smile, everyone around us gasped. All eyes were on him. At that moment, without realizing it, I raised my hands to cover Terdeo’s face so no one could see.
“...What are you doing? I can’t see anything.”
“I, I don’t know.”
I don’t know why I did it, but I felt I had to cover his face, so no one, including me, could see it. Was it because the sun was too bright today? My face felt like it was on fire.
“C, come on, hurry up and go. Be careful while hunting.”
As soon as I finished speaking, his large hand tightly gripped mine and gently pulled it down. Terdeo, who had been smiling, now wore his usual indifferent expression. His red eyes were unusually warm.
“Pheresatti.”
When he called my name, I felt as if I were floating on a cloud. Terdeo continued to look at me intensely and pressed his lips firmly against my palm.
“Huh!”
“...!”
The surrounding area erupted in gasps. Although it was brief, his warm, soft lips left a vivid impression. The sun must be very strong today. That’s why my face feels so hot, right?
“I got your encouragement. I’ll come back as the winner.”
Terdeo gently released my hand, turned around, and quickly walked away. Selphius, who had been rechecking his equipment and watching us, chuckled and muttered under his breath.
“...Whether it’s a facade or not, you’ve already crossed a river you can’t return from.”
Even after the two of them left for the hunting grounds, I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. My palm, where his lips had touched, tingled as if struck by lightning.
‘It’s just for show, pull yourself together.’
I thought about what had just happened for a while. There was only one answer. We need to appear like a normal couple. So, that’s what it was. I shouldn’t be shaken. I clenched my fists and tried to cool my flushed cheeks in the gentle breeze. The warm feeling didn’t last long. The sound of footsteps on the grass and a mocking laugh came from behind.
“You two are quite affectionate in front of everyone.”
Hearing the mocking voice, I felt as if cold water had been poured over my head. I turned to see Dodolea with a sardonic smile. I shrugged as if this situation was nothing new.
“Just between us, what’s the big deal?”
My calm response made Dodolea frown. Behind her, I saw my stepmother and Reina.
‘As soon as they saw me, they ran to Dodolea and hid.’
Dodolea, noticing my gaze, smiled and snapped her fingers.
“Lady Zahart is on the guest list.”
“...”
“By the way, the Laphireon family usually doesn’t attend hunting competitions, but this year, they’ve decided to participate.”
Dodolea smirked.
“Who, why, and for what reason Lady Zahart was added to the guest list is so obvious.”
I sighed softly.
“This time, I really want to have a conversation with my family.”
“Oh.”
“Do you plan to interfere again?”
“Is our conversation at the temple entrance still not over?”
Dodolea laughed as if watching an entertaining play. Her clear laughter drew the attention of the surrounding nobles. They probably thought we were good friends. After finally stopping her laughter, Dodolea covered her lips and whispered.
“What is our Grand Duchess so curious about? Want to guess?”
“...”
“Hmm.”
Dodolea hummed and then burst into laughter.
“For example, are you curious if you gave the Earl a stronger pill, pretending it was a better medicine, and killed him?”
“...!”
She knows everything. She really knows everything.
“Or are you curious if you knew that the pill left no trace and was a powerful poison?”
Seeing Dodolea’s smiling face, I felt a sense of déjà vu.
‘What is this?’
Frowning, Dodolea clapped her hands like a child.
“I get it! You’re curious why Prince Laphireon had a dream about the Grand Duchess after taking the pill!”
“...!”
How does she know that? I couldn’t hide my shock. Dodolea, seeing my expression, laughed so hard she nearly rolled on the grass, tears forming in her eyes. She wiped her tears and tried to stop laughing.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll tell you.”
Dodolea extended her thumb and took a step forward.
“First, Lady Zahart did indeed kill the Earl.”
My fists clenched tighter. I glared at my stepmother, who stood behind Dodolea. Despite her murder being exposed, she remained silent.
“Why did you do it?”
“Are you curious about that too? It’s a thing of the past, you know.”
Dodolea spoke playfully and then extended her index finger, taking another step closer.
“Because... but that man was too much.”
“What?”
“Lady Zahart wanted to have a child to continue the family. She wanted a child with the Earl. But the Earl refused.”
Dodolea’s face twisted in disgust.
“The Earl said her child couldn’t be the successor. He told her to enjoy the life of a noble, given that she was a commoner, and not to overstep her bounds.”
“...Father?”
“The Earl called her a toy to play with. He said she