Chapter 280: Predator and Prey
[Lavinia’s POV — Deep within the Hunting Grounds]
The horns blared, splitting the air like a war cry. Silence died instantly. Hooves thundered against the forest floor as nobles surged forward, arrows slicing the air, and banners fluttering in the chaos.
I tightened my grip on the reins. My stallion responded with power and precision, muscles coiling beneath me. Marshi’s low growl rolled beside me, golden fur shimmering in the shafts of sunlight piercing the canopy.
Branches whipped past. The scent of pine, wildness, and blood mingled in my nose. Perfect. This... this is where I thrived.
"Your Highness!" Haldor’s voice broke through the storm.
"Just follow quietly," I called over my shoulder, eyes fixed on the shadows ahead. "Do not hunt. This is my task alone."
Haldor bowed slightly. "As you wish, Your Highness."
The forest trembled beneath massive, measured footsteps. My pulse quickened. A boar? No. Too deliberate... too commanding.
Then it appeared.
A black stag, taller than a warhorse, antlers veined with gold, eyes glowing with a furious light. A divine beast. Rare. Deadly. Magnificent.
"Marshi," I whispered.
The divine tiger crouched low, muscles taut. My hand found the bowstring, breath steady. One arrow. One heartbeat. One strike.
Thwip!
The arrow struck its shoulder. The stag roared, shaking off the pain like it was nothing.
"Tch—stubborn thing," I muttered, nocking another arrow. Before I could release, Marshi lunged, claws tearing through the forest floor as he met the beast head-on.
"Marshi! Not yet!" I yelled.
He growled, golden fur bristling, teeth gleaming. The clash of beast against beast shook the air. I leapt from my horse, sword drawn, steel catching sunlight. One clean motion, a slash across its neck—swift, precise, merciful.
Silence fell again.
Blood stained the grass like a crimson bloom. The stag’s golden eyes dimmed, its spirit passing into the earth.
Marshi padded beside me, nose nudging my arm. "You did well, Marshi." His low growl was almost pride.
Sir Haldor emerged from the trees, bowing. "And so did you, Your Highness."
I arched a brow. "You can hunt too, Haldor. I don’t mind—just don’t interfere."
He offered a faint smile, bowing low. "Forgive me, Princess. I have no wish to hunt beasts when the fiercest one already walks beside me."
I blinked, amused by his boldness. "Flattery doesn’t suit you, Haldor. But I’ll allow it."
We continued deeper into the woods, the sunlight breaking through the canopy in trembling patches of gold. Up ahead, voices erupted—shouts, laughter, and the thundering of hooves.
"Over there! The deer’s heading north—shoot!" someone yelled.
Several noblemen charged after the poor creature, arrows flying wide, their clamor disturbing the quiet grace of the forest. I reined in my horse and simply watched.
Sir Haldor turned to me, brows raised. "You’re not going to take the shot, Your Highness?"
I tilted my head slightly, eyes following the frightened deer as it vanished into the brush. "I only hunt what deserves to be hunted, Haldor. Wild. Dangerous. Beasts that kill for sport, not those that run for their lives." My tone cooled. "Whether it’s man or monster—only the wild ones should bleed."
He gave a low, approving chuckle. "A philosophy befitting a queen, not a hunter."
"Perhaps both," I murmured, nudging my horse forward. "Come. There’s nothing worth chasing here."
We pressed deeper into the woods, the chatter of the nobles fading behind us until only the crunch of leaves under Marshi’s paws remained.
After a moment, I asked, "What about Osric? Have you seen him?"
Haldor nodded slightly. "He was headed west—toward the ridge near the camp. I believe one of his blades was damaged. He might’ve gone to fetch new equipment."
My gaze flicked westward, a faint crease forming between my brows. "Hmm... the ridge? That’s rather far for a simple repair."
"Perhaps," Haldor said quietly, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "But Lord Osric has his own... ways."
I gave a faint hum, half-smirk tugging at my lips. "He’d better. Because when I return, I expect him to be the second-highest scorer in this competition."
Haldor raised a brow. "Second?"
I grinned. "Well, I can’t let him steal my spotlight, can I?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course not, Your Highness."
Marshi growled softly as we rode further into the dense forest, the air cooling with every step. The laughter from behind had faded completely now—leaving only silence.
Silence... and something else.
Something moving. Watching.
***
[Irethene Forest—Later]
Marshi’s low growl deepened, his ears twitching. I froze, my hand instinctively resting on the hilt of my sword.
The forest grew still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Then—CRASH!
A massive shadow tore through the undergrowth. The ground trembled as a wild boar—twice the size of a warhorse—charged out, tusks glinting like daggers, eyes burning with fury.
"Now that’s more like it," I muttered, tightening my grip.
"Your Highness, fall back!" Haldor called, already drawing his blade.
But I was faster. I kicked my horse forward, the world blurring into motion. The beast roared and lunged, and just as it swung its tusks toward me, I leaned low, slashing across its side with a single clean strike.
SLASH!
Blood splattered across the leaves. The boar staggered, bellowing in pain. Before it could turn, Marshi leapt—his claws tearing through the beast’s flank with divine strength. The forest echoed with the cry of death before silence reclaimed the air.
I exhaled, steadying my horse as the creature finally collapsed in a heap of dust and blood. My sword dripped crimson under the faint sunlight filtering through the trees.
Haldor dismounted slowly, staring at the carcass in awe. "That thing could have taken down ten knights... and you faced it head-on."
I wiped my blade clean with a single, smooth motion and sheathed it. "Hmm," I said, smirking slightly. "I suppose this is enough for me to win the competition, don’t you think?"
Haldor gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "If there was ever any doubt, Your Highness... I’d say it just died at your feet."
I smiled faintly. "Then we’re done here. Lift the boar, Sir Haldor. Let’s end our hunt here."
He bowed. "As you command."
Marshi padded beside us, tail swaying lazily as Haldor hefted the massive carcass. The scent of iron and pine filled the air as we made our way through the winding forest path. The sunlight grew thicker—warmer—marking the way back toward the hunting grounds.
But then... I froze. And when I stepped past the last line of trees... my world stopped.
There they were.
Osric.And her.
Eleania stood trembling in his arms, her hands clinging to his chest as if she belonged there. Their faces were too close—so close I could see the faint shimmer of her tears on his cheek. And when her lips tilted upward, nearing his—
Something inside me snapped.
I didn’t even feel the dagger of heat in my chest until Marshi’s roar split the air.
"ROAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!"
The ground shook beneath us. Birds exploded from the trees. Osric flinched and spun around—his expression freezing the moment our eyes met.
"L—Lavi?" His voice trembled.
I stood rooted where I was, the sunlight burning behind me, my expression unreadable. The forest wind tugged at my golden hair, my hand twitching once against the hilt of my sword.
For a second, nobody moved.
Not Osric.Not Eleania.Not even the world.
Just the echo of Marshi’s growl rumbling through the earth—low, dangerous, alive.
My lips curved, though I didn’t remember smiling. And in that instant, the real hunt began.