The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

60 – What Oda Found

It was noon, with the sun high in the sky.

In the hunting grounds, surrounded by a dense forest, the hunting festival began. Participants left their tents and gathered around the emperor’s throne, regardless of age or gender.

“This is the first hunting festival in 30 years, a grand event. The forest is famous for its many beasts, but that’s not all. The Luminele Duke and his knights must have caught some beasts as well.”

I remembered the first day I arrived at the duke’s mansion, when the duke was absent all day. I didn’t know at the time, but it seemed he had gone to catch beasts for the hunting festival, just as the emperor said.

“Please be careful. I don’t want to hear anyone’s screams at this joyful festival…”

The emperor’s solemn words spread a sense of unease among the nobles, especially the men. It seemed they were worried about some fierce beast that the ‘he’, Cardi Luminele, might have caught.

Meanwhile, I glanced around the area, not paying much attention to the emperor’s words.

The imperial family, including the princes and their attendants, were seated on the throne. The second prince, Rayner, looked like he had undergone a transformation. His old, awkward appearance was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a confident and robust physique.

On the other hand, the first prince, Lupehite, looked anxious. He didn’t seem to be focusing on the emperor’s words, instead glancing around nervously, as if he was on high alert. During that time, I felt a strange sensation.

‘Just now… did I make eye contact with the first prince?’

It was a very brief moment, so I could brush it off as just a feeling. Besides, it was impossible not to make eye contact with someone who was constantly looking around…

“…… And so, I declare the start of the hunting festival at this hour.”

As the emperor’s speech ended, a thunderous applause erupted. The three princes, who had been standing beside him, returned to their seats.

I watched as Urian found his own seat, feeling a sense of admiration for him.

“Elphisia.”

“Yes?”

“There’s someone around Urian.”

“That’s obvious. If a member of the imperial family gets assassinated, it’snothrow a big deal.”

“Right. It’s only natural…”

Yurian’s mother, who couldn’t guarantee her safety, was murdered by the Empress. But now, Yurian was heading into the forest with her loyal attendants.

“It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? You’re so small, yet you’re trying to act tough.”

“I don’t know about that. Never.”

Elpisia also nodded in agreement, revealing a hint of a smile for the first time in a while. I thought it was fortunate that she was enjoying herself so purely.

“It’s getting cold.”

“Yes, it is.”

Most men had entered the forest to hunt, leaving behind only the Emperor, who was resting, and the women who were enjoying socializing.

It was almost time for us to part ways.

“Then I’ll go into the forest. I’ll mock those fools who make mistakes.”

“That’s a pretty low goal for someone like you, who’s supposed to be a great adult.”

“That’s why a great adult like Elpisia needs to keep things in balance.”

“… Hmph.”

Elpisia, who looked like she didn’t care, crossed her arms.

But the fact that she didn’t refuse was very Elpisia-like.

While I was patrolling the hunting grounds, Elpisia was in charge of Tina and Eco. So, it was inevitable that our distance would grow.

Just then, she took a step closer to me, who had taken a step back. Then, Elpisia handed me a handkerchief she had been holding in her bosom.

“Take it.”

“… Ahaha.”

I was quite taken aback by her actions.

There’s a deep tradition in the hunting festival. It’s the custom of giving a handkerchief with a subtle hint of affection to someone you love or cherish.

In other words, it’s a public confession of love.

That’s why I didn’t expect Elpisia to give me a handkerchief. Because we’re just bound by a contract.

‘… What?’

For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. I lost my mind due to the strange feeling, until Elpisia forcibly put the handkerchief in my hand.

“It’s something I picked up, so don’t be burdened and just keep it.”

“I picked it up… Yeah.”

It’s a handkerchief with intricate embroidery, like a temple’s scripture. Who would bring such a handkerchief to the hunting festival?

“I’ll keep it clean until I find the owner.”

“… What if I can’t find them?”

“What can I do? I’ll just have to keep it for life.”

Elpisia quietly turned her back on me at my response. Still, she showed off her captivating side profile, opening her mouth.

“Hmph.”

Leaving behind a cold remark, Elpisia moved forward. But this time, it was my turn to catch up to Elpisia, who was pulling away.

“Wait, Elpisia!”

“What is it, Hart?”

“I have something to give you too.”

“What’s this sudden…”

As Elpisia stared at me blankly, I put a shoulder robe on her shoulder. It was a shoulder robe that perfectly covered the exposed right side of her waist.

“Wow… I almost forgot.”

(Note: I preserved the line breaks as requested.)

“What’s with the sudden mistake?”

“Now I can relax. I also got it from someone, so I shouldn’t throw it away until the owner comes.”

“Really… are you stupid, you?”

“Haha…”

I couldn’t dare to retort Elpisia’s jab, so I sneakily backed off. It was because I didn’t have the confidence to win an argument with Elpisia.

