I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Knights from the royal palace on horseback. Panicked by the sounds of hooves and flying arrows from all directions, the doe ran in a frenzy, not realizing she was heading down a path deliberately intended by the hunters.

At the end of this escape route, Christian waited. He quickly drew his bowstring at the sound of rustling. Soon, the terrified doe burst through the underbrush.

At that moment, an arrow flew through the air and pierced the doe’s neck with precision. The doe staggered and collapsed on the ground. The watching nobles applauded and praised Christian.

“Indeed, you are a master archer!”

“Truly, the skill you showed on the battlefield hasn’t gone anywhere!”

“Many enemies must have fallen to those arrows. Ha ha.”

Among the nobles present, only Richard knew what Christian was really like on the battlefield. Yet the nobles spoke as if they had witnessed it themselves. In truth, Christian had hardly managed to shoot an arrow properly during the war.

Far from killing enemies, there were several times when he had to be saved by Richard after getting himself into trouble.

Additionally, he often devised unrealistic strategies that led them into unfavorable situations or caused discord between the imperial army and the knights of Rubellin, doing nothing but creating chaos.

The nobles also knew that Christian hadn’t even lasted a month on the battlefield before returning, but the truth didn’t matter to them.

Their primary concern was to flatter the crown prince. This hunting festival was planned purely with that intention in mind.

The doe had been specifically prepared and released by the royal family. Bucks were excluded because their antlers were deemed dangerous. The nobles’ bows were merely decorative. Everything was arranged to praise the hunting skills of the emperor and the crown prince.

From start to finish, the hunting festival was meticulously designed to cater to the whims of the emperor and the crown prince.

Richard, who had no intention of participating in this charade, stood far in the back, preoccupied with thoughts of Elisa.

‘The expressions on the crown princess and Princess Michaela’s faces seemed unusual earlier.’

At that moment, Christian, still basking in the triumph of the hunt, craned his neck. Then, lost in thought, he spotted Richard, who wasn’t even looking at him, and smirked.

“Our great war hero seems to find dealing with dumb animals rather dull?”

Christian’s intent to mock was clear, and the nobles fell silent. Christian’s cold gaze was directed at Richard, the war hero.

Despite Christian’s obvious mockery, Richard responded in his usual indifferent tone.

“Having spent a long time on the battlefield, killing weak animals doesn’t interest me. Doesn’t it bore Your Highness as well?”

It was a jab at Christian, who had returned to the capital after less than a month on the battlefield, using an injury as an excuse.

Christian gritted his teeth as he looked at Richard’s indifferent eyes.

‘This arrogant bastard…’

Even though Christian, the crown prince, showed his displeasure, Richard remained unmoved, not even raising an eyebrow, which only irritated Christian further.

The tension between them cast a pall over the atmosphere, making it feel like cold water had been poured over everyone present.

On one side was the crown prince, destined to inherit the imperial throne, and on the other was the Duke of Rubellin, a man so powerful even the royal family feared and kept in check. The nobles were frozen with anxiety, unsure how to manage the situation between the two.

The chilling silence was finally broken by Richard.

“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Richard bowed and turned away, leaving the hunting grounds. As Christian was about to say something to Richard, the nobles quickly intervened, eager to defuse the tension.

“Your Highness, there’s another doe over there.”

“Oh, it looks much bigger than the one just caught. Why not take it down and impress Their Majesties even more?”

Christian glared at Richard but reluctantly went off with the nobles to chase the deer.

As Richard distanced himself from the group, he heard another set of hooves approaching. Although he sensed the presence, he ignored it. Soon, the person caught up and drew alongside him.

“You’ve grown quite a bit since I last saw you.”

It was Marquis Raymore Felice.

He was likely the one who had instructed the spreading of the demon’s soul stones from the gorge in Rubellin.

Richard neither accelerated nor glanced at him, treating him as if he were invisible.

However, Raymore continued, undeterred.

“Looks like you’ve really fallen out of favor.”

“……”

“But please don’t take it too harshly. Everything I do is for your benefit.”

Richard, who had been thoroughly ignoring him and riding forward, halted his steps.

Cold eyes fixated on Raymore.

“Putting my people in danger and claiming it’s all for my sake…”

“It may be hard to believe right now, but—”

“Say that kind of nonsense one more time, and I’ll tear your mouth open.”

As Richard spoke, a dark aura seeped out from his back.

The clear murderous intent and chilling presence made Raymore fall silent.

Yet Richard’s expression remained as indifferent as ever, as if his words were no more significant than talking about killing a bug.

This made it even more terrifying.

Richard added in his usual indifferent tone, “Of course, I’m saying this for your sake. Hard to believe, I know.”

