“What conditions?”
Princess Resilia smiled brightly and asked back.
“Never go around being a jerk. And don’t even try to look good to Emperor Linel.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? I’m just going there on purpose to look good!”
She put both hands on her hips and shouted as if showing off her beauty.
“You just keep your mouth shut and be quiet.”
Prince Tesla said with a serious look on his face.
“Why? It would be better if I could talk a little and get closer to the Emperor.”
“No, you just walk around with your face up.”
"What?"
“That alone is half the success. If you don’t have the confidence to do that, then stay in the royal family.”
Prince Tesla put down the teacup he was holding and got up from his chair.
“What do you want to do?”
She couldn't believe her brother's words, but she had to follow his opinion to go to the Lapion Empire.
“I’ll keep my mouth shut. I can communicate everything with my face anyway.”
Princess Resilia felt delighted as she imagined the royal family of the Lapion Empire admiring her beauty.
“If I just smile a little, people will start gasping for air because they want to be close to me. Let’s go.”
She smiled confidently, linking arms with Prince Tesla.
“You just need to catch Emperor Linel’s eye. Observe carefully how Zelda treats the Emperor.”
“Oh, my? Do you want me to imitate Zelda? That girl who has no charm and is like a tree?”
“How do you know? Whether Zelda is like a tree or not.”
“I’ve seen her for a couple of years. I can tell just by looking at her. She’s not the type of girl that guys like. If he likes the Zelda style, he’s crazy.”
Princess Resilia spoke confidently.
“...You have to catch that crazy guy’s eye.”
Prince Tesla snorted at her words and muttered quietly.
“Huh? What? I didn’t hear you.”
“No. Anyway, Resilia, as soon as you step foot into the Lapion Palace, be careful what you say. Do you understand?”
“Oh really, how many times do I have to tell you! But, Brother. Do I not have to be careful with Zelda?”
“Ha, I don’t know. Do whatever you want. When have you ever been careful with that kid?”
The two people left the office together.
“You can leave right away. I told you to load my luggage onto the wagon earlier!”
Princess Resilia said as she went down the stairs.
“That’s really fast. Resilia, you go down first.”
Prince Tesla pulled her hand away from his linked arms.
"Why?"
“I have a place to stop by.”
“Yes. Then I’ll go to the carriage first, so come quickly.”
"Yes."
Princess Resilia chattered excitedly as she descended the stairs with her maid. He watched his sister's back, then turned to his knight escort, Sir Ken, and smiled.
“I guess I should go tell Bonis that I’m going to meet Zelda.”
I arrived in front of the main palace office with my attendants. This morning, I received a message from the chief chamberlain asking me to come to the main palace by 3 o'clock. I overheard from the chief chamberlain who had come to deliver the news to the Empress's Palace that there was something for me and the concubines to discuss regarding the 'Continental Hunting Competition'. It seemed that I would have to hear the details directly from Linel.
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
The chief chamberlain, Stian, personally opened the door to the office and announced my arrival. There were already four concubines in the office. And I saw him sitting between them. Linel raised the corners of his lips when he saw me, then said 'Ah' and immediately changed his expression to a blank expression. He had not forgotten my request from last night and was carrying it out right away. When he greeted me with an expression as cold as ice, I felt strangely nauseous. It was clearly just an act, but I didn't feel very good. I looked at the faces of the concubines who were greeting me. I was nervous because I thought there might be a spy of Prince Tesla among them.
“Everyone is here early, I’m not the one who’s late.”
I said as I walked towards him.
“You all must have come early because you wanted to see me. The Empress doesn’t really do that, so she came on time.”
He replied with a very dry expression.
“!”
What is this, man? I told you not to show excessive affection in front of others, when did I tell you to be rude? While I was slightly flustered, he twitched the corners of his lips and gave me a look that said, "Are you acting well?" Don't you think the acting is a bit too much? I wiggled my eyebrows and sat down next to him. Only the concubines and Raphael, Linel's close secretary, were in the office. I thought that several of the major ministers would be present, but it seemed that there was no need for that.
“Have you decided to participate in the Continental Hunting Competition?”
When I asked Linel, he nodded slightly.