As the distance grew between us, I didn’t even look back and hastily fled.

“See you later, Elpisia!”

“Wait, Harute!”

Elpisia’s outraged cry echoed from behind, her voice laced with anger. She must be fiddling with the outerwear I had given her, her face twisted in annoyance.

Imagining her expression made me involuntarily laugh.

But I had done what was right.

Others shouldn’t find out that Elpisia was actually timid.

This was a necessary act as her husband.

“…there’s another thing that was missed aside from this.”

The tradition of the hunting festival doesn’t end with just a handkerchief.

If the woman who gave the handkerchief was a man, they would kiss on the back of the hand.

Or if they were lovers… they would exchange a kiss on the lips.

It was clear what Harute and Elpisia, as a couple, should do.

“I slightly… expected it…”

Elpisia, left alone, muttered to herself.

◇

The Lumaniel Duchy was a territory worthy of being called a nation, with a vast area rivaling that of a small country. The forest assigned to the hunting festival was enormous, comparable to the size of the royal palace.

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“I should definitely bring a servant with me…”

Wandering alone in the forest would make it likely for me to get lost. Although the hunting grounds had a fence, there was a possibility of an accident…

Quietly closing my eyes and focusing on my hearing, I could pick up various sounds. The whooshing of arrows cutting through the air, the cries of beasts, and the thunderous sound of horses’ hooves pounding the ground. As the participants got more excited about the hunt, the sounds grew more jumbled.

Currently, the sound of horse hooves approaching from the right was the closest, and it was getting nearer.

Finally, the man who emerged from the trees offered a greeting.

“Ah, you must be Lord Harute.”

“Uh… who are you?”

“I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Clever Horton, Viscount.”

“Ah, I’m Harute of the Lumaniel Duchy. I apologize for not knowing you.”

“No need to apologize. It’s rare for someone to remember a viscount. Besides, we’re meeting for the first time…”

It was our first meeting.

I almost lost face. Since the other person knew me, I naturally assumed we had met before…

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m actually a fan of Lord Harute.”

“A fan? Why me…?”

It was an unexpected confession. The man in front of me was showing me pure, unadulterated admiration.

“It’s because of that night’s incident. You fought against the vampires and didn’t make a single sacrifice. As the head of the security department, I couldn’t help but admire you.”

“Ah, that’s… just my duty as a human.”

I felt happy but also burdened. As the owner of the sacred name, I should have made an effort as a human before receiving praise. There was no reason for me to be praised like this.

However, Horton Viscount shook his head firmly.

“It’s not a virtue, Hart. It’s not a duty.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s a duty, wouldn’t it be unacceptable to fail? And if you fail, wouldn’t you be criticized for not fulfilling your duty?”

He spoke as if it was only natural. His words aligned with my own thoughts.

But his next statement took a sudden turn.

“That’s absurd. It’s unreasonable to criticize kindness. Because what Hart did was a noble deed that deserves respect.”

Noble deed.

The phrase alone made my head spin. I couldn’t understand why I felt such unease, even when Horton Viscount was looking at me.

“Uh, anyway, that’s my opinion. I seem to have gotten too friendly and said something unnecessary. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“No, it’s not that, Viscount Horton…”

“Thank you for remembering. I’ll take my leave now.”

He skillfully mounted his horse and bid farewell.

“Please be careful on your way back, Hart.”

As he rode away quickly, I felt a strange sensation.

Be careful?

Had I ever been injured for more than a second in my entire life? The concept of injury was so foreign to me that the warning didn’t resonate.

Even Horton Viscount had said that I was capable of handling vampires, hadn’t he?

‘With a body like this…’

Was I worth worrying about?

I thought that I was born with the blessing of the sacred name to fulfill a great purpose. It was only natural to devote myself to that duty, without letting emotions get in the way.

So, even if I were to leave the temple, my mission wouldn’t change much.

“… Ah.”

As I organized my thoughts, my eyes fell on the handkerchief tied around my wrist.

The embroidery that Elpisia had carefully sewn was an impressive gift. In that moment, I thought I could understand Horton Viscount’s words a little better.

‘The meaning of the handkerchief is… to wish for safety.’

It wasn’t meaningless for Elpisia to worry about me. She, who knew my body well, must have had a reason to wish for my safety.

Perhaps she didn’t think sacrifice was inevitable.

Horton Viscount had called that inevitable thing a noble deed.

As I judged, I felt a sense of discomfort.

“… Uh.”

Discomfort.

A sensation like a fuse blowing in my head, as if two conflicting natures were colliding. The discomfort spread throughout my body, accompanied by an unfamiliar headache that felt like it was screaming inside my skull.

I leaned against a tree, feeling the rough texture of the bark.

Everything before my eyes seemed to turn white.

In the whitened clock, I saw a pale blue droplet.

It had a cracked, fragmented shape.