Lewd Courtship - Chapter 20

‘But the Emperor never leaves his quarters, right? He wouldn’t even attend the hunting tournament.’

According to Maria, Killian had locked himself in his room after the banquet. His name wasn’t on today’s participant list either. In fact, he hadn’t shown up at yesterday’s royal gathering. Though the credibility of intel had dropped since the impotence incident, this time, it seemed true.

‘If it wasn’t because of the impotence, then did he really come to this kingdom just for a vacation…? What’s the point of being here if he’s just going to hide away all day? He should at least come outside for something like today.’

An image of Killian formed in her mind unbidden—him finally venturing outside, joining the hunting tournament, drawing his bowstring taut. The veins on the back of his large hand would stand out as he gripped it. The same hand that had once spanked her—

‘Holy s**t, are you insane?! What the hell are you imagining?!’

Furious at her own traitorous thoughts, she smacked her own forehead. The sharp smack startled her maids.

Rachel looked at them. Her forehead, where she had slapped herself, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Embarrassed, she quickly tried to redirect the maids’ attention.

“Let’s just go.”

“There’s still plenty of time before it starts. Even if it’s early summer, it’s a bit chilly in the morning. Wouldn’t it be better to head out a little later?”

“If it gets cold, I’ll just ask someone to light a fire.”

“Um… understood.”

Normally, Rachel was the type to arrive fashionably late, claiming the main character should always make a dramatic entrance. Her sudden change in attitude puzzled the maids, and they glanced at her curiously. Feeling even more self-conscious under their gazes, Rachel brushed her cheek with the back of her hand and took the lead, heading outside.

***

‘It’s cold…’

The early summer forest really was cold. Having arrived earlier than everyone else to kill time, Rachel naturally ended up feeling the chill even more.

She rubbed her goosebump-covered arms and looked ahead. On the platform stood the king, giving his ceremonial address.

It would be nice if he wrapped it up soon. For some reason, Father was being unusually long-winded today.

“On this once-a-year hunting day,” the king declared, “I suggest we all cast aside complicated thoughts, difficult thoughts, and burdensome thoughts, and simply focus on one thing—the target before our eyes. And when we reach that goal, we shall…”

The speech was long, and sleep began to creep over Rachel. She half-listened to the king’s address, lowering her head slightly.

She was just about to drift into a light doze when her eyes suddenly shot open. One particular part of the speech snapped her out of her drowsiness.

“This year’s hunting festival is graced by a truly special guest. I’d like to express our honor and gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor of the Nemeas Empire, who has joined us and brightened this occasion with his presence. With that, I conclude my speech. May everyone strike true today.”

—What do you mean, he was holed up in his room!?

As the king’s speech ended, the crowd broke into applause. Caught off guard by the misinformation, Rachel clapped awkwardly along. Her eyes darted around, searching for the one responsible for her confusion.

Far in the distance, a familiar face—small as a pinky nail from here—came into view. She had looked for him as soon as she arrived at the forest but must have missed him because he had kept his distance.

…How did I not see that gorgeous face?

He was always handsome, but today, he seemed to shine even more. His broad forehead and clean jawline were striking. Even his nose was sharp enough to make her want to trace its bridge with her finger.

His eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, were just as captivating as ever. And his clear skin seemed to glow under the early summer sun, even though it shone equally on everyone. It was as if a halo surrounded only him. Missing a face like that just because she was cold was practically a crime.

‘He’s unbelievably good-looking. Like, really good-looking… but… I’m totally fine, right?’