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IBP 84
“Everyone here is a noble. It would be troublesome if a magical beast happened to hurt one of them, wouldn't it?”
“Waaa....”
“That’s why they say they created test subjects with no life and no cognitive abilities.”
“So cool~.”
“Apparently, if you're hit by a supernatural ability, you just vanish. This is my first time participating in a hunting competition, too.”
“Whoaaa!”
It was just as I quickened my pace and entered the East Detached Palace.
Sister gave a smirk and pointed toward the lake.
“Want to take a look?”
It was a blue lake of such a massive scale that it looked like several mansions combined.
“This is the ‘Lake of the Dragon,’ located between the East Detached Palace and the hunting grounds. Want me to tell you the legend associated with this place?”
“What is it? What is it?”
“There is a legend that a dangerous magical beast is sealed inside that lake.”
“Wow, how mysterious!”
“Still, the magical beast won't come out. They say the one who created the lake was the divine beast of the dragon, the previous Emperor. Don't be scared. It's okay.”
“Whoaaa, the divine beast of the dragon! That's so cool!”
Furthermore, Sister told me that not only the hunting competition, but a festival called the ‘Hunting Competition Eve’ would be held.
“Actually, these days, the hunting competition itself has lost much of its meaning, so some people say the competition and a ball are pretty much the same thing.”
“Oh....”
The scale is bigger than I thought....
Suddenly, I started to get worried.
What if I lose sight of Sister during the two days and one night?
Squeezing her hand tightly, I murmured softly.
“You know, Sister.”
“Hmm?”
“Did you bring the <Stone of Eternity>?”
“...Yes, I brought it. You were nagging me to pack it since this morning.”
I looked at the <Stone of Eternity> sitting heavily in Sister's pocket and gave a hehe smile.
“You have to keep it with you the whole time!”
“Honestly, you're so peculiar... You love peculiar things.”
But the Stone of Eternity is an item that allows Sister to find me anywhere.
I want her to have it every single day.
Holding my hand firmly, Sister led me into my room in the East Detached Palace.
“Coco.”
“Yes?”
“It’s dangerous, so you mustn't go anywhere at night. Don't wander off without your maid. If you want to go outside, ask the knight brothers to take you.”
The number of knights brought from the House of Duke Ardos this time was enormous.
I blinked and tilted my head.
“I'll be at the Eve festival for a bit.”
Sister gently stroked my hair. I gave a bright smile and grabbed her arm.
“The Hunting Eve. An event to announce the start of the hunting competition; children with supernatural abilities who have come to watch the hunt can also participate in the Eve festival.”
“.......”
Sister looked dismayed.
“Why are you so smart?”
“That's why I want to go too!”
I clung to Sister's arm with all my might, dangling from it. Sister gave a small, troubled laugh.
“Then, promise me you won't cause any trouble.”
“I promise not to cause trouble!”
“...Hmm, should we make your hair look even cuter before we go?”
My heart swelled at Sister's words as she touched my hair.
‘That's right! I am cute!’
* * *
I'm so excited!
Sister did my hair, and the maid brought out a pretty dress.
Wearing a pink dress adorned with plenty of frills, I held Sister's hand and entered the main hall of the East Detached Palace.
‘So this is where the Eve festival is being held!’
Orchestra members were seated along the wall, and people were gathered in small groups, chatting.
The atmosphere was similar to the Imperial Palace balls, yet slightly more casual.
I spotted Caligo near the entrance of the hall.
“Wow! Caligo!”
“Eh? Coco...?”
Perhaps it was because I was wearing a dress with more frills than usual, making me look even cuter.
“...You look cute today.”
Sister Chloe gave a small smile and placed my hand in Caligo's.
“Where is your brother?”
“Ah, my brother. He was looking for Lady Chloe. I think he went inside the banquet hall over there... I guess they missed each other.”
“Caligo.”
“Yes?”
“Then can you watch over Coco for just five minutes? Of course, the knights are guarding her, but just in case.”
Sister's expression became somewhat hurried.
I tilted my head.
‘What is it? She has a look on her face like she's plotting something. Does Sister have a plan for today too?’
Not something like winning first place in the hunting competition.
It felt like she was aiming for something more high-level....
However, since Sister views me as a child like a silly puppy, she won't share any of her plans with me.
I decided to stand side-by-side with Caligo and observe the situation.
Something is bound to happen, right?
* * *
Though Coco didn't notice, the moment Chloe stepped inside, she keenly read the concentrated gazes of the people.
In particular, the gaze of Dahlia, who had arrived first, was vivid.
However.
Chloe had a private conversation she needed to have with Grand Duke Rivera just before the hunting competition.
Thus, she simply ignored Dahlia's gaze.
As expected, Dahlia could not let Chloe pass by.
“Hello, Chloe. Have you been well? It’s been a while.”
Perhaps it was because she was surrounded by the ladies following her.
Dahlia's energy was slightly higher than usual, and she even let out a small laugh while looking at Chloe.
Beneath that laughter lay a strange sense of mockery.
Staring at Chloe's black dress, Dahlia furrowed her brows in a look of pity.
“Did you come alone today without an escort?”
“.......”
Even when Chloe lightly ignored her and looked around, Dahlia continued to smile.
‘What can you do, you who lost your man because you lack aegyo and charm? Even that grand supernatural ability of yours isn't what it used to be.’
Most of the other ladies also wore faint sneers.
After all, Chloe's image was that of a ‘charmless lady who unilaterally ignored her fiancé and drove the engagement to ruin.’
But Chloe looked as if she didn't care about any of that.
Her gaze was fixed solely on the doorway of the banquet hall.
‘What on earth is at that door?’
It was just as Dahlia looked toward the doorway with an irritated expression.
Grand Duke Rivera was seen walking from afar.
The other ladies beside her began to whisper.
“Gasp, isn't that Grand Duke Rivera?”
“Is His Highness the Grand Duke participating in this hunting competition too?”
“I heard he was very busy.”
Unexpectedly, his return made the hearts of not only the young ladies but also the noblewomen who acted as matchmakers race.
“Is this the return of the social circle's most eligible bachelor?”
“I heard he doesn't have a fiancée yet? This hunting competition could be a great opportunity.”
However.
Grand Duke Rivera was walking toward this spot.
A flustered Dahlia scanned her surroundings.
‘What....’
Could he possibly be walking toward her?
If so, why? Could he be interested in her?
Just as she thought so and absentmindedly rubbed her flushing earlobes.
Grand Duke Rivera stopped not in front of her, but in front of Chloe, and spoke simply.
“Lady Chloe Ardos, it has been a long time.”
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