Richard threw Raymore’s words back at him with a mocking tone and walked away unhurriedly.

*

The noblemen following the Emperor and the Crown Prince split into two groups and entered the hunting grounds.

Meanwhile, the Empress and the Crown Princess Roze set up a tea party under the shade of a tree.

Ladies of the nobility and young noblewomen gathered around them.

Elisa sat at a reasonable distance from the Empress and Roze. Olivia sat next to Elisa.

Maids from the royal palace filled everyone’s cups with tea.

Elisa looked at the tea in front of her, feeling tense.

‘Can I drink this tea…?’

Before coming to the hunting festival, her physician had informed her about the teas pregnant women should avoid.

Fortunately, the tea in front of her was safe to drink. However, the real issue was whether her body would tolerate it.

Though she had taken anti-nausea medication beforehand, it often didn’t work.

There was no need to hide her pregnancy, but since she wasn’t yet in the safe period, it was too soon to announce it publicly.

“I’m glad everyone could make time to attend. This tea has been specially prepared for you, so please enjoy it,” the Empress said gracefully, raising her teacup.

The noblewomen followed suit, raising their cups.

Elisa carefully lifted her cup and inhaled the aroma.

‘It smells floral, luckily it’s not nauseating.’

Elisa sighed in relief and began to drink the tea slowly.

Soon, after taking a sip, the noblewomen started praising the tea prepared by the Empress.

“Oh my, the aroma is wonderful. What kind of tea is this, Your Majesty?”

“Indeed, and the floating flower petals are so pretty.”

“It feels so calming.”

“The tea is made from dried Tetra flowers that grow only on the eastern coastal cliffs.”

The noblewomen chattered about how they must find and drink this tea themselves.

With an exaggerated look of regret, the Empress responded, “Hmm, unfortunately, it’s made from very rare flowers, so it will be difficult to obtain.”

“Oh… that’s a shame.”

The noblewomen expressed their disappointment, while Elisa scoffed inwardly.

‘Is she trying to flaunt that she can drink something unattainable for others?’

Satisfied with the reaction from the noblewomen, the Empress turned her gaze to Olivia.

“By the way, it’s been a while, Marchioness of Beltein. We’ve missed you in the capital.”

The Empress’s expression seemed more resentful of Olivia’s presence than pleased to see a long-absent sister-in-law.

“I’ve been busy raising my daughter and couldn’t find the time to come to the capital. I’m glad to see Your Majesty looking so well.”

“We’re not strangers. You could have visited the palace upon your arrival instead of heading to the temple first. It’s quite disappointing.”

Historically, the royal family and the temple had maintained a strained relationship. This hostility became overt after Marchioness Seriart’s rebellion attempt was uncovered two decades ago.

The Empress’s words were a veiled criticism of Olivia’s preference for the temple over the royal family.

“I merely sought out someone who needed my help first, so please don’t be too upset.”

Olivia responded with a serene smile, as if she hadn’t noticed the barbed comment.

Despite her extensive experience in high society, it was unlikely that Olivia hadn’t caught the hidden meaning. Her innocent response left the Empress frowning, unable to find more faults.

Elisa realized anew, ‘That’s right, there’s the temple.’

Elisa participated in this hunting festival to demonstrate Rubellin’s strength in the capital and to gather more allies.

Even though the royal family was subtly at odds with the temple, they couldn’t completely ignore the temple’s influence, given its immense sway over the empire’s citizens.

Moreover, many nobles secretly worshiped despite the royal family’s disapproval.

No matter how powerful the emperor was, he couldn’t control the god above.

Therefore, if the influence of the temple and the empire’s hero, Rubellin, combined, it would pose a significant threat to the royal family.

‘I should visit the temple soon,’ thought Elisa as she put down her teacup.

Just then, a breeze caused the teacup to wobble, spilling tea on Elisa’s dress.

Anne approached upon seeing this.

“Madam, are you alright?”

“The tea has cooled. I’m fine.”

Anne began wiping the spilled tea off Elisa’s dress with the handkerchief she had.

This drew everyone’s attention to Anne. More specifically, to the dress Anne was wearing. It was a simple yet elegant dress, recently in vogue in the capital, and it was clear to anyone that it was far too expensive for a maid’s attire.

The difference was noticeable compared to the uniforms worn by maids from other noble families.

Furthermore, on the left side of her chest, Anne wore a brooch engraved with Rubellin’s crest.

The other maids standing behind Elisa were similarly dressed.

Roze, who had been watching Elisa with a disapproving eye, spoke up.

“Buying such fine clothes for mere maids… The Duke’s household must be as wealthy as they say.”

Her mocking tone was evident, but Elisa simply blinked and then smiled slightly.

It was the reaction she had been waiting for.