68. (Re-upload) How to Enjoy the Hunting Competition (2)
68. (Re-upload) How to Enjoy the Hunting Competition (2)
[Chapter 68] How to Enjoy the Hunting Competition (2)
'...Calm down. The problem is that I keep getting emotional whenever I stand in front of that human. No matter how many times I see it, I just can't get used to that face.'
Fiona pinched her own forearm, hidden from others, and composed herself.
It was a huge problem because seeing that face made the past come flooding back, making her feel like her internal organs were twisting. Furthermore, the sight of her hugging the 'Princess' was unbearable unless she bit her lip.
'...What on earth is she thinking, acting so close to her? Is that just her trying hard because others are watching? A crazy bitch who couldn't even give love to her child or understand it in the first place-!'
Gwaak-
In the end, Fiona gritted her teeth hard to cool her emotions. Telling herself that human was at fault, that human was evil, Fiona poured curses at Vivian only in her mind, struggling to maintain her sanity.
Truly, if she didn't do at least this much, she would have definitely strangled Vivian right then and there, Fiona thought, letting out a hollow laugh and a sigh. Having barely cooled her temper, Fiona lifted her head to look at Vivian and Princess Titania walking ahead.
The sight of them walking hand in hand was quite nice.
Watching that affectionate scene, Fiona recalled her past.
'Learning magic from me, Vivian the Mirror Witch, is something that should never happen in the first place. You're only receiving my teachings because you're his child. Otherwise, I would have already killed you.'
'You worm-like bitch. What on earth can you even do? If you can't even do this, what reason do I have to teach you? I thought you'd be useful since you have the talent to see fairies, but do you think being a witch is easy?'
'If you didn't resemble your mother, I wouldn't hate you like this. It's just that the other woman by the side of the man I love happens to be your mother. Because of that bitch who hinders me even after she's dead!'
'I didn't want to kill him either. That was a mistake. But what can I do? The person I love is already dead, and you're the only one who inherited his blood. I won't kill you, but I'll never love you either. Your other half belongs to the woman I loathe. Be grateful to me just for not killing you.'
...The more she recalled, the more a headache arose.
Even though she had healed without a single scar, just recalling those memories made the places where she had been beaten feel sore and painful. Fiona cringed at the pain as if her whole body was being whipped.
'As expected, was it too early to come meet that woman? I should have composed my emotions a bit more...'
However, she still had to confirm it. What on earth was that woman thinking, taking the 'Princess' to the hut? Originally, the Princess would be chased by a hunter hired by the 'Second Queen' and enter the fog.
And after wandering through the fog, the Princess would discover the hut and meet 'Brownie', the house fairy living there. That was the story the Princess was originally supposed to experience.
That was why Fiona couldn't understand. Why did Vivian enter the forest with the Princess? What was she thinking, trying to have a picnic-like outing in the forest together? Why wasn't she hiring a hunter?
The current situation was so different from what she had experienced that Fiona couldn't help but fall into deep suspicion. That was why she had no choice but to put on the mask of 'Princess Fiona' again and approach Vivian.
To properly verify Vivian. If Vivian were to 'personally' put the Princess into that thick fog, Fiona could be certain. That human was still the same piece of human trash.
Therefore, to monitor her, Fiona had no choice but to stick to the side of Vivian and Titania. Forcing a smile, forcing herself to follow along, she began to monitor Vivian.
To find the reason why Vivian had changed.
And, because she didn't want the 'Princess' to truly end up like herself.
Fiona lifted her head once again and gazed endlessly at the two 'mother and daughter' walking hand in hand affectionately. Fiona, who had clenched and unclenched one hand without realizing it, stared blankly at Titania, who was smiling brightly with a bitter laugh.
Is that woman really the same person as the woman who raised me? No matter how much she looked, they didn't seem the same. Only the face was identical. The way she smiled, her mannerisms, everything was different from that woman.
She never smiled that brightly at me.
She never treated me that kindly.
To me, she...
...What on earth are you, that she treats you so well?
What is different about 'Titania' compared to 'me'?
We're both 'Princesses'.
We grew up under the same 'Stepmother' as me.
We grew up under the same, 'Vivian' as me.
