It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 64

The moon began to rise above the altar. Those participating in the glorious autumn hunt stood before the altar with their knights.
I spotted Giscal immediately. He was checking his weapons and stroking his horse’s mane. I followed him down from the altar.
“Giscal!”
Did I shout too loudly? A horse among the knights suddenly reared up, neighing wildly. Its massive shadow, cast by the torchlight, loomed directly over me.
There wasn’t even time to scream. Just as I was about to be trampled, someone yanked me back. At the same time, the agitated horse kicked the ground in a strange, twisted posture.
“That was dangerous!”
I stared blankly at Giscal, who had somehow ended up holding my waist.
“Gi-Giscal…?”
“What if you’d been hit by that hoof? You could’ve broken a bone.”
His concern was valid. The horse was much larger than I’d expected, and the ground where its hoof had landed was deeply gouged.
“You must’ve been frightened, my lady! But thank goodness you’re safe.”
The one who had grabbed the reins and redirected the horse just before it trampled me was Martenal. He looked just as he had when he escorted me to the palace, smiling warmly.
“It’s only been a few days, but it feels like ages, doesn’t it?”
“Oh! You’re here too, Martenal.”
“Of course. I begged the captain to let me come see the famous autumn hunt. And I wanted to see you again.”
“I wanted to see you too!”
Martenal and I clasped hands. Though it had only been a few days since we last met, I was genuinely happy to see him.
I asked about Loki and Ortland. Martenal was about to answer excitedly when Giscal interrupted.
“Why did you come down here? The concubines are supposed to stay on the altar.”
His face was stern, clearly still upset. Knowing I was in the wrong, I slumped my shoulders.
“Well… I wanted to thank you for the mulled wine…”
“For that? You could’ve done it later.”
“I’m sorry. But I wanted to wish you well before the hunt began. I felt like this was my only chance.”
I admitted I’d been a bit impulsive. As soon as I saw Giscal, I ran toward him without thinking.
I couldn’t even explain why. I just felt I had to say it.
Giscal didn’t respond. I had lowered my head in remorse, so I couldn’t see his expression. Just as I tried to glance up, Martenal burst out laughing.
“Haha, she just wanted to wish you well. Instead of scolding her, why not give a cool response and say you’ll return safely?”
Martenal chuckled and nudged Giscal. Giscal sighed quietly.
“Don’t go near the horses again.”
“Okay.”
“And…”
Giscal glanced at Martenal, who was watching us with eager eyes.
Giscal pressed his lips together, hesitated, then finally gave in to Martenal’s expectations.
“I’ll come back safely.”
It was exactly what I’d hoped to hear.
“And the mulled wine… make sure to drink it warm. The forest is colder than the palace.”
“I did. It was warm. Thank you.”
“Don’t drink too much.”
“The emperor drank it all, so I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”
Giscal frowned.
“His Majesty doesn’t drink alcohol.”
“What? Then why did he?”
I remembered Erich downing glass after glass until the bottle was empty, then collapsing. It was shocking how quickly he went limp.
“He never drinks, so I wonder what got into him.”
“Exactly.”
Giscal and I glanced toward the emperor’s tent. Erich hadn’t emerged yet, but the attendants were bustling. The moon had risen high.
“It’s about to begin. I’ll escort you to the altar.”
Giscal didn’t let me walk alone among the horses. He wrapped one arm around my waist, shielding me with his entire body.
He was above me, beside me, behind me—everywhere. And on the wrist that held me, his red bracelet gleamed. I felt reassured, and oddly proud.
The emperor’s tent opened, and Erich appeared in white armor. At the same time, the moon reached the highest point above the altar.
The autumn hunt had begun.
The forest at night was pitch black. Unlike the palace, which was softly lit even at midnight, the woods were dark and eerie.
Compared to the smooth white marble illuminated by crimson lights, the moonlit branches were rough and shadowy.
Everyone was out there in the darkness, hunting. Hunting wild beasts in the forest was dangerous, and injuries during the autumn hunt were not uncommon.
In fact, the more skilled hunters often got hurt trying to take down larger, fiercer beasts.
