Killing the Possessor - Chapter 148

I was already bracing myself to devise some scheme to steal it if she refused. Then, Illui, looking as though she’d made a great and solemn decision, held out the wooden box.

“All right, Camilli. I’ll trust you with it. Thank you, really.”

“……”

Her green eyes sparkled with pure trust. Just meeting her gaze made that sincerity come through so strongly that it felt almost burdensome.

Why does she like me this much? Or is she just that innocent? Come to think of it, she truly believes Yuli gave her a gift simply out of kindness. Maybe she’s just naïve, overflowing with goodwill, and far too trusting of people.

Wait a second—Illui is one of the leads too, isn’t she? Then wouldn’t marrying her get me a residence permit as well? With this level of trust, if I teared up a bit and begged, she might agree out of sheer pity alone!

I was seriously contemplating whether I should pull the marriage registration papers out of my bag and get her fingerprint right then and there when—

A deep drumbeat echoed through the quiet forest, announcing the Emperor’s arrival. Since I hadn’t actually forgotten anything in the first place, I quickly used it as an excuse to suggest we head back. Illui nodded, and we hurried together.

By the time we returned to the tents, all the hunting participants were already standing beside their personal horses, fully prepared. Illui and I slipped into the tent designated for nonparticipants and took our seats.

Soon, the Emperor appeared, holding a large golden goblet. Despite being middle-aged, he was well-groomed and powerfully built. So much so that he bore a striking resemblance to Wyner. It felt like looking twenty years into the prince’s future.

Yes, with looks like that, it made sense that Park Jian—the dimensional traveler—had fallen for him at first sight. Even though he was a widower with a grown son, I could suddenly understand why she’d fought so fiercely to claim the position of his empress.

“My loyal subjects, and my esteemed friends.”

Though it was undeniably summer, he wore a fur-trimmed hunting outfit and raised his goblet high as he spoke solemnly.

“Today, under the grace of God, we gather to deepen our bonds of friendship. May this be a time to praise one another’s courage, cooperate, exchange talents, and strengthen trust. So that our unity may grow ever stronger. It is my honor to venture into the forest with you. Let us receive the forest’s vitality together and share in nature’s abundance. I sincerely hope today’s festival will remain a joyful memory for you all.”

With that, he downed the wine in one go. Amid cheers and thunderous applause from the nobles, an attendant released a trained falcon into the sky.

At the signal marking the start of the hunt, the participants mounted their horses and rode off into the forest. The blare of hunting horns rang out, and before long, the air filled with dust kicked up by pounding hooves.

“I wonder who’ll win.”

Once about half the attendees had disappeared into the woods, conversations similar to the one Aveline and I had earlier began circulating among the noblewomen.

Some ladies waited with flushed cheeks, secretly cheering for their lovers. Others sobbed openly, lamenting that their crush hadn’t accepted their handkerchief.

Then there were those already married or those far more interested in gossip than romance.

“Did you see Prince Wyner earlier, looking around like he was searching for someone? He must’ve been looking for Lady Mute, right?”

“He didn’t even smile when his eyes met Princess Aveline’s. How unfortunate for her—of all people, to be engaged to someone like that…”

Honestly, it seemed he still hadn’t gotten his act together. Thanks to my pathetic, regret-filled ex, there wasn’t a single day without gossip.

Since Aveline was sitting right beside me, I glanced at her cautiously. Thankfully, she didn’t look bothered at all.

She was too busy munching on animal-shaped cookies—ones I was pretty sure I’d seen before in Resjul—to pay attention. I looked away and scanned the area to see who else had arrived, when another juicy piece of gossip caught my ear.

“But what do you think Lord Abyss gave Miss Dahlia earlier?”