(unedited)

The hunting grounds were just outside the capital.

Just past the palace was a dark mountain, which was said to be the imperial hunting grounds.

A flag, embroidered with gold thread, fluttered in the distance.

“Flotty, will you be all right?”

The Grand Duke’s face darkened as they neared the hunting grounds.

“The men are out hunting, so you would be with the Queen.”

“I don’t want you alone with the Queen.”

The Grand Duke rejected my offer to help.

The crown prince, the prince, and the Grand Duke.

When the three of them left to hunt, I was to stay with the Queen and wait for them.

There was no telling what she might do when we were alone.

“Of course not, you have Harton and Hardin.”

I recalled the two men following behind the carriage.

The Grand Duke nods reluctantly.

“Be careful, Your Highness.”

“Of course.”

Honestly, there was a reason I’d crawled all the way here.

‘The crown prince and Omen.’

And a hunting party.

What a dangerous combination.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be the beast, but the crown prince who would be hunted.

As we approached the hunting grounds, I sensed an ominous, gloomy energy.

‘Omen…….’

Is that Omen?

It feels a little more…… murky.

We stepped out of the wagon, which stopped in front of the hunting grounds.

Through the flags fluttering on either side, I see a well-dressed older man.

“Denver, this is…….”

The Grand Duke’s expression stiffened.

“Yes.”

“…….”

“His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Emperor, the Emperor?

I swallowed dryly at the word.

It was hard to believe that this was the same man who was supposedly bedridden with ill health.

“Uh, how can His Majesty the Emperor…….”

Apparently, the Grand Duke didn’t expect the Emperor to come either.

His tightly set lips tremble slightly.

As he walks slowly, under the banner, the Emperor’s face is clearly visible.

‘……Crazy.’

Yes. Perhaps the Grand Duke felt it too.

Even I, seeing the Emperor for the first time, realize that he’s in a strange state.

There’s no way the Grand Duke didn’t notice.

I turn my head to look at him, and his brow furrows.

“His Majesty the Emperor… is that…….”

“Yes. I feel it too.”

“I think it’s Eden…?”

The same snake I saw in the abandoned palace.

The snake that gave off a foul aura with its dull eyes.

The proud Eden that Omen and the Queen believed in.

The Emperor has that same aura.

And his eyes did not look like the eyes of a living man.

“Greetings to the Imperial Sun of the Empire.”

“Welcome, I see you’ve arrived.”

The Grand Duke and I bowed before the Emperor.

‘There is no focus in the Emperor’s eyes…….’

He really did look like he was being manipulated by someone.

A red, sullen aura, invisible to others, hovered around the Emperor.

“I’m glad you’ve regained your health, Your Majesty.”

“The Queen’s prayers have reached the gods.”

Then, from inside the barracks, the Queen emerged, the first to arrive.

She smiled at us.

“Still, I’m sure you’re too tired to hunt.”

The Grand Duke’s gaze fell on the Queen.

She walked over and placed her hand on the emperor’s shoulder.

The Emperor looked at her as if she were lovely.

But his gaze is still unfocused.

“Don’t worry. I can handle this.”

The emperor smiles a warm smile.

His out-of-focus golden eye did not shine, but was very cloudy.

From another barracks, the crown prince and Omen emerged together.

“Brother, you have come.”

Omen said, and he gave me a greeting as well.

“Flotty, if anything happens, call Harton. He’ll be waiting at the back of the barracks.”

“Yes. Don’t worry about me, but take care of His Highness.”

I wasn’t expecting the Emperor to be here.

‘And an enslaved emperor at that.’

Why would the Queen bring the Emperor on this hunt?

Was it really to kill Entry here?

Or was it simply to warn us?

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t bode well for us.

‘This is why Omen and the Queen were able to run amok.’

When the Grand Duke was ready, a loud trumpet sounded.

The hunt had begun.

“Don’t get hurt. Beast or man.”

The Grand Duke laughed, a sound like wind being knocked out of his sails.

“Who’s saying what to whom?”

“At least I don’t hunt.”

I remembered the red-eyed leopard I’d seen on the island.

The Grand Duke must be thinking the same thing I was.

“Be careful, I’ll be back soon.”

I smiled.

***

The Queen and I were the only ones left in the barracks.

A cool breeze streamed in through the open door.

‘What a beautiful day.’

Unlike my current situation.

The maid’s tea smelled savory.

