Recalling Mikhail and Beatrice's faces, the emperor grinned. He was looking forward to what would happen tomorrow.
The day of the hunting competition finally arrived and I was exhausted. Unlike banquets which were usually held at night, this event was held during the day. Because of this, I had to get up early to get ready. Nothing should happen today, though.
Sella and Mary were helping me get ready.
"Lady Floyen, you look stunning! Gentlemen will line up to offer you the Flower of the Underworld's Goddess!" they exclaimed.
Normally, I would have taken those words as the compliments they were, but I didn’t want anyone to notice me today. Especially Lord Elios. I didn’t want him to win the competition.
I let out a deep sigh of dismay. Merilyn, who was tying a bonnet at my chin, tried to reassure me. "Don't worry, my lady. That gentleman—your lover—will also be able to participate in the hunting contest next year once he becomes a member of the master's family."
I had heard that other families were hiring mercenaries. This wasn’t the case for mine, though. After all, my dad wanted to avoid standing out, and our knights would likely be affronted if we hired mercenaries since they took pride in their swordsmanship.
Merilyn must have thought I was sighing at Max's inability to participate in the hunting competition.
I guess she had even thought about having him come under our family. The crown prince inheriting a duke's name... Just the thought of it made me burst into laughter.
"L-Lady Jubelian?" Merilyn asked, confused by my sudden mirth.
"Thank you,” I replied. "That relieved my worries.”
She grinned. "I see. I am glad to hear that."
I smiled at her. Then, upon remembering something, I asked, "Oh, Merilyn. Did you get the item I asked you about?"
She shook her head. "The flower you mentioned is a very rare one, my lady."
I sighed. It was something that had a calming effect on magical creatures—there was no way it could be easily obtained.
After a moment of disappointment, I smiled at Merilyn. "Thank you anyway. It wasn't something I really needed. I was looking for it out of curiosity, so don't worry about it too much.”
Then, I let out a small sigh. I was looking for it so it could serve as an extra safety measure. However, I figured I could still fare well without it. Besides, there was no way Max would try to do anything with the magical beast now.
With that thought, I managed to smother the anxiety lurking in the depths of my heart. Just then, however, I heard my dad’s voice outside the door.
"Jubelian, are you ready?” he asked.
I couldn't believe he had come upstairs for me instead of calling for me from the first floor! I hurriedly got up.
"Yes!” I answered. "I'm on my way out!"
By the time Max arrived at the hunting grounds, the participants were lined up and prepared to begin. "It looks like everyone's anxious for this to start."
Dennis nodded. "It’s the first one in years." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "And for some, it’s an opportunity to crush a family of higher status."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entrance announcements began. "Duke Elios' knights will now enter!"
Max stared at Frederich. The latter was donned in silver armor and standing under his family's banner.
Max scoffed.
The rat.
Lord Elios spoke to his knights with a stern expression. "I believe in your abilities. Everyone, please do your best."
The knights shouted in response. "Victory to our lord!"
The knights of other families watching the scene remained still, their expressions darkening. Their morale must have broken. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the crown prince's knights were the only ones who still looked confident.
"It seems that Duke Elios' successor is as well-reputed as the rumors proclaim," Dennis noted.
Max clenched his teeth. He turned to his own knights.
"What did I say about defeat on the battlefield?" he snarled. In his black armor, he was reminiscent of the grim reaper, and to make matters worse, he spoke in a frightening tone.
His men gulped nervously.
"Only death will be our defeat!" they roared.
Max smiled. "I pray that you guys won't forget that."
The knights realized that they might die at the crown prince's hand if they lost today. They cried for their survival.
"Don’t worry, Your Highness!"
"We’ll make sure to win the Flower of the Underworld's Goddess for you!"
"Victory is ours!"
Their voices weren’t just filled with spirit. They sounded pretty desperate, too. The other squads and the audience began talking amongst themselves.
"Is it because they have experience on the battlefield? They look more determined than others!"
"I agree!"
Beatrice, who was quietly watching, sighed. Did he have to stick out from the crowd like that?
Just then, a loud voice came from behind her.
"Wow! Everyone looks so handsome!"
Thanks to his exclamation, the majority of the audience turned their heads to where Beatrice was located. She felt her face heat up.
Out of everyone, he had to be her escort. His appearance was decent, but his actions were so frivolous that it made Beatrice regret her decision to ask Maximilian about Jubelian’s protection. Would he fulfill his duty as their escort? She fanned herself using her hands to cool off the heat.
"Duke Floyen's knights will now enter!"
Once the trumpet sounded, a flag bearer holding the seal of the Floyen family entered the field. The knights wearing armor engraved with the Floyan family’s coat of arms followed the flag bearer. The people marveled.
"Oh, as I expected!"
"They’re different from the others."
The men walked uniformly without even a hint of sloppiness. Their organized movements were mesmerizing—a truly befitting representation of the family of the most powerful swordsman in the empire. Once they stopped, a handsome young man standing at the vanguard held his helmet at his side and gave the knights behind him a sharp look.
"Do not forget about the weight of your blade. Remember who we serve,” he told them.
At that, the knights drew their swords in unison.
The leader of the knights, Geraldine, continued, "All of you! Do your best for our master, the great hero of this empire, and our lady! Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
With his sword held high, Geraldine shouted, "For the glory of the Floyen family!"
"For our glory!"
It was a truly spectacular sight to see. The knights gathered in a circle and brought the tips of their shining swords together. Beatrice was amazed, too. As expected from the Floyen household. They were truly inspiring.
Just then, a voice muttered something from behind her.