Names of the skilled hunters had already spread during the banquet. Giscal was among them. I didn’t think he’d be swayed by the lure of fame, but he had made a promise to me.
And once he made a promise, he would keep it. I didn’t doubt his skill, but I worried he might push himself too hard and get hurt.
“Phew.”
My sigh made Rui react quickly.
“Your Highness? Are you cold? Should I bring another wool blanket?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m just… worried.”
“Are you worried about His Majesty?”
Now that I thought about it, Erich was also out there in the dark forest. He had made the same promise as Giscal.
He said he’d offer the finest prey not to the gods, but to me.
At first, I thought it was drunken nonsense. But maybe he meant it.
If Erich declared that the beast chosen by the priest was mine, the temple might brand me as a demon.
If I turned the nobles and the temple against me, my downfall would be spectacular. I’d been attacked so many times that my thoughts naturally drifted in that direction.
“No, I’m worried about everyone.”
I brushed it off and rubbed my forehead.
The next morning, I woke up just in time for breakfast. I had nothing to do, yet I woke early.
Rui brought a simple meal and said,
“If you need anything else, let me know. The hunters are returning, and the best ingredients might run out.”
I blinked as I took a spoonful of mushroom soup.
“They’re already coming back?”
“Yes, about ten have returned. Those who come back early usually just want to save face. The ones aiming for the highest honor will return late at night with better prey.”
That meant Giscal and Erich hadn’t returned yet. With the sun still up, I’d have to wait a while.
I spent time chatting with Rui and reading. Eventually, the sun dipped behind the mountains, and more hunters returned.
With over half the participants back, the camp grew noisy. Urgent calls for palace physicians echoed, and some were carried in on stretchers with injuries.
As the moon rose higher, I listened closely. I could only tell when Giscal returned by the soldiers’ chatter.
“His Majesty has returned!”
Soldiers shouted as they passed each tent. It was proper for the concubines to greet the emperor.
Erich’s offering was a massive bear—three times the size of a grown man. The soldiers cheered. A few of the emperor’s knights were injured and rushed to the palace physician, but most attention was on Erich and the bear being carried to the altar.
The bear was stacked atop the earlier offerings. The stench of blood was strong, but the beast’s body was hidden behind a white curtain, visible only as a shadow. Erich inspected the inside of the curtain carefully, then smiled with confidence.
He turned and locked eyes with me. That expectant look—he was clearly waiting for something. Probably to declare that the gods’ chosen beast was mine. And then I’d be bombarded with judgmental stares.
I forced a smile and took a deep breath. To avoid that annoying scenario, Erich couldn’t win the highest honor.
I looked toward the flickering torches in the forest. Someone was returning from the hunt. As time passed, the offerings placed on the altar grew more impressive. Yet none surpassed Erich’s massive black bear.
The moon climbed higher above the altar. The priests began preparing the final ritual. The concubines gathered at the altar.
Rosadel was her usual self, but Xenia looked nervous, her eyes darting around. Normally proud and haughty, she now clenched her hands and stared at the ground.
She only relaxed when her brother, Count Leten, arrived. Though he was considered a skilled hunter, he returned with only a weasel.
And then, one person remained. Like Xenia, I anxiously waited for a red torch to shine from the forest.
Just before the moon reached its peak above the altar, someone with sharp eyes announced Giskal’s return.
It was true. A torch flickered through the trees, vanished, then reappeared. The soldiers cheered for the final hunter’s return. Giscal’s offering was a wolf—massive and black, rivaling the bear.
I didn’t linger on the dead wolf. I focused on Giscal. He looked almost unchanged atop his black horse. He gauged the moon’s position above the altar and nodded briefly.
While Martenal proudly placed the wolf on the altar, I ran to Giscal.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
“I came back safely, just like I promised.”
Only then did I feel relieved. The unpleasant stench of blood seemed to fade a little.