‘It’s not poisoned.’

I was relieved.

I drank the warm tea, relieved.

An awkward silence followed.

“Have have you been?”

“I’ve been well, and I hope you’ve been well, too.”

“Of course.”

The Queen said and took a sip of the clear tea.

“I’m so glad that His Majesty the Emperor has regained his health.”

“Of course, I’m so glad.”

The Queen smiled shyly.

‘Glad.’

I laugh along with her, hiding my displeasure.

“By the way, social circles are abuzz with talk of the Grand Duchess these days.”

“Oh…….”

“They say you have mysterious powers.”

The Queen knew of my abilities through Armédie, but she asked as if she didn’t.

Her eyes widened, as if she were truly surprised.

“It’s only a minor ability. I can see a person’s near future.”

Her eyes lit up as if she was intrigued by my words.

“That’s amazing. So, can you see for me?”

Her ruby eyes sparkled, shone.

She was testing me.

“Do you think I dare to perform such a trick in front of Your Majesty…….?”

I replied and studied Queen’s expression.

I’ve seen it before, but Queen’s acting skills are outstanding.

I can’t read her at all.

Her expression was quite innocent.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid that…….”

I said in a fairly serious tone.

As if I was really trying to see her future.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

I paused to catch my breath.

I smiled, brightly.

“I see that you are troubled about the prince’s marriage.”

The Queen’s eyes widened.

How should I put it?

I must have failed to live up to her expectations.

‘Then did you think I’ll just go along with you?’

The Queen laughed, making a slightly windy sound.

“Marriage……. The prince has already reached that age. The Grand Duchess is right.”

That seemed to end the conversation.

I raise my teacup in relief,

I could feel the coldness in my eyes.

‘…But I never tried to use my powers?’

A grayish scene unfolds in front of me as my power manifests itself.

I see the back of a strange woman.

I can’t see the scene clearly, as the snake’s energy is interfering.

‘Your Majesty.’

The woman’s voice is clear, her hair long and fine, her body slender.

And the man she’s calling.

‘……Who is this?’

He, too, can only be seen from behind.

Tall, dark hair, and a uniform cloak emblazoned with imperial symbols.

‘Imperial?’

At her call, the man slowly turns around.

His eyes are jet-black, his mouth tightly closed.

‘No way…….’

Eyes locked with the man who had turned completely around,

“Heok!”

The gray scene ended.

Back in the real world, I sucked in a sharp breath.

‘What the… was that?’

A future I didn’t see because I wanted to.

A strange woman, and…….

“Grand Duchess, are you all right?”

I hear the Queen’s worried voice.

I pressed a hand to my forehead where a headache had set in.

“I’m sorry…my head suddenly hurt.”

“That’s bad. Do you want me to call a doctor?”

“No, I’ll be fine in a little while.”

“You don’t look well.”

The Queen ordered a physician to be summoned, even though I said I was fine.

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.

I wondered what that was about.

It wasn’t a vision of the future for Omen or the Empress.

Because he turned around and made eye contact with me…….

“Queen, I’m brought the doctor.”

“Yes, come on in.”

The doctor stepped into the barracks.

He was a wizened old man.

He bowed politely to me, then began to take my pulse.

“By any chance, have you been sleepless lately?”

“……I was.”

“Your body is weak from lack of sleep. Some scented candles or warmed milk will help you sleep better.”

The doctor concluded his examination and urged me.

“Worrying is not only bad for your sleep, but also for your health.”

“Thank you …….”

I can’t sleep because of someone.

I relaxed the tension on my shoulders.

When I smiled, the doctor pushed himself up from his seat.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Oh, please give me a recipe for a good night’s tea.”

The Queen called the doctor back to his feet.

“Yes, Your Majesty, the tea is…….”

The moment the doctor turned around,

“Ah……!”

It collided with my slack shoulder.

My body jerked to the side as I was hit by a man, even an old man.

“S, sorry!”

The doctor reflexively kneeled down.

“Grand Duchess, are you okay?”

The Queen asked, sounding concerned.

And then,

Snap!

The crystal bell she had been hiding in her arms fell to the floor with a loud clatter.

Clink, clink, clink.

The bell fell out of my hand and onto the floor.

Reacting to Eden’s energy, it begins to chime once more.

The Queen’s eyes locked with mine.

Clang, clang.

In this situation, I’m kind of screwed.