Free Web NovelChapter 36: The Imperial Hunt
The Aldric armory was eerily quiet, the silence broken only by the click of buckles. Esme stood before a mirror, turning slightly as she wore a black riding corset over her tunic. She was not packing fancy gowns, feathered hats, or parasols for the Imperial Hunting Retreat, as expected from a Duchess.
She actually hid a few knives into her sleeves. She also tucked two small glass vials of highly concentrated belladonna into the inner pockets of her belt. At last, she picked up a silver dagger and put it into her boot.
Eveyr stood leaning against the door of the armory. He was watching her with pride and amusement.
"How about I go to the palace and kill the Emperor before breakfast?" Eveyr said casually. "It would save us a week in the woods. And would also permanently solve Julian’s problem."
"Also it would turn the entire kingdom against us," Esme replied without looking up as she strapped a quiver to her right thigh. "How many times do I have to explain to you that Julian wants to bait you into committing treason so that he can rally the other nobles to his side."
"Let them rally," Eveyr growled, stepping into the room.
He stopped behind her and held her waist as always.
"I will drown them in their own moats."
Esme finally stopped and looked at his reflection in the mirror. She smiled and leaned against his chest.
"We need to play smart, Eveyr," she said softly. "We have to let them do whatever they want. They think I am a weak, pampered Duchess who only survived by hiding behind your shadow. When the crown’s assassins fail to return, Julian will be the one sweating, not us. We will beat them at their own game."
He smiled and buried his face in her neck.
"They won’t be able to lay their hands on you, Esme. I will end them all before."
"I know you will," she replied. "But give me a chance to ruin them first."
"You sound far too excited about walking into an assassination."
"I prefer the term... prepared, Your Grace."
He laughed softly.
"I should have known," he murmured. "Most duchesses ask for pearls. But mine asks for daggers and knives."
Esme smiled.
"Because pearls won’t save my life."
His expression softened. He lifted his hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then he bent down and kissed her forehead softly.
Esme smiled and stepped away from him to pick up her gloves. The system interface immediately flickered in her vision.
[QUEST INITIATED: THE IMPERIAL HUNT]
[Objective: Survive the Separation]
[Reward: 2000 Points]
[Penalty: Immediate Host Termination]
It was the first time the system was giving her a quest after her wedding night, and the penalty was again death. The stakes were raised now.
You want me dead? Just watch me survive.
Two hours later, their carriage arrived at Bloodwood. It was an ancient forest reserved strictly for the Emperor’s use.
All the high ranking nobles were already gathered at the entrance. Julian sat on a beautiful white stallion at the center of the camp.
The moment their carriage stopped at the gates, the lively chatter of the nobles died immediately. Almost every noble turned to stare at them, holding their breaths.
Eveyr stepped out of the carriage first. Then he turned and lifted Esme down from the carriage. Everyone stared at him like he was a ticking bomb that had just been carried into their camp.
Julian’s sharp smile widened as he saw them. He moved his horse forward, and stopped a few yards away from them.
"Duke Aldric. Duchess Esme," Julian said loudly for everyone to hear. "A pleasure to see you both joining us. I only hope the events of the gala haven’t discouraged you from enjoying the Emperor’s hospitality."
"I don’t enjoy anything that bears the Imperial seal," Eveyr replied coldly.
A few nobles awkwardly lowered their heads. Julian chuckled as if the insult didn’t affect him.
"Still as arrogant as ever."
"Get to the point, Julian," Eveyr rumbled.
Julian’s smile hardened, his eyes flashing with malice.
"As per the Emperor’s orders, we are dividing our forces for security reasons. All the women including Duchess Esme will accompany my personal escort. We will be responsible for their safety," he paused. "And the gentlemen will ride with their respective guards behind us. Imperial hunting protocol requires a strict two mile separation between the royal party and the guard division."
Silence settled over the camp. In a dense, thick forest, two miles was a terrifying distance. It was far enough that if Esme screamed, Eveyr wouldn’t hear her. Eveyr’s reaction was instantaneous.
Eveyr’s hand tightened on her waist. The shadows under Eveyr’s boots suddenly moved forward, hissing like hungry snakes. Imperial Knights immediately drew their swords. The nobles stepped backward, already screaming as they realized Eveyr was about to snap.
Before Eveyr could summon his blade and finally kill Julian, Esme moved. She turned and put her hand over Eveyr’s knuckles resting on her waist. Her touch was the only anchor that held him back.
She looked at him and smiled.
"Let them take me into the woods, darling," Esme said, loud enough for Julian and his guards to hear. "I promise not to leave too much of a mess."
Eveyr stared at her, his breathing gradually becoming steady. Then slowly, he removed his hand from her waist, and stepped back to let her go.
Esme turned away and walked confidently towards the royal guard. Then she mounted the black mare that had been prepared for her. She adjusted the reins and lifted her chin as she looked straight ahead.
The royal guards immediately formed a circle around the noblewomen as hunting horns echoed across the camp. Julian watched her from his horse, a satisfied smile touching his lips.
To him, she was isolated which made her weak and vulnerable.
But he had no idea that the real predator wasn’t riding behind them. It was the woman riding beside him.
