Chapter 57
But one problem remained. Just as the d**g’s effect wore off, Pony, who had been running dangerously close to the cliff’s edge, suddenly collapsed as if falling asleep.
The horse’s legs gave out all at once, causing Rosen to plummet toward the ground.
Iscarion leaped from his horse and caught her just in time.
“Hiic, B-Brother Isca!”
“Hold on tight!”
“…Ah!”
If they fell from a horse running at such high speed, serious injuries were inevitable.
Quickly assessing the situation, Iscarion hugged Rosen tightly and leaped into the nearby pond. The impact of the water cushioned their fall, preventing injuries, but the pond had sections that deepened abruptly.
The water quickly rose to Rosen’s chin, and Iscarion skillfully swam with her in his arms through the dirty water to the shore.
“Haa!”
“Huu, Rosie, are you alright? Let me see.”
“I’m fine, Brother…”
Iscarion quickly checked Rosen for injuries as he pulled her out of the water. Fortunately, aside from being covered in mud from head to toe, she appeared unharmed.
However, she seemed upset, clinging to him as they rode the black horse out of the forest.
The hunting competition was temporarily halted due to the unexpected incident and the resulting commotion.
“The Grand Duchy of Lutèce will not let this matter go.”
“But, Grand Duke! These were just childish pranks…”
“You call an attempt on my future Grand Duchess’s life a mere prank?”
“I, I… I’m truly sorry.”
Iscarion’s unyielding stance left everyone anxious about falling out of favor with the Grand Duchy of Lutèce.
One count, seeing his fiancée among the culprits, immediately called off the engagement. Other young ladies comforted the crying girl who had collapsed in tears.
The young ladies who had endangered Rosen out of jealousy were harshly scolded by their fathers and brothers. Count Petra, known for his temper, rushed over and slapped his daughter in front of everyone. He grabbed her by the hair and forced her to kneel before Iscarion.
“Camilla!”
“Hiic, Father! It wasn’t just me…”
“You useless girl! Apologize immediately before I throw you out of the house!”
“I’m sorry…”
As the situation worsened, the Emperor finally intervened.
Fortunately, Rosen’s health was not seriously affected, as she had not been in the water for long. Since no one was injured, the Emperor wanted to avoid making this incident public.
An unfortunate event at an imperial hunting competition meant to foster camaraderie among the empire’s young nobles would not reflect well.
Though Iscarion’s expression remained stern, he accepted the apologies of the heads of the implicated families out of respect for the Emperor. Nonetheless, these families would later face consequences, both politically and in business.
“Now, let the hunting competition begin!”
Despite the slight delay, the competition commenced thanks to the Emperor’s mediation. Efforts to lighten the mood succeeded in calming the atmosphere.
Yet, during the farewell ceremony for the participants and when news of the hunters’ return was announced hours later, Rosen was noticeably absent.
During this time, palace maids had bathed her in the empty tent. Although she was now dressed in warm clothes and her hair was beautifully braided by a skilled maid, her small face remained gloomy.
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