“Let’s talk after everyone listens to the explanation. Raphael.”
Linel gestured to the secretary who was standing there holding the papers.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Let me tell you briefly about the Continental Hunting Competition.”
Raphael cleared his throat and continued speaking.
“The Continental Hunting Competition, which was traditionally held every year, was suspended due to the war that broke out over the Wyvern issue. However, the Southern Continent proposed that the competition be held again this year, and it was left to our Rapion Empire to make the decision.”
“But, why can’t we just stop the hunting competitions? Ugh, killing animals is just too cruel.”
Melanie interrupted Raphael, shivering as she wrapped her arms around him.
“The fur you wear in the winter, the fox fur you wear around your neck, the skins and furs of the animals you walk on the floor with – where do you think they all come from?”
Linel crossed his legs elegantly and asked Melanie.
“That, that is...”
“Isn’t it true that beasts don’t offer their fur and skin to the royal family before they die?”
“Well, there can’t be such a kind beast...”
She rolled her eyes and muttered with an embarrassed expression.
“Ignore me and keep talking.”
Catherine glared at Melanie with an annoyed expression and spoke to Raphael. Melanie glared at Catherine as if she was going to kill her, but Catherine looked away as if she were invisible.
“Yes, we made the final decision this morning and sent His Majesty’s personal letters to each country. The departure point will be the Lapion Empire, and as you all know, hunting will take place for a set amount of time each day from the departure point to the destination country.”
Wow, this is going to be really fun! I almost clapped my hands without realizing it while listening to Raphael's explanation. I want to participate in the hunting competition too... I heard that women often participated in the competitions in the past, but now it's almost exclusively a men's competition.
“What country in the Southern Continent is the destination of the hunting competition?”
Rosie, who had been quiet, suddenly raised her hand and asked with a curious look in her eyes. It was unexpected.
“The starting point for this hunting competition is our Lapion Empire and the destination is the Patsha Empire on the southern continent.”
Raphael answered Rosie kindly.
“Gasp, the Patsha Empire!”
Rosie clasped her hands together and shouted in joy. When everyone’s eyes turned to her, she put her hands back on her knees and closed her mouth again.
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Princess Resilia smiled brightly and asked back.
“Never go around being a jerk. And don’t even try to look good to Emperor Linel.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? I’m just going there on purpose to look good!”
She put both hands on her hips and shouted as if showing off her beauty.
“You just keep your mouth shut and be quiet.”
Prince Tesla said with a serious look on his face.
“Why? It would be better if I could talk a little and get closer to the Emperor.”
“No, you just walk around with your face up.”
"What?"
“That alone is half the success. If you don’t have the confidence to do that, then stay in the royal family.”
Prince Tesla put down the teacup he was holding and got up from his chair.
“What do you want to do?”
She couldn't believe her brother's words, but she had to follow his opinion to go to the Lapion Empire.
“I’ll keep my mouth shut. I can communicate everything with my face anyway.”
Princess Resilia felt delighted as she imagined the royal family of the Lapion Empire admiring her beauty.
“If I just smile a little, people will start gasping for air because they want to be close to me. Let’s go.”
She smiled confidently, linking arms with Prince Tesla.
“You just need to catch Emperor Linel’s eye. Observe carefully how Zelda treats the Emperor.”
“Oh, my? Do you want me to imitate Zelda? That girl who has no charm and is like a tree?”
“How do you know? Whether Zelda is like a tree or not.”
“I’ve seen her for a couple of years. I can tell just by looking at her. She’s not the type of girl that guys like. If he likes the Zelda style, he’s crazy.”
Princess Resilia spoke confidently.
“...You have to catch that crazy guy’s eye.”
Prince Tesla snorted at her words and muttered quietly.
“Huh? What? I didn’t hear you.”
“No. Anyway, Resilia, as soon as you step foot into the Lapion Palace, be careful what you say. Do you understand?”
“Oh really, how many times do I have to tell you! But, Brother. Do I not have to be careful with Zelda?”
“Ha, I don’t know. Do whatever you want. When have you ever been careful with that kid?”
The two people left the office together.
“You can leave right away. I told you to load my luggage onto the wagon earlier!”
Princess Resilia said as she went down the stairs.
