Chapter 67: The Villain's Ending is Only Death
We were gathered in the duke’s tent, having breakfast together.
I, having just finished interrogations late into the night, contorted my face at the news Derek brought back.
“Why, why? After what happened yesterday, why is it still proceeding?”
“Since there were no fatalities, and with foreigners attending, if the hunt were to be canceled, it would damage the empire’s prestige.”
‘A monster appeared and wreaked havoc, but what does prestige matter in such a situation!’
I was so flabbergasted that I kept opening and closing my mouth.
“Well, it’s for the best. If we back down over a minor issue, we’ll only be seen as weak and insignificant.”
The duke nodded seriously in agreement.
‘Oh, no. This isn’t right.’
I thought I would just sleep for a night and return home, but I didn’t expect the damned hunt to really continue.
I bit my lip and finally came up with the best solution.
“...I’m not feeling well, so I don’t think I can attend the event.”
“You did push yourself too hard yesterday.”
Fortunately, the duke readily accepted it.
“This is a good opportunity for you, Penelope, to establish your position in society. The Countess Dortea sent a maid early this morning.”
“She’s inviting you to the tea party held during the opening ceremony.”
Since I had never attended a private tea party since arriving here, the invitation left me bewildered.
However, the duke looked at me with a strangely proud expression.
“You must be bored just staying in the tent. Get dressed up nicely, attend the tea party, and mingle with the young ladies of your age.”
“She only brought hunting clothes, Father.”
Leonard, who had been eating, suddenly smirked and said.
It wasn’t unpleasant because it was true.
How annoying it would be to wear a long, flowing dress in the forest.
That’s why I instructed Emily to pack mainly simple, practical clothes, including hunting gear.
While I looked at Leonard with a puzzled expression, the duke scolded him in a displeased voice.
“Well, that’s even better. These days, proactive women are the trend, you fool! Tsk.”
He even clicked his tongue and added.
“That’s why you’re not popular with women.”
“Not popular, who isn’t?!”
Leonard retorted angrily, but the duke had already turned his head back to me.
Seeing the frustrated Leonard, I felt a great sense of satisfaction.
“Who knows, some of the guys might have been impressed by your bravery yesterday and might offer you the prize of the hunt, making you the queen of this hunting festival.”
Derek, who had been silently eating, finally sighed and spoke.
“If you get carried away with such unrealistic expectations and act arrogantly, it will only lead to worse gossip than before.”
He then looked at me with his blue eyes and continued.
“Isn’t it said that you’re finally starting to act more human?”
Unable to deny it, the duke cleared his throat and resumed eating.
I was left speechless, feeling utterly defeated.
It was even more unpleasant than Leonard’s constant teasing.
‘Unrealistic expectations?! I never wanted to be a queen or anything like that.’
I stared at Derek with wide eyes, but he avoided my gaze.
‘...What a jerk. You’re out.’
Clutching my trembling fists under the table, I vowed revenge.
“Miss, are you sure it’s okay to go like this?”
Emily looked at me disapprovingly, checking my outfit repeatedly.
“What’s wrong? It’s a hunting event. Even if I don’t participate, I should at least fit in.”
She looked at me with a concerned expression.
I checked my appearance in the mirror again.
I was wearing the hunting outfit I always wore for crossbow practice, with my hair tied back.
My pale pink hair cascaded down my back.
The new dark gray jacket and shorts, embroidered with the Ekkart family crest in gold thread, matched my hair perfectly.
‘I look pretty, don’t I?’
I held the crossbow, which I had already loaded with magic beads, and slung it over my back.
“Why are you taking the crossbow, Miss? You’re not feeling well...”
Emily asked, her face showing concern. She clearly wanted to stop me.
“There’s a separate area where they release small animals for women and children, right? I want to check it out.”
“Are you going to hunt yourself?”
“Sitting still at the tea party would be boring.”
I replied cheerfully. At the same time, I thought of someone I had left at home.
‘...I boasted so much, but if I can’t even catch a rabbit, my reputation will be ruined.’
The sound of a small sigh, and the faintly amused gray eyes, were still vivid in my mind.
‘You were definitely mocking me. Just wait. I’ll bring back at least a scarf for you.’
“Hey, are you still far away?”
Leonard’s impatient voice came from outside the tent.
I quickly stuffed the cloth bag of crossbow bolts and a velvet box into my pocket and said goodbye to Emily.
When I stepped out of the tent, the men of the duke’s family were already fully prepared.
Normally, I would have ignored him, but I couldn’t help but glance him up and down.
In his dark brown uniform, he looked very handsome.
Derek, standing next to him in an elegant all-black uniform, was no different.
Their tall stature and good looks, fitting the role of male leads, made them stand out even more in their hunting outfits.
Their annoying personalities were almost overshadowed by their appearance.
‘...If this were a game, I’d be cheering even more.’
I sighed at the harsh reality.
“Why don’t you dress up nicely? How did you end up like that?”
The duke frowned at my outfit, particularly at the crossbow.
“I’m not going to have unrealistic expectations, as someone said.”
I glanced at the person in question and replied.
The person didn’t react, but the duke, feeling guilty, cleared his throat loudly.
“Ahem! ...You said you’re not going to hunt, right? And you’re not feeling well.”
“I want to see the small animal hunting area since I’m here.”
The duke flinched and leaned in close to me.
“...Do you remember what I told you?”
“If you really want to shoot, go to a secluded place.”
I recalled the conversation we had when I received the crossbow.
The reason for using magic beads instead of arrows.
“Do you understand? Huh?”
His blue eyes, urging me to answer, were filled with distrust and anxiety.
Similar to Emily’s expression when she saw me slinging the crossbow.
When we reached the entrance of the forest where the opening ceremony was held, many nobles were already gathered.
“Go check on the horses.”
The duke and the two boys disappeared into the crowd.
I moved to where the people who had come to see them off were gathered, avoiding the group preparing for the hunt.
Most of the women were sitting under the shade to avoid the sun.
The atmosphere immediately buzzed when I appeared. I could feel the gazes starting to focus on me.
I wasn’t bothered by it, as I had already experienced it yesterday.
‘A villain is always a superstar wherever they go.’
However, I soon realized that the whispers about me were not just out of curiosity or disdain.
Looking around, I understood why Emily had been so upset.
‘I’m the only one wearing a hunting outfit.’
The area was a sea of elaborate dresses. Whether they were young ladies or distinguished matrons.
They seemed to be competing to see who could puff out their skirts the most, like peacocks.
They held fans or parasols, not hunting weapons.
Naturally, I stood out, dressed in a hunting outfit and carrying a grand crossbow.
My eyes widened in shock.
‘They said the hunt was open to both genders...!’
Why am I the only one being treated like a spectacle?
I regretted not listening to Emily’s advice.
‘No, they can’t move around as freely as I can.’
I tried to think positively about my outfit.
“Gather in the center if you’re ready!”
A loud call came from the stage where the event was being organized.
It was almost time for the hunt to begin. The nobles who had finished their preparations started to gather with their horses.
I quickly spotted the duke, who was at the front of the line.
Even the lightest tasks were arranged by rank, and he was at the very front.
Sitting on a magnificent and ornate armored horse, he was engaged in conversation with someone.
His two sons were not yet in sight.
While looking for Derek and Leonard, I suddenly noticed who the duke was talking to and my eyes widened.
“Wow, look. It’s the viscount!”
“He didn’t attend last year, but he’s hunting this year. He’s carrying a bow! He looks so cool...”
I heard excited whispers nearby.
The person the duke was talking to was none other than Bouter.