Free Web NovelChapter 297: Chapter 297
The hunt lasted far longer than expected, stretching well into the afternoon before their small group finally caught sight of a decent-sized animal, which was odd for these parts of the forest, which were usually teeming with wildlife.
Bringing the stag down proved far easier than tracking it. Ragnar was the one who dealt the killing blow, ending the creature’s struggle swiftly.
"You should have let Hairan have the final shot," Jayran said lightly. He moved to crouch beside the stream where Ragnar was already kneeling, rinsing dirt and blood from his hands. Clear water rushed over his fingers, staining red before carrying it away. "He has a betrothed to impress, after all."
A few of the nobles lingered nearby, chatting idly as they prepared to haul the stag back to the clearing.
"Why would I let him have anything?" Ragnar replied flatly.
Jayran barely managed to smother his snort of laughter. But the amusement faded from his face almost as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a more guarded expression.
"I heard Father sent Casilo to track down Gerard’s whereabouts," Jayran said, lowering his voice. "Any news on that front yet?"
Ragnar immediately scanned their surroundings, his sharp gaze sweeping over the nearby men. One of the nobles had drifted closer while they were not paying attention.
Ragnar gave a slight shake of his head.
"Not here," he said quietly but firmly. "Visit me tomorrow. We’ll talk then."
Jayran nodded once, understanding clear in his eyes.
Together with the others, Ragnar helped drag the stag from the forest. The moment they reached the clearing, his attention snapped elsewhere. His eyes searched instinctively for Circe among the gathered noblewomen.
His breath caught when he did not see her.
Servants rushed forward to heave the stag onto a waiting wagon beside a wild boar another hunting party had managed to bring down, but Ragnar barely noticed them. His thoughts spiraled quickly, leaping to the worst possibilities. Did she wander into the forest? Lost her way? Was she hurt?
Within seconds, he was already mapping the land in his mind, thinking of how he would search every inch of it if he had to.
Then he heard his name.
He turned sharply.
There she was, striding toward him through the bustle of the clearing, her smile bright. Relief hit him so hard it nearly made his knees weak.
She looked him over slowly, her gaze appraising, lingering on his shoulders, his hands, his face. Whatever she found must have pleased her, because her smile widened.
"Thank goodness you’re unharmed," she breathed when she reached him.
"You told me not to get injured," he said with a smile of his own. "I was only following orders."
He wanted to pull her closer, to steal a kiss. But the clearing was crowded with nobles, and servants. Instead, he settled for taking her gloved hands in his, and squeezed them gently.
Soon, preparations were underway to return to the palace. One by one, members of the hunting party were accounted for.
All but one.
"What do you mean you can’t find my lady-in-waiting?" Queen Nheera’s voice cut through the clearing, loud and sharp with disbelief. She stood before one of her maids, her expression darkening by the second. freewёbnoνel.com
"She couldn’t have simply vanished into thin air," the queen snapped. "Find her. And do it quickly. There is still much to be done, and I will not have anyone derail my plans for today."
Snow began to fall in light, drifting flurries, dusting the forest floor and clinging to their clothes and hair. Servants continued loading the wagons while noblewomen climbed into their carriages, murmuring with growing impatience the longer they remained there. Still, Irah was nowhere to be found.
Time stretched on.
Eventually, the nobles grew restless.
Azul approached his mother and murmured something into her ear. Whatever he said visibly eased the tension from her face, smoothing the harsh lines of her scowl.
Circe had just reached her carriage when Nheera’s gaze found her.
Circe met it without flinching. She stood tall, her expression calm, and confident—far too composed for someone who had anything to hide. She knew better than to show fear now. Any hint of it or any sudden change in demeanor, would draw attention. It would be strange for her to act subdued after behaving boldly all day, especially while exchanging subtle barbed words with the queen in full view of noblewomen who barely concealed their disdain.
After killing Irah, Circe had dragged her body deep into a dense thicket, concealed well enough that anyone searching would take far longer to find it. She had discarded the bow and arrows elsewhere in the forest, scattering them deliberately.
Being discovered with a weapon would only sharpen suspicion and paint a brighter target on her back.
Being afraid now would do her no good. The queen would scent it like a shark scents blood in the water.
Nheera’s stare lingered only a few seconds, but to Circe it felt like an eternity.
Then, at last, the queen looked away.
Circe exhaled slowly.
She had expected Nheera to demand that they all remain behind until Irah was found. But no such order came. Instead, the king swung up onto his saddle and urged his horse forward, signaling their departure.
Other nobles followed after him on their own horses, gradually clearing out of the area.
"Ride with me in the carriage," Circe said to Ragnar, who had barely left her side since he returned. "Ask one of the servants to take your horse back to the palace."
She kept the unease carefully off her face, schooling her expression into calm neutrality, but it did nothing to stop the tension coiling tightly in her chest. Her pulse thudded steadily in her ears as she turned away, already moving toward the waiting carriage.
Luckily, Ragnar didn’t question her request. He only nodded and issued a brief command to one of the servants before following her inside. The door shut behind them with a solid click, sealing them away from the world.
