Chapter 20: The Hunting Festival (2)

A month passed by in the blink of an eye.

During that time, attending noble etiquette lessons disguised as bridal training every single day without fail had certainly changed me.

I could feel it in my posture, my movements. From basic table manners to the proper stance to maintain during conversations—it all made a difference.

“Please be mindful of your steps. With those strides, you might twist your ankle.”

...Of course, it seems I still have a long way to go. But at least now, I can walk comfortably in heels of this height, which is quite the progress, if I say so myself. After inspecting my posture several times, Allen finally smiled, seemingly satisfied.

“You’ve improved a lot. I can hardly recall how you were when we first met.”

“Ahaha. Thank you.”

When he says “our first meeting,” does he mean the time I first proposed a contract marriage to Abel? That makes sense. Back then, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about noble etiquette or anything of the sort. No wonder he remembers it that way.

“This should... suffice.”

“That’s unexpected. I never thought even Allen would acknowledge you.”

Abel, who had emerged from his office at some point, said this with a hint of surprise on his face. Apparently, he hadn’t expected me to earn Allen’s approval within just a month.

Well, if nothing else, I do pick things up quickly.

“Hmph.”

Clearing my throat and folding my arms slightly, I saw Abel smirk.

“You can feel proud all you want, but shouldn’t you start getting ready to leave?”

“Oh, right.”

I had completely forgotten, perhaps because I was so excited. Today was the day of the hunting festival.

Even though the eternal snowfields were close to the Hardenberg estate, if we didn’t start preparing now, we might end up running late.

“Lady Adele!”

From a distance, Lily alled out to me in a loud voice, rushing over. After tripping while running last time and getting scolded by Laura , she was now making a conscious effort to walk briskly instead.

“It’s time to get ready!”

“I understand, Lily.”

Following behind Lily, I suddenly felt a gaze on me and turned my head. Abel stood there with a meaningful smile, gesturing toward himself. His expression carried a hint of mischief, which immediately filled me with unease.

It was the kind of foreboding I always felt before something significant happened. Despite my slight frown, he continued to look at me with that same inexplicable smile.

‘...Why do I feel uneasy?’

I hoped it was just because I suspected Abel might cause some trouble. Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared. Better safe than sorry, after all.

With that thought, I turned back and followed Lily once more.

****

“Hoo…”

As expected from a place called the Snowy Mountains, the name fits perfectly. Even though I’m bundled up in layers, my teeth chatter involuntarily.

Despite being inside the carriage, my breath turns into white puffs, making me acutely aware of how cold it really is.

Abel, who was sitting across from me, glanced over and snapped his fingers.

“You seem quite cold.”

“Very much so. How are you dressed like that, Abel?”

He was dressed not much differently from his usual uniform. While it certainly exuded discipline and formality, it wasn’t the kind of attire suitable for these snowy mountains.

Even I, who usually never worried about him, found myself concerned that he might catch a cold.

“Magic.”

Ah, right.

Must be nice to be born with innate magical talents.

Hearing that made me feel silly for worrying. For someone like me, who gets exhausted after casting even minor spells like tracking or shield magic a couple of times due to mana depletion, I couldn’t help but feel envious to the point of jealousy.

“Still cold?”

“Of course... Huh?”

Come to think of it, I didn’t feel cold anymore. In fact, I felt somewhat warm. Puzzled by what was happening, I looked up to see Abel wearing his mask-like smile.

Did he use magic for me?

I hadn’t intended to ask him, but now that he had so readily done this, it felt a bit unfamiliar.

Well, from Abel’s perspective, it would be troublesome if his fiancée caught a cold during the event.

Still, the fact remains that he helped me…

“...Thank you.”

“Hmm? I can’t hear you.”

This guy, pretending not to hear me again. One look at his mischievous expression, and I knew immediately. Not that I’m stingy with gratitude, so raising my voice to say it again wasn’t hard.

“Thank you, Abel.”

“You’re welcome.”

With that reply, Abel immediately fixed his gaze back on his documents, as if he’d lost interest. It irked me a bit, but I sighed and turned my head away.

