CH 40 : Two Princes

The hunting grounds stretched vast and deep beneath them, the morning mist slowly dissipating under the golden rays of the sun. From the high vantage point, the gathered nobles watched as Alistair and Dorian rode into the thick forest, their figures disappearing between the towering trees. 

Among those watching, Selene stood beside Emilia, her gaze fixed on Alistair's retreating form. There was a tightness in her posture, her fingers gripping the folds of her dress ever so slightly before she turned her attention to the woman beside her.

A slow, knowing smile curled on her lips.

"Crown Princess Emilia," Selene's voice carried an air of feigned politeness, but the edge beneath it was unmistakable. "It seems that His Highness holds quite a unique affection for you."

Emilia, who had been calmly observing the hunt from the railing, glanced at her. The shift in Selene's demeanor wasn't lost on her. There was something sharper about her today, less guarded, more confrontational.

Selene continued, tilting her head slightly. "Though I must say, I never expected our future queen to conduct herself so… boldly."

At first, Emilia was taken aback by how direct Selene was being. The other woman had always masked her words with civility, carefully navigating their conversations with grace. But this? This was a provocation. A calculated strike.

Then it clicked.

Ah… so that's why.

Selene had seen it.

The realization settled over Emilia like a steady wave, and instead of faltering, she let amusement creep into her expression. If Selene wanted to play this game, then so be it.

She turned to fully face Selene, a composed smile on her lips. "Boldness, you say?" Emilia mused, her tone light but laced with underlying meaning. "I believe a future queen should know how to take what belongs to her."

Selene's eyes darkened slightly, but Emilia wasn't done. She leaned in just enough to lower her voice, ensuring only Selene would hear.

"Or are you suggesting that I should step aside?" Emilia's voice remained steady, but the question carried weight.

Selene's lips parted slightly, but no immediate response came. Emilia could tell that she had hit a nerve, even if the other woman was trying not to show it.

The silence stretched between them for a moment before Selene finally spoke, her expression schooled back into neutrality. "Not at all," she said smoothly, though there was an undeniable tension in her words. "I was merely making an observation."

Emilia held her gaze for a moment longer, then turned back to watch the hunt, dismissing the conversation with effortless grace.

Selene, however, clenched her jaw ever so slightly, her fingers tightening at her sides.

This wasn't over.

As the tension between Emilia and Selene settled into a quiet but palpable rivalry, the sound of rustling skirts and measured footsteps approached from behind.

Lady Seraphine's melodic voice soon followed, breaking the silence.

"My, what a rare sight indeed," she mused, her tone carrying the refined amusement of someone who enjoyed watching power plays unfold. "The two princes, side by side, on a hunt together. It does make one wonder… what will they return with?"

Emilia turned her head slightly. Lady Seraphine was elegantly poised, a fan delicately resting in her gloved hand as she observed the hunting grounds with mild curiosity. Though her words seemed casual, there was always an underlying sharpness to them, like a blade hidden beneath silk.

Selene, still standing stiffly beside Emilia, finally moved, smoothing down the folds of her dress. "Crown Prince Alistair has always been a formidable hunter," she said, carefully schooling her voice into something light. "I have no doubt he will return with something impressive. Perhaps even a rare beast worthy of display."

Emilia, however, remained quiet, her gaze following the treetops where Alistair and Dorian had disappeared.

Lady Seraphine, never one to let a silence go unnoticed, turned her attention to Emilia. "And what of you, Crown Princess?" she asked, her lips curving in the slightest of smiles. "Surely you have a prediction? A guess as to which prince will return triumphant?"

Emilia knew what the woman was doing. It wasn't just idle curiosity, Lady Seraphine wanted to see where her loyalties lay, how she would choose between the two. A test, subtle but deliberate.

Emilia smiled politely, tilting her head as if in thought. "Predicting the outcome of a hunt is a difficult thing," she said at last. "It isn't always the strongest who returns with the prize, nor the swiftest who catches their prey. Sometimes… the most patient hunter claims the greatest reward."

Lady Seraphine raised a brow, intrigued by her response. "How poetic."

Selene, standing beside them, gave Emilia a sidelong glance, as if trying to decipher the deeper meaning behind her words.