“That’s really fast. Resilia, you go down first.”
Prince Tesla pulled her hand away from his linked arms.
"Why?"
“I have a place to stop by.”
“Yes. Then I’ll go to the carriage first, so come quickly.”
"Yes."
Princess Resilia chattered excitedly as she descended the stairs with her maid. He watched his sister's back, then turned to his knight escort, Sir Ken, and smiled.
“I guess I should go tell Bonis that I’m going to meet Zelda.”
***
I arrived in front of the main palace office with my attendants. This morning, I received a message from the chief chamberlain asking me to come to the main palace by 3 o'clock. I overheard from the chief chamberlain who had come to deliver the news to the Empress's Palace that there was something for me and the concubines to discuss regarding the 'Continental Hunting Competition'. It seemed that I would have to hear the details directly from Linel.
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
The chief chamberlain, Stian, personally opened the door to the office and announced my arrival. There were already four concubines in the office. And I saw him sitting between them. Linel raised the corners of his lips when he saw me, then said 'Ah' and immediately changed his expression to a blank expression. He had not forgotten my request from last night and was carrying it out right away. When he greeted me with an expression as cold as ice, I felt strangely nauseous. It was clearly just an act, but I didn't feel very good. I looked at the faces of the concubines who were greeting me. I was nervous because I thought there might be a spy of Prince Tesla among them.
“Everyone is here early, I’m not the one who’s late.”
I said as I walked towards him.
“You all must have come early because you wanted to see me. The Empress doesn’t really do that, so she came on time.”
He replied with a very dry expression.
“!”
What is this, man? I told you not to show excessive affection in front of others, when did I tell you to be rude? While I was slightly flustered, he twitched the corners of his lips and gave me a look that said, "Are you acting well?" Don't you think the acting is a bit too much? I wiggled my eyebrows and sat down next to him. Only the concubines and Raphael, Linel's close secretary, were in the office. I thought that several of the major ministers would be present, but it seemed that there was no need for that.
“Have you decided to participate in the Continental Hunting Competition?”
When I asked Linel, he nodded slightly.
“Let’s talk after everyone listens to the explanation. Raphael.”
Linel gestured to the secretary who was standing there holding the papers.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Let me tell you briefly about the Continental Hunting Competition.”
Raphael cleared his throat and continued speaking.
“The Continental Hunting Competition, which was traditionally held every year, was suspended due to the war that broke out over the Wyvern issue. However, the Southern Continent proposed that the competition be held again this year, and it was left to our Rapion Empire to make the decision.”
“But, why can’t we just stop the hunting competitions? Ugh, killing animals is just too cruel.”
Melanie interrupted Raphael, shivering as she wrapped her arms around him.
“The fur you wear in the winter, the fox fur you wear around your neck, the skins and furs of the animals you walk on the floor with – where do you think they all come from?”
Linel crossed his legs elegantly and asked Melanie.
“That, that is...”
“Isn’t it true that beasts don’t offer their fur and skin to the royal family before they die?”
“Well, there can’t be such a kind beast...”
She rolled her eyes and muttered with an embarrassed expression.
“Ignore me and keep talking.”
Catherine glared at Melanie with an annoyed expression and spoke to Raphael. Melanie glared at Catherine as if she was going to kill her, but Catherine looked away as if she were invisible.
“Yes, we made the final decision this morning and sent His Majesty’s personal letters to each country. The departure point will be the Lapion Empire, and as you all know, hunting will take place for a set amount of time each day from the departure point to the destination country.”
Wow, this is going to be really fun! I almost clapped my hands without realizing it while listening to Raphael's explanation. I want to participate in the hunting competition too... I heard that women often participated in the competitions in the past, but now it's almost exclusively a men's competition.
“What country in the Southern Continent is the destination of the hunting competition?”
Rosie, who had been quiet, suddenly raised her hand and asked with a curious look in her eyes. It was unexpected.
“The starting point for this hunting competition is our Lapion Empire and the destination is the Patsha Empire on the southern continent.”
Raphael answered Rosie kindly.
“Gasp, the Patsha Empire!”
Rosie clasped her hands together and shouted in joy. When everyone’s eyes turned to her, she put her hands back on her knees and closed her mouth again.
