Fox Hunt
Anna's appearance was growing increasingly haggard. Even someone who didn't know her usual state would think it was severe. Dark circles hung under her eyes, her gaze was unfocused, and her reactions were terribly delayed... How to put it? Ah, yes. She looked utterly devoid of any leisure.
Her parents seemed deeply troubled by Anna's current condition, sensing the gravity of the situation. They attributed it to stress from her studies—or something along those lines. Stress, well, that wasn't wrong. Academic pressure was part of it, sure. But the problem was that it wasn't something so simple to dismiss.
Unlike Remi, who was always stirring up trouble, Anna had always treated everyone with exemplary diligence and sincerity. Seeing her like this doubled the shock for those who knew her. And at the same time, it led them to an optimistic view: Just a bit of rest, and she'll be back to normal. She was such a good girl, after all. In a little time, everything would be fine. She'd shake off this momentary lapse and return to her usual self. That's what they believed—Anna, the girl who never betrayed expectations.
Oh dear, what a pickle. It didn't seem like she'd recover so easily. Hehe.
"What in the world... happened to her...!!"
"Your Grace... please, mind your dignity...!"
The Akiten Duke, whom I'd glimpsed passing by in the palace, looked incredibly anxious. He'd forgotten even the basic noble art of expression control, fidgeting restlessly. No wonder. Anna's current state must have stabbed right at his heart. Like a thief's foot going numb. Whoops, speak of the devil—my foot suddenly tingled.
"Aris? What's wrong, does your foot hurt!?"
"...Y-yeah. It hurts a little..."
"That's what you get for standing around like an idiot outside in the dead of winter...!! Aigoo...!!"
Remi sat me down on a nearby rock and forcibly pulled off my shoe. My foot was faintly purpled. With a deep sigh, she began gently massaging it.
"I-it's... di-dirty!"
"Tsk! Stay still!"
Does it hurt? No, it doesn't hurt at all now that big sis is touching it... F-for real!
Sigh, really... Heeheeheeek!!? Hey, wait!! It tickled so much I tried to pull away, but her grip held firm, showing no sign of letting go. Then she kneaded it messily. Hng.
The duke's plan must have been to subtly unsettle Anna's mind from childhood, marry into the family, and then manipulate her from behind once she ascended the throne—playing with her mental fragility at will. But this? Apparently, the shamanic earring's curse worked better than expected. What a shame. He must have hired quite the skilled shaman. Congratulations, Duke.
Right now, he was probably thinking about snatching the earring back. Yes, the villain was Akiten Duke. All of it. Such a bad man. Right? He turned my sister into that... I can't forgive him! Give back my kind, gentle big sis! Well, even though it was kinda my doing.
For now, thanks to Anna's built-up image as the model student, it was being seen as temporary hysteria from academic stress—something that would pass soon. But what if this worsened further? What if someone in the palace started harboring doubts about her state?
Princess Anna wouldn't act like this! Something must be wrong!
The moment even one person voiced suspicion, things would snowball. Bang! And if an investigation followed, traces of the shamanism would surely be uncovered. It had seeped deeply into every corner of her being. Naturally, the curse on the earring would come to light, and suspicion would turn straight to Akiten Duke. The duke, who'd bet on an uncertain gamble, would lose an arm. Clang.
If you want to bend someone to your will, shouldn't you stake yourself on the bet too? Here... I go? Oops, accidentally lopped off your head? Sorry. Did it hurt? Ah, can't speak, huh? I'll assume it didn't. Shall I try the wrist next? Slash, whoosh, chop chop. Clang.
Just my prediction, but something like that might happen. I had no idea how the aftermath would wrap up once everything was over. But one thing was certain: those involved wouldn't see a good end.
Anna crumbling further, the duke growing frantic, and even her parents starting to harbor doubts watching it all. I thought now was the perfect moment. Any longer, and the chance might slip away forever. And conveniently, a golden opportunity had rolled right in.
"Fox hunt! I wanna do it too!"
"You like it that much? You sure it'll be okay?"
"Yeah yeah! Anything's fun with Remi!! I'll catch 'em all for you!"
"Kyaaaa!! I love Aris so much too!"
Smoosh.
Her parents had organized a winter hunting contest to relieve Anna's stress. An event meant to let them romp freely across vast plains and beautiful mountains, hoping it would help her recover. To keep it safe for the young princesses, the knights had already cleared out all dangerous beasts beforehand, sweeping every corner. Any remaining threats—fierce predators—would have been slain or relocated.
Probably just rabbits huddled in burrows, foxes, or deer with pretty antlers at most. A hunt purely for play. Normally, I wouldn't be allowed in the hunting grounds, but having just turned ten this year, I could finally join. Of course, Feyrn's praise for my skills played a big role.
These scruffy knights couldn't beat me even if they outnumbered me, or something like that? Father trusted Feyrn enough to readily permit my participation. I'm weak to compliments. Thanks, Feyrn! Yeah, knights are no big deal—I could take 'em with one hand.
"........."
"—Huh!? Anna sis!! You finally came out!!"
But they probably didn't know that I was helpless against attacks from my one and only blood kin. Ah, if my precious big sis pointed a sword at me, this fragile-hearted girl of mine could only submit without resistance. Stab stab, while whining. All sticky and gooey. Pfwaaah. Just imagining it brought a smile to my face. It'd surely be so tender and beautiful.
"I've been waiting forever!! You didn't even answer when I called from outside your room..."
"........."
I dragged my slightly sore leg toward her. Pat pat pat.
"...Huh, sis!?"
"........."
"C-come on, say something!!"
"........."
Spotting Anna, I'd hurried over with short steps, but she didn't even glance at me—just stared blankly at the sky. It wasn't deliberate ignoring; she truly didn't register me. Those eyes, surely capturing the sky, were far darker than the brilliant blue above.
I tugged her sleeve a few times before she finally acknowledged me. Then she fixed me with a cold stare. Not the gaze that once held a flicker of temptation for me. It was pure, stripped of all lingering attachments. Purely screaming that she wanted to kill me. Wow, terminal case. Thrilling. Scary. Hehehe. Hehe.
Sis, have you finally sorted out your feelings? I'm so happy. Ah—sis, I really, really love you.
Anna didn't reply, just stared silently at me before walking off toward her room, ignoring me completely. Remi, who'd followed me, unleashed every insult she knew at Anna: no manners, turning away from Aris without a word means iron instead of blood in her veins, no manners, etc. But Remi's eyes betrayed undisguised worry for Anna.
Well, just a year ago, they'd been playfully teasing each other with smiles. Remi probably wanted things back to that. "C'mon... let's head back too..." "...Yeah..." Click. Remi and I clasped hands and started back to our rooms. Unlike my cold hand, hers burned hot enough to melt mine. I prayed to a god I didn't believe in that her love for me would last forever. And far off, Anna glaring at me with true killing intent—I hoped she'd keep that resolve and press on.
I wagged my tail. Swish, swish. The seductive dance calling to the hunter. The hunt was about to begin. Swish, swish. Swish swish.
No matter how much you remove the clock hands or draw the curtains, the sun follows its path. It doesn't care about their circumstances. Time flows like water, soaking an entire calendar page. And with it came the festival day the players had eagerly awaited.
One couldn't sleep, excited to make new memories with her beloved little sister. Another stayed up all night preparing the perfect script for her two adored big sisters. The last sharpened her already well-honed blade through the night. Shiiiik, shiiiik.
And finally, the long-awaited festival day arrived. "We will now—begin the hunting contest!!!"
The time had come. The time for death.