Chapter 10
Rumors had spread throughout the empire that the Grand General, who normally didn’t enjoy parties, had been appearing at various social gatherings lately in search of a marriage partner. All those who had overdressed for this hunting event were likely striving to catch Blair’s eye.
A handsome man. Though slightly past marriageable age, it was an excellent opportunity to become a duchess. Marriage to Blair was the easiest way to join the central nobility. Moreover, it wasn’t a case of marrying a widower or becoming a second wife. The woman would be his official wife and all the wealth produced from the fertile Gladius territory would be hers.
Even an unattractive, overweight man would be desirable in such circumstances, but Blair was exceptionally handsome too. His unrivaled swordsmanship in the empire, his appearance, his abilities—everything about him was attractive. People’s eyes sparkled. Women slowly approached Blair.
Seemingly oblivious to this competition, Blair rode his horse around, exchanging greetings with nobles he knew. People rushed to greet him. Though he would soon retire and no longer have connections to power, Blair was charming enough without such background.
“Grand General, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed, it has been.”
While exchanging greetings, Aaron approached and slapped Blair’s shoulder.
“Blair!”
“Aaron.”
“When did you arrive? You should’ve called me when you got here, man.”
“Just arrived. Is His Majesty here yet?”
“He’ll come, I guess. He hasn’t arrived yet. Planning to catch something today? Your outfit looks quite serious.”
Aaron tilted his head, knowing Blair’s temperament—that he didn’t particularly enjoy hunting. Aaron was a typical bookworm, unskilled at horseback riding and unfamiliar with handling weapons like swords. Blair, too, had mostly focused on security as part of the Imperial Guard and rarely participated in hunts.
He had often carried weapons suitable for escort and security, like daggers or rapiers, but this was the first time seeing him with a knife and bow.
“It’s my last time. Thought I’d try to catch something.”
“Oh, do we finally get to witness the archery skills of Duke Gladius, known as the finest in the Crassia Empire?”
Aaron grinned and tapped the bow fastened to Blair’s back. It was a large, heavy bow that would be difficult for someone like Aaron to even lift.
Blair gave a small laugh as if finding it ridiculous.
“Really, you were born to exaggerate rumors.”
“That rumor wasn’t started by me. It’s just something I heard floating around.”
Aaron teased Blair playfully. Blair was well aware of his talents and had a strong ego and self-awareness, but he was quite vulnerable to such blatant praise. Only Aaron had the privilege of openly flattering him like this, as Blair generally disliked flattery.
“I hear Duke Gladius’s skill with a bow on horseback is quite remarkable. Will we get to witness it today?”
Aaron gave an exaggeratedly formal salute. Blair couldn’t help but smile at his antics.
“Well, I’ll do my best.”
“Is there something specific you want to catch?”
The voice that interrupted was Kyle’s. Riding a white horse slightly smaller than Blair’s black steed, Kyle waved his hand lightly. He was a dazzling, radiant figure. Nobles gathered around him in disarray to offer their greetings.
“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty?”
Blair turned to Kyle with a smile. Now that he had decided it was time to leave, seeing Kyle no longer made his heart ache. Having set an endpoint made it easier to organize his feelings.
“Is there any animal Your Majesty wishes to have? If so, please tell me. Today, I’ll do my utmost to catch it for you.”
Kyle simply kept his mouth shut and blinked. His long, curved golden eyelashes fluttered over his eyelids. Aaron tilted his head beside them, but no answer came from Kyle. When no response came, Blair smiled gently and spoke.
“If you have no preference, I plan to hunt a white tiger today.”
“A white tiger?”
The white tiger was the symbol of the Crassia Empire. Though not easily seen, they always lived in the imperial hunting grounds. Until now, no one had tried to hunt a white tiger. Its majestic presence made it difficult to even attempt. But today, Blair intended to hunt one. He was the most qualified person among those present at the hunting grounds.
“As my final gift to Your Majesty, I’ll present it to you. The hide, once tanned, will look splendid draped over the imperial throne. It would also be nice for you to wear over your shoulders in winter.”
Blair answered with a smile. But no response came from Kyle. The word “final” from Blair’s lips still felt unfamiliar no matter how many times he heard it. Aaron urged Kyle, who had frozen like a statue.
“Your Majesty, you need to announce the start of the hunting competition.”
“Begin…”
Though it was a very faint voice, Aaron and the attendant somehow understood it and announced the opening of the hunting competition.
The sound of a large horn resonated throughout the hunting grounds.
“Hurrah!”
At the opening signal, people shouted excitedly and scattered in all directions. The forest rustled with the noise of dispersing people. Small animals darted out and birds flew up with flapping wings.
