The hunting grounds were alive with movement.
Banners bearing the imperial crest fluttered proudly in the wind, their gold threads catching the morning light. Nobles gathered beneath shaded pavilions, dressed in riding attire far too pristine for an actual hunt, their laughter light and expectant.
At the center of it all-
The imperial platform.
"His Grace, the Duke of Schuan, and Her Grace, the Duchess of Schuan-along with their daughter, Lady Esmeralda."
Esmeralda stepped forward beside her parents, posture perfect, expression serene.
Internally-she was filing a formal complaint.
They approached the Emperor and Empress, who sat elevated above the gathering, their presence commanding as ever.
The Duke bowed deeply.
"Your Imperial Majesty, Your Imperial Highness. It is an honor to witness such a splendid occasion under your reign."
The Duchess followed gracefully.
"The empire has flourished beautifully. And if I may say-Your Majesties seem to be in particularly radiant spirits as of late."
A subtle smile touched the Empress's lips.
The Emperor chuckled, pleased.
"You flatter us."
"Only with truth, Your Majesty," the Duke replied smoothly.
Esmeralda dipped into a perfect curtsy.
"Your Majesties."
Polite.
Elegant.
Mentally elsewhere.
---
Moments later-
"Stand properly," the Duchess murmured under her breath as they stepped aside.
"I am standing properly," Esmeralda whispered back. "I am also standing against my will."
"Esmeralda."
Her father's tone was calm.
Dangerously calm.
"I know that look, young lady. Stop that. We are an esteemed Ducal family. What would the others say when they notice your sour face?"
She gave him a strained smile.
"Don't get me wrong, Father. I support the event. Emotionally. From a distance."
The Duke exhaled softly.
The Duchess gave her a look.
Esmeralda straightened.
"...Very well."
Another complaint filed. This time against her parents.
"Your Grace."
The voice was calm, steady-familiar.
Esmeralda did not need to turn to know who it was.
Of course.
Of course he would appear now.
The Duke and Duchess straightened slightly as Rael approached, his presence immediately commanding attention without effort.
"Your Imperial Highness," the Duke greeted, inclining his head.
Rael returned the gesture politely before his gaze shifted-
To her.
Always to her.
"I hope I am not interrupting," he said.
"Not at all," the Duchess replied smoothly. "We were merely encouraging our daughter in today's event."
"Encouraging," Esmeralda echoed under her breath. "A generous interpretation."
Rael's gaze flickered with the faintest hint of amusement.
"I see."
A pause.
Then-
"May I borrow Lady Esmeralda for a moment?"
The request was formal.
Proper.
Impossible to refuse.
The Duke glanced briefly at his daughter, who was already preparing an argument in her head, before nodding.
"Of course, Your Highness."
The Duchess smiled knowingly.
"Do keep her from escaping, if you can."
"I make no promises," Rael replied.
Esmeralda sighed softly.
"Betrayed by my own household," she murmured.
---
Rael led her a short distance away, just enough for their conversation to remain private beneath the shade of the trees.
The sounds of the gathering softened.
The air felt... quieter.
Esmeralda folded her arms.
"Well," she said, glancing at him, "if this is about convincing me to look more amused in this event, I regret to inform you that I am deeply committed to doing the opposite."
Rael regarded her calmly.
"I am aware."
"...Oh."
That wasn't the response she expected.
"I do not intend to force you," he continued. "If you wish to remain as annoyed as you could be, you may."
Esmeralda blinked.
"...That's surprisingly reasonable."
"I am a reasonable person," he said with his lips curved to a smile,"am I not?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I don't trust this."
A faint breath of amusement left him.
"You need not."
A pause.
Then-
"I spoke with your parents yesterday."
Her expression immediately shifted.
"You what?"
"They are concerned," he said simply.
"They are always concerned," she muttered. "It's their favorite pastime."
"They believe you are avoiding more than the hunt."
Esmeralda stilled.
Of course they did.
"...How observant of them," she said lightly.
Rael's gaze did not waver.
"And are they wrong?"
She didn't answer.
Didn't look at him.
Because-
That was not a question she wanted to entertain.
"...This is why I didn't want to come," she said instead, quieter now. "Too many expectations. Too many eyes. Too many things I'd rather not deal with."
Rael was silent for a moment.
Then-
"You may ignore all of it."
She glanced at him.
"...All of it?"
"Yes."
"That seems unrealistic."
"It is."
"...I appreciate the honesty."
Esmeralda could not understand what Rael was thinking.
But her thoughts didn't linger long on the thought.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The wind shifted softly through the trees.
Then-
Rael straightened slightly.
"I will be participating in the hunt."
Esmeralda tilted her head.
"That sounds like something you would do."
"And I intend to win."
She raised a brow.
"You're quite confident, your Highness."
"I am just certain."
A pause.
Then-
"I will dedicate my victory to you."
Esmeralda froze.
"...You will what?"
Rael's expression remained calm.
"As my fiancée, it is appropriate."
"It is unnecessary."
"It is intentional."
She stared at him.
"...You're doing this on purpose."
"I am."
"At least you admit it."
"I have no reason not to."
Esmeralda exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers briefly to her temple.
"This is going to cause problems."
"That's possible."
"Social ones."
"I am aware."
"Personal ones."
His gaze softened-just slightly.
"...I am aware."
A pause.
Then she huffed quietly.
"...You're very troublesome today."
