Chapter 42
“What is this? Why—ah!”
This time, a burning rock fell in front of her. Jia stopped in her tracks and looked around. The raging flames had encircled her, leaving no path for escape. Her face went white as a sheet.
Her body could not die, but it could get wet. So what about fire? She had never been touched by it, so she didn’t know.
Perhaps… perhaps she really could die. At the encroaching terror of death, tears streamed from Jia’s eyes.
This is how I die?
Why? I was dragged here against my will, to a place I never wanted to come, only for this? And where is the Emperor?
Jia sank to the ground. She wrapped her arms around herself, but it did nothing to quell the terror.
“Y-Your Majesty… Your Majesty!”
In that moment, Jia cried out for the Emperor, her only savior. As the flames closed in, she sobbed, her voice growing louder.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! D-Dinuel! Dinuel!”
It was the moment she abandoned his title and screamed his name. In an instant, the flames vanished, and an icicle shot past her, burying itself deep in a tree.
“Urk!”
A man’s short cry echoed through the trees, followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the forest floor. Jia stared blankly at her surroundings. The searing flames were gone, leaving behind only blackened, hollowed-out earth and scattered ashes. The acrid smell of smoke still hung in the air, burrowing deep into her nostrils as if to ensure she would not forget what had just happened.
“Hah… uh…”
Jia collapsed. Her body was still trembling so much she couldn’t move. As she stared vacantly into space, she heard the sound of familiar footsteps. She turned her head to see the Emperor approaching, a corpse dangling from his hand.
“I was curious when you’d finally use my name.”
“Hah… hic…”
Jia took a deep breath of the smoke-filled air, swallowing ash along with it, and broke into a fit of coughing.
“Only when you’re on the verge of death, I see.”
It took a moment for the Emperor’s words to register. He was curious when I’d use his name, and I only did it on the verge of death? What does that mean? What… what is he talking about?
The corpse, its heart pierced for an instant death, was dropped unceremoniously in front of her. She let out a small scream and stared at the man. He wore a mask, obscuring his face.
“The Distevans would never be this foolish. Only strange dregs would resort to such tactics.”
He pulled off the mask. It was an unfamiliar face. The Emperor made a thoughtful sound in his throat. “Hmm. A few decades ago, that family of spies was still somewhat useful. It seems choosing the wrong heir has brought them to this.”
Was I used again? Just like when he sat me beside him? Was he just watching while my life was in danger? All to catch this man? Or was it merely because… he was curious when I would call his name?
A chill crept into Jia’s heart, a coldness entirely different from the fear she’d felt before. Her trembling hand clenched the scorched earth. Devoid of moisture, the soil was dry and coarse, so hard-packed that her fingernails couldn’t even break the surface. She squeezed harder, and a nail snapped.
“Was it fun? The night hunt?”
So this is what he meant. Jia let out a soft breath, staring up at the Emperor in a daze. Just as he had called her very existence a game, he looked thoroughly entertained. For the first time, she shook her head in response to his words.
“No… Your Majesty. It wasn’t fun at all.”
“Is that so?” he replied, unconcerned, and held out his hand. The moment Jia took it, she felt her heart begin to pound.
It wasn’t from fear or terror. It was from rage. But she hid it, biting down on her pale, trembling lip.
“You’re not very good in a real fight, are you?”
“…I’m… sorry. Tomorrow… I will prove my usefulness…”
“It was so obvious they were following us.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Murmuring apologies, Jia walked back with the Emperor, his hand now holding hers, unlike when they had entered the forest. The difference told her everything she needed to know.
Not taking her hand on the way in… that, too, had been part of his calculation.
***
The official hunt began. It was said that the honor of victory would go to whoever caught the most prey, or the most impressive prey, using the weapons and magic stones they had brought.
In the 307 years since his ascension, the Emperor had never once lost his title as the victor of the hunt.
A horn blew, signaling the start. The white horse carrying the Emperor and Jia was the first to enter the woods, with the others following close behind.
Jia wrapped one arm tightly around the Emperor’s firm waist. With every swift stride the horse took, her body jolted, and her heart leaped into her throat before plummeting back down. It felt just like being on an amusement park ride.
“You will take the first kill,” the Emperor said, gesturing toward a fox in the woods.
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