What on earth is different between you and me?
What on earth is it?
*
"Princess Titania. You like egg tarts, right? I've brought some really delicious egg tarts. Would you like to try one?"
".....I don't want to."
"Hmm... I see. Then I'll just have to eat them all. Ah-"
"Ah...!"
Princess Fiona popped the small egg tart into her mouth in one bite. Titania watched that scene with an aghast expression. And I was watching the two of them with an expression of disbelief.
'How did it end up like this...'
I had clearly expressed my refusal to Princess Fiona when she said she would follow, but Princess Fiona had tagged along behind Titania and me, almost forcibly. I thought she would give up if I rode a horse, so I tried riding and galloping away, but Princess Fiona also rode a horse—I don't know where she got it—and followed us.
There was no way I could refuse after she chased us this far. In the end, I gave up and allowed her to follow, which led to this current situation. And so, we gathered at the spot recommended by Lady Serina, sat on a picnic mat, and began to enjoy our picnic.
I looked at Princess Fiona, who had even brought food, and asked, 'When on earth did you prepare food like that?' Then Princess Fiona replied with a bitter smile, 'I can't eat food made by other people.' There seemed to be some unknown story behind that bitter smile, so I couldn't ask any further.
Princess Fiona started giggling and teasing Titania. When Titania refused Princess Fiona's offer, Princess Fiona really didn't give her a single one and ate all those egg tarts by herself. Titania just watched that scene, truly devastated.
"I clearly said I would give you some, didn't I? You're the one who refused."
"Grrr...!"
"Ah~ delicious~ This is my first time going on an outing like this, and it's fun~"
Princess Fiona, now saying she was full, flopped down on the picnic mat. Anyone watching would think it was her own living room. Titania seemed displeased with Princess Fiona and had been busy trembling with anger for a while. She followed along on the picnic on her own, didn't give her any egg tarts, and even teased her on top of that.
Titania, her face bright red with rising anger, looked at me with a tearful expression, saying she couldn't take it anymore. She didn't say it out loud, but her expression was asking me to kick that woman out right now. That sight was quite cute, so I couldn't help but chuckle.
'If Titania had an older sister, would it feel like this?'
A relationship where they're dying to get at each other's throats. Aren't they just like sisters? Princess Fiona, who had flopped down on the ground, this time took a book out of her basket. On top of that, she was even humming, as if she were in a good mood.
Saying this wasn't the picnic she had imagined, Titania huffed and glared at Princess Fiona. Just when it seemed like that fight wouldn't end, Titania saw the book Princess Fiona was reading and her eyes went wide.
"That book..."
"Ah... It's a book I like. It's a novel, but it's quite fun."
Where did that angry demeanor from earlier go? Titania, having looked at Princess Fiona's book, crept toward her. Then, as if she were interested in the book but didn't want to approach Princess Fiona, she rolled her eyes back and forth for a long time before finally asking Princess Fiona.
"That book... I read it too... Have you read it too, Princess Fiona?"
Does she want to talk about a book she likes together? It seemed the book Princess Fiona took out was one Titania had also read, as Titania was busy glancing at the book she was holding. However, Princess Fiona's reaction was a little different.
"Huh? Do you even know what kind of book this is, having read it?"
"O, of course! That's why...!"
When Princess Fiona asked as if she were absurd, Titania nodded shyly. I wondered what kind of book it was that made Titania react like that, and sure enough-
"It's about a young lady and a young lord falling in love and running away from their families! I even remember the scene where they lose their, u-purity, during their first kiss!"
"...Good god. Do you know this book is for adults?"
...When the words 'book for adults' came out of Princess Fiona's mouth, I felt dizzy and wiped my face with my hands, giving it a dry wash. Is it true that such books are popular among young ladies? Why is Princess Fiona reading an adult book all the way out here?
"...More than that, does Princess Fiona have to read an adult book all the way out here?"
"I'm an adult, so it's fine? This is my favorite book? More than that, Your Majesty the Queen? Don't change the subject, what is this? By any chance, did you know the Princess was reading a book like this and just let it be?"
Princess Fiona glared at me strongly, as if she were dumbfounded. That look in her eyes was saying, 'What on earth must a ten-year-old do to be reading a book like this already? Are you out of your mind for leaving this be?'
