I Will Protect You This Time

The Hunting Festival (Part 8)

Episode 52

(THE BEGINNING OF THE HUNT)

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I don't want to see them. But It's not like I can ignore them. They are the Royals of an EMPIRE after all. I have to greet them at least. And It's just for a week. Yes. It's not that long. 

Sigh~

I wonder who else came with them… The Emperor, Rubena… Did the Empress come? What about the Crown Prince? 

What about other Aristocrats? I mean, many Duke and Marquis came along with the Royals too. Then...

"...Bell."

"...bella…"

"Isabella!"

The Empress called me while putting her hand on my one shoulder. I flinched at the sudden touch.

"Ah-"

"Are you alright, dear?"

The empress asked with a worried voice.

"Yes. I am fine. I was just thinking about something. I apologize."

"Is that so?... Well, it's okay. Anyways we have already reached our main tent. Let's get in."

"Yes."

Alicia: "You are excused, Blaine."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sir Blaine who was escorting us from behind, bowed and left towards the Gathering Place.

After that, we went inside the tent. The Empress sat on a couch inside the main tent.

"Come here, Bell. Sit with me."

The Empress said while patting the seat next to her.

Just a while ago she was so Strict and Elegant with the Royals of Loire. But now She looks… so cute! She is so amazing!

"Yes."

I said, trying to hide my admiration. Then sat beside her.

"Listen, Isabella. Probably half an hour later, the Hunting Competition will start. We will have to stay in front of the Gathering Place, which is the plain land right in front of the entrance of the forest. The ladies generally stay there gossiping the whole day. And the males go to hunt. Of course, some ladies of our Fellmirr also join the hunt."

"Then will you join too, Mother?"

"I want to join but I can't. Not today at least. Anyways child, we will have to go there as we are the host after all. We also have to wish luck to our mates. Oh! I totally forgot!"

Saying that the Empress took the bell that was on the table beside the couch and rang it.

Soon a middle-aged maid entered the tent.

"Greetings, My Lady. You called?"

"Yes, Mona. Bring out the Amulets."

Amulet? 

Mona: "As you wish, My Lady."

Soon after the maid bowed and left the tent.

"The Amulets are what a person gives to another male or female in wish for that male or female's protection. Anyways the one who accepts the amulet dedicates his hunt to the person that has given the Amulet."

Ah… I see now. It's like giving an embroidered handkerchief to a knight before the hunt.

"So we have to give ours to our mates in order to encourage them. Honestly, if I give one to Theo, he will be too excited to leave even a rabbit for others!"

The Empress sighed while remembering the past Hunting Competition.

<

"Oh, dear! You are giving me an Amulet this year, Empress?! Sob* Don't worry. Even if you are not entering the Hunt this year, I will definitely make you the Queen of Hunting Competition, My Queen!"

And Of course, that year Theobald won the Competition. Although Leonus didn't participate in that year's Competition. He wasn't the least bit interested in things like Hunting competitions or social gatherings for that matter.

>

"Anyways A young lady generally gives an Amulet to the person she likes. Fufu. That's so cute, right?"

That… I know that. I had also embroidered a handkerchief for Roberto before. But...

"My Lady. It's me, Mona. May I enter?"

Suddenly Mona asked for permission from outside the tent. She sure is fast. 

Alicia: "Yes. You may."

Soon Mona entered the tent with a beautiful red velvet box then handed it over to the Empress.

Alicia: "You may go now, Mona."

"Yes, My Lady."

Then Mona bowed and left the tent.

"Here. Check it out."

The Empress said while giving me the box.

The box itself was really beautiful. A square-shaped small red velvet box with golden embroidery on the top.

"Open it."

"Ah. Yes."

As soon as I opened it a sparkling Hexagonal shaped Golden Amulet came to my eyes. It had perfect craftsmanship with beautiful Rubies and diamonds. But wait… 

This… 

"M-Mother… The craft in the middle…"

I asked with a forced smile.

