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There was an immediate answer to the servant’s words from inside the office.

“Bring her in.”

Adelai’s visits were always a priority for the Emperor.

Soon, the princess entered, her dress fluttering. The Emperor was sitting by a window under a tree’s shadow, reading a document. He looked up when he felt her presence. Shortly, a smile appeared on the face of the most powerful man in the Empire.

“What a pleasant surprise visit.”

He said in a cheerful tone.

Princess Adelai sat down on the sofa with a coy expression.

“I came because I’ve been feeling really distant from Your Majesty lately. You’re always so busy, it makes me sad.”

Since the appointment of the new Shinsu chief, the Emperor’s workload had increased in preparation for the inauguration ceremony they’d have to hold.

Even if the two parties weren’t close by now, it had always been the Empire’s duty to announce the inauguration of a new chief to the continent. As the Empire’s honor was on the line, it had to be more lavish than any other event, meaning the Emperor was so busy he barely even got to sleep.

At the princess’s sulky words, he put down his pen, stood up, and sat down opposite Adelai. Then he spoke to her languidly, rubbing his tired eyes.

“I was thinking of going on a trip after the event. What do you think, Princess?”

“Really?”

Adelai replied with an exaggerated smile.

The Emperor nodded and signaled the servant to pour him tea.

“For a trip… How about we go to the North Gerban Peninsula, Your Majesty? I remember the ice festival there was interesting!”

Her expression was as excited as it could possibly be.

“Wherever you’d like.”

“But that’s not a definite promise, is it? I wanted to go right away…”

Adelai’s face became gloomier before she continued, fidgeting with her fingers.

“It’s just a new chief for the beasts. I don’t understand why you care so much.”

“It’s an event to demonstrate the honor of the Empire, so there can’t be anything missing.”

The Emperor wasn’t interested in the event either, but it was a matter of imperial pride.

Princess Adelai pouted and turned towards the servant, giving him an arrogant nod. Quickly recognizing her intention, he bowed and hurried out of the office.

Now, the only people in the office were father and daughter.

“Your Majesty.”

“Tell me.”

Adelai leaned forwards slightly, whispering so that no one else could overhear her.

“How come you haven’t been looking for the descendant of Barahan lately?”

The only being that could kill the arrogant beasts. After years of searching, the Emperor’s behavior had changed recently – progressing at a snail’s pace, it looked like he’d let go of his past regrets.

This attitude was caused by Belinda’s relationship with a Shinsu.

Well aware of that fact, Adelai was even more upset. The imperial family’s power could only increase if the Shinsus’ were destroyed.

That way, I will have all the power when I become Empress.

Adelai was already imagining herself wearing the imperial crown.

The Emperor sunk into the sofa and propped up his chin, quietly scanning her face.

Adelai bit her lips.

“Your Majesty. I will find the descendant.”

“….”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“Once I do, the whole continent will know who the true ruler of the Empire is.”

Adelai’s face was filled with haughty conviction. Destroy the arrogant beasts, take over the throne. That was her grand plan.

The Emperor looked at his daughter and smiled softly. Didn’t he suggest that in the first place? He would hand over the throne to the person who found the descendant of Barahan and removed the Shinsu.

He stood up and walked over to a portrait on the wall. With a touch at the bottom of the frame, it clicked open to reveal space.

After a moment of careful searching, he grabbed the golden key and gracefully placed it onto the puzzled Adelai’s palm.

“Your Majesty?”

She looked up at the Emperor, unable to tell what it was.

The Emperor turned to the portrait, followed by Adelai. It depicted a beautiful man sitting on the throne with the imperial sword.

As long as he ruled the Empire, that portrait would hang in the office, just like his father’s before him.

He gently swept aside his daughter’s hair.

“Adelai.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The search for the descendant of Barahan is now out of my hands.”

“What?”

The Emperor just laughed at her question.

“May it be your portrait hanging here in the future.”

Adelai clutched the key tightly, staring at her father’s portrait. Her cheeks flushed with joy at the thought of it being her one day.