Blair, sitting upright on his horse, skillfully spurred the animal’s belly. His horse, considered one of the finest in the empire, neighed loudly, reared up on its hind legs, and began to gallop. Blair maintained his balance through core strength as he rode. The magnificent steed galloped smoothly with seemingly little effort. The horse’s black tail and Blair’s hair, tied in a single braid, fluttered wildly in the same direction. Dust rose in the wake of the horse’s path.
Blair naturally removed the bow from his back while on horseback and nocked an arrow on the bowstring. He stretched his left arm out so that his shoulder and arm were parallel, then pulled the bowstring with a straight posture. When Blair released the arrow feathers in his right hand, the instantly flying arrow struck a bird in the sky. Hit in the wing, the bird lost momentum and fell helplessly to the ground. It was the first prey of the competition. Bark! The hunting dogs ran to retrieve the bird.
“Wow!”
People’s admiration erupted. “Did you see that? As expected! That’s Duke Gladius for you. How can he handle a bow so perfectly on horseback?”
It was indeed a skill worthy of being secretly called the finest in the Crassia Empire. Despite not many having witnessed it, it was a technique legendary enough to circulate as myth. Blair, who had captured everyone’s attention, appeared serene as if it were nothing. He summoned the knights.
“Today I want to leave my post and enjoy the hunt. Remember that the Emperor’s safety is the absolute priority. If you see any strangers, you may shoot them without hesitation.”
“Yes, sir!”
“If I shoot up a signal flare, I’d like about six of you to come. It will mean I need help bringing back prey that would be difficult for me to handle alone.”
“Yes, understood.”
With a grin at the loyal knights’ response, Blair rode off, quickly disappearing into the depths of the forest. Aaron stuck out his tongue as he watched Blair’s straight, slender back. Blair had remarkably many talents. He was skilled not only in swordsmanship but also proficient with most weapons and excellent at horseback riding. Though Aaron was now reluctantly sitting on a young foal that barely reached his waist, he was naturally bad with both animals and bladed weapons.
“Whew. It’s the first time I’ve seen him take hunting so seriously. Blair is frightening when he gets serious. How much do you think he’ll catch?”
“…”
Aaron asked, but no answer came. Despite being blatantly ignored, Aaron wasn’t discouraged and asked again. He had known Kyle for too many years to be hurt by such minor slights.
“Do you think he’ll catch the white tiger?”
“…Probably. As you said, he’s frightening when he gets serious.”
“He’s the type who never backs down once he makes a declaration. So stop sulking and let him go gracefully, Kyle.”
Aaron’s voice lowered. Kyle turned to look at him. It was a rare moment of seriousness from someone who was usually playful and frivolous.
“You know very well that nothing Blair says is wrong, right? It’s also true that it’s time for both Blair and me to step back. Since I don’t have military power, I’m easier to control, so the nobles and parliament underestimate me, but Blair’s case is different.”
Kyle started to move, pulling on the reins as if he didn’t want to hear this.
“Blair is the third son of House Monetery. Even though he’s the third and has given up his formal inheritance rights by abandoning the Monetery name, he still has tremendous assets at his disposal. Moreover, the army’s loyalty is entirely focused on Blair, and he’s immensely popular among commoners. Perhaps even more popular than you.”
Among commoners, stories of the handsome Grand General were far more popular than those of the beautiful Emperor.
“Remember, even if you don’t want it, if Blair doesn’t leave now, a situation may arise where you’ll have no choice but to discard him, just as he said. There’s nothing wrong with what Blair is saying.”
“I know that. But why now? Not three years ago when I ascended the throne and his domain was decided. If he wanted to leave, it should have been then, but he didn’t say anything at that time.”
Kyle frowned.
“Because things are stable now? I don’t know what’s going on in that guy’s mind.”
In truth, Aaron knew the reason, but he simply shrugged and changed the subject. He couldn’t say, “That idiot has finally decided to give up his miserable unrequited love.” It wasn’t a story that would benefit either Blair or Kyle. Even between close friends, there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
“It was something that had to happen eventually. And you know that even now, it’s already long overdue. Don’t make the departing person uncomfortable by holding them back—let him go cleanly. It’s not like he’s saying he’ll never return, or that he’s going off to die. If you keep being so grumpy, it’ll make Blair uncomfortable.”
“I still don’t understand.”
Kyle ran his hand irritably over his handsome face. It was a beautiful gesture that could capture the hearts of unwary women, but it had no effect on Aaron, who was immune.
“Why are you so desperately regretful? It’s not like you two are lovers who can’t live without each other. You can visit him occasionally when you have time. Blair will come up to the capital often too. When he goes down, I’m planning to take a long vacation and visit him depending on the situation. Remember how much vacation time I’ve accumulated? You should come along then.”
Aaron grinned and patted Kyle’s shoulder. The wind, which had grown cold, tousled Kyle’s beautiful golden hair. His heart felt just as disheveled.
[To be continued in the next chapter….]
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
