Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 29
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“It must have been a lot of work preparing everything.”
Ian praised Dekiel’s efforts while surveying the forest of the Viente duchy.
“Brother… even the High Priest said he’s never seen a hunting festival prepared so perfectly.”
“It’s all thanks to your careful oversight.”
The young duke was deliberately modest, lowering himself.
And he quietly gazed at Ian’s chest.
“You must have been busy. Both you and your fiancée.”
Ian opened his eyes wide, unable to understand the intention behind that question.
But soon after checking his chest where the amulet was missing, he let out a short sigh as if just remembering.
“That’s right. I ended up parting with Haine in a hurry while exchanging greetings with Lady Canabeil.”
“Ah, Canabeil. It’s been a while.”
Dekiel softly recited the pink-haired lady’s name.
And after thinking about something for a moment, he wished for their mutual safety with a thin smile.
“Anyway, I’ll see you in the afternoon. This year, I’m going to win.”
“I hope you try your best. I was starting to feel embarrassed about having my name listed as the winner at the altar every year.”
The two exchanged playful jokes and waved goodbye.
Once Dekiel disappeared from view, Ian, with a bitter smile, called for his faithful butler.
“Hubert.”
“Yes, young master.”
Hubert, who had been watching Ian from a distance, quickly closed the gap.
“Would you keep an eye on Haine? She’ll be with Lady Canabeil.”
Hubert, well aware of his master’s concerns, silently bowed his waist.
After all, Ian treated his lover as if she were a flower petal that would crumble at the slightest touch.
Having bid farewell, the butler quickly turned to search for the silver hair.
He made a solemn vow to stay by the young lady’s side no matter what until his master returned.
***
Canabeil kept her arm linked with mine while smiling lovingly.
The warmth of a stranger’s touch wasn’t particularly pleasant.
“Where are we going?”
“Just follow me.”
I knew there was a social gathering place for noble ladies and ladies-in-waiting right next to the main grounds where the hunting festival was being managed.
This place and the vast surrounding area were all part of the Viente duchy.
It was said that this land was specially granted to Viente by the Grand Duchy of Fortena for providing great help long ago.
The Viente duchy, which governed the territory bordering the grand duchy, and the Grand Duchy of Aintz had maintained close relations for a long time.
‘That reason alone doesn’t explain why Ian and Duke Viente are so close.’
I shifted my gaze, which had paused briefly, back to Canabeil.
Contrary to my expectation that we might sit at one of the numerous tables, Canabeil passed behind the venue and headed toward the forest.
The forest where the hunting festival was in full swing.
‘Could she be planning to lure me to a secluded spot to bury me?’
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Canabeil’s hand pointed to one side.
“It should be visible soon… Ah! Over there.”
As Canabeil said, a small clearing appeared between what seemed to be a rarely used path.
Someone had prepared an antique table with appropriate refreshments neatly arranged there.
I looked around the small space prepared for us in surprise.
“I didn’t know such a place existed.”
“Yes, I thought we might have some time alone today. So I specially prepared this.”
‘What a lie.’
“I really wanted to become close with Lady Haine if I could spend time with you.”
The precious young lady of House Ilkane acted brazenly after trespassing in someone else’s duchy without permission.
And she deliberately dropped what seemed like a casual remark.
“I’ve been here several times before, so I knew about this space in Duke Viente’s forest.”
While kindly inviting me to sit down, Canabeil surveyed my expression with unkind eyes.
“As you know, Lord Ian and Lord Dekiel are old friends. When I was Lord Ian’s fiancée, the three of us would often meet together.”
Curious about how I would react, Canabeil, who had been chattering like a small bird, fell uncharacteristically silent.
Wanting to crush those expectations, I smiled as fresh as the green forest, showing little agitation.
Perhaps unsatisfied with my slightly refreshing smile,
Canabeil hurriedly pulled something out before even pouring tea into her cup.
“Um, I have something to give to Lady Haine.”
“What is it?”
“Would you accept this? It’s a gift.”
Suddenly?
I didn’t hide my dubious expression as I narrowed my eyes slightly at the handkerchief.
Just as I was scrutinizing Canabeil piece by piece, she must have been sizing me up as well.
So she must have noticed that I wasn’t particularly naive or foolish.
