I recalled Murphy's Law again. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
But this time, I couldn't find the escape button.
How could I refuse my fiancé's invitation for a walk?
In the end, I walked toward Tristan.
Next to the royal camp, we were greeted not by a campsite but by a space that resembled a fairy's garden. Thinking about it now, it was June, the time when the foliage shines in its brightest colors.
A pure admiration escaped my lips.
"Wow, even the heavy rain seems to have missed this place; it's beautiful."
"The campsite area has been maintained by the workers. It might be fine for the men, but we can't let the ladies' dresses get dirty."
"Is it just the dresses that are a concern? What about Your Highness's fine boots…?"
No.
Thinking of dresses, the words I needed to tell Tristan came to mind.
"Your Highness, thank you so much for the dress you sent me recently."
"…"
"You remembered my favorite color… it's so beautiful, like a dawn lake, that just hanging it in my wardrobe and looking at it excites me. It's such a lovely dress."
"…"
"Oh, but today! I couldn't wear it because it's an outdoor day!"
I couldn't bring myself to mention that it didn't fit.
"Whenever I'm invited to a banquet with Your Highness, I hope to show you the dress…"
Why is he silent?
Did he get upset because I thanked him too late?
I tried to look up at him.
Tristan…
The moment I turned my head, he quickly spun his head around, almost at the speed of light.
"Your Highness?"
He didn't just turn his head; he completely turned his body around, not even showing me the side of his face, and said something ridiculous.
"There's no need to wear it. You can wear it alone at home or whatever."
"The dress you gave me wasn't pajamas."
"Pajamas… it might be a bit early for that…"
"…What? Your Highness, are you thinking something strange?"
"Hmph, no way."
He coughed awkwardly, then changed the subject.
"Exchanging gifts is a good thing."
"Indeed."
"I'm glad the weather is nice today. Whatever is exchanged, it will shine beautifully under the sun."
"Yes. It's a good day for a hunt."
"That's right. It would be even better if we had some support for the hunt."
"…"
"Any kind of support, no matter its form."
"Ah…"
"…No matter how small, thin, shabby, or light it is, it really doesn't matter."
Is he shaking the carrot for me to hand over a gift?
He's becoming more pitiful!
Sorry, but I even left the clichéd handkerchief at the camp.
For now, I decided to cover it with words.
"Please come back safely."
I pointed to the hill with sparse patches of soil.
"The path is so rough. I'm worried you might get hurt, Your Highness."
Actually, I wasn't worried.
This heavy rain was meant to set up the classic "Ah! The hunting trail is so slippery that we both fell down the cliff! We have no choice but to cling to each other to avoid freezing to death, what should we do!" cliché.
Most of the participants in the hunting competition would return without serious injuries.
Tristan, who didn't know my true thoughts, chuckled.
"You're underestimating me. Only rookies who have never held a reins would get caught in mud."
"Those rookies might slip in front of Your Highness and hurt you."
Traffic accidents don't only happen because one person is careless. It's a timeless truth.
Tristan didn't argue anymore.
"Alright, I'll come back safely."
Just then, a horn sounded from far away. The opening ceremony must be close, and they were gathering people.
"Your Highness, we should go… Oh, Your Highness!"
Tristan reached out to me, and I felt a sharp prickling on my scalp.
Did he pull out my hair instead of giving me a gift?
Startled, I turned my head. And there, in front of me, Tristan…
"…Your Highness. What are you doing?"
What's that in your hand? It's my hairpin!
Tristan spun the peridot-decorated, green hairpin in his hand and, while fastening it into his second buttonhole, said, "I just wanted to remember that someone wishes for my safe return."
"Your Highness, wait a moment!"
I touched my hair. Sure enough, a few strands of hair had poked out like horns. They must have been pulled out when the hairpin got caught.
The stray hairs weren't the only issue; I noticed an empty spot among the dozen or so hairpins the maid had placed at regular intervals.
It looked like I had lost it by accident!
