As I stared in bewilderment, Ardion gestured to the empty spot beside him and continued speaking, "Now, you should prepare another seat, brother."

    Rowell''s expression suddenly hardened. "How rude. You can''t even understand how to make a simple request and instead gesture at me as if you''re giving orders."

    Ardion let out a soft laugh. "It seems I didn''t receive the proper education for the imperial court. When I was abandoned by you, brother, Laila was the one who raised me. So she deserves to be treated as my equal."

    "Ardion, this seat is—"

    "Of course, the nobles present might not agree, but Laila is quite skilled in water magic and could easily deal with a monster."

    Rowell’s fork trembled slightly in his grip, his face a mask of displeasure.@@@@

    In contrast, Ardion maintained a relaxed smile as he turned to me. "Isn’t that right, Laila? If you wanted, you could flood this entire place."

    I glanced around, trying to gauge the atmosphere, and forced a smile. "Yes, but I’d rather not do it now."

    Rowell’s gaze settled on me.

    Not satisfied with that, Ardion remarked leisurely, "Weren’t you discussing a battlefield where monsters might emerge? In that case, Laila certainly has every right to be here."

    "..."

    Rowell hesitated, unable to respond immediately.

    Ardion raised an eyebrow slightly. "I wouldn''t want to think you’re plotting treason or anything."

    "Ardion." Rowell’s voice was low, barely suppressing his anger, as he shot a dark look at Ardion, who lounged back in his chair, calmly meeting his gaze.

    "Well, then, besides qualifications for being here, what else do you have to say?"

    "Please change the hunting grounds to a forest under imperial care."

    "The matter has already been settled."

    "But, brother, if you were to call for another meeting, it would be possible."

    "So, you want me to overturn a decision that has already been made?"

    "Brother, you can surely do anything at this point, considering you’re the one with all the power.”

    "Haha, Your Highness, such a statement—"

    One of the nobles attempted to interject with a friendly smile, but Ardion shot him a sharp glance, silencing him. The nobleman closed his mouth, ashamed, and merely cleared his throat.

    "Won’t you grant your younger brother this favor for your ailing father? After all, you have done little to nothing for me, brother.”

    All the nobles turned their gazes to Rowell in unison. Until now, he had pretended to be the perfect prince. Since the prophecy has been announced, Rowell had never been able to treat Ardion too harshly, even if he wanted to. That was why he had secretly abused Ardion and made his life difficult while deceiving the nobles around him.

    Rowell couldn’t possibly unveil his mask, especially after all those years. Ardion had come here to make him uncomfortable intentionally.

    Rowell smiled and said in a low voice. "Since you’re asking so earnestly, I’ll grant this favor just this once. However, I will decide the rest."

    "Very well."

    With that, Ardion rose from his seat. He turned to me and extended his hand under everyone’s gaze. Eager to leave this suffocating place, I quickly grabbed his hand. With a smile of satisfaction, he tightly held my hand and led me out.

    Even after we exited the banquet hall, Ardion still didn’t let go.

    I attempted to pull my hand away, but he said softly, "Laila, hold on just a bit longer. Your presence brings me comfort."

    His words made it hard to withdraw my hand.

    I followed Ardion to the location where the hunting tournament would take place.

    It was a forest managed specially by the palace. After Ardion’s visit to the banquet hall, Rowell had changed the venue for the tournament to a different forest.

    Rowell rode on a robust black horse, its coat gleaming from evident care. All the nobles had brought their own horses, but the expression of the stableman who brought Ardion’s horse was anything but happy.

    At that moment, Delzion approached Ardion with information from the stableman. "Your Highness, the horses were fed the wrong hay yesterday and are in poor condition. However, the horse the stableman brought seems to be in better shape."

    Yet the horse I glimpsed at didn’t look that healthy. It lacked the shine of Rowell’s horse and appeared excessively droopy. It clearly wasn’t in optimal condition. Ardion’s expression mirrored my concern.

    Just then, the stableman arrived with the horse. "Your Highness, it was fine until last night, but..."

    "Who is responsible for the hay?" Ardion''s voice carried an icy tone.

    "I oversee it all, but this is the first time something like this has happened. The hay didn’t have mold and looked perfectly fine."

    Ardion drew his sword. "Whose orders do you follow?"

    "Y-Your Highness!"

    As the stableman panicked, several knights seized his arms.

    "I assure you. I would never act on my own, Your Highness!"

    The commotion drew attention from those nearby. Ardion’s sword was poised to strike at the stableman.

    I rushed forward, causing Ardion to hesitate.

    "Laila."

    "Your Highness, you have yet to investigate properly. If you suddenly brandish your sword here, it will only damage your reputation. Not to mention everyone’s gaze is on you," I whispered.

    Ardion paused to consider my words. At my gesture towards the sword, he slowly sheathed it.

    Having returned from the frontier, perhaps he had learned to draw his sword at the first sign of discontent.

    I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped away from the stableman.

    Ardion looked at the stableman once and then at me. “Back on the frontier, I killed those who did such matters. Otherwise, things would only get worse.”

    “Your Highness, if you draw your sword and stain it with blood in front of people, they will only spread rumors about you and damage your reputation. On the other hand, if you take good care of your reputation, the nobles will look favorably on you, and you will gain their trust.”

    “So, if I gain their trust like that, will you marry me?”

    “Pardon me?” I asked in confusion.

    (TN: Uhm, get a man like this, hehe.)

    But Ardion climbed onto his sagging horse.

    I forgot what I had just said and said to him, “Will you ride this horse?”

    “The hunting tournament has already started, and I possibly can’t walk.”

    Ardion was the only one participating in the hunting tournament still here right now. The others had already gone into the forest a long time ago. His time was delayed because his horse was sick.

    I was certain the first person to catch a large animal would be the one who arrived first. How dare someone sabotage a competitor. I knew there had to be a suspicious person acting in the shadows once again.

    It must be Rowell.

    He had always been the one to make Ardion’s life hell. And to not appear suspicious, he had entered the forest first.