Why is Rosie doing that? Does she know anyone in the Patsha Empire? Come to think of it, when Grand Duke Martins mentioned the Patsha Empire to me last time, he seemed to be happy about something. I stared at Rosie for a moment and then turned my gaze back to Raphael.
“For your information, this year’s conference is unusual in that not only the Emperors of all countries but also the Empresses have expressed their intention to visit our empire.”
“I remember that originally, the Empresses of each country did not often attend hunting competitions in other countries?”
I asked Raphael and looked at Linel next to me.
“It used to be like that. But this time, everyone is coming for some reason. Are they curious about our Empress?”
He looked at my face and said, He spoke to me bluntly on purpose, but there was affection in his eyes. I tried not to smile at him. Fortunately, he looked away from me first and told Raphael to continue his explanation.
“Now, I will tell you why Her Majesty the Empress and the concubines have been invited here.”
Raphael's expression turned grave.
“Ohhohoho, you’re not asking us to participate in a hunting competition, are you?”
Melanie burst out laughing and looked around at me and my concubines. Raphael looked surprised and pointed a finger at Melanie.
“Your Highness Melanie, you’re right! How did you know?”
“What, what?”
Her face, which had been smiling brightly, suddenly hardened.
“Secretary! Could it be true that Melanie just said something so ridiculous?”
Catherine, who was leaning back loosely in her chair, asked Raphael with wide eyes. I looked at Linel, who was sitting next to me.
“The Empresses and concubines of the Southern Continent have also been notified to participate in the hunt.”
He said calmly. There was silence for a moment.
“That’s ridiculous! Isn’t this the Southern Continent asking us to participate as well?”
Catherine was the first to jump.
“That’s right, they say they grow up to wield swords and bows from a young age, but our northern continent women grow up like flowers, so how can they be their opponents?”
Melanie raised her voice, taking up Catherine’s complaint. I laughed to myself, imagining her pulling the bowstring with that hand that she had used to hold a teacup all her life. As Catherine and Melanie had said, most women from the Southern Continent were known to be good at swordsmanship. Of course, there were individual differences, but they were definitely different from the Northern Continent women who spent all their energy dressing up and wearing dresses. Not only that, but the two continents also had a big difference in their dress styles. The weather may have had something to do with it, but the dresses worn by Southern Continent women were generally known for their simple yet revealing designs. Anyway, traditionally, only men participated in the Continental Hunting Competition...
'This time it's different, isn't it?'
I was secretly looking forward to the hunting competition. But looking at the expressions on the concubines' faces, it seemed like I was the only one celebrating.
“If you ask the women of the Northern Continent to participate in a hunting competition, knowing full well that they are weak in swordsmanship, isn’t that just an open joke?”
Melanie wiggled her hips and grunted.
“Calm down, Your Highness Melanie. It is true that the Southern Continent countries unilaterally announced this, but they are not forcing you to participate.”
Raphael responded calmly.
“Then... Are you really trying to kill the spirit of the women of the Northern Continent?”
Even Rosie, who had seemed happy just a moment ago, frowned and spoke cautiously.
“I think so too.”
Pecilini, who had remained silent throughout, agreed with her words.
“Ha, I can’t even ride a horse by myself, so what kind of hunting competition is that?”
Catherine muttered, snorting.
“Your Majesty, is it really true that even the concubines from the Southern Continent will set off from here and join the hunting expedition that continues to the Patsha Empire?”
At my question, the concubines all looked at Linel.
“I don’t think everyone will participate, but most will.”
The expressions of the concubines darkened sharply at his answer. I mentally sorted out the situation. This was not a simple hunting competition for peace between continents. There would be alliances and betrayals throughout the competition, and there would be good opportunities for spying on each other. Furthermore, while the empresses of the southern continent had all expressed their intention to participate in this hunt, what about the Empresses of the northern continent? The Queen of the Kingdom of Shattonil had already aged, and the Empress of the Ekiya Empire was probably just a greenhouse flower, and I, the Empress of the Lapion Empire...
“I will participate.”
“The Empress?”
Linel stared at me with a surprised expression,
“What? Are you talking about the tea party?”
