The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 174: A game of hunt

Chapter 174: A game of hunt

[Flashback]

Everything began in the Year 1659, the Martial Era of the Arcaria Empire.

In a game of hunt.

Clouds cleared the sky, letting the tint of blue grace those who walked on the earth. The sun shone brightly, but its soft rays only brought warmth to one’s skin. It was the perfect weather for the first day of festivities in the empire.

"His Highness, the Crown Prince, will participate in the hunt. I wonder to whom will he offer his hunt?"

"Will he even offer it to anyone besides the Empress?"

"The selection for the crown princess will be evaluated throughout the festival..."

Women and men from different noble houses couldn’t help but talk to each other. Not only it was the first time for the crown prince to join a hunt, but it was also the time for the empire to choose its crown princess.

The murmurs in each of the tents of the nobles halted upon the sight of the white carriage with the Imperial Family insignia. Coming out of the carriage was a tall man in a white and gold hunting suit, adorned with a single accessory of the Imperial Family crest.

Many noble ladies blushed at the sight of him. The man had a great stature and his hunting attire fit perfectly with his fitted physique. His beautiful eyes, which were akin to topaz, gleamed, melting anyone whom he set his eyes on.

He was beautiful. Even noblemen couldn’t help but admit the crown prince looked like he came out straight from a painting. But the gaze of admiration disappeared, replaced with dismay when the picturesque sight of the crown prince was ruined by the appearance of the Duke of the South.

"Now, the beautiful scenery is ruined," said a young madam. "The Duke of South. I wonder what other underhanded means he would do now."

"He shouldn’t be here," another young lady expressed. "His Highness is participating, and considering the barbaric nature of the South, I do not want to say further."

"Quiet down, ladies. Duke Fitzroy had pledged his loyalty to His Majesty. He would bark if the Crown Prince asked."

"Even so, the House Fitzroy ruined a great part of the west..."

"That scar on his brow... is that a new one?"

This time, gossip and unpleasant commentary regarding the bastard Duke started to resonate among the crowd. Compared to the beautiful crown prince, the duke was covered with scars hidden within his suit. One prominent scar he was known for was that one big scar across the side of his mouth. Both men were truly different by miles and the only thing they shared in common in appearance was the color of their eyes.

But even so, no one was courageous enough to express their dismay aloud, considering the Duke of the South was also known as the Empire’s hellhound.

A title he earned after fighting countless battles for the empire.

"Hypocrites," the Crown Prince hissed, glancing over the tents for the high nobles. "How dare they speak badly of my friend in my presence?"

"Your Highness, the hunt will start soon," said Duke Fitzroy, unfazed by the evident dismay just by his presence. "His Majesty told me to assist you. We do not want them waiting. Follow me."

"How come you’re not bothered by it?" asked the crown prince as he walked beside the duke. "You got that scar in your mouth for fighting for every single one for this empire."

The duke didn’t respond, keeping his eyes ahead. Seeing that the duke had no interest in indulging with him, the crown prince sighed heavily.

"I do not want a crown princess," the crown prince confessed, observing the duke from the corner of his eyes. "And I don’t want to hunt."

Still, the duke didn’t respond.

"I’m trying to get hurt to delay the selection."

"And that is why His Majesty, the Emperor sent me here." This time, the Duke responded to him in his same cold and flat tone. "He was concerned that His Highness would try to pull anything to delay the selection. This cannot be delayed further. You need an heir."

The crown prince clicked his tongue. "I do not want an heir."

Duke Fitzroy gave him a silent treatment once more while the crown prince exhausted every reason he could think of to convince him to help him. Even when they already mounted their mounts and the host was praising the heavens for this joyous festival, the crown prince didn’t stop.

"Your Grace, how about a race?" the crown prince suggested quietly. "Instead of a hunt, we’ll see who has the fastest mount between us. That black one, or mine?"

’No,’was the Duke’s initial thought, but after assessing the crown prince, he stayed quiet.

"I take your silence as an agreement," the crown prince smiled charmingly. "Alright, then."

"And I hereby..."

After another minute, the host of the event announced the beginning of the festival. As soon as he did, the crown prince galloped through the forest, and followed by him was the Duke. Normally, the crown prince would have a massive entourage to assist him throughout the hunt. However, with the duke with him, he didn’t need an entire court to come with him.

Though the noble ladies disliked the duke, those in power trusted the duke’s capability. And they all knew he would keep the rebellious crown prince safe. But what everyone didn’t expect was that this day wasn’t only the beginning of the festivities, but also the beginning of change.

*

*

*

"Jackson!" the crown prince laughed as they galloped further toward the hunting area, looking back at the duke, who was trying to catch up. "How about we go further than the hunting area and around the foot of the mountain?"

Duke Fitzroy, Jackson, glanced at the crown prince but didn’t respond. When he looked ahead, his eyes dilated in panic.

"Your Highness!"

The crown prince intuitively looked ahead, only to see a person walking across the pathway. He pulled the reins as hard as he could, trying his best not to run over the person. But alas, as he tried to, he figured it was too late.

"Watch out!" he yelled, intuitively forcing his steed to jump as high as he could so as not to hit the person. His mount was able to jump over the person, but its hooves still hit the person’s head.

Jackson, on the other hand, veered to the side while his steed steadily slowed down. When he stopped, he was already close to the crown prince.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" he asked, only to see the crown prince look back at the person.

"I hit him," the crown prince breathed out, jumping off his steed to check on the person. Jackson glanced back and jumped off his horse right away, drawing his sword, suspicious of the person who coincidentally appeared in the path where the crown prince was taking.

"Are you —" the crown prince halted as he heard the ’shing’ of Jackson’s sword before a blade glinted from the corner of his eyes.

"Your Highness, please stand back," Jackson warned solemnly, observing the person who was covered with a cloak. "This person might’ve been sent by anyone who is opposed to you."

An assassin?

The crown prince instantly backed away, letting the duke approach the person. He watched Jackson slide the tip of his sword into the hood of the person’s head, pulling it up to reveal the face of the crown prince’s possible assassin. Much to their dismay, as soon as they saw the person, it was not a man.

"That..." the woman held her head and then checked the blood on her palm. Her lips curved down, turning her head to look at the men standing before her. Confusion and genuine wonder gleamed across her pair of purple eyes, tilting her head a little to the side.

"... hurt."

Blood dripped from the side of her head, but both men stared at her in surprise. Or rather, in a daze.

"Stunning," the crown prince blurted out, wide-eyed.

The lady blinked innocently, staring at the beautiful crown prince with genuine wonder. But when she shifted her eyes to the other man, the corner of her lips curled up into a beautiful and soothing smile.

And for the first time, Duke Jackson Fitzroy heard his heart beat so loud it was almost painful.

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