Chapter 6
It was the day of the hunting competition. Asher changed into the clothes he had prepared the day before and stood in front of a gold-plated mirror.
“Which ones would you like to wear, sir?”
Jan approached Asher, who was dressed in a white suit, holding out a cushion with gloves on it. From the numerous gloves resting on the soft fur cushion, Asher chose the most simple and modest design.
“Young Master Shaki asked to see you briefly before departure.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“He didn’t mention anything else, but seeing that he prepared an extra carriage, it seems he plans to go with you.”
Shaki had been particularly overprotective since Asher had fallen ill. Or more precisely, since Asher’s personality had changed.
“I thought as much…”
With a brief sigh, believing that uneasy premonitions were never wrong, Asher headed to the study where Shaki would be.
“You’re here? Would you mind sitting and waiting for a moment? I’ll finish reviewing this document before we go.”
Shaki looked frantic, like someone who would be away for a long time. He was quickly flipping through many documents and stamping them with a red seal, as if he needed to finish all his tasks in a short time.
Asher wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to go to such lengths, but seeing how deeply concentrated Shaki was, he couldn’t bring himself to speak and instead killed time sitting in a chair.
The merchant company operated by the Anest family supplied mines. Initially, it was land that could have been considered barren and unused, but after redevelopment, a large quantity of mines was discovered there. Thanks to this, those mines became the pillar of the Anest Ducal Family and expanded beyond the Empire to other countries.
Shaki helped with the merchant company by managing the distribution side, following his father’s example.
“Did you wait long?”
While Asher was lost in thought, Shaki, having finished his work, took a seat across from him. Seeing that he was already dressed and ready, it seemed too late to change his mind.
“…Are you coming too, hyung?”
“Yeah. I can’t send you alone to a place crawling with alphas, can I?”
“But His Grace the Duke will be there too… and I heard people from the imperial family are coming as well.”
Asher added that nothing would happen among such people, but Shaki cut him off firmly and answered:
“I might have let you go alone if you were like before. But not now. What if something happens there?”
“Hyung.”
“Alphas are all wolves. And you’re an omega. I can’t feel at ease sending you there with just one knight, even if His Grace the Duke is beside you.”
Shaki’s eyes lit up as if he absolutely did not trust Luke. It seemed that something had happened between the three of them that day that had hurt their feelings.
“Alright. If you’re worried, I’ll go with you.”
Although if anything were to happen, it would probably happen to Luke, but Asher didn’t try to dissuade Shaki, who seemed already determined. He knew that Shaki would be the ultimate winner anyway. In the end, Asher moved to the Duke’s mansion where the hunting competition was being held, together with Shaki.
Since it was the first competition held after Luke had risen to the position of Duke, many nobles attended. Most of the attendees were high-ranking officials and imperial family members, so Asher, watching the flustered Shaki, paid his respects to the Crown Prince and Princess before heading to the tent where Luke would be.
“Your Grace.”
“You’ve arrived.”
At Asher’s appearance, Luke put down the helmet he was holding. Having only ever seen him dressed formally, Asher felt strange seeing him in battle attire.
“Does it look odd?”
“Ah… That’s not it. It’s just my first time seeing you dressed like that.”
“…”
“I don’t mean it looks strange or anything…! It’s just… that look suits you very well too.”
Asher knew he was rambling, but seeing Luke who wasn’t saying anything in response, he continued speaking. Finally, overwhelmed by embarrassment, he bit his lip and slightly lowered his head.
“…I’m sorry.”
Belatedly feeling awkward, Asher’s cheeks flushed red like cosmos flowers.
“It’s the first time… I’ve been told I look good in this.”
“Pardon?”
“Whether it’s flattery or not, it doesn’t feel bad.”
At this unexpected response, Asher raised his head to look at him. Maybe it was just his feeling, but Asher sensed that the gaze looking back at him had softened compared to before. He even thought that perhaps these foolish actions of his might have seemed sincere to Luke.
