69. Hunting Tournament Token
Solinatine's greatest emperor, the conqueror Chamber Solatine—hailed throughout history as the mightiest ruler—received a token from his empress on the eve of his final war of conquest against the continent. That legend had given rise to a custom deeply rooted in the empire: women bestowed handkerchiefs or similar gifts upon brothers, lovers, or objects of their affection who were set to compete in the hunting tournament.
Brothers, lovers, or those they admired.
That bastard sure as hell isn't my brother.
If I had a brother like that, I'd have scrubbed him from the family registry ages ago.
I fixed the man—standing there with his shoulders thrown back arrogantly, head tilted just so—with a glare brimming with disgust.
He flinched for a split second under my stare, then flashed a brazen grin.
His face was handsome enough, I'll give him that. But the arrogance plastered across it turned every ounce of appeal into pure revulsion.
He's not my lover, either.
I'd sooner crack my skull open than date a creep like that.
And I swear on my life, I'd never laid eyes on this guy before. Not a lover, not even a friend.
So he thinks he's got a shot because he's someone I admire?
But to me, this young master was a total stranger. Which meant I didn't admire him one bit.
Weighing his reasons for pulling this stunt in such a public forum, I spoke first.
"Excuse me, but who might you be?"
I needed to know whose son this random nobody was.
At my curt question, color flooded his cheeks. He'd clearly assumed I already knew him.
"Ha... haha. Lady Kashmir Crisis doesn't frequent high society much, so I suppose it's understandable you wouldn't know. I get it. I'm the second son of the Prama Count family—Audi. Feel free to call me Woody."
I hadn't asked for his understanding, but he went ahead and granted it anyway. I stared him down coolly before giving a short nod.
I don't care what your game is. Let's just wrap this up quick.
The surrounding nobles had swarmed at the sudden commotion, their chatter growing deafening. I'd been out of the social scene, so I hadn't known, but Aria once told me rumors had swirled through society after my debutante ball—speculation about my love life.
A bad feeling told me this wouldn't end quietly either, but I resolved to shut it down fast.
"Right, Young Master Prama. A hunting tournament token? What on earth is this about?"
I brushed off his request for a nickname and asked coldly.
Audi's face flushed red then pale at my tone, but he forced a charming smile. His looks made it somewhat palatable, but it only fueled my disgust.
He's trying to screw me over somehow.
Revulsion twisted my lips. Affection might feel foreign, but sleazy ulterior motives? Those were all too familiar.
I stared at him with impassive eyes.
This transparent scheming was almost preferable.
"I know it's sudden. But... I couldn't hold back any longer."
He drooped his eyes in boyish innocence, feigned pathos spreading across his face.
If only he were as gorgeous as El, with acting skills to match.
El sometimes pulled the same pitiful act, but his flawless performance and godlike beauty made him seem like a fragile lily trembling in sorrow. His eyes would droop so heartbreakingly that I'd fall for it in the moment, only to sense the fakery later.
Audi was decent-looking, sure. But after living with the world's most beautiful Aria and Kal—who could make me fall in love all over again just by looking at him, even after mental magic torture—this was laughable.
My face twisted involuntarily. I forced a poker face.
You're the one who's been holding back? I'm the one fighting the urge to draw my sword right now.
Deep disgust and irritation surged from my core, tempting me to unsheathe my blade.
I twitched an eyebrow—what did he mean?—and Audi, playing the lovestruck fool, cried out,
"My burning passion for Kashmir!"
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
His explosive declaration sent the onlookers into a frenzy, torpedoing any hope of a quiet exit. Forehead throbbing, I glared at him.
"I understand. This must be so shocking. But from the moment I first saw you at the debutante ball, I fell for you! That's why I want your token for the hunting tournament. Your snowy white skin, your ebony-black hair like polished jet..."
What a load of crap.
I listened to his fervent white knight act with cold eyes. His performance wasn't terrible, but after facing down cunning magic beasts that used mind tricks, I could spot lies a mile away. Even blindfolded, I'd know this confession was fake.
Why risk a reckless public confession, then?
I tuned out his flowery love song and pondered his true intent.
Truth be told, there was only one reason someone would fake a public confession like this.
