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The hunting tournament concluded early, having yielded abundant game.
The participants who returned to the ducal villa refreshed themselves with drinks and light fare prepared in the garden, soothing the fatigue of the hunt while excitedly recounting their individual feats.
The women who had enjoyed a stroll through the ravine rejoined them and offered unstinting praise.

“Such splendid results—are they not rare in recent years?”
“Surely it is the gods’ blessing. They say that whenever Duke Aleksei worships at the mountain shrine, the gods descend. Even when Lady Ekaterina went in his stead, three deities manifested. Let us hope it is thus every time.”

Amid such conversation, the game was written down on sheets of paper and posted together with the names of those who had taken them.

In the past, the game had been brought into a corner of the garden, processed, and served at the party. The participants would calmly gaze upon it, proudly indicate their own quarry, discuss which looked most delicious, and have it dressed before their eyes.

When she had heard that, Ekaterina had winced—but then reminded herself that in her previous life she had chosen live fish from tanks, watched tuna-cutting shows, and happily eaten sashimi prepared from live fish. It was much the same.

In any case, times had changed, and now the game was processed out of sight.
Since the tournament centered on the game obtained, information on who had taken what was necessary; thus sheets listing species, size, and distinguishing features were posted. There was no formal ranking, but those who secured fine prey earned respect. Everyone watched the postings with keen interest.

There were two occasions when the crowd raised particularly loud exclamations of admiration.

The first was for the “Silver Antler Moose,” taken by Duke Aleksei.

Ordinarily, a moose sheds its antlers each year—old ones falling in early spring, new ones growing in.
However, among the Jurnova native species, only the male who becomes leader of the herd mysteriously ceases shedding his antlers. They continue to grow, branching intricately, becoming incomparably larger than those of other males, granting the leader a majestic bearing. With those antlers, he fights to protect the females and young of his herd in Jurnova’s monster-infested forests.
A leader whose antlers no longer fall is called a “Four-Season Antler.” As the years pass, those antlers gradually take on a silvery sheen. Thus, a male who retains leadership long after becoming a Four-Season Antler is called a “Silver Antler.”

Such bulls invariably possess high intelligence and superior physiques. Yet once the antlers shine silver, their continued growth begins to burden the leader, dulling his movements. The Silver Antler signals an approaching generational change.
Even so, a Silver Antler Moose is a seasoned veteran. Many who attempt to hunt one are struck down instead. To take one is a hunter’s dream.

The people’s admiration was only natural.

The second occasion was for the “Golden-Horned Great Horned Auroch,” taken by Prince Mikhail.

This time, admiration rose to a murmur of awe. So rare was the creature that many went around to the rear of the villa, where the game was being gathered, simply to see it. It was the sort of sight one might never witness again in a lifetime.

“Magnificent. However, I did say that if you encountered such a creature, you were to leave it to others.”
“I apologize. Seeing the prey I have long desired, I lost myself for a moment. I am keenly aware of my immaturity.”

Responding amiably to Aleksei’s admonition, Mikhail glanced around.

“By the way, I do not see Ekaterina.”
“If you are looking for Lady Ekaterina, she is away changing her clothes. During her walk in the forest, her garments were dampened by dew.”

It was Lady Adelaine who answered. Hoping to support Ekaterina and Mikhail, she fidgeted, wishing for Ekaterina to appear and properly praise Mikhail’s splendid achievement.

At that very moment, Ekaterina appeared with Flora.

“Your Highness, Lady Ekaterina.”

Lady Adelaine, delighted to draw Mikhail’s attention, let out a soft sigh upon truly seeing the girls.

.

The white garments worn by Ekaterina and Flora resembled those seen in sculptures predating even the Astra Empire—exceedingly fine and delicate, filled with subtle drapery and remarkable grace.
Though layered in design so that nothing but their arms showed through, the effect was striking.
Their hair was styled in an ancient fashion, secured with delicate circlets adorned with white flowers.

Each carried a large vessel in her hands. The wooden bowls harmonized with the archaic attire. They were not ordinary bowls but slightly warped ovals like seashells, with intricate vine leaves carved into the handles, enhancing the girls’ almost mythic aura.
Within them were heaped unfamiliar red fruits.
The beautiful maidens advanced with quiet grace, as though stepped from a scene of legend. People could not help but stare.

.

Good. Just as planned—they’ve drawn attention.

Confirming the reaction, Ekaterina struck a triumphant pose inwardly.
When the little fairy appeared at the villa and, in addition to the promised mountain of strawberries, produced the “thin and cute clothes” it had spoken of, Ekaterina had wondered what to do.
Invoking her Japanese mottainai spirit, she categorized them as promotional attire for a new product launch. The garments themselves were quite lovely.
For some reason, the half-weeping fairy had also brought circlets, bracelets, and splendid accessories, bowing repeatedly before her.

