It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 63

The autumn hunt took place the night immediately following the banquet, in the vast Gilberan Forest located on the outskirts of the imperial capital—land owned by the emperor himself.

The hunt began when the moon aligned with the center of the altar set up by the temple, and it ended exactly one day later when the moon returned to that same position.

During that time, participants had to run through the forest in pursuit of the finest game.

At the end of the hunt, the temple priest would select the largest and most ferocious beast to offer thanks to the gods and pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

The problem was this final ritual. In it, the empress and the concubines had to collect the blood of the chosen beast in a cup and scatter it on the ground. Supposedly, this allowed the god’s blessing to seep into the soil and ensure a fruitful harvest.

Because of this, I had to climb into a carriage bound for Gilberan Forest, rubbing my sleepy eyes from early morning.

“Your Highness, you must be exhausted. Heading straight to the hunting grounds the day after the banquet is far too demanding.”

Louis voiced the complaint on my behalf.

“I didn’t even stay until the end of the banquet. Those who partied all night must be more tired.”

“No need to worry about others. I heard the banquet ended unusually early last night.”

“Really?”

Last night, I returned to Arlin Palace early with Giscal, so I had no idea how the banquet continued afterward. I responded casually while scanning the letter again. Louis smiled and asked:

“Is that letter why you’re less tired?”

“Yes, it’s news that Lean is coming back! He says he ate well and exercised a lot while staying in his hometown, and he’s healthier than before! I’m so relieved.”

The letter I held was from Lean. It had arrived at the Edelheit estate and reached me via Louis. Lean would return to the Imperial Library tomorrow.

“Because of the hunt, you won’t see Lean until the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, the autumn hunt begins tonight and lasts until tomorrow night—an entire day.”

Although the concubines only had a role at the very end, all of us, including myself, had to remain in Gilberan Forest from start to finish.

“I know you’re eager to see Lean, but please be patient. We haven’t even reached the altar yet.”

“We’ve been in the forest for a while. Still more to go?”

“Yes, more than half an hour. The altar is at the center of Gilberan Forest. Try to rest a little.”

“I’d like to, but…”

Even though the imperial carriage minimized noise and vibration, it wasn’t exactly cradle-like. And I couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep.

I wanted to rest my head against the seat, but doing so would ruin the hairstyle I’d worked hard to perfect. So I had no choice but to sit upright and endure.

Just as my body reached its limit, the carriage finally stopped.

Rose Del and Xenia were stepping out of the carriage that arrived behind ours.

Unfortunately, Marian was absent again today. Her flu seemed to be dragging on endlessly. I sighed with concern and followed Louis into the tent assigned to me. It was still cold, as the fire hadn’t been lit yet.

“Your Highness, if you wrap this wool cloak around you, you’ll feel warmer.”

The late autumn wind was chilly enough to redden my cheeks. Louis draped a thick cloak over my shoulders.

“Thanks. Is it still a long time until moonrise?”

“About three or four hours. Once the welcoming is done, you can change clothes and rest comfortably. For now, please have this to warm up.”

Louis pulled out a large glass bottle from somewhere. The dark red liquid inside sloshed heavily.

“What’s that?”

“It’s mulled wine from the Marquis of Edelheit.”

“Giscal?”

I hurried over to peer into the bottle.

Floating atop the dark red liquid were various fruit pieces. It was a drink known for warming the body and preventing colds.

I suddenly remembered how I’d used a cold as an excuse to leave the banquet early last night. Giscal must have believed I was truly sick.

My lips, stiff from the cold, relaxed into a smile. The gift was so timely, it was almost touching.

“He boiled it with plenty of fruit and honey. He said to warm it up before drinking.”

Louis opened the bottle. The fragrant aroma quickly filled the tent. I held the bottle close and inhaled deeply. The sweet scent of fruit seemed to melt away my fatigue.

“It’s still warm. Can I have a cup just like this?”

The warmth from the bottle lingered in my palms. I rubbed them together and pressed them to my cheeks, letting the heat seep in.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

At the attendant’s shout, the tent flaps flew open. Cold wind rushed in with Erich, disturbing the warmth we’d just begun to enjoy.