He wants to humiliate me.
If a public confession happened and the recipient rejected it, the rejector usually got dragged through the mud—branded as promiscuous or worse. Especially if she was a woman. "She can't keep her legs closed," they'd say.
My expression turned icy.
But why me?
I'd never done anything to earn Audi's hatred. Narrowing my eyes, I sifted through memories—then it hit me. I'd heard his name recently.
'Ran into Prama's second son today. He begged me to use mental magic on him—just once—to drive his brother insane so he could take over as family head. Promised to repay the favor handsomely once he did. I shot him with a curse, hung him upside down... wait, no. Actually, I just left. He was so clingy, I couldn't be bothered to shake him off. Trash I let slide. But he acted like we were buddies. Screaming about revenge—pathetic, really... wait, no. His revenge talk actually terrified me, Shu-shu. I didn't do anything bad; I came back all sweet and innocent, so comfort me. The trauma's hitting hard. Hug me.'
It was something Kal had let slip during one of our tea times—he insisted on them every four days since I became a lady.
Everything clicked at once.
Too scared to touch Kal, so he'll smear my name with scandal instead.
Realization boiled into irritation and rage deep in my chest. Kal the prince was untouchable; I, the princess, was a joke.
Sure, I've been holed up training, building no real standing. But this is too far.
Being seen as this laughable meant there was a serious problem. I'd stayed reclusive to preserve my mystique and the drama of my reveal—not to be a punchline.
Ah... this pisses me off.
I raked a hand through my neatly combed bangs as Audi droned on with his nonsense. My overflowing fury leaked faint killing intent; he shuddered, goosebumps rising, and fell silent.
"I think that's enough, Young Master Prama."
Someone interjected.
"C-Crown Prince?"
It was Diego, wearing not his usual warm, composed smile, but a chilling one.
"I watched the situation unfold, and the lady seems distressed. This isn't the place for such talk."
His face screamed executioner's verdict, but he deftly mediated regardless.
The crowd buzzed at this sudden three-way clash.
I eyed the flustered, stammering Audi coldly as a bigwig crashed the party.
The crown prince scares him, but I'm just trash to step on.
It only fueled my anger. I politely blocked Diego—who'd stepped in front of me—with one arm and advanced.
"...Lady Crisis?"
His voice held surprise. I swallowed my rage, twisting my lips into a smile at him. My failed expression control made him flinch.
"Your Highness, I appreciate the mediation, but this is my mess to clean up."
After requesting a dance at my debutante, Diego had been hounded by romance rumors with me. I'd attended several private teas he'd personally invited me to, and whispers spread of steady courtship between Crisis's lady and the crown prince. Scandal or not, I couldn't care less.
But Diego, still locked in a power struggle with the second prince over the throne, couldn't afford bad press—it'd undermine his position badly.
If he handled this, rumors about us would explode uncontrollably. I had to end it myself.
And more than that...
I don't need some white-knight prince on horseback to fix my problems.
My business was mine to finish.
"First, thank you for your feelings, Young Master Prama. However, I hold no affection for you. I'd appreciate it if you forgot about me. I have no desire to be the object of a man who disregards others' feelings and stirs up drama publicly."
Stepping past Diego, I flashed a razor-sharp, frosty smile.
If he'd truly loved me, I'd have softened the rejection. But for this scum? No mercy.
Audi's face flushed with fury. He looked ready to argue, but self-awareness of his massive rudeness kept his mouth shut.
"And as for the token for next week's hunting tournament... I won't be giving one, for slightly different reasons."
I half-lidded my eyes, cocking my lips in a smirk. A habit I'd unconsciously picked up from months with Kaiser—one that sent chills down spines with its authoritative menace.
The nobles' murmurs swelled, and Audi's face across from me stiffened in tension.
Hunting tokens are gifts from ladies not competing, wishing safe returns for the men who are.
Personally, I hoped some beast would rip this walking pile of garbage's throat out—but officially, it was different.
Everyone will find out soon anyway. Might as well declare war now.
With haughty eyes, I proclaimed boldly,
"I'm entering the hunting tournament too."
I planned to devour the whole damn thing.
A massive wave of shock rippled through the hall.