Hunting Competition

During the month leading up to the Hunting Competition, many forces were preparing to perform well. 

In a meeting room, a young man and an elder were alone while waiting for the others to join.

"Prince Lance, You haven't been looking too good lately. You do understand the importance of this competition, right? If you let Prince Jason overshadow you, they will start questioning your performance in the military campaign and it will ruin our momentum. Focus! Don't let distractions ruin you from your big goal!" Duke Zenat said sternly.

Lance was still quiet as if he was in a daze. He kept thinking about Selena and her words, Is he really not better than Jason? I met her first and I could tell they had good feelings for each other...

Lance sighs.

Duke Zenat is losing his patience, he doesn't understand what has gotten into Lance recently. "When you become emperor, you will have a great amount of power. All your desires can be fulfilled while you're working for the empire. Why would you cut your own path short now? Focus, obtain the throne and then do what you want when the time comes" Duke Zenat says firmly.

Lance's eyes lights up, "Yes... If I become a powerful emperor, Selena would naturally see the difference between me and Jason" Lance thinks to himself.

Duke Zenat noticed the change in Lance's eyes and realized that they're going into a good direction. "Remember, the first major step is to show your prestige and superiority over Jason during the Hunting competition. No matter how much support we give you, if you, someone with the emperor's eyes, can't even beat the counterfeit prince, people will start to question you". 

"This is what we have to avoid at all costs, are you ready to fight for your destiny", Duke Zenat says seriously.

"Yes, Duke!" Lance said with renewed vigor. "I apologize for being distracted just now. I had things on my mind but your words woke me up. For that, I thank you. I will make sure to make big waves in this competition and prove that your support for me was not in vain". 

Duke Zenat smiled, This is the Lance he wanted to see.

After a while, the other members of the military faction came into the meeting room.

The Meeting lasted awhile, they were going over the recent moves of the Empress faction and reminded everyone participating to set Lance up for victory.

Selena's Manor

Selena was staring at a piece of paper with a design of a sachet. She has been busy these days trying to make something for Jason to take for the Hunting Competition. With how many enemies he has, she was sure someone might try to do something to him during this tournament.

She sighs, everyone hates him but her and Ivory, it's quite frustrating because he didn't do a single thing wrong.

She then pumps herself up and continues to draw. 

After a while, she is satisfied with her design. It was two birds, flying over beautiful scenery. The birds are reminiscent of the illusory birds they use to communicate with each other. She blushes shyly as she thinks of the conversations she has had with Jason these past few days through their magic.

Ever since she was small, she always felt that her mother's non-offensive magic research would be one of the most important things in her life, and seeing how it was able to save Jason's life as well as connect her with Jason, she feels very relieved.

She was never a person who practiced making accessories like sachets but this felt like the perfect gift for Jason. 

Over the next few days, she was using high quality scented fabrics to make the perfect good luck charm and she also used magic to enhance the effects. 

She still remembers the assassin who almost killed Jason on the day of the banquet, She realized that if he lost concentration for even a second, it could cost him his life. This scented sachet helps calm down the nerves and increase concentration.

Selena sighs again, "It must be so difficult to live a life like that", she thinks to herself. "I really hope he does at the competition".

Over the next few days, Selena kept perfecting her sachet while other groups were either practicing their skills or preparing to spectate and watch the fun

Soon, the day of the competition arrives.

Selena heads out and enjoys the scenery as she approaches the field where the competition is held. 

The hunting competition has two parts. The first part is held in a small stadium where smaller animals are released and the hunters show off their skills to kill them. The second part is in the forest where hunters enter and show off their skills with animals much more dangerous.

As Selena is about to approach the entrance of the stadium, she sees two familiar figures.

"Selena", Ivory says as she motions for Selena to come forward.

Fiona doesn't say a word but her eyes seems to be a bit welcoming despite showing a little rreleuctance.

Selena approaches them and asks why they are there.

"Of course I am here to support my cousin, outside of that, I don't have much interest in these things" Ivory explained.

"Isn't that because you're too weak? How could you be interested in a hunting competition when you'll just lose" Fiona asked in a flat tone

"Then why aren't you participating, Ms. Perfect?" Ivory retorted.

"My father is already representing House Flamor, I can't participate even if I wanted to. He also said this should be a battle between the princes and it won't be good if I ignored that and won" she explained casually.

"Who says you would win?" Selena whispered

"Oh, so you got quite confident after meeting that lover of yours huh? Fiona mocked.

Selena just turned her head without saying anything and Ivory chuckled at the scene.

"Fiona found out that we are both backed by a prince not too long ago, I'm sure she feels a bit more pressure now" Ivory whispered an explanation to Selena.

"I'll beat him at the magic competition and show you guys just how good, I, Fiona, is and why it's your greatest gift to know me" Fiona said with a smirk.

Ivory turned a bit pale, she never expected Fiona to target Jason and she found an official way to do it that won't result in her taking any blame.

Before Ivory was about to speak, Selena grabbed her arm and shook her head at her.

Jason hides very deeply so I'm not surprised if she doesn't know just how strong he is. Fiona may be the best mage in our academy but Jason did not work any less harder than she did.

"Good luck then Fiona but you better practice hard because Jason isn't someone you can take lightly" Selena said.

Fiona was stunned, "Jason? You guys made that much progress?" She asked suspiciously.

Selena blushed, "You shouldn't get into other's business," she said quickly.

"I have no interest in that competition, I just want to fight a prince. I will be heading to the Thorkell campaign right afterward, that is far more important to me" Fiona says nonchalantly.

