Chapter 26: Start Of The Hunt

Eventually, the day of the hunt arrived. Selina, as usual, was stuck wearing her ugly tunic. Honestly, was there really nothing in the budget to get her better clothing? She sighed dramatically at her reflection, tugging at the coarse material.

With a resigned shrug, she headed downstairs for breakfast, only to spot her lovely brother seated at the dining table, a cup of steaming tea in hand.

"Amelia," Troye greeted her, his lips twitching with barely concealed amusement. "Those rags truly suit you. Commoners should stick to commoner clothing."

"Why thank you, your grace. My natural beauty is complemented by everything I wear~" Selina fires back. 

"Whatever, just hurry up and eat. I'll meet you outside" Troye stands up and leaves. 

Selina quickly eats and heads out. Seeing Reinhart and the other knights, Selina really felt out of place.

"Amelia!" A handsome man eagerly greets her.

Selina turned to see a man striding toward her. His messy blond hair caught the sunlight and his mouth was shaped into a friendly grin. He had broad shoulders and an athletic build, but his red eyes, the same shade as fresh embers, gave him an edge that suggested danger wrapped in charm.

"Noah?! What are you doing here?" 

"Amelia, I'm a prince, y'know," he said with mock indignation, pressing a hand to his chest like her question had wounded him. "I'm here to defend my kingdom!"

"Shouldn't you be with the royal knights then?" Selina questions.

"My father thought it would be better for me to train here. The northern knights are more experienced fighting demons after all, and I get an excuse to bother Troye~" Noah's red eyes gleam with mischief.

Selina groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You go ahead and do that. Just don't drag me into it. I can't have Troye putting another target on my back."

Noah tilts his head in confusion.

"Are you coming with us?"

"Yeah, I know, I'm surprised myself."

Noah burst out laughing, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, this hunt just got a whole lot more interesting."

Selina rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a faint smirk.

"All jokes aside, it's quite relieving to have you along. It would've been so awkward with just me here; I look so out of place." 

"We can be outsiders together" Noah smiled brightly, his relaxed demeanor instantly putting her at ease. 

Reinhart stares at the duo getting along swimmingly, a strange feeling twisting in her chest. 

"Everyone, gather up! We're heading out, let's move! Quit the chattering!" Reinhart declares loudly.

Selina immediately stops conversing with Noah.

"We should get in" She heads towards the carriage, a delicate lady like herself wouldn't need to ride a horse~ Is what she thought before a slender, calloused hand hoisted her up by the waist. 

"My lady, the carriage is for his highness. You're riding with me"

"Reinhart…are you insane?! Let me down!" 

The knight suppresses a laugh, but her upturned lips made Selina even angrier.

"I figured you would put up a fight, this was the easiest way. Don't blame me, the fault is on his grace. He figured riding with me would give you more experience. Horse-riding is quite an important skill." Reinhart calmly explains while carrying Selina.

"Then shouldn't you make Noah ride a horse instead?!"

"Troye was advised by the emperor to treat his highness with the utmost care." 

Selina flushes red, feeling the astonishing looks from the others as Reinhart carefully mounts her on the horse. Noah bursts out laughing, not even bothering to hide his laughter. Troye hits him on the head.

"You're causing a scene" He coldly states. Utmost care my ass. 

Reinhart gets on as well.

"Hold on tight and observe me. You're a pretty quick learner" 

Selina glares at her aggrievedly, she'll get her back for this. She takes another look at Noah, their eyes meeting. Noah bursts out laughing once more, clutching his chest, his eyes tearing up. This results into another whack on the head by Troye as they both get into the carriage.

Why did such a dainty noble lady like herself have to deal with this while the two men were having the time of their lives?! She'll get all of them back for this. 

"Amelia, focus," Reinhart said sharply, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "This isn't some leisurely outing. Lives will be at stake out there, including yours. If you can't take this seriously, you're putting not just yourself but everyone else in danger. Riding a horse is the least of your concerns." Her tone was steady, but the weight of her words pressed heavily on Selina's chest, leaving no room for her usual quips.

Selina locks in after the reality check but still felt wrong. 

Reinhart gripped the reins firmly, her voice calm and steady. "Let's go!" she commanded, spurring the horse into motion. The animal started at a brisk trot before gradually picking up speed.

"Ohmygodslowdown!" Selina shouts outs, tightly gripping the waist of the person in front of her. Selina buries her head in Reinhart's strong back. This was Selina's first time riding a horse and from the memories gained so far, it was Amelia's first time too. She's so done for. 

"Relax," Reinhart said without turning, her voice carrying over the sound of hooves pounding the ground. "The more tense you are, the harder this will be. Sit upright and let your body move with the rhythm of the horse."

"That's easy for you to say!" Selina snapped, though her words were muffled against the knight's back. Her grip tightened as the horse transitioned into a smooth canter, and she swore she could feel her soul leaving her body.