As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

Although she was some distance away from the tent, Diana could clearly see what kind of mask it was. The white mask with protruding rabbit ears was noticeable even from afar.

“…”

“Lady Diana, is there something troubling you?”

Reiad approached her with a smug expression, squinting his eyes as he smiled. He hadn’t participated in the hunting event today but had come along because Diana wanted to watch.

“It’s nothing.”

She shifted her gaze with a distant look, thinking that Luize’s taste was quite peculiar.

The hunting event took place in a forest on the outskirts of the capital, and since it was a hunt exclusive to the nobility, the types and numbers of beasts were predetermined and released accordingly. The hunting grounds were surrounded by a barrier to prevent external beasts from entering, and the beasts inside were weakened by the barrier, making them less of a threat. As a result, there were no overly dangerous animals within the hunting grounds.

But then, the barrier broke.

* * *

The nobles couldn’t believe their eyes as they watched the emperor giving a congratulatory speech. He was wearing a sword at his waist, which was quite unusual for him. His attire was also more practical than ceremonial as if he was prepared for something unexpected. As he descended from the podium with a quiver of arrows on his back, he mingled with the participants.

“This year, I shall participate as well.”

The nobles, who were about to head to the hunting grounds, momentarily paused. The emperor walked casually through them. Although it was rare, there had been instances in the past where the emperor participated in the hunting event. However, he usually caught something of moderate value to allow a noble to take the victory—like a large stag with beautiful antlers or a rare silver wolf with valuable fur. But this emperor seemed completely unaware of why that was done. Moreover, he had no skills in either magic or swordsmanship, so he wouldn’t be able to catch anything impressive.

Everyone thought the same thing and decided to catch something modest, like a rabbit or a deer. After all, catching something more impressive than the emperor would certainly put them out of favor. The only one who seemed thoroughly prepared was the person wearing the rabbit mask.

“Everyone seems ready. Let the hunt begin!”

The hunt commenced.

* * *

The person wearing the white rabbit mask ran through the forest. The largest beasts in the hunting event were usually one of three: a bear, a giant boar, or a great wolf. While one might think the bear would be the largest, the giant boar and great wolf were about the same size as the bear and even more challenging to hunt. Thanks to the barrier’s weakening effect, it wouldn’t be too difficult to capture any of them.

“W-What is this!”

The first to realize the seriousness of the situation was a noble who was confronting a small wolf. The beasts were on a completely different level compared to those from previous hunting events.

“

”

Most of the nobles had some level of skill since they enjoyed hunting as a hobby. However, the difference in the feel of this hunt compared to usual made them all turn pale.

“This… The barrier must be broken.”

“That means His Majesty is…”

“He specifically ordered that no one follow him, saying he would hunt alone. He’s quite deep inside by now.”

Those who recognized the severity of the situation had starkly different reactions. The emperor’s faction panicked but still rushed to rescue him. At the same time, those leaning toward Edward pretended not to notice and leisurely hunted rabbits and deer near the outskirts.

Meanwhile, the rabbit-masked hunter, who had reached the innermost part of the hunting area, finally encountered their target.

“

!”

“

!”

“

!”

To be precise, they encountered three targets: a bear, a giant boar, and a great wolf, all charged toward them at once. Typically, only one of these three would appear in a hunting event. So why were all three gathered in one place?

It wasn’t difficult to subdue them, but dealing with all three at once was troublesome. Fortunately, despite their size, these beasts weren’t particularly strong.

The three beasts fell one after another. And just as the hunter finished them off, someone hiding in the forest suddenly appeared.

“Grand Duke Lindeman, it’s been a while.”

The rabbit mask turned to face the emperor. It seemed the emperor had come looking for them, or perhaps someone had spotted the emperor from a distance and ran over to him.

“Your Majesty!”

This was not a good sign. In the deepest part of the forest, surrounded by the emperor and his faction, the beasts had been slain, and it would be easy to stage Edward’s death as an accident. Just as the rabbit mask opened their mouth to say something, the emperor drew his sword and slashed his own forearm.