The moon began to rise above the altar. Those participating in the glorious autumn hunt stood before the altar with their knights.

I spotted Giscal immediately. He was checking his weapons and stroking his horse’s mane. I followed him down from the altar.

“Giscal!”

Did I shout too loudly? A horse among the knights suddenly reared up, neighing wildly. Its massive shadow, cast by the torchlight, loomed directly over me.

There wasn’t even time to scream. Just as I was about to be trampled, someone yanked me back. At the same time, the agitated horse kicked the ground in a strange, twisted posture.

“That was dangerous!”

I stared blankly at Giscal, who had somehow ended up holding my waist.

“Gi-Giscal…?”

“What if you’d been hit by that hoof? You could’ve broken a bone.”

His concern was valid. The horse was much larger than I’d expected, and the ground where its hoof had landed was deeply gouged.

“You must’ve been frightened, my lady! But thank goodness you’re safe.”

The one who had grabbed the reins and redirected the horse just before it trampled me was Martenal. He looked just as he had when he escorted me to the palace, smiling warmly.

“It’s only been a few days, but it feels like ages, doesn’t it?”

“Oh! You’re here too, Martenal.”

“Of course. I begged the captain to let me come see the famous autumn hunt. And I wanted to see you again.”

“I wanted to see you too!”

Martenal and I clasped hands. Though it had only been a few days since we last met, I was genuinely happy to see him.

I asked about Loki and Ortland. Martenal was about to answer excitedly when Giscal interrupted.

“Why did you come down here? The concubines are supposed to stay on the altar.”

His face was stern, clearly still upset. Knowing I was in the wrong, I slumped my shoulders.

“Well… I wanted to thank you for the mulled wine…”

“For that? You could’ve done it later.”

“I’m sorry. But I wanted to wish you well before the hunt began. I felt like this was my only chance.”

I admitted I’d been a bit impulsive. As soon as I saw Giscal, I ran toward him without thinking.

I couldn’t even explain why. I just felt I had to say it.

Giscal didn’t respond. I had lowered my head in remorse, so I couldn’t see his expression. Just as I tried to glance up, Martenal burst out laughing.

“Haha, she just wanted to wish you well. Instead of scolding her, why not give a cool response and say you’ll return safely?”

Martenal chuckled and nudged Giscal. Giscal sighed quietly.

“Don’t go near the horses again.”

“Okay.”

“And…”

Giscal glanced at Martenal, who was watching us with eager eyes.

Giscal pressed his lips together, hesitated, then finally gave in to Martenal’s expectations.

“I’ll come back safely.”

It was exactly what I’d hoped to hear.

“And the mulled wine… make sure to drink it warm. The forest is colder than the palace.”

“I did. It was warm. Thank you.”

“Don’t drink too much.”

“The emperor drank it all, so I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

Giscal frowned.

“His Majesty doesn’t drink alcohol.”

“What? Then why did he?”

I remembered Erich downing glass after glass until the bottle was empty, then collapsing. It was shocking how quickly he went limp.

“He never drinks, so I wonder what got into him.”

“Exactly.”

Giscal and I glanced toward the emperor’s tent. Erich hadn’t emerged yet, but the attendants were bustling. The moon had risen high.

“It’s about to begin. I’ll escort you to the altar.”

Giscal didn’t let me walk alone among the horses. He wrapped one arm around my waist, shielding me with his entire body.

He was above me, beside me, behind me—everywhere. And on the wrist that held me, his red bracelet gleamed. I felt reassured, and oddly proud.

The emperor’s tent opened, and Erich appeared in white armor. At the same time, the moon reached the highest point above the altar.

The autumn hunt had begun.

The forest at night was pitch black. Unlike the palace, which was softly lit even at midnight, the woods were dark and eerie.

Compared to the smooth white marble illuminated by crimson lights, the moonlit branches were rough and shadowy.

Everyone was out there in the darkness, hunting. Hunting wild beasts in the forest was dangerous, and injuries during the autumn hunt were not uncommon.