"Oh. You mean the heart shape? Isn't it beautiful? It will be so romantic if you present this to Leo in your first Hunting Competition with him. He will be overjoyed."

I really don't think so. The amulet had heart shapes made of rubies in the centre. 

"But-"

"Oh my! It's time for us to go! Let's go! We can't be late, can we?"

The Empress said while averting my gaze. Then she hurriedly got up from the couch.

"Hurry up, Bell. We can't delay any longer."

Sigh~ She changed the subject.

"Yes. Mother."

After that, we got out of the tent and went towards the Gathering Place.

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It's noon. The Sun is just above our heads. But it's not hot at all. The temperature is colder instead. 

Shaa~

The branches of the long trees are dancing in the Gast of the strong wind making a rustling sound. It made some of the leaves fall.

So beautiful~

The Gathering Place at the outset of Beaulow Forest was crowded with Aristocrats. Many males were already riding their horses waiting for the starting signal. Some were talking and laughing with each other while riding horses.

There were many white canopy tents here and there. I guess each family has their own Canopy Tents. Some ladies were sitting on a table under the shade of those tents, and talking with each other. 

Some Knights were guarding the tents. Some were guarding the starting point of the Forest. Some were riding horses. Hmm… They must be there to accompany the Master they serve. Now that I think about it, Sir Blaine wasn't wearing his knight uniform. Rather formal aristocrat outfit. And he is riding a horse too. He is probably an Aristocrat. It never occurred to me that he could be an Aristocrat. But it makes sense, I assume. He is the Vice-Captain of Leonus's Knights.

Speaking of Leonus, isn't he supposed to be here? But I can't find him anywhere. 

I started looking around for him.

"Crown Princess, are you searching for someone?"

Duchess Erlshade asked with a smile.

"Ah- No."

I was flustered at her sudden question. I was so lost in thoughts that for a moment I totally forgot that I was sitting on a table with the top Aristocrats of Fellmirr. 

"You don't ask, Duchess. The Crown Princess must be looking for the Crown Prince."

Duchess Yasuji added with a smirk.

Wh-What? Thinking about him- How did they- So Embarrassing! My face feels hot!

"Mother, don't tease the Princess."

Sarah Yasuji said while frowning.

"Yes. You shouldn't, Mother."

Azleza added.

Madeleine: "Princess! You should come with us!"

Kayleigh: "Yes. They are older than us! It will be more appropriate if you join us in our tent, Princess."

Druella: "Yes! Let's go, Princess."

All of them said enthusiastically. 

"Now Now, Ladies. You can talk to the Princess all you want after the Hunting Competition starts."

Empress Alicia said with a calm tone.

"Oh my! They are coming this way!"

Duchess Hornraven said while looking behind me. 

Who are they talking about? I want to look behind! But why is it embarrassing to do even that?!

Duchess Erlshade: "I assume we should return to our tent too. I have to see off the Duke too."

"Yes, we should."

The other ladies agreed.

Sarah: "Th-Then we are leaving too. Princess, you will have to join us later! It's a promise!"

Druella: "Yes. You have to!"

Azleza: "Then we will talk again after a moment."

"Then please excuse us."

Saying that all of them bowed and excused themselves.

"Let's get up too, Isabella."

The Empress said while getting up from the chair.

"Ah. Yes."

Saying that I got up from the chair and looked behind.

Gasp*

He was right in front of me! 

To-Too Close!

Chuckle*

"Princess! You forgot to breathe again."

Leonus craned his mouth to my ear and whispered.

Ahh- As soon as my senses returned, I hurriedly stepped aside from him. I can't believe this happened in front of the Emperor and the Empress!

"G-Greetings! Your Majesty, the Emperor and Your Highness, The Crown Prince!"

"Oh my! You are all red, Bell! Isn't she so cute, Theo?"

Empress Alicia said with a smile. 

Aghh! Red! So embarrassing!

"Yes. She is. Although not more than you."

