The Contract Marriage for Attilenta's Revenge - Chapter 39

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Atilenta’s Revenge—A Contract Marriage: Episode 39
I drew sketches before Henrik, even going so far as to describe the face and clothing of the person acting so boldly.
‘Your Highness, from what I can see, the person was dressed like this… Does anything strike you as familiar?’
Henrik took my drawing and stared at it intently for a long moment before speaking slowly.
‘I’ve seen him before—a man who appeared at a gathering where the head of House Biauvi brought together the Royal House and major nobility. It was, I believe… yes, a celebration for his child’s birthday.’
I found the situation rather ironic. The daughter showed obvious interest in him before everyone, even expressing resentment toward me.
Yet her father was scheming against this man—and through others, no less.
This meant Henrik was not the one the king had marked as the prince to ascend the throne.
So much for cradling his daughter like a bird; it seemed he planned to saddle her with a mere puppet of a husband.
As the weight of this realization settled on me, a fierce resolve crystallized within.
Whoever tried to stand in Henrik’s way would not go unchallenged by me.
‘Of course, even if we capture this man, he will claim ignorance. I suspect he may not even participate in the hunt itself.’
As I listened to Henrik weigh the possibilities and reach his conclusion, I realized the Mirror had not deceived me, and I nodded calmly.
‘Caution is certainly warranted, Your Highness. We shall assess the situation that day.’
‘Your words are wise. So it shall be.’
Now, here Henrik stood before me without further ceremony, his expression painted with a smile as carefully rendered as a masterpiece.
“Our first outing into the forest together, it seems.”
As if mindful of the knights and servants about us, he approached me with the tenderness of a devoted husband, and we departed the palace into a sky clear and open.
“I have been awaiting this day with His Highness with such anticipation.”
I had wondered why such distinguished persons would hunt in the depths of winter, yet the day shone with a clarity as bright as a serene autumn afternoon.
Riding in the same carriage as Henrik, I glanced quietly out the window at the Royal Palace’s austere black walls, where the white snow that had clung like ivy had melted away, leaving only the deep blue of the forest visible.
“…What a pristine forest. I had no idea such a place existed beyond the palace.”
The Royal Palace was so vast that I had not yet explored all its corners. Henrik responded to my unguarded admiration in an even tone.
“Just as in days past, whenever we offer devotion to Bwendia, such warm weather always arrives. There is game to be caught only at this season, so everyone keeps keen watch for it.”
“Indeed. It promises to be a fascinating time.”
I withdrew my gaze from the window and stole a glance at Henrik. Despite his refined dress, his robust, upright frame stood out distinctly.
“The competition is not particularly fierce.”
The casual way he shrugged made me think he must be quite skilled at hunting as well.
The carriage ride was not long. As we arrived at the forest, a clamorous atmosphere was already palpable.
“Take my hand, and descend carefully, my dear.”
As the carriage came to a halt, Henrik stepped down first and extended his large hand to me with practiced ease. Around us stood the king in the purple cloak I had seen before, Prince Lesica, Princess Barsha with her knights, and influential nobles including House Biauvi, crowded together.
I grasped his hand tightly as though we were intimate.
“…The wine Princess Barsha prepared is so fragrant……”
“It seems an excellent occasion has been arranged, like last time……”
While they exchanged pleasantries among themselves, they were observing us. Though I should have grown accustomed to it by now, the warm touch of his hand still felt strange, and I could not bring myself to let go.
Instead, I smiled like a bashful wife and leaned against him as though I might fall into his embrace at any moment.
Soon a grand trumpet fanfare rang out.
“It brings me such joy to see you all gathered here after so long. This is a blessed day upon which Bwendia graciously bestows his favor. I trust you will all enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
The king finished his brief remarks and descended from the platform. I approached him alongside Henrik and paid my respects.
“Your Highness. I am honored to be invited to this distinguished gathering.”
“Henrik, and my son’s bride as well. Always a joy to see you. Shall we measure who brings down more game today—you and Lesica—as we did in the old days?”
The king’s gaze shone with the warmth of an affectionate father, but I was not deceived. Neither, I suspected, was Henrik.
“Such a competition would certainly be entertaining, but I have been looking forward to seeing my brother display his exceptional skill.”
Henrik smoothly redirected attention to Lesica. The prince’s platinum hair, bound in a knot, gleamed distinctly even beneath the bright winter sun.
Even knowing the circumstances surrounding Lesica, the aura that emanated from him still felt elegant and composed.
“Henrik, I recall you accomplished it far more readily the last time.”
“I was simply fortunate to bring down several creatures.”
Among them, Henrik stood out particularly.
His frame was solid and straight, and his gaze remained fixed and unwavering, neither tense nor slack.
Perhaps it was because I had come to know him through so much contact.
Only with him was it different. My palm seemed to have grown slightly tacky—whether from my own perspiration or his, I could not say.
I pretended not to notice such sensations and pressed closer to Henrik with feigned intimacy.
“This is my first time witnessing such a display. Your Highness Henrik, I await with great anticipation.”
Henrik, who had been regarding the king and Lesica, turned his gaze down to me at once.
In those enigmatic jeweled eyes lay a tenderness befitting this performance. The slight curve of his lips softened further into a gentle smile.
“I cannot afford to disappoint you, so I shall certainly prove worthy of your expectations.”
He then raised his hand and gently brushed aside my crimson hair where the wind had disarranged it. The warmth of his touch was identical to the warmth in which he held my hand.
“Go and pass the time in pleasant conversation with Barsha in a warm place.”
Looking around, everyone was gathering bows and arrows. After offering proper courtesy to the king and Lesica, I withdrew and made my way to where Henrik directed. Beneath a thick canvas canopy, the cozy crackling of a fire filled the air.
Upon entering what felt like a refuge, I could finally release his hand. Just before we parted, I leaned against him and whispered softly enough that I appeared to any observer as a devoted wife offering her concerned farewell to her husband.
“Your Highness. I’m afraid it would be difficult for me to go directly to the place where that item is kept.”
The tent where the bow and arrows were stored seemed to be guarded by knights. Given how heavily fortified the atmosphere was, I feared that if I ventured out myself—unlike the other noblewomen passing time at this rest camp—it would look suspicious.
And Lesica was already harboring suspicion.
Outwardly, I kept my face composed, treating everyone—Henrik included—with casual indifference, but inside, tension gripped my chest so tightly I could barely breathe. This was not an anxiety I could simply suppress.
There was good reason for such turmoil.
I believed I’d switched the arrows, but I had never managed to confirm directly whether the arrow Henrik would use had poison on it or not.
The mirror had never even shown me a scene of an arrow aimed precisely at Henrik.
“I’ll see to it. You needn’t worry.”
Henrik left the tent wearing a natural smile. His hand brushed my shoulder lightly, conscious of onlookers—the picture of a devoted couple.
But my heart hammered against my ribs.
Because I held no perfect certainty about the culprit, the weapon, or the circumstances themselves.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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