“Um, Your Grace…! There’s something I want to say.”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, it’s… I don’t know if I should say this, but I know you’ll win. But at the same time, I hope you return safely without getting hurt.”
“…”
“If I’ve overstepped, I’m sorry…”
After speaking, Asher felt a moment of regret. He glanced nervously, worried that Luke might be upset, thinking Asher was acting as if they were actually dating just because he was being nice. But contrary to his thoughts, Luke’s expression was inscrutable.
How to put it? A look that seemed unsure how to interpret the current situation? Seeing his thoughtful expression, Asher quietly called his name.
“…Your Grace.”
“I’m not sure what your intentions are, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
“…”
At his voice, sweet and gentle like candy, Asher felt a shiver run up to the top of his head. With quickened breath, he stared at Luke blankly, as if half-dazed. Then he took something out of his pocket and held it out to Luke.
“Please… accept this.”
“…What is it?”
“There’s a legend that if you receive a handkerchief embroidered by someone, you’ll be victorious in the hunting competition. So I made one…”
“…”
“If you don’t like it, you can refuse it…! It’s the first time I’ve made something like this, so it’s crude and not pretty…”
Contrary to his words, Asher’s fingertips holding the pouch were trembling slightly. His face revealed anxiety, and his eyelids fluttered, showing how nervous he was.
“…Did you really embroider this for me?”
“…Yes.”
“…”
After a brief moment of silence, Luke accepted the pouch Asher offered. Untying the ribbon neatly tied on the yellow silk pouch, inside was a light blue handkerchief.
“It’s crude so you might not recognize it, but that’s…”
“An eagle. The Blake Ducal Family’s eagle.”
“…”
“Did your fingers get like that from embroidering?”
Startled by Luke’s words, Asher hurriedly hid his fingers behind his back. Then he slowly nodded.
“It would be better not to strain yourself for things like this.”
Luke spoke, trying to cover up his previous emotion as much as possible. In response, Asher fidgeted with his fingers as if disappointed and said:
“I didn’t mean to burden you. I just made it as a token of good luck, hoping you wouldn’t get hurt…”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
Luke stared at the dejected Asher for a moment before giving a faint smile. Like gentle ripples flowing on water, that smile entered his heart and tickled his heart.
“I should get going now. I’ve arranged for a seat for you through the servant, so sit there. And don’t go anywhere else.”
Asher thought it was just a formality, but it didn’t seem that way. For some reason, it felt like the distance that had seemed impossible to close had narrowed by another step, and Asher felt a lump in his throat.
“I will. So don’t get hurt either, Your Grace. Avoid places with puddles. I think the northern direction would be better…”
“…”
“Ah… was I too scattered? I just said it because I thought it would be good.”
Looking at Asher who was stretching his words with an awkward face, Luke gazed at him with a curious expression. But as if he wouldn’t ask for the reason, he nodded in agreement and left the tent carrying his helmet.
“Understood.”
*
Asher went to sit in the place guided by Luke’s attendant, Bane. As it happened, that seat was right next to where the Crown Prince and Princess were sitting.
“I heard you were very ill. How are you feeling?”
“As you can see, I’m much better now.”
Asher answered the Princess’s question in a calm voice, giving a polite smile.
“I’ve placed my bet on Luke. So today, let’s support him together as allies.”
Princess Roxina. Initially, she had played a neutral role between the Crown Prince and Luke, who were not on good terms, but after Braden’s return, she became a figure who actively supported Luke.
The reason was simple: Braden had healed the pet cat that the Princess cherished, and through that opportunity, the two maintained a friendly relationship.
“I’m different. I’ve placed my bet on Baron Varhan Christo.”
The Crown Prince, who hadn’t said a word while sitting there, joined the conversation and looked at Asher. He too had red irises like the imperial bloodline, but his hair was golden rather than silver. Because of this, the Crown Prince often envied and resented Luke, who resembled the current Emperor. Asher awkwardly smiled, as if avoiding the uncomfortable question.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
