The Imperial Royal Hunt was not merely a display of marksmanship; it was a lethal stage for political maneuvering. Set in the sprawling Crimson Forest—named for the deep red leaves that carpeted the ground—it was the one time of year where the hierarchy of the capital was stripped down to leather, steel, and skill..
Justine sat atop her white mare, dressed in obsidian-black riding leathers. She was no longer the fragile girl who hid in the shadows of a villa. The "regression" had given her more than just memories; it had given her a cold, calculating clarity.
"You seem different today, Lady Justine," a voice drifted from behind her.
She didn't need to turn to know who it was. Lord Red was trailing her, his expression a mix of confusion and desperation. Ever since the Gilded Moon Festival, where she had publicly rebuked him, his "perfect" reputation had begun to fray at the edges.
"People change, My Lord," Justine said, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "Usually when they realize they’ve been walking a path that leads to a cliff."
"Justine, please," Red urged, pulling his horse alongside hers. "I haven't slept. I've sent messengers to your estate every day. I told you, that woman... she is a political necessity my father forced upon me. But you are the one who knows my soul. You are my peace."
Justine finally looked at him. In her past life, these words would have made her weep with gratitude. Now, they just made her skin crawl. "I am not a 'necessity' you can tuck away in a forest manor, Red. And I am certainly not your peace. I am your consequence."
Before he could respond, the sound of a hunting horn echoed through the trees, signaling the arrival of the Emperor’s inner circle.
A group of riders thundered past, led by a man in gold-trimmed armor. He pulled his stallion to a sharp halt, kicking up red leaves.
Justine’s heart gave a singular, sharp thud. It was Lord Julian—the man who had broken her heart before Red ever entered the picture. In her first life, Julian had abandoned her to marry a Duchess for power, leaving Justine so shattered that she fell right into Red’s waiting arms.
Julian looked at Justine, his eyes narrowing. He hadn't seen her since their bitter parting. He expected to see the girl who cried as his carriage drove away, but instead, he saw a woman whose gaze was as sharp as a spearhead.
"Lady Justine," Julian said, his voice deep and gravelly. "I heard rumors you had retired to the countryside to nurse your wounds. I didn't expect to see you at the Hunt."
"The countryside was too quiet, Lord Julian," Justine replied coolly. "I found that I prefer the sound of the hunt. It reminds me of how easy it is to spot a predator when you aren't blinded by their lies."
Red bristled beside her, sensing the tension. "Lord Julian, surely you have better things to do than pester my..." He paused, hesitating on the word.
"Your what, Red?" Justine asked, her voice a challenge. "Your secret? Your shadow? Your 'resting place'?"
Julian laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "It seems the little bird has grown talons. Tell me, Red, have you finally told her about your secret villa, or are you still taking the 'long route' home?"
The air turned frigid. Red’s face went pale. In this life, Justine had moved so fast that even Julian—Red’s rival in court—had caught wind of the cracks in Red’s facade.
Justine ignored both of them. She reached for the longbow strapped to her saddle.
"While you two argue over who betrayed me better," Justine said, her voice echoing through the clearing, "I have a house to rebuild. My father’s name was dragged through the mud because I was too distracted by men who treated love like a game of chess."
She notched an arrow, pulled the string to her ear with effortless grace, and released it. The arrow whistled through the air, pinning a distant target—a practice stag—directly through the heart.
She looked back at Julian, the man who left her, and Red, the man who cheated on her.
"Do not follow me," she warned. "In my first life, I was the prey. In this one... I am the hunter."
With a flick of her reins, Justine galloped into the heart of the Crimson Forest, leaving the two most powerful men in her past standing in the dust of her departure.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 9 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments