Chapter 278: Blades and Beasts
[Lavinia’s POV—Night Before the Hunting Festival]
The hunting festival was tomorrow. The nobles had arrived, the servants were running around like bees in spring, and me?
"I... really... cannot... do this, Nanny!"
Nanny looked down at me, then at the poor handkerchief I was murdering with my needle. "Princess, it’s a long-standing custom," she sighed. "Every lady must gift an embroidered handkerchief to her chosen one and the family member before the hunt."
I groaned, flopping dramatically onto the desk. "Ugh, you should’ve taught me this when I was a kid! Now it’s like teaching a dragon to knit!"
Her eyes narrowed. "You will finish it, no matter what you say."
Wow. Look at her—sulking like I just embarrassed her in front of the embroidery gods.
I picked up the needle again and stared at my creation.
SHABBY!!
DISGUSTING!!!
If I gave this to Papa or Osric, they’d probably puke before thanking me.
"Alright," I muttered to myself, "maybe a flower? Flowers are safe. Flowers are—OH GOD, WHY IS THAT SO HARD TOO?!"
My thread tangled, the fabric puckered, and I slumped forward, forehead hitting the desk with a loud thud
.Maybe I should ask Sera for help... But then Papa and Osric would find out, and my pride would die a slow, painful death.
And then—
KNOCK, KNOCK!
"Lavinia, are you in there?"
Oh, great. Speaking of pride... "Yes, Papa! I’m inside!"
The door opened, and in walked the king—calm, composed, and entirely unprepared for the crime scene on my desk.
His eyes landed on my embroidery. "What," he asked slowly, "is that?"
I panicked and quickly covered it with both hands. "Nothing! Just... this and that. A top-secret royal project."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "A secret, hmm? As long as it doesn’t explode, I’ll allow it."
I laughed awkwardly. "Haha... yeah, no explosions. Promise."
He nodded, then his tone softened. "I came to remind you—the forest bears dangerous beasts. Take Marshi with you, and..." His gaze dropped to the pink safety pendant around my neck, the one Grandpa Thalein had given me. "Don’t remove that. It’ll protect you during the hunt."
I nodded quietly, feeling that familiar ache of affection swell in my chest. His hands, warm and steady, rose to cup my cheeks, thumbs brushing gently along my skin.
"I know my daughter is brave," he said softly, his voice carrying both pride and worry. "Brave, stubborn, and far too much like me for her own good. But if anything happens out there, Lavinia—don’t hesitate. Call for me. No matter where you are."
I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. There it was—that mix of strength and tenderness that always made me feel like the safest person in the world.
I placed my hands over his and smiled faintly. "Of course, Papa. If anything happens, I’ll call for you before even thinking twice."
His expression eased, relief flickering through his eyes. Then he pulled me into a warm, protective embrace.
For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist. It was just his heartbeat against my ear, his hand smoothing my hair like he used to when I was little.
"All the best, my brave girl," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I hope you win the hunting competition—and enjoy it too."
I nodded against his chest, a small smile curving my lips. "I will, Papa. I promise."
When he finally let go, I watched him walk toward the door, his silhouette framed by the soft lantern light. And even as he left, the warmth of his touch lingered—like a quiet shield over my heart.
***
[Osric’s POV—The Hunting Festival, Irethene Forest Outskirts—Morning]
The air smelled of pine and morning dew. From the edge of the pavilion, I watched the mist curl lazily over the emerald forests of Irethene, their vastness stretching beyond the eye could see. It was hard not to feel small here—even for a prince.
Trumpets blared in the distance, and nobles began to gather like jeweled crows. Silks rustled, and perfume mingled with the scent of steel and horses. Everyone was talking—too loudly, too eagerly.
"My, Irethene truly is breathtaking," a lady in sapphire silk murmured, her voice dripping with awe. "The forest looks like it’s been painted by the gods themselves."
"Indeed," another replied, adjusting his velvet cloak. "No wonder His Majesty decided to make it part of Elorian. Look at those mountains, that mist! Perfect for hunting."
Further down the gathering, a few noblemen boasted loudly, puffing their chests like peacocks. Household knights from every major family stood in gleaming armor, flexing muscles and grinning with pride.
"Our house has trained the finest hunters in the empire," declared Lord Halvric, patting his knight’s armored shoulder. "We’ll take the highest number of kills; just wait and see!"
"Hah! Wait until you face my hounds, Halvric!" barked another noble. "They can tear through a boar before you even blink!"
The air buzzed with laughter, competition, and barely disguised rivalry.
Some of the younger nobles glanced toward the royal pavilion, whispering in excitement.