In fact, the more skilled hunters often got hurt trying to take down larger, fiercer beasts.

Names of the skilled hunters had already spread during the banquet. Giscal was among them. I didn’t think he’d be swayed by the lure of fame, but he had made a promise to me.

And once he made a promise, he would keep it. I didn’t doubt his skill, but I worried he might push himself too hard and get hurt.

“Phew.”

My sigh made Rui react quickly.

“Your Highness? Are you cold? Should I bring another wool blanket?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m just… worried.”

“Are you worried about His Majesty?”

Now that I thought about it, Erich was also out there in the dark forest. He had made the same promise as Giscal.

He said he’d offer the finest prey not to the gods, but to me.

At first, I thought it was drunken nonsense. But maybe he meant it.

If Erich declared that the beast chosen by the priest was mine, the temple might brand me as a demon.

If I turned the nobles and the temple against me, my downfall would be spectacular. I’d been attacked so many times that my thoughts naturally drifted in that direction.

“No, I’m worried about everyone.”

I brushed it off and rubbed my forehead.

The next morning, I woke up just in time for breakfast. I had nothing to do, yet I woke early.

Rui brought a simple meal and said,

“If you need anything else, let me know. The hunters are returning, and the best ingredients might run out.”

I blinked as I took a spoonful of mushroom soup.

“They’re already coming back?”

“Yes, about ten have returned. Those who come back early usually just want to save face. The ones aiming for the highest honor will return late at night with better prey.”

That meant Giscal and Erich hadn’t returned yet. With the sun still up, I’d have to wait a while.

I spent time chatting with Rui and reading. Eventually, the sun dipped behind the mountains, and more hunters returned.

With over half the participants back, the camp grew noisy. Urgent calls for palace physicians echoed, and some were carried in on stretchers with injuries.

As the moon rose higher, I listened closely. I could only tell when Giscal returned by the soldiers’ chatter.

“His Majesty has returned!”

Soldiers shouted as they passed each tent. It was proper for the concubines to greet the emperor.

Erich’s offering was a massive bear—three times the size of a grown man. The soldiers cheered. A few of the emperor’s knights were injured and rushed to the palace physician, but most attention was on Erich and the bear being carried to the altar.

The bear was stacked atop the earlier offerings. The stench of blood was strong, but the beast’s body was hidden behind a white curtain, visible only as a shadow. Erich inspected the inside of the curtain carefully, then smiled with confidence.

He turned and locked eyes with me. That expectant look—he was clearly waiting for something. Probably to declare that the gods’ chosen beast was mine. And then I’d be bombarded with judgmental stares.

I forced a smile and took a deep breath. To avoid that annoying scenario, Erich couldn’t win the highest honor.

I looked toward the flickering torches in the forest. Someone was returning from the hunt. As time passed, the offerings placed on the altar grew more impressive. Yet none surpassed Erich’s massive black bear.

The moon climbed higher above the altar. The priests began preparing the final ritual. The concubines gathered at the altar.

Rosadel was her usual self, but Xenia looked nervous, her eyes darting around. Normally proud and haughty, she now clenched her hands and stared at the ground.

She only relaxed when her brother, Count Leten, arrived. Though he was considered a skilled hunter, he returned with only a weasel.

And then, one person remained. Like Xenia, I anxiously waited for a red torch to shine from the forest.

Just before the moon reached its peak above the altar, someone with sharp eyes announced Giskal’s return.

It was true. A torch flickered through the trees, vanished, then reappeared. The soldiers cheered for the final hunter’s return. Giscal’s offering was a wolf—massive and black, rivaling the bear.

I didn’t linger on the dead wolf. I focused on Giscal. He looked almost unchanged atop his black horse. He gauged the moon’s position above the altar and nodded briefly.

While Martenal proudly placed the wolf on the altar, I ran to Giscal.

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

“I came back safely, just like I promised.”

Only then did I feel relieved. The unpleasant stench of blood seemed to fade a little.

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