The Hunting Season (4)
That night, after tossing and turning all night, I finally managed to close my eyes at dawn and when I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
The house was particularly noisy... It was because a dozen or so painters had gathered last night after receiving a call from the butler.
This futurization was large in scale and was divided into several parts.
While the artists gathered in Hugh's studio to paint, work was carried out simultaneously next to them to dry the finished pieces.
Thanks to the cooperation of many people, the future painting was completed by sunset. This enormous amount of work was completed in half a day. As Nadia said, there is nothing that money cannot buy.
Around dinnertime, Ian and Kjer, who had gone to the palace early in the morning to discuss summit strategy, returned home. Their expressions were not good as if something had gone wrong.
To negotiate with another country, the participants in each country must first agree on who wilI represent them, what they will give up, and what they will take.
Oslo would have demanded that he be the representative. Naturally, Kalit would have objected.
The other attendees would have been divided into two sides and argued over this issue.
As someone who must maintain a neutral stance, I was able to visualize the meeting as if I had seen it firsthand, even though I was not present at the meeting.
In the end, the summit began without any agreement being reached.
Late in the morning, after getting ready, I went out with Nadia.
"You should rely more on your cane, Miss."
"...Yeah, I understand."
This is the cane that I received as a gift from Kjer last night, but it feels awkward to use it after such a long time. I held the smooth handle and walked while sweeping the floor in a circular motion.
In front of the main building, Rahon, Ian, and Nicola were the first to appear.
Nadia saw them, gasped, and grabbed my arm.
"Miss, I feel like I could die right now without any regrets."
"...I told you that you will live a long life."
Ian and Radon were wearing matching white suits.
The colors were the same and even the designs were similar, but the auras of the two men were completely different.
If Ian's white uniform gave off a heavy and noble knightly vibe, Rahon's outfit had a very holy vibe.
Both were stunningly beautiful, but Rahon's transformation was especially striking.
His normally slender physique shined even brighter in the suit that fit him just right. He was no less impressive than Ian.
'You look like a knight when you dress like that.'
Unfortunately, Nicola was nowhere to be seen. Nadia was understandably upset.
Nicola was the first to spot me and waved his hand wildly.
"Miss!"
Ian and Rahon's eyes were fixed on me.
I felt strangely embarrassed and looked down. Three men approached me as I stood there blankly.
Nicola bent down slightly and looked at my complexion with worried eyes.
"You didn't come out of your bedroom all day yesterday. Are you sick? Should I ask Lord Rahon to look after you?"
"Oh, no. I just had something to think about... It doesn't hurt."
"But why are there shadows under your eyes? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"..."
At that moment, Rahon, who had been watching Nicola and me from a step back, silently curved his lips.
I felt annoyed when I saw that meaningful smile. It was obvious that he knew who was keeping me up at night.
If this is what Rahon wanted, then he has succeeded completely.
Now, in my eyes, Rahon is not a respectable guardian, but a man.
The moment I clenched my teeth to suppress my anger, a large hand gently cupped my cheek. Then, the familiar smell of soap wafted into my nostrils.
"Ian?"
"There's no fever."
The calluses on his hands were clearly felt on my cheeks. The attention that had been focused on Rahon was instantly diverted to Ian.
"There is still time. You can rest a little and then leave."
"...I'm fine. As soon as my older brother shows up, we'll leave."
"There you are."
At that moment, Kjer appeared in the main building with my father.
As usual, he was wearing a black suit, and it felt like darkness had settled around him. He immediately noticed me and walked towards me without hesitation.
"You couldn't sleep?"
"No."
Kjer clicked his tongue slightly and bowed his head to his father.
"Father, I'm leaving."
Father's gaze fell on us. His eyes, which had passed over Ian, Rahon, Nicola, and Kjaer, stopped on me.
"Have a nice trip."
The carriage set off for the palace, followed by a wagon carrying three huge, carefully wrapped canvases.
It was the first day of the summit.
***
In the grand banquet hall of the palace, the attendees who arrived first were chatting freely.
At first glance. it seemed like a friendly atmosphere, but upon a close inspection, a tense atmosphere could be felt.
There were already those who were waging a war of nerves to gain their own advantage.
As we entered, silence fell over the grand hall for a moment.
"The 'first walker' has finally appeared."
"Why is the atmosphere different from the rumors? I heard that you were swinging your brothers around with both hands..."
"Hey, watch what you say!"
Here and there, attendees pointed at me and whispered.
I was stared at with a cold gaze, different from that of my family.
Yeah, I had forgotten about it, but this was the general public attitude towards me. It was something I had grown tired of in my past life.