"I'll be going to the Voraine empire afterward instead, I heard they are actually planning some sort of negotiation with them and I might become one of the envoys," Ivory says with a bit of sparkle in her eyes.

The two then turn toward Selena as if asking what her plans are.

Selena looked down in shame and whispered that she would just continue studying.

Fiona rolls her eyes and doesn't say anything while Ivory helps switch the topic.

The group of three kept talking for awhile before slowly drifting apart and going to their respective seats in the stadium.

The stadium was lively and many high--ranking nobles and the staff of the palace came to watch the event.

There were not too many participants, just the two princes, and just over a dozen more competitors.

Slowly, small tents were temporarily set up on the field to prepare each competitor for the competition.

Selena was scanning the tents slowly, looking very carefully for a familiar figure.

She then noticed in the corner, that Jason was all alone fixing his tent.

Selena quickly got up and made her way down to go and meet him. 

Lance was surrounded by big names from the military faction who were all giving him key advice and knowledge about the rules of the hunting competition.

He notices a familiar figure make her way toward Jason's tent and ends up slightly clenching his fists. 

Duke Zenat notices this abnormality follows Lance's eyes and notices Selena.

He seemed to think of something and then everything clicked.

"Is it because of her?" Duke Zenat says in a cold and stern voice.

Lance was a bit startled and realized he didn't control his emotions well just now.

"I apologize, Duke, I will focus and win this competition for everyone" Lance said after collecting his emotions.

The Duke looked back at Selena's departing back and just shook his head.

"Lance, picking an empress is a big deal. I won't say too much since it's your own private affairs but not only are there much better options than Selena, she is involved with Prince Jason. No matter how you look at it, it's a terrible idea that will only bring you ruin" Duke Zenat said calmly.

Lance clenched his fists involuntarily, "I understand, Duke" He said quietly.

The Duke shook his head, understanding that Lance was just being perfunctory.

"If he could win over Fiona or Ivory, wouldn't that be much better for the future? Power and intelligence are indispensable for a future empress. I don't see how Selena can compare" Duke Zenat thinks to himself with a sigh.

He changes the topic to focus on Lance winning the competition, which is more important right now than which girl he likes.

Near Jason's tent

The Young man is sitting calmly outside his tent while staring at the sky. He is dressed in his hunter's outfit and has a look of peace and solidarity on his face. He then quickly turns his head in one direction and gives a soft smile.

Selena's figure slowly approached and she smiled when she saw his face.

The two got closer and the atmosphere turned a bit ambiguous. It has been a month since they last saw each other in person. Even if they have been in contact through their magic, it is still quite different than seeing each other in person.

"How have you been?" Selena said as she broke the silence.

Much better now that you are here, Jason says in a smooth manner.

Selena's smile gets a bit brighter as she walks even closer towards him.

She sits next to him and then stares at the sky with him silently.

After a while, she says "Are you confident you can win?" 

Jason chuckles a little bit, "Don't worry about the competition, things will work out the way it's supposed to". he answered.

Selena feels much appreciation for Jason's confidence. She then looks over and sees Lance in a distance being taught by the leader of the empire's military.

"In terms of what the two of them have achieved on their own, it's almost night and day when comparing these pair of brothers", Selena says in her heart.

She then remembered her purpose and took out the sachet she had been working on.

"This is for you," She says with a shy face as she hands over the good luck charm.

Jason looked at it in a daze and then slowly reached his hand to grab it.

He was silent and was just observing the satchet closely. 

"You... made this yourself?" He asked in amazement.

"I wanted to support you in my own way," Selena says shyly.

Jason smiles and then grips the sachet harder as if he's scared it will disappear.

"This is the first good luck charm I have ever received. Thank you so much, Selena", He said with his eyes looking full of sincerity.

Selena felt conflicted in her heart after hearing these words, this man, who was seemingly supposed to have everything, hardly had any people who truly cared for him. No one is on his side at all. 

"This is just the start, don't worry, I will never let you suffer in the future", Selena said proudly and she stuck her chest out in confidence.

Jason laughed lightly and the two continued to chat throughout the afternoon.

The time for the start of the competition slowly came and the two had to break up. 

"I hope everything works out the way you want it Jason, I pray for your success," She says before disappearing into the crowd.

Jason smiles and ties the sachet to his neck before preparing to depart.

As Selena was heading back to her seat, a voice stopped her.

She turns around and sees Lance.

"Your Highness, the match is about to start. You should not waste time talking to me here" Selena said calmly.

"Selena, what were you two talking about?" Lance said awkwardly.

"What does that have to do with you, your highness?" Selena asked while her face turned a bit cold.

Lance was silent for a while.

"If there is nothing else, I will get going," Selena said as she headed back.

Lance stood there staring at her disappearing into the crowd. He wasn't sure what he wanted to achieve when he sought her out but he felt a sense of crisis. He felt like he would lose her forever if something didn't change. But what can he do?

His frustration builds as he slowly catches Duke Zenat's figure.

Remembering the Duke's words, he takes a deep breath and his eyes show a relaxed and focused look.

"The Duke is correct, right now, what I can do is shock the empire with my skills. I will win and show everyone I am superior to Jason" Lance says as his newfound determination steels his confidence. He walks back towards the tent and prepares to depart.

This competition will either solidify or break his current momentum. Now is the time to focus and secure the future he has been seeking since he was 10 years old.

Both the princes steel their determination as they wait for the words of the announcers. The next words lit a fire in the crowd as cheers erupted throughout the stadium.

"This Year's Hunting Competition, Has now, Begun!"