He smiled slightly and asked me jokingly. I smiled back and responded kindly.
“Yes! We’ll have a tea party and a hunting competition.”
“For your information, this year’s conference is unusual in that not only the Emperors of all countries but also the Empresses have expressed their intention to visit our empire.”
“I remember that originally, the Empresses of each country did not often attend hunting competitions in other countries?”
I asked Raphael and looked at Linel next to me.
“It used to be like that. But this time, everyone is coming for some reason. Are they curious about our Empress?”
He looked at my face and said, He spoke to me bluntly on purpose, but there was affection in his eyes. I tried not to smile at him. Fortunately, he looked away from me first and told Raphael to continue his explanation.
“Now, I will tell you why Her Majesty the Empress and the concubines have been invited here.”
Raphael's expression turned grave.
“Ohhohoho, you’re not asking us to participate in a hunting competition, are you?”
Melanie burst out laughing and looked around at me and my concubines. Raphael looked surprised and pointed a finger at Melanie.
“Your Highness Melanie, you’re right! How did you know?”
“What, what?”
Her face, which had been smiling brightly, suddenly hardened.
“Secretary! Could it be true that Melanie just said something so ridiculous?”
Catherine, who was leaning back loosely in her chair, asked Raphael with wide eyes. I looked at Linel, who was sitting next to me.
“The Empresses and concubines of the Southern Continent have also been notified to participate in the hunt.”
He said calmly. There was silence for a moment.
“That’s ridiculous! Isn’t this the Southern Continent asking us to participate as well?”
Catherine was the first to jump.
“That’s right, they say they grow up to wield swords and bows from a young age, but our northern continent women grow up like flowers, so how can they be their opponents?”
Melanie raised her voice, taking up Catherine’s complaint. I laughed to myself, imagining her pulling the bowstring with that hand that she had used to hold a teacup all her life. As Catherine and Melanie had said, most women from the Southern Continent were known to be good at swordsmanship. Of course, there were individual differences, but they were definitely different from the Northern Continent women who spent all their energy dressing up and wearing dresses. Not only that, but the two continents also had a big difference in their dress styles. The weather may have had something to do with it, but the dresses worn by Southern Continent women were generally known for their simple yet revealing designs. Anyway, traditionally, only men participated in the Continental Hunting Competition...
'This time it's different, isn't it?'
I was secretly looking forward to the hunting competition. But looking at the expressions on the concubines' faces, it seemed like I was the only one celebrating.
“If you ask the women of the Northern Continent to participate in a hunting competition, knowing full well that they are weak in swordsmanship, isn’t that just an open joke?”
Melanie wiggled her hips and grunted.
“Calm down, Your Highness Melanie. It is true that the Southern Continent countries unilaterally announced this, but they are not forcing you to participate.”
Raphael responded calmly.
“Then... Are you really trying to kill the spirit of the women of the Northern Continent?”
Even Rosie, who had seemed happy just a moment ago, frowned and spoke cautiously.
“I think so too.”
Pecilini, who had remained silent throughout, agreed with her words.
“Ha, I can’t even ride a horse by myself, so what kind of hunting competition is that?”
Catherine muttered, snorting.
“Your Majesty, is it really true that even the concubines from the Southern Continent will set off from here and join the hunting expedition that continues to the Patsha Empire?”
At my question, the concubines all looked at Linel.
“I don’t think everyone will participate, but most will.”
The expressions of the concubines darkened sharply at his answer. I mentally sorted out the situation. This was not a simple hunting competition for peace between continents. There would be alliances and betrayals throughout the competition, and there would be good opportunities for spying on each other. Furthermore, while the empresses of the southern continent had all expressed their intention to participate in this hunt, what about the Empresses of the northern continent? The Queen of the Kingdom of Shattonil had already aged, and the Empress of the Ekiya Empire was probably just a greenhouse flower, and I, the Empress of the Lapion Empire...
“I will participate.”
“The Empress?”
Linel stared at me with a surprised expression,
“What? Are you talking about the tea party?”
He smiled slightly and asked me jokingly. I smiled back and responded kindly.
“Yes! We’ll have a tea party and a hunting competition.”
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