“I didn’t know the young lady was friends with someone so frightening, you see~ I’ll give you anything, so please forgive me, you~”

Someone frightening who?

Before she could inquire further, the fairy snatched the letter addressed to Aurora, chief of the Forest Folk, from Ekaterina’s hand, cried that it would run the errand, and vanished.

If there was someone a fairy would fear, perhaps the Dragon King or the God of Death came to mind. Had one of them been watching and quietly disciplined it?
…They didn’t see my thighs too, did they…?

No. Not now, me. Focus on promotion!
Do not think about thighs!

.

Wearing a graceful smile that betrayed none of this internal struggle, Ekaterina approached Mikhail with Flora besides her.

“Lord Mikhail, congratulations on your splendid game.”
“Ah, thank you, Ekaterina.”

Seeing his face faintly redden, Lady Adelaine and the others rejoiced inwardly, while Ekaterina inwardly wanted to smack the prince with a paper fan.

Do not blush! It makes me think about the thighs!

“You seem to be carrying something unusual. What is it?”

Ah—right. Thank you, Prince.

Having been rescued by the very person she had intended to whack, Ekaterina internally resumed her monkey-reflection pose.

“These fruits are a gift from a fairy. Since they are a gift from an ancient being, I have placed them in wooden vessels long used in Jurnova. Please partake.”
“A fairy? How extraordinary. That is precious indeed. Thank you—I shall.”

Mikhail picked up a strawberry from the bowl she offered and ate it.
His eyes widened.

“This is… delicious. Very sweet, yet refreshing. I have never tasted anything like it.”
“I am pleased it suits your palate.”
“And the vessel is excellent as well. Though archaic in appearance, it feels refined. It seems Jurnova’s traditions contain many splendid things.”
“My, what delightful words. I am honored.”

Perfect promotional commentary. Thank you, Prince!
Though her eyes shone, when their gazes met she inadvertently adopted a questioning look.

Prince… how much of my thighs did you see?
If there is an opportunity, I wish to thank him for saving me earlier—perhaps I could confirm then. Though asking it would be embarrassing.

The ladies thrilled at the sight of the two gazing at one another, utterly unaware of Ekaterina’s true thoughts.

.

Reading the way Mikhail’s words had fixed attention on the strawberries and vessels, Flora began circulating among the participants, offering them fruit.
Sending her friend a grateful glance, Ekaterina stepped before Aleksei.

“Onii-sama, if you would.”

Her smiling sister prompted a gentle smile from him.

“…A gift from a fairy, is it?”
“Yes. We encountered it near the waterfall.”
“My sister has once again captivated something remarkable.”

He spoke with a trace of melancholy and touched her cheek.

“Ordinary people are enthralled when they encounter demons or spirits. Yet you, it seems, captivate even such beings.”

No, Onii-sama. What gave me this was less demon or spirit than lecherous-urban-legend. And Mina captured it.

“All I desire is for you to remain by my side. Yet you shine ever more brightly, and I feel as though you might spread wings and depart for distant realms. …Pity me, Goddess Ekaterina. Though you offer me wondrous things, my affection grows so strong that I feel I might lock you away somewhere.”
“My… Onii-sama.”

The sister-complex filter had taken on a slightly darker tint. A polarized filter—ever more high-performance.
He was saying foolish things, but his sister-complex was always welcome.

“My only wish is to remain by your side. I have no desire to depart afar. Rather than locking me away, please bind me with a chain. If you hold it, Onii-sama, then I shall always be connected to you.”

At her answer, Aleksei broke into a radiant smile.

“You would forgive such selfish words of mine?”
“What is there to forgive? You simply treasure me more than anyone else. I understand that well.”

Saying so, Ekaterina plucked a strawberry herself and brought it to his lips.

“It is delicious. Please try it.”

Rarely flustered, Aleksei nevertheless obediently ate the strawberry.

.

“…I had a feeling it would end up like this.”

Hearing Mikhail mutter, Ekaterina answered inwardly, Sorry about that.
Apologies that my brother showers me with florid praise every time—but this one was a bit of a curveball, so best you not imitate it.

.

While some ladies struggled to process that exchange, they were soon heartened again.
Right as Ekaterina, who had been distributing strawberries to the participants with Flora, finished handing them out—

Mikhail excused himself and went alone to the rear garden.
The ladies, sharp enough to notice that he met Ekaterina’s eyes before leaving, rejoiced when, after a short while, Ekaterina quietly slipped away as well—and they busied themselves distracting Aleksei with everything they could so that he would not notice.