“What the…”

“The grand duke attacked me! He tried to kill me! He stole the beasts I hunted and attempted to murder me!” The emperor screamed loudly, ensuring everyone could hear. Those running towards him turned pale when they heard his voice.

“Your Majesty! I will summon a healer immediately. Arrest the Grand Duke!”

“…”

Contrary to the emperor’s expectation that the rabbit mask would run away, the masked figure instead approached the emperor with quick steps. As the figure got closer, the emperor was startled and took a step back.

“W-Why are you doing this? Are you trying to kill me? How dare you?”

“It’s not that.

, since it’s an emergency, I’ll take off the mask for a moment.”

The person removed their hat and lifted the rabbit mask, revealing violet eyes and long silver hair that cascaded like a wave.

“I’m just trying to check your wound.”

“

?”

“You’re injured, Your Majesty.”

The one person behind the rabbit mask wasn’t Grand Duke Edward von Lindeman, but Luize di Servenia.

* * *

On the day the final plan was decided, Robin spoke up with a puzzled expression after hearing the operation plan.

“Did I hear that wrong? The first part is fine, but aren’t the participants for the second and third events switched? Why is Your Excellency participating in the survival duel and Lady Luize in the hunting event? Wouldn’t it be more ideal for Your Excellency to be the last one?”

“That’s a good question.” Edward smiled. “The emperor is definitely going to set a trap in the hunting event.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better for Your Excellency to participate? Of course, Lady Luize is strong enough. Still, in the realm of social and political battles, Your Excellency is more adept. And above all, hunting involves killing beasts…” Robin glanced at Luize nervously.

Luize replied calmly as if it didn’t bother her at all. “To answer your last question, it’s fine. After all, we’re catching them to eat, right?”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s inevitable. The meat that ends up on our table was hunted as well. It’s not the fault of the hunters who slaughter the beasts.”

“Slaughter… I mean, yes, that’s true. But still, it’s… I mean, the sight, the sound, the feel…” Robin stammered, trying to convey his concern that the sensory experience of killing a beast might be shocking.

“I’ll make sure to end it cleanly in one go. I’m more suitable for this than anyone else. I’m confident I can take its life in an instant.”

“…”

“And I’ve fought many beasts in Perils since I was young, so I’m used to that kind of sensation. When I was younger, I was so skilled that I would sometimes pretend to hunt beasts in my sleep. Although, I do oppose hunting animals for sport.”

Maxion, who was present at the meeting, swallowed nervously. For the record, Luize almost hunted Maxion in her sleep once. After barely surviving, Lensia placed a wooden sword instead of a real sword in their room until Luize stopped sleepwalking.

“What about the trap?”

“Who do you think the trap is set for?”

“Obviously, for Your Excellency.”

“Then it’ll be one of two things. Either they’ll try to assassinate me and make it look like an accident, or they’ll frame me for an attempted assassination. If it’s the former, they only have to deal with me. Still, if it’s the latter, they could eliminate everyone associated with me, so the latter is more likely.”

“

, but wouldn’t they need to harm themselves to make such a claim? Honestly, isn’t the emperor a bit of a coward? He doesn’t seem capable of thinking that far ahead… Sometimes, he really seems foolish.”

“He’d think it’s better than losing his head. And judging by his actions so far, it’s clear he has an advisor.”

“

, that’s true. Considering the subjugation, it seemed like someone from the temple who’s a bit clever has allied with the emperor.”

“Exactly. And whether it’s the former or the latter, Miss Luize would have an easier time getting out of it.”

“That’s right! The emperor wouldn’t make an enemy of Servenia. Even if he gets injured and tries to frame her, Lady Luize could immediately heal him and clear up any misunderstandings… Even if it’s the former, Lady Luize would likely subdue everyone and wouldn’t fall victim.”

Edward smiled. Now, all his knights naturally acknowledged her abilities.

“Exactly. And I’ve received new information about the emperor’s advisor.”

“Why? Is there something more besides that old man?” Robin asked with a curious expression.