"...No. It's a book recommended to the Princess by Viola, Lady Serina's daughter. I'm also having a headache because of this. Ever since the Princess read that book, she seems to have hit puberty and keeps avoiding me."
"Th, that's because Mom...!"
Titania, her face flushed bright red like a ripe apple, stammered and couldn't continue her sentence. Then, in the end, she shut her mouth tight, turned her head away sharply, and even turned her back to me. The expression on Princess Fiona's face as she watched that was beyond absurdity, bordering on shock.
"Wh, what is it? You two?"
"What do you mean, it's a daughter who has hit puberty and a mother who feels sad about it."
"What..."
Princess Fiona, frowning as if she couldn't understand this situation, finally let out a deep sigh, approached Titania, and took another book out of the basket.
"This one isn't for adults, so it's fine for you to read. Since it's a book I'm recommending, it will surely suit Princess Titania's taste as well. Shall we have a conversation after you finish reading it? Actually, there are still plenty of egg tarts left."
Titania nodded slightly and began to read the book Princess Fiona handed her. Is it because they discovered a hobby that matches? They hated each other so much just a moment ago, but now they started reading books while leaning their backs against each other.
As it suddenly became quiet, my eyes started to blink and close. Perhaps because we had found a spot in the shade, a cool autumn breeze was blowing, and the sunlight was warm, making it the perfect weather for a nap. However, if I were to sleep in a place like this, who knows what would happen...
As I was blinking my sleepy eyes, Titania trotted over and covered me with a blanket. Did she mistake me for being asleep? I had no choice but to slowly close my eyes due to the magic of the blanket that was warmly covering my body.
As I was straining my eyes to look at Titania so I wouldn't fall asleep, Titania and Princess Fiona, seen through my squinted eyes, seemed to have gotten quite close. If there was a part Titania didn't know while reading the book, Princess Fiona would calmly teach her, even while acting annoyed.
Watching the two of them enjoying themselves like that-
I fell asleep just like that without realizing it.
*
When I woke up after a light nap, Titania and Princess Fiona were still busy reading books. I don't know how much they had read, but next to Titania and Princess Fiona, books were piled up in towers of three or four. Do they share the same hobby?
I slowly stretched and sat up. Perhaps not much time had passed, as the sun was still high in the sky. Thinking it was about time to enter the fog, I called out to Princess Fiona.
"Princess Fiona."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen."
"I'd like to have a talk with Titania alone for a moment, so if you could perhaps go back first..."
When I asked her to go back alone, Princess Fiona's brow furrowed. Then, she lowered her head, let out a deep sigh, and lifted her head again to glare at me sideways.
"...Alone?"
"...? Yes. There's something we need to talk about as a 'family'."
"Family... Family, huh..."
Chewing over the word 'family', Princess Fiona glanced over to look at Titania. Every time this happened, I couldn't tell at all what Princess Fiona was thinking.
What on earth was she unhappy about this time? I let out a sigh of my own out of frustration. Just as I opened my mouth to speak again-
"Are you planning to send Princess Titania into the fog?"
"...? What?"
For a moment, I felt my heart sink. How did she know I was going to enter the fog with Titania? Was she just probing? In the first place, was this something that would come out just by probing?
Seeing Princess Fiona's distorted expression, the words I had heard from her came to mind again.
"...Please, don't make disgusting jokes. I told you I know your true feelings, didn't I? Right now, aren't you the happiest that that child is disappearing?"
"...What did you say?"
"The child who resembles 'that woman' you loathed has disappeared from before your eyes on her own, hasn't she? If that's not a happy thing, then what is? Ah, did you say you 'hated' her to the child because you wanted this to happen? Truly, you're meticulous-"
Ah. I see.
"Your Majesty the Queen, I must know."
Princess Fiona slowly approached me. She growled while glaring sharply at me as I sat on the ground. I didn't know exactly why Princess Fiona was being so sharp with me, but this much was certain.
"What are you planning to do by sending Princess Titania into the fog?"
Princess Fiona was genuinely worried about Titania. Genuinely worried about what might happen to her at the hands of 'Vivian'.