Lady Seraphine, sensing that she wouldn't get a more direct answer, chuckled softly and turned her gaze back to the forest. "Well, let us hope they do not take too long. It would be such a shame if they lost themselves in the woods."

Emilia remained silent, her expression unreadable. Because something told her that this hunt wasn't just about catching prey. It was about something much more personal.

Lady Seraphine, ever the orchestrator of entertainment, tapped her closed fan against her palm and let out a soft, delighted laugh. "Since we are all so eager to speculate, why not make this more interesting? A little wager, perhaps."

The crowd murmured in agreement, the idea of betting on the two princes adding an air of excitement to the waiting period.

"I suppose it's only natural that Crown Prince Alistair will return with a wild beast," one nobleman declared confidently. "A predator, most likely. Perhaps a wolf or a stag. His Highness is known for his ruthlessness in the hunt."

Several others nodded in agreement.

"And Prince Dorian?" Lady Seraphine prompted, her gaze sweeping over the assembled nobles.

A young noblewoman giggled behind her fan. "Something tame, I imagine. A rabbit? Or perhaps a fawn."

Another noble chimed in, "Yes, something gentle. Prince Dorian has always been more inclined toward beauty rather than ferocity."

Soft laughter rippled through the group as they casually placed their bets, some wagering gold, others small trinkets of amusement.

However, before the conversation could settle, a sharp voice cut through the idle chatter.

"You all think too simply."

All eyes turned toward Lady Marguerite, who had been silent until now. She stood with an air of quiet authority, her piercing gaze surveying the gathered nobles with thinly veiled amusement.

"You assume they will return with something that fits their character," she continued, tapping the rim of her wine glass. "But tell me, what if they return with nothing at all?"

The crowd exchanged confused glances.

Lady Seraphine raised a curious brow. "And what do you mean by that, my dear sister?"

Lady Marguerite gave a small, knowing smile. "This hunt is not just about bringing back a prize. It is a game of perception. The prince who returns with the most unexpected catch, something neither wild nor gentle, but entirely unforeseen will be the true victor."

A hush fell over the group as her words sank in.

Selene, who had remained quiet for some time, folded her arms and scoffed lightly. "And what do you propose that would be?"

Lady Marguerite's smile didn't waver. She simply took a sip of her wine and said, "We shall see soon enough."

Lady Marguerite's gaze lingered on Emilia, sharp yet unreadable, as she swirled the wine in her glass with slow precision. The sunlight filtering through the high balcony cast a soft glow around them, but the atmosphere felt anything but warm.

She tilted her head slightly, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. "Tulip and Camellia," she mused, as if speaking to herself. Then, her gaze settled fully on Emilia. "Both are unique in their own way. Tell me, Crown Princess, if you had to choose between them, which would you pick?"

The question was simple in form, yet Emilia immediately sensed the weight behind it.

The noblewomen around them paused their idle chatter, their attention subtly shifting toward the unexpected exchange. Even Selene, standing nearby, narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to decipher Lady Marguerite's intent.

Emilia, however, remained composed. She let the words settle, carefully considering their implications. Was this merely a passing question of preference, or was Lady Marguerite testing her?

Her expression betrayed none of her thoughts as she replied, "Both flowers are rare, but they are rare for different reasons. The Tulip is known for its beauty despite its imperfection, while the Camellia is treasured for its rarity alone."

Lady Marguerite's lips curled ever so slightly. "Indeed. One is admired despite its flaws, while the other is valued simply because it exists. Quite the contrast, wouldn't you say?"

Emilia met her gaze without wavering. "And yet, both are sought after."

A flicker of amusement crossed Lady Marguerite's expression, as though she had found Emilia's answer satisfactory. She took another slow sip of her wine. "I suppose that is true."

The tension between them was subtle but palpable, like a game of chess played with words instead of pieces.

Selene, still watching closely, finally broke the silence with a quiet scoff. "A flower is just a flower. What does it matter?"

Lady Marguerite's eyes flicked toward her briefly before returning to Emilia. "Perhaps. But sometimes, knowing which flower to choose makes all the difference."

***