***

The season was slowly passing by, the wind felt warmer, and the color of the garden’s flowers changed. Belinda stretched out, looking up at the sky.

It was the day of the hunting contest.

The Empire’s hunting competition in the Shinsu forest was only held twice a year. Although hunting outside the capital was a daily routine, everyone was in high spirits for one of the rare times that the Shinsu forest, full of rare plants and animals, opened.

The Shinsu hated hunting, but they decided to show their respect for human culture by allowing access about twice a year. Although they didn’t get along very well with humans, the tolerance required to live in harmony remained.

Belinda was sitting on a ledge with Lucy as the Emperor gave a short speech.

Mazetto was off eating snacks – he didn’t want to come because human hunting was too scary and cruel for him.

Aymon, who was probably somewhere in the woods, wasn’t around either. Belinda’s daily life was pretty dull without her two animal friends. Pretending to listen to the speech, she turned her head and yawned.

How boring…. I’m sure no one will dedicate their prey to me this year either.

It had been more than a decade since she’d entered the palace, and though she’d adapted to imperial life in her own way, there was still an insurmountable gap in status between Belinda and the royal family.

When Belinda and Adelai were together, all the nobles knew very well who to stand behind.

Once again, Belinda wouldn’t receive any of the prey.

There will be a whole pile of deer and rabbits in front of Adelai. Well, as always.

By then, the Emperor’s speech was over. The nobles gathered before him, also on a white horse, with their horses.

“Begin the hunt!”

He shouted, grabbing his reins. The sound of hooves against the ground covered the field.

Belinda went on fanning herself, unimpressed. As she turned her head, her eyes met the rider of a brown horse.

It was Duke Phillip Rodson. He’d been staring at her for some time.

Is he looking at me?

Belinda looked around before nodding as a greeting. Then, he turned away and followed behind the rest of the party.

What was that?

Belinda leaned forward to see him disappearing into the forest.

After the hunters were gone, those who stayed behind also began with their own entertainment.

Belinda watched the clown’s performance and listened to the music as people gathered in small groups to drink tea and talk.

Belinda also talked with some noblewomen, making sure to avoid Adelai.

A countess, who had been fiddling with her large pearl ring, spoke.

“There are rumors that elephants were brought up from the southern kingdoms for the event… Do you think it’s true?”

A duchess, standing opposite, folded away her fan with surprise.

“Elephants? How big are they?”

“His Majesty has announced that he will hold a banquet more spectacular than ever before.”

“So, he may….”

The duchess nodded with a faint smile.

It was a golden age, with the imperial treasury richer than ever and no shortage in finance. The Emperor had publicly declared a banquet for the new Shinsu chief.

The fragility of the relationship between the Shinsu and the royal family was a truth that hadn’t been revealed, and the banquet would be a stepping stone for improving relations. The key to finding the descendant of Barahan had been handed over to Adelai, but that was just the last piece – a possibility that had to be guarded.

For now, the focus was restoring relations with the Shinsu, led by Belinda.

Belinda had an odd expression. Shinsu, chief – those words were familiar but unfamiliar at the same time.

Just yesterday, she was with the exact Shinsu they were talking about, but whenever he came up in conversations, Belinda felt as if she didn’t know him at all.

The countess lowered her head to whisper something.

“Oh, speaking of that, there’s been a strange rumor in the palace…”

“What rumor?”

She carefully asked after looking around.

“There are rumors that someone saw a big black leopard in the palace. It was so fast that the shape wasn’t clear, but a servant saw it a few days ago. Near the temple.”

That temple was right next to the guest palace.

Belinda lifted up her glass to awkwardly cover her face.

The black panther they were talking about must have been Aymon. How could he have gotten caught when he was supposed to be so good at hiding?

Well, it would be more difficult to hide with his large size than when he was a baby leopard. Come to think of it, it was amazing that they’d kept the secret for so long.

It was only possible because the few maids she did have wouldn’t talk, and Lucy, her personal maid, was trustworthy.

Belinda stared over at the forest, thinking of Aymon, who was probably deep inside.

As the hunt continued, the sound of the hounds and hunting whistles rang out over them.