The little bird’s words suddenly quickened.
“I really love giving handkerchiefs as gifts. Especially to people I want to become close with, like Lady Haine – I always make sure to give them handkerchiefs I’ve embroidered myself.”
It did seem true that she had embroidered it herself.
The handkerchief Canabeil handed over had simple embroidery scattered around a modest rose pattern in the center.
“Though my skills are lacking, I prepared it with great care. I would be happy if you could cherish this handkerchief, even if just for today.”
And she urged me with clear eyes that reminded me of Ian’s.
Telling me to quickly take that handkerchief and keep it preciously in my possession.
‘Should I play along?’
After briefly contemplating while looking at Canabeil’s handkerchief, I accepted it with apparent joy.
“Thank you. Such a thoughtful gift. I didn’t prepare anything… What should I do?”
“Just accepting it makes me happy! Oh, my goodness!”
“What’s wrong?”
“How careless of me. I had something important to do but I forgot!”
As I held the handkerchief neatly and smiled, Canabeil hurriedly stood up.
This caused the syrup placed in front to spill.
To prevent that sweet liquid from covering my body, I quickly blocked it with the handkerchief.
“Oh my! I’m so sorry. Are you alright?”
“I feel awkward using such a precious handkerchief like this.”
“Not at all! I’m glad it was immediately useful.”
Canabeil shook her head repeatedly and even offered a small pouch, saying to put the handkerchief in there.
It was a noble attempt to make sure I took this handkerchief with me no matter what.
‘You deliberately spilled that syrup just now.’
Yet she pretended to panic as if it were an accident.
If I hadn’t known better, it would have seemed quite natural.
It was the kind of smooth act that could only come from someone who lived with deceit daily.
“What should I do? I feel bad about having to leave suddenly, and now I’ve made this mistake…”
“Please don’t worry too much. We’ll have other chances to talk.”
I demonstratively held up the pretty pouch containing her handkerchief.
“Since I received a gift, I’d like to repay you soon… Oh my! I think I dropped something important. It’s something I can’t lose!”
Canabeil rose with a smile as if it couldn’t be helped.
“Since you need to return quickly, please take that shortcut over there. I’m familiar with this place, so I’ll check along the path we came.”
The place she pointed to was clearly toward the center of the forest.
Going that way would either result in being mistaken for an animal and hunted, or being attacked by animals that should be hunted.
“It shouldn’t be too difficult to find your way.”
When I tilted my head, Canabeil smiled modestly and extended her hand.
It was a gesture of offering to escort me personally.
As I took her hand and stood up, Canabeil emphasized the safety of the path I would be taking, telling me not to worry.
“If you go just a little further in this direction, you’ll soon reach the pavilion prepared for the Grand Duke’s family.”
“Isn’t this path heading into the forest?”
When I asked in apparent confusion, Canabeil maintained her poker face and stated firmly.
“It may look that way, but this path actually curves slightly, making it a kind of shortcut. If you walk for just five minutes, you’ll understand what I mean.”
Then she placed me on that path at her discretion and waved.
“I’m sorry I can’t see you off completely. I really must find that item.”
Canabeil wore a face that suggested she could hardly bear worrying about me.
Yet she never suggested coming with me or insisting that I should go with her instead.
“Please go ahead. I can only leave once I see you off.”
The pink little bird kept urging me incessantly.
‘What could she have prepared?’
She seemed desperate to somehow push me into the center of the forest.
***
‘Where could she be?’
Hubert had always considered Haine to be a conspicuous future mistress.
Not just because of her beauty that anyone would praise, but because of the strangely distinctive atmosphere that surrounded Haine.
Especially that expression on her face when she was alone and aloof, lost in thoughts that were impossible to gauge.
But no matter where he looked, he couldn’t find Haine anywhere.
‘Should I check around House Ilkane?’
After looking around the open reception area for quite some time, Hubert soon began tracking Dantea’s traces as well.
The maid with busy, moving orange hair might be easier to spot.
No sooner had he thought this than Dantea came running.
Alone, without the young lady she was supposed to attend.
It didn’t feel good.
“Where is the young lady?”
Hubert unconsciously narrowed his brows and asked as if scolding.
Dantea sighed as if it couldn’t be helped.
“Well, Lady Canabeil…”