The Emperor said while wrapping his arm around the Empress's shoulder.

"Don't listen to the old man. You are definitely prettier, Princess."

Leonus whispered to my ear.

Aghh~ Don't do that out of nowhere! It always makes me feel strange. I can definitely feel my face getting redder.

"Pfft! Oh, dear! We shouldn't tease her anymore! There will be no difference between her dress and her face at this point!"

The Empress said while laughing.

Alicia: "Oh, Leonus. Isabella has a present for you!"

Huh? No way! Do I really have to give THAT to him?! And it wasn't really me who brought it!

Leonus: "Really? What is it?"

Aghh! Why does it look like stars are coming out of his eyes! 

Alicia: "Show it to him, Bell!"

"Y-Yes!"

I said while sobbing inwardly! I can never win against this Mother-Son pair.

Soon I brought out the box from the pocket of my dress. The box was small, so It fits inside my dress pocket without any trouble.

"Here you go."

I gave him the box.

"Let me see-"

Saying that Leonus opened the box. His eyes widened seeing what was inside! He must be embarrassed seeing it!

"It-its okay, if you don't like it! Just give it back!"

I said reaching out to take away the box from his hand!

"No way!"

But at that moment, he flipped his arm. It was almost as high as it could reach.

"It's okay! You don't have to lie!"

Aghh! Why is he so tall! I tried to snatch the box, hopping on my feet. But as soon as I was about to take it, his hand went up again.

I tried a few more times whimpering, but I couldn't catch up with his huge height. I've been jumping into place the whole time.

"Princess! I really like it!"

Leonus said with a serious voice.

"Huh? Really?"

You are lying!

"Yes! In fact, I love it!"

"..."

"I didn't think you would give me your heart!"

Leonus whispered to my ear.

Huh? My heart? 

Aghh! My face is definitely red now.

Leonus chuckled seeing my red face.

But soon he got on his knees and took my right hand in his hand.

"I will make you the Queen of the Hunt."

He then kissed my hand while looking into my eyes. I can tell by his voice that he was serious. 

After that, he got up and kissed my forehead.

Popoo~

Suddenly a loud horn rang. It must be the signal to start the Hunt.

"Then I am going."

Leonus said while taking out the Amulet from the box and attaching it to his chest.

After that, he started walking away from the Canopy tent and got on his pitch-black horse.

Then he waved his hand for the last time and went towards the entrance.

I hope he will be safe. 

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Chapter Extra~

While Leonus and Isabella were playing catch with the Amulet The Emperor and the Empress were-

"Let's go away from here."

Alicia whispered to Theobald.

"Ah. Yes."

Soon they sneaked out of the tent.

"Anyways, Honey."

Theobald asked with deer-like eyes.

"What is it?"

"Umm…"

"Can you just say it?"

"What about my Amulet?"

Theobald asked while pouting.

"Oh, dear! I totally forgot about you! I am sorry, honey."

"Ah! How can you!"

Theobald slumped and sobbed.

"Pfft! Here you go!"

Alicia soon brought out a red velvet box from her dress.

"Wow~"

Theobald soon reached out and took the box from Alicia's hand. Then opened it. 

A beautiful golden Amulet with blue diamonds was shining brightly inside the box!

"Kyaa~ I love it, Honey! Thank you so much! You are the best!"

Saying that he took out the Amulet from the box and attached it to his left chest.

"I promise my Victory to you, my Queen!"

Theobald knelt the same way Leonus did and kissed Alicia's hand.

"Sure~ If you can beat Leo."

"What?"

"Oh my! Did you forget the first and the last time he joined the hunt?"

"That-"

"Yes. He didn't receive any amulets from other ladies and said that His Victory belongs to Him only! And of course, he won that time… Defeating you."

Alicia scoffed while covering her mouth with a fan.

"Aghh! I will win this time for sure! Did you forget you didn't give me any Amulet that year!"

"Yeah! Sure~"

"Honey! I am serious!"

And their little war continued.

End~

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