"Please give me the pin back! Actually, I forgot the gift I prepared and left it at the camp. I'll give it to you!"
"…Really?"
"It's nothing special, but you might be disappointed… but, of course, I wouldn't have come unprepared!"
Even though I didn't receive a single lark from the last, or the one before, hunting tournament!
Tristan looked down at me with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
"When were you planning to give it to me if not now?"
"At the evening banquet…?"
"There's no guarantee I'll have time then. The organizers have to keep moving around."
"Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't think of that."
Come to think of it, the count and his wife were always quite busy during the parties, even though it seemed like they were just having fun. They were constantly checking to make sure no guest felt excluded and that no one was fighting.
I spoke anxiously,
"I'll make sure to give it to you even if it's late. Please come back safely!"
The sound of a trumpet rang out again. Tristan and I almost simultaneously quickened our steps. Of course, his steps were a little ahead of mine.
Is he angry?
What did I expect from a fiancé who had been ignoring me?
Anyway, if I just handed over a handkerchief, he'd probably just nag again…
I arrived at the campsite after a moment of contemplation.
I hurriedly called out to Tristan, who was heading toward the stage.
"Your Highness, please give me back my hairpin!"
"Wasn't this the gift you gave me?"
"I really have another gift prepared! And, my hair… it's a bit embarrassing like this…"
Tristan glanced over at me. Then… for some reason, he slightly lifted one corner of his mouth and said,
"This is just fine."
"What? What's good about this? It's obvious someone touched my hair!"
"The more obvious it is, the less likely the idiots who can't tell front from back will offer you anything to hunt."
"…."
His unexpected words left me speechless.
Hunt offerings? Who would, why would they give that to me?
Is this like how even a stray dog looks cute to its owner?
Wait, hold on. Is this a compliment?
He's basically saying that only idiots would give me hunting prizes, right?
"Your Highness, about what you just said…"
"I hope you don't get caught up in unnecessary things. I really don't have much time to invest in you today."
Tristan didn't look back and headed toward the prepared stage. His long legs quickly distanced themselves.
Sigh…
Tristan's law.
The unlucky always remain unlucky.
I tried to fix my hair as best as I could and walked toward the camp. After a while, Maria, noticing me, waved her hand.
Her eyes sparkled, and she was with her maid.
"Dory! Did you enjoy your walk with His Highness? Did you give him the gift?"
"Ah… Was that why you kept your distance?"
"Yes. I already got enough courage from you, and I didn't want to interrupt your time together."
You could have interrupted!
Later, Maria noticed my hair and tilted her head. It must have looked strange, as one hairpin was missing.
I quickly spoke up,
"Don't mind it."
But it seemed like that only served as an excuse. Maria said meaningfully,
"So, you didn't lose it?"
"…."
Should I say it was stolen, or that it was taken as a hostage?
The maid next to her, eyes gleaming, spoke up,
"Could it be… Ah, never mind! I apologize for my rudeness!"
"…."
Why didn't she just ask straight out? I'm too curious about what she's imagining.
I quickly wrapped the stray hairs around the other hairpins. Ugh, it really feels like someone messed with my hair.
The trumpet signaling the start of the event soon sounded. Unlike the earlier preparation trumpet, this one was joined by over three brass instruments, creating a harmony that drew everyone's attention.
In the center of the campsite, the first prince stepped onto the blue-covered podium.
Born as the eldest son, he had no extraordinary strengths or weaknesses, and so he would likely become the next king without much trouble.
"Once again, young blood gathers at Silver Helm this year. This land, where we once took refuge in our small kingdom, is a natural fortress that guards the heart of the nation…"
While admiring the surrounding scenery, the prince finished his speech, and the second prince stood up.
"Now, let those who will march together move to their places!"
The participants, led by the horse-mounted attendants, mounted their horses one by one. When they had lined up in a formation resembling arrowheads, the second prince stepped to the front of the procession.
Once we depart, the opening ceremony will be over…
I wondered if Tristan had any duties for now.