"I have been told that before."
She looked away, trying-and failing-to hide the faintest hint of a smile.
"...Do not drag me into your victory speech," she muttered.
"I make no promises."
"That is exactly the problem."
---
From a distance, the horns signaled the official start of the hunt.
Rael stepped back.
"I will see you later, Lady Esmeralda."
Formal again.
Composed.
As if nothing had just been declared.
Esmeralda watched him go.
"...This is going to end badly," she murmured.
---
As the hunt started, nobles began to disperse into the forest.
Esmeralda, however-
Stayed near the edge.
Where it was safe.
Where it was predictable.
Where she could observe.
Because this-
This was important.
This was the event.
Her gaze shifted toward the deeper woods.
This is where Aziel meets Amaria.
She remembered it clearly.
Amaria, wandering too far.
A wild animal appearing.
Aziel stepping in-
Only for Amaria to stop the creature with her "kindness."
And just like that-
The second male lead falls.
Hopelessly.
Inevitably.
Romantically.
Esmeralda folded her arms.
"...There is absolutely no way this changes," she muttered.
This was too important.
Too central.
Too written.
Unlike Rael, Aziel had no one in his heart.
"This is practically a required scene," she added. "Mandatory. Non-negotiable. If this changes, I'm resigning."
A pause.
"...From what, I don't know. But I will."
---
Time passed.
The forest quieted.
Then-
A stir.
Murmurs spread through the camp as figures emerged from the trees.
Esmeralda's attention sharpened.
There-
Aziel.
And in his arms-
Amaria.
Right on schedule.
"...See?" Esmeralda whispered, nodding to herself. "Perfect. Script intact. Stability restored."
Amaria looked fragile, her expression soft, her hand lightly gripping Aziel's sleeve.
"I'm so sorry to trouble you," she said gently. "I lost my footing..."
Aziel said nothing and just smiled at her as he carried her forward, his steps steady, unhurried.
No panic.
No urgency.
Just... calm.
He reached the medic team and carefully handed Amaria over.
"Her ankle," he said simply. "It should be examined."
Professional.
Detached.
Efficient.
Amaria looked up at him, her gaze warm, grateful-
charming.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
A perfect line.
Delivered perfectly.
Silence.
Aziel inclined his head.
"It was nothing." he smiled.
But his smile looked merely out of kindness and pity for Amaria.
Aziel turned.
And his gaze found-
Her.
Esmeralda who was a bit far from where they stood.
Then-
He smiled.
Bright.
Unreserved.
Genuine.
And Esmeralda smiled back.
Amaria followed his gaze.
And saw.
Esmeralda.
The smile on Aziel's face.
For the briefest moment-
Her expression hardened.
A flicker.
Gone as quickly as it appeared.
But Esmeralda saw it.
Felt it.
"...Oh," she murmured. "That's new."
---
Aziel returned to the forest without another word.
Amaria was left surrounded by attendants, her expression once again soft, composed, beloved.
As if nothing had happened.
As if everything had.
---
The hunt concluded by late afternoon.
Nobles gathered once more, the atmosphere lively as results were tallied.
Then-
"The winner of this year's hunt-His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Rael."
Applause erupted.
Rael stepped forward, composed as ever, his presence commanding without effort.
Esmeralda watched.
In the story-
This victory would be dedicated to Amaria.
Another step.
Another bond.
Another thread tying them together.
Then again, Rael had already intended to dedicate his win to her.
She has already resigned herself to an unknown fate ever since his confession.
She had expected what comes next.
Rael's gaze swept across the crowd.
Then-
Landed on her.
"My victory," Rael began, his voice steady, carrying easily across the grounds, "is one I would like to dedicate-"
Esmeralda sighed.
"-to my fiancée, Lady Esmeralda."
Silence.
Then-
Whispers.
Loud.
Very loud.
Esmeralda smiled.
Gracefully.
She stepped beside him as expected, posture flawless, expression serene.
"...You actually did it," she whispered through her smile.
"I said I would."
"You say a lot of things."
"I only follow through on the important ones."
Her smile didn't falter-but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"This counts as important?"
"It does."
"...I told you not to drag me into this."
"And I told you I would not make promises I do not intend to keep."
She inhaled slowly.
Controlled.
Measured.
"You've just made me the center of attention."
"Then the center of attention should welcome a stunning lady."
Esmeralda could not respond with her ears now the color of cherries.
"...You're very bold today."
"I was earlier as well."
She huffed softly under her breath.
"Yes, I recall. I chose to ignore it."
"That does not make it disappear."
"That was the hope."
A pause.
Then, quieter-
"...You're not going to stop, are you?"
"No."
"...How troublesome."
"For you?"
"For my peace."
His gaze flickered briefly toward her.
"...I did warn you."
She resisted the urge to sigh.
"You did."
"...I regret listening."
"I do not."
Applause continued.
They stood side by side.
Perfect.
United.
Completely far from the story Esmeralda had known.
---
Later-
The camp began to settle as evening approached.
Tents were prepared. Servants moved quietly. The air cooled, the excitement of the day slowly fading into something calmer.
Esmeralda stood near the edge of the grounds, her thoughts spinning.
Aziel didn't fall for Amaria.
Rael didn't dedicate his win to her.
Amaria noticed.
Everything-
Everything was wrong.
"...I need a revised copy of this book," she muttered. "Preferably with annotations."