I’d hoped not to see him until the hunt began…

I grumbled inwardly as I greeted Erich, wrapped in a white cloak. Louis quickly set the bottle aside and prepared to receive the emperor.

“Arne, you must’ve had a hard time coming all the way here in this cold.”

“Everyone’s had a hard time.”

“But you’re frail, aren’t you? Are you really okay like this?”

Before I could ask what he meant, Erich removed his white cloak and draped it over my shoulders. With Louis’s cloak already on me, the emperor’s thick cloak made it almost too warm.

“To think they dressed you in such thin clothing! I wonder if your attendants are truly serving you properly.”

His gaze turned to Louis. It was a familiar pattern, no longer surprising. I stepped in front of Louis and removed the emperor’s cloak.

“He’s doing a great job. Thanks to Louis’s winter clothes, I wasn’t cold in the carriage. And the tent is already warming up. So I don’t need this heavy cloak.”

I folded the white cloak neatly and set it aside. Erich’s face stiffened, but I pretended not to notice.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you busy? The hunt starts soon. You should rest while you can.”

“I won’t feel at ease until I see that Arne is resting well. I’ll ensure you’re as comfortable as possible, even if it’s not like the palace.”

The only discomfort here was Erich himself. I stared at the blue bracelet on his wrist.

As if dropping a bomb at the banquet wasn’t enough, he’d brought that bracelet to the autumn hunt too.

I wished he’d leave now that he’d seen me, but instead, he inspected the tent and asked curiously:

“What’s that smell?”

I sniffed along with him and realized it was the mulled wine. Though the scent had faded, Erich had picked up on it.

“Oh, it’s mulled wine. Nice, isn’t it? My—uh, my brother sent it.”

“The Marquis?”

Erich raised an eyebrow. It was more of a request for clarification than disbelief, but I answered honestly.

“Yes, my brother Giscal.”

“I see…”

Erich stroked his chin, a faint wrinkle forming between his brows as if something serious had come to mind. If he had something to ponder, he should’ve done it in his own tent.

“Lately, Giscal seems to be paying special attention to you. Then I suppose I should try some too?”

“What?”

Despite my protest, Erich smiled sweetly and gestured to Louis. Louis glanced at me but couldn’t refuse the emperor’s command.

A glass filled with dark red mulled wine, garnished with orange and cinnamon sticks, was handed to him. The tent filled with the sweet aroma again, but with Erich sitting across from me, it wasn’t entirely pleasant.

Louis had warmed it to the perfect temperature. I took a sip after Erich, who drank silently like it was bitter medicine. The first taste was tart fruit. There was definitely a lot of fruit in it. The subtle bitterness of red wine was balanced by a refreshing sweetness.

“It’s delicious.”

Normally, Erich would respond with two or three comments, but he simply emptied his glass. Then he gestured for another. Louis refilled it, and he drank again in silence. I had no chance to suggest he leave the tent. After repeating this a few times, I finally intervened.

“Your Majesty, the hunt is soon. Isn’t this too much? If you get drunk, it might affect your performance.”

Erich’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Arne, are you worried about me?”

“…”

He often repeated things I said, especially when it sounded like I cared. That faintly melancholic smile was a bonus.

“Haha. Of course. There’ll be swords and arrows flying during the hunt. One must be careful.”

“Thank you. But don’t worry. I have this bracelet you made for me, don’t I?”

Erich raised his wrist. The blue bracelet dangled.

“As long as I have this gift from you, I fear nothing.”

He gazed at the bracelet with unsettling affection.

“I promise—I’ll catch the finest game and dedicate it not to anyone else, but to you.”

Was he drunk already? He uttered blasphemous words without hesitation, then smiled again. It was clearly an act, but with his handsome face and curved lips, it was hard to look away. Until he spoke again.

“Then you’ll truly accept the bracelet I made for you, won’t you?”

His eyes, which had seemed hazy from the wine, were now sharply focused on my bare wrist.

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