"Do you think we’ll finally see the Imperial Princess today?" one girl asked eagerly, probably from another city.
"They say she’s as fierce as she is beautiful," another giggled. "I heard she’s even participating in the hunt herself—can you imagine? An imperial lady with a bow! It’s my first time seeing her."
The men exchanged doubtful looks, murmuring under their breath.
"Hmm... a princess may be beautiful," one said with a smirk, "but hunting wild beasts isn’t embroidery and tea parties."
Laughter rippled among the group.
I exhaled slowly, already bored of their predictable arrogance—until a familiar voice cut through the noise.
Captain Aldric, one of our household’s finest, turned toward them with a smirk that could slice glass. "You must be from another city," he said casually, resting a hand on his sword hilt.
The men straightened, blinking in confusion. "Yes... House Ferain of Cindrel," one stammered.
Aldric nodded knowingly. "Ah, that explains it." His tone was almost pitying. "You haven’t seen what our princess can do."
One of the ladies leaned forward, intrigued. "And what exactly can she do, Captain?"
Aldric chuckled, glancing at me briefly before turning back to them. "She’s good at hunting," he said, his grin widening. "Too good, in fact. So good she once hunted down the Hidden Emperor of Irethene himself—and killed him."
The words dropped like a thunderclap.
The nobles froze, their laughter dying instantly. The man who had mocked her turned pale. The ladies gasped, hands flying to their lips.
"What—surely those are just court tales!" one whispered.
Aldric’s smirk deepened. "Tales? Tell that to the imperial court, who watched their so-called emperor fall. Tell that to the soldiers who saw her blade pierce through his thighs and torture him. Or better yet..." He leaned closer, voice low and dangerous. "Ask His Majesty Cassius why the banners of Irethene now fly beneath Elorian’s sun."
A ripple of murmurs spread across the crowd. Shock, awe, and a hint of fear flickered in their eyes.
I said nothing, only sat stiff on my horse. They should be afraid.
They’d been treating the festival like a game. But to Lavinia, the hunt was never a game—it was instinct.And as the trumpets blared again in the distance, signaling the princess’s arrival, I couldn’t help the faint smirk that tugged at my lips.
The air shifted before she even arrived.
The banners rippled, the chatter stilled, and a hush swept through the clearing as though the forest itself had paused to breathe. Then came the soft thunder of hooves—measured, elegant, and commanding.
She appeared.
Crown Princess Lavinia Devereux.
The golden heir of the Empire.
Sunlight kissed her as she rode through the gates astride a dark stallion, her hair flowing like molten gold down her back. Her eyes—those crimson eyes that could both bless and burn—swept over the gathered crowd with effortless authority.
Her hunting attire shimmered with quiet menace: a fitted crimson jacket embroidered with black and gold patterns of vines and flames, belted tight at the waist, paired with dark riding trousers and polished leather boots that gleamed beneath her cloak. A slim sword hung at her hip, its hilt wrapped in scarlet and silver, glinting like fresh blood in the sun.
And beside her...
A low, rumbling growl rolled across the field.
Marshi—her divine beast—stepped into view from behind her horse, his fur gleaming like liquid gold beneath the sunlight. His eyes glowed faintly, pulsing with divine power, and each step he took made the ground seem to tremble.
Then—
"IT’S GOOD THAT YOU ALL DRAGGED YOUR ASSES HERE!"
The Emperor’s voice thundered across the field like a war drum. Every noble stiffened, heads snapping toward the raised platform where Emperor Cassius stood—his crimson cloak flowing behind him, his crown gleaming under the morning light.
Lavinia visibly winced, shooting her father a sharp glare from below.
Emperor cleared his throat, coughing into his fist. "Ahem... what I meant to say," he corrected smoothly, "is that I am pleased to see every house represented."
He let his piercing crimson gaze sweep over the assembly. The nobles tried to maintain their polite smiles, but even from a distance, I could see their trembling hands.
"My daughter," he continued, his tone softening for a moment as he turned to Lavinia, "has taken it upon herself to organize this grand hunting festival."
Lavinia smiled faintly..
Emperor’s expression hardened again, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes as he looked back at the crowd. "And since she has granted you this opportunity, consider it your only chance to prove your worth—to your empire, and to your emperor."
A tense silence followed. Then his voice dropped lower, darker—razor-sharp with unspoken menace.
"But let me be perfectly clear," he said, every word cutting through the air like a blade, "If I find anyone using this hunt for deceit, for conspiracy, or for petty politics..." He paused, lips curling into a cold, humorless smile. "...I will personally feed you to the beasts you think you can tame."
The nobles paled. The rustle of silk and armor was all that broke the stillness. And that’s how the hunting begin.