Truly, he was someone who got on my nerves in many ways.

Beyond the carriage window stretched mountain ranges blanketed in white snow. Even to my eyes, having been somewhat of a hiking enthusiast before possessing this body, the size of these snowy mountains was immense. I couldn’t help but think they might be taller than Mount Sorak.

‘To think we could reach such heights with just a carriage.’

The magic engineering of this medieval world was truly fascinating.

Even with the existence of magic, being able to ascend to such dizzying heights in a carriage was remarkable. I even had the random thought that being a coachman might be an extreme profession.

Clatter, clatter.

Of course, even with all that impressive magic engineering, they couldn’t seem to do anything about the bumpy ride; I still wasn’t used to it.

Honestly, Abel being able to comfortably read documents amid all this jostling was stranger.

If I asked him, he’d probably say it’s thanks to magic again.

Lost in thought, I suddenly realized the clattering had stopped, accompanied by the neighing of horses.

“We’ve arrived,” said Abel as he set aside his documents and stood up.

After stepping out of the carriage first, he extended his hand to escort me as I descended.

Stepping outside, I was greeted by a snowy plain that seemed covered in white. In the center, perhaps due to some kind of barrier, there was a barren flatland where the snow had melted.

Young ladies and gentlemen in various outfits, nobles, and even members of the imperial family were visible. Among them were faces so familiar that I felt a shudder.

‘The Crown Prince, the Tower Master, the Imperial Knight Commander, and even a Duke...’

The place was filled with people whose names alone would leave anyone speechless.

It’s like every type of male lead from a romance fantasy novel is gathered here. Even though the hunting festival is one of the empire’s most significant events, it’s rare for such high-ranking individuals to all appear at once.

Is the reason perhaps because of her, the protagonist?

Turning my head, I saw Estelle not far away. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her golden eyes added an air of mystery. Her beauty was such that anyone would immediately think she was a true beauty among beauties.

Estelle von Louis.

The original protagonist who captivates all sorts of charming male leads—a femme fatale. No matter how much of a romance fantasy this world is, seeing so many men flock to her feels almost unrealistic.

No matter how realistic things might be, witnessing such over-the-top scenarios makes me feel a sense of alienation, reminding me that this world is, after all, inside a romance fantasy novel.

‘Ah, we made eye contact.’

She looked slightly surprised, her eyes widening momentarily, then she gave a small smile and waved. I was startled as well, but I tried to appear calm and awkwardly waved back.

Seeing her react so genuinely makes me feel awkward for no reason…

‘She was actually quite a good person.’

From what I heard, Adele before I possessed this body had caused her all sorts of trouble. Yet, she sincerely offered her congratulations and even gave me an invitation when leaving the engagement ceremony, saying she wanted to talk more with me.

I began to recall the rumors of the misdeeds Adele had committed against Estelle.

Pretending to stumble and spilling wine on her dress, subtly mocking the past of the Lewis Count family, who were formerly barons, and even subtly leading ostracism against her at parties she hosted.

‘Was Adele really half out of her mind?’

The more I thought about it, the less I understood why Estelle showed me kindness.

If she invited me even after experiencing all that, could she be a living saint? To have endured such breaches of noble etiquette and even insulting actions, yet still give me an invitation…

It seemed more reasonable to think she had some hidden agenda.

“You seem deep in thought.”

I finally noticed Abel, who had extended his hand. Had I been so lost in thought that I didn’t realize he was waiting to take my hand?

“Ah, sorry.”

“No need to apologize. But it’s hard to stress over problems that can’t be solved right now.”

His tone was much gentler than usual. Perhaps it was because there were other people around.

Even if he was subtly hinting, he was right. There’s no point in overthinking Estelle’s intentions when I can’t figure them out now. It would be better to focus on what’s in front of me.

I took deep breaths to untangle my complicated thoughts. Doing so made me feel a bit calmer.

“Thanks for the advice.”

“You’re welcome.”

Abel replied with a slight smile.

His smile, unusually insincere, gave me slight goosebumps, but I tried not to show it.

Honestly, his usual playful smirk was much more pleasant to see.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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