I raised my head and straightened my back. Then I created a faint smile.
In my past life, my older brother was next to me, having been hanged while trying to save me.
If I don't want to repeat the same mistake again, I shouldn't be intimidated by other people's opinions.
'Let's get our heads together.'
There was a separate seat for the guardian. Kjer whispered to me as he led me to my assigned seat.
"The table on the left is my seat. If there's any problem, call me immediately."
"I will do that."
As Rahon and I sat down, several attendees approached our table.
The Shancrecia attendees didn't even bother to look around, but surprisingly, the attendees from the Grand Duchy of Romena seemed to welcome Rahon.
In the past, It seemed to be thanks to Rahon's help when a plague broke out in the Grand Duchy of Romena.
Rahon, who was responding to people's greetings indifferently, touched the back of my hand.
"Millenia."
For a moment, I was startled and jumped up. The part that touched it felt hot as if hot water had been dropped on it.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"Ah, I was thinking about something else."
Rahon narrowed his eyes and laughed like a full cat.
I am satisfied with being conscious of myself. The voice came out sharply.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"No, Kalit has arrived."
As I turned my head, I saw Kalit just entering the banquet hall. He slowly looked around and exchanged glances with Rahon.
Naturally, he didn't come to say hello to me. Considering the rumors that had spread between him and me, it was better to avoid unnecessary contact.
After Kalit, It was Oslo.
He appeared with a bright smile and greeted attendees from each country.
There were quite a few people who seemed close as if they had been meeting up frequently.
He was showing off his friendship with the attendees, and when he saw me, his eyes widened. He quickly walked towards me.
As the distance drew closer, his face brightened. There was no trace of guilt anywhere.
"Millenia, how have you been?"
Even his voice was excited. As if he had been waiting for me desperately.
Incredibly, he seemed genuinely happy to see me.
Is this guy out of his mind? I'm speechless at the absurdity.
He sent assassins to me three times. It almost cost me my life, as well as Ian and Rajon.
But how can you stand before me so shamelessly? How dare you mention my name?
I balled my fists under the table. My nails dug into my palms. The pain drowned out my anger.
"Please return to your seat, Your Highness the Third Prince."
At the summit, I am only a guardian, regardless of nationality. That is why I have a separate seat.
However, it was not good for other countries to see me quarreling with the imperial attendants, so I warned them to go back, but Oslo did not even blink.
"Was it good that you left me and went to my brother?"
Ah, why did you insist on bringing it up? It seems you were planning to make my meeting with Kalit a done deal.
'Is this all the weapon you prepared?'
The more I thought about it, the more questionable it became.
Why on earth did I love this man?
Until then, the attendees who had been pretending not to know us and just looking around started to openly watch us.
They say that the most fun thing in the world is love. It seems like that's true.
"We are not alone here. If you don't want to be embarrassed in front of foreigners, go back."
Oslo didn't pay any attention to the second warning. Instead, he took my hand with a sad expression.
"I still love you. I will forgive you for everything, so come back."
"Phew-. Hahaha! Ahahaha..."
My laughter echoed throughout the banquet hall.
I really wanted to stop laughing, but I just couldn't stop. The veins on Oslo's straight forehead stood out blue.
"What I said... was that fun?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Your Highness, when you mention forgiveness, it's, uh... so funny."
"Why don't you stop? People are watching you too."
"That's why I told you to go back before you embarrass yourself."
I wiped away the tears that had gathered in my eyes. I laughed so hard that my throat was dry. I calmly called over the servant and ordered some water.
During that time, Oslo had to stand before me as if being punished.
Although he forced himself to smile because of the people's gaze, he couldn't hide his contempt. The corners of Oslo's mouth twitched.
I don't know why you're acting like this. I saw you and Sierra tangled up in front of me.
I put down the glass of water after taking a few sips. My surroundings were quiet. Everyone was listening to my voice.
"If you love me enough to want me back, shouldn't you at least stop rolling around with my friends in front of me?"
A commotion spread through the banquet hall, then quickly died do wn.
Oslo bit his lip as if he hadn't expected It.
If it were my original country, I would not have brought up such a shameful incident in such a public setting.
Wouldn't it be better to keep silent?
But now it's different. Having experienced the death of a family member, this level of shame was nothing to me.
"My feelings for Your Highness have already burned away to nothing. Now, the hatred that grew from blood has taken deep root, so I will never return to Your Highness again."
"..."
"Please return to your seat. Your Highness the Third Prince."
Oslo grabbed my shoulder and bowed his head as if to say goodbye. I could feel his breath on my ear.
"Those words. I'll make you regret it."
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