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Aleksei and Mikhail, along with the other participants in the hunting tournament, mounted their horses and headed toward the hunting grounds.
The horse Mikhail rode belonged to the House of Jurnova. Even among the fine steeds in the stables of Jurnova Castle, it was the most outstanding. Mikhail of course had his own personal steed, but since he had traveled up the great Chernov River from the imperial capital by fast boat, he had been unable to bring it with him.

“A fine horse.”

When he was introduced to the horse, Mikhail said this with a smile. The line was as polished as ever, but the sparkle in his eyes revealed genuine delight.
In truth, it was a magnificent animal at a glance. Well-proportioned and slender in appearance, yet sturdy and powerful. Its beautiful chestnut coat was perfectly groomed, glossy like a mirror. Even the movement of its muscles rippling with each step was supple and beautiful. Its mane was neatly braided, showing how carefully the grooms had prepared this horse for the prince’s riding.

“It does not compare to Areion, of course.”

At Aleksei’s words, Ekaterina immediately understood. Areion must be the name of Mikhail’s personal steed.
A presence so exceptional that even this superb chestnut steed could not compare. The Emperor’s master of horses, the House of Krymov.
Mikhail’s personal steed Areion must be a Krymov Magical Steed.

Prince! Please urge Count Krymov to gift my brother a Magical Steed too!

Ekaterina found herself sending such mental waves toward Mikhail.

Aleksei mounted an equally splendid black horse. Its somewhat larger build suited his tall frame.
Behind the young noblemen riding at the front followed their retainers—Novak, Aaron, and the other participants in the tournament. Their horses were also of considerable quality. For this event alongside the prince, they had surely taken meticulous care in preparation. Some may even have purchased new horses for the occasion.

Suddenly Ekaterina recalled the term “Uma-Zoroe”—a historical event in her previous life in which Sengoku warlords assembled their retainers to inspect horses and military equipment.
It was famous that Oda Nobunaga had paraded through Kyoto in grand military processions. There was also the story of a warrior named Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who bought a fine horse with the dowry his wife gave him, and that horse caught Nobunaga’s eye, leading to his promotion.
Though that same Yamauchi Kazutoyo later became lord of Tosa and struggled with the resistance of the local Chōsokabe retainers, eventually implementing discriminatory domain policies against them.

Before the advent of automobiles, horses truly were vital.

Although nearly all participants in the hunting tournament were men, there was one woman among them. Clad in a crisp riding outfit, back straight as she guided her horse forward with dignity, she was the elder sister of the great-grandchildren of the ducal house’s aged butler, Novaras.
She had kept it hidden during the era of Grandmother Aleksandra, but she was in fact fond of riding and had apparently practiced hunting in secret. She concealed it because Aleksandra disliked women who enjoyed riding. Aleksandra, in turn, disliked such women because Empress Magdalena—who had slighted her—was fond of riding. It was little more than openly lashing out in misplaced resentment.

Honestly, I haven’t heard a single good thing about that old hag.

In this world and era, even in riding attire women wear skirts. Instead of straddling the horse, they ride side-saddle, facing sideways. The saddles are specially made for that purpose.
To be able to participate in hunting in that manner must require considerable skill.

Neither Ekaterina nor Flora could ride. Ekaterina had once pleaded with Aleksei to let her learn, but was told she must first have a saddle made to fit her body. She was currently waiting for the ordered saddle to be completed.
And even after beginning lessons, she likely would not reach a level sufficient to participate in hunting.

“I pray for your success in the hunt. But above all, please take care and do not suffer any injuries.”

With such words, Ekaterina saw off Aleksei and Mikhail, along with all the hunting participants.

.

The women then traveled by carriage to the glamping—err, valley.
A carriage road had been opened to the valley, and overwhelming greenery surrounded the path. Many of the trees appeared to be birch, with white bark and fresh emerald leaves, pleasing to the eye.

The moment they arrived and stepped down from the carriage, Flora’s eyes widened.

“How wonderful…!”

It was rare for her, usually so modest, to raise her voice like that. Yet Ekaterina was cheering as well.

Negative ions!

She did not shout that aloud, of course.

The waterfall she had heard about was larger than expected, cascading down into its basin with a resounding roar. Birch trees stood around it, and the area near the basin opened into a clearing where several tents had been pitched, with elegant white tables and chairs arranged neatly.
Along the banks of the clear stream flowing from the basin, as Aaron had said, wildflowers bloomed in a riot of color.

What drifted there was the scent of the forest and the cool air of the waterfall.
It seemed to seep into the body.

It reminded her of the Oirase Gorge in Aomori that she had visited in her previous life—a harmony of greenery and clear streams.

“I have never seen such scenery in my life. How beautiful it is!”

For Flora, who had been born and raised in the imperial capital, it must truly be a fresh sight. After all, there are no televisions or photographs in this world.
The capital does have lush parks, and people sometimes eat lunch in the shade and have something like a picnic. But it would be entirely different from such untouched natural scenery.

In her previous life, even if one had never actually gone, it was normal to have seen famous tourist destinations through travel programs on television, guidebooks, or photos posted on social media.

In this world, until one experiences it, until one sees it with one’s own eyes, one cannot behold such scenery. There is no other way to see it. Thinking of it that way, the modern era truly was astonishing, to be constantly flooded with information.
It has probably been about two hundred years since photography was invented.
It was such a speck of a time in the span of human history—yet how dramatically human life has changed due to it.

“It truly is lovely. Today is sure to be a delightful day. And I hear that from here, we can hear the cheers and the horns from the hunting grounds. I would be so pleased if we could sense my brother’s and Lord Mikhail’s exploits!”