Chapter 53

I opened my mouth wide. What the h.e.l.l are you talking about? The dukes words sounded like he was allowed to shoot people.

Oh, Father. What does that mean?

I stuttered, and carefully asked if I understood. Then the peac.o.c.k kicked his tongue loudly.

Ck, dont try to blot out like a foal in front of everyone elses eyes as before!

..

Theyll lose my memory after they faint anyway, so dont just leave a witness who said you shot them. Do you understand?

He seemed to be trying to appease his immature daughter, who was about to get into an accident.

I heard I were banned for a year because you said Id shoot and kill with a crossbow?!

But instead of telling me not to do it, He even change the arrow into a faint bead and cast a spell that makes people lose my memory.

Oh, my G.o.d, the Duke is so powerful.

Or should I say he thought that Penelope, who has reached a point where he cant control her that much, is great.

Why arent you answering me

The Duke looked at me, who was silent, vaguely, and the Duke was full.

Oh, yes

I mumbled back in a dazed mood.

I couldnt bear to say that I wouldnt hunt people and stay calm. The partic.i.p.ation in the hunting compet.i.tion I wanted to avoid has been confirmed.

okay, Father. Ill use it well.

Hmm. Im alright if you get it.

When he answered again in a sullen manner, the Duke coughed his words.

I was trying to give it to you after hearing the whole story from your side, not to scold you.

It was an unexpected consolation. I opened my eyes wide and looked at the Duke.

Ehm, if you understand, lets stop here, go up to your room. Weve had a long conversation.

He smiled a little awkwardly and hurriedly arranged his seat, as he himself didnt know how to say such a thing. He ordered the maid to bring the crossbow to my room without a break.

I hesitated for a moment, looking at the table that had become neat in an instant.

Oh, I, uh

The Duke looked at me with a puzzled look, still sitting.

Hmm?

Ah, I dont know. Ill give you what I brought.

I have something for you too, Father.

I plucked out what I had roughly covered next to my skirt. It was a box wrapped in luxurious velvet, contrary to what was given to Emily. I opened it and carefully stuck it out before the Duke.

A brilliant silver lining embroidered the Dukes big eyes. He was very surprised at the sudden gift.

Isnt this amulet?

Its engraved with an order that activates emergency teleport magic.

ThisWhy are you..

As expected, the Dukes reaction was like that he had never received a flower in the garden from his youngest daughter.

I shook my head to the foolish Penelope and explained in a gentle voice.

These days, Its the most exchanged gift among the n.o.bles who attend hunting compet.i.tions, Father.

Gift?

Yes, I heard that this hunt will involve guests from other countries and release the rare animals they brought.

Yes, thats right.

Just in case, I want you to keep it with you throughout the compet.i.tion.

who dares to attack me in this empire?

There no one dare to attack, but we dont know what kind of forces will approach Eckarts political position.

In my reply, the Duke looked at me as if he were looking a strange creature he had never seen before.

The silver-colored, colorful amulet I gave him was engraved with an emergency teleport order, so the price was quite high. In fact,Actually, I was thinking about the one with the defense order engraved on it, but this one was better.

It was Eckart who did not partic.i.p.ate in the war, claiming to be a neutral faction. But if you kill or attack a Duke, even Eckart will be turned into an enemy and war will recur, so no one will do such a stupid thing.

But you can kidnap him and threaten him.

If something unfortunate happens to my fathers, Im sure there will be forces trying to get him into factional strife.

Yes, you have such a brilliant idea.!

The Duke muttered as if he had been shocked, and then he looked at me and said, No, no.

Well, yes. Ill keep it with me.

He replied with a puzzled look like me, who just received a crossbow with a magic that makes the person who was. .h.i.t lose his memory. It seemed totally unexpected that he would receive such a meaningful gift from her reckless foster daughter.

Then Ill go up.

Originally, it was a gift that was brought to avoid his anger. It was given regardless of the purpose, but the gift delivery ceremony was over anyway.

My heart was itchy for no reason, so I shook off my seat and quickly got up to the door. It was then.

Penelope.

Suddenly, I heard a low call from behind me

Yes, Father.

youve become quite mature these days.

The Duke stared at me with an unknown look and said a word. It was a nice compliment.

But somehow, the words choked me. I didnt know why. Just, at that moment, my mouth moved.

.. Duke.

After a long time, the Dukes blue eyes were slowly growing.

I cant say Ive never resented.

..

But

Is this for poor Penelope? Or

Ive never felt ungrateful for bringing me here.

Am I saying this because Im miserable because Im not even treated like a immature fool like Penelope?

It was that moment.

Improved relations with Duke Eckart have increased its reputation by +15.

Either way, I felt like crying a little bit.

*****

The hunting compet.i.tion is just a few days away.

I called in a butler in the morning to get a blunt wooden bolt for practice. This is because expensive marbles with double magic could not be consumed for practice.

Lady, and this

The butler didnt go out immediately after handing me a bunch of bolts. He hesitated and gave me a paper bag.

what is it?

I wondered. This is because after the successful meeting with the Vuinter, I have ordered the butler to burn all the invitations that sent to me.

It was a letter from the palace, so I couldnt take care of it.

Palace?

The butlers words wriggled my facial muscles.

What reason is there to send me a letter from the palace? The golden wax engraved with the yellow dragon looked ominous.

I dont want to read it.

But I had to read it to prepare myself. With a deep sigh, I opened the envelope with a paper knife. And I took out the contents and started to read them.

[Dear Princess Penelope Eckart

Several months have already pa.s.sed since the meeting in the maze garden.

In the meantime, every time there was a big or small banquet in the palace, I told them to send an invitation to the princess, but Princess never partic.i.p.ated.

Are you still stuck with the iron poison?

Fortunately, the hunting compet.i.tion is coming up soon, so I will be able to meet you again soon.

Princess must have heard that the woman entry ban has been lifted, right? I raised my voice and agreed for my sick Princess.

So I hope you get well soon and meet me during the day.

P.S. You didnt forget the promise you made with me, did you? Youd better remember, Princess.

Ive been looking forward to your answer to me, and Ive been patient for a long time to get better with that d.a.m.n iron poison.

-Callisto Legulus.]

Crazy!

After reading the scrawled signature in strong cursive handwriting, I crumpled the paper I was holding, shaking my teeth.

Why havent you forgotten yet?

I shuddered at the stubbornness of the Crown Prince. I couldnt understand why I was possessed by a love simulation game and should be receiving threatening letters, let alone dating.

Oh, miss?

The butler looked surprised at me.

What kind of letter is that?!

Yes. A threatening letter from a madman who has nothing to do.

butler.

I chewed the voice up and bit it.

When is the training time for todays knights?

I know its until 6 p.m., butWhy do you ask that?

Originally, I was going to shoot it once or twice when I had time. It was to gauge the level of vitality of the body to what extent it made the fuss last year.

But I changed my mind.

Im going to use the field today.

There is a reason why I desperately need to deal with the crossbow.