"Over here!" Someone yells.
That someone was Eon who was waving frantically at the tent beside the biggest one, which is the tent of the royal family.
Nathan and I approached them.
"Can you stop bringing people to my family's tent?" Conrad voiced out.
'Oh? Ethalion's tent?'
I looked up and saw their family's banner, waving in the wind.
"Hello Nadia," a cool voice suddenly says.
"Bea! You're here as well?" I was surprised to see her here. And she is wearing hunting gear too! .
"Mmm. I will be joining the hunt like you," she replied.
Bea was, as usual, wearing dark clothes. Her long black hair was tied up into a ponytail, just like mine. The only thing that differs us was the one lone braid at my side profile. Lost did it for me so I let it hang like that. It wasn't hindering me anyway...
"That's great then! Let's go together!" I exclaimed in which Bea answered with a nod.
'If only Gwen came with us either...'
"Hey, you two! Why are you cozying up with each other without me!" Gwen suddenly remarked behind us.
The two of us turned to look at her. She was wearing a dress, the color of her eyes.
"You're hunting in a dress?" What horror!
I mean, it's probably cool, to be honest, but the movement! How would she even move in a big skirt?
"Silly! I'm not hunting," Gwen responds.
"Then what?"
If she isn't joining then that means she's invited-- Ohh~
I glanced at Conrad who was still bickering with Eon.
'Right. Gwen is engaged to Conrad. Fufufufufufu~'
Gwen saw my evil grin and blushed, looking down to avoid the look that I am sending her.
"It sure is lively this time though," Bea muttered as her eyes scanned the surroundings.
I also did the same, taking note of everything I see. Tents littered the wide and open space on the clearing just before the looming forest ahead. Banners of different colors containing the different insignias of noble families swayed on top of those tents.
The Hunt is a big event where nobles, mostly men of the families, scavenge the great forest in search of, of course, animals and monsters. They would then dedicate their kill to someone, be it their lover or those they were pursuing. It's more common for them to offer their kill to noble ladies though.
Aside from that romantic stuff, it is also a competition among those who would participate. The rarer and bigger the kill, the better. The winner would then be crowned as King of The Hunt and would have a chance to meet the emperor and grant your favor or wish.
So yes, The Hunt is that prestigious of an event.
"It's because there was a special decree which the emperor had passed down," Conrad joins in.
"A special decree?" I asked, getting curious.
"Ah, that..." Nathan mumbles.
"The emperor had put up a bounty for those who would capture the wild boar. It says that they would be paid handsomely, either in money or privileges. That is why all these people are raring to go!" Eon declared.
'That wild boar in the novel? Eh, but it will only appear four years from now though...'
"Whoever would capture that boar would automatically win the competition. Imagine all the rewards..." Conrad added as a glint flashed in his dark eyes.
Eon looked even more excited after hearing him.
"Who won last year?" I inquired.
The two guys shook their heads in unison.
"Last year was a failure because some noble guy disappeared while on the hunt. So it got postponed and rescheduled this time around," said Eon.
"Did they find him?" Gwen jumps in, curious as well.
'Heh~ She is not getting all fidgety right before Conrad so she is that absorbed with the topic.'
"Nope," Conrad replies.
"It's like he completely disappeared! Just like all those other disappearances before..." Eon muttered.
"They might have stumbled deep within the forest," Bea commented.
"Then who won six years ago?"
The Hunt happens every five years after all.
Conrad and Eon looked at me with deadpanned expressions, like they were saying that my question was dumb. Or if I am being serious or not.
'What is it?!'
Nathan's eyes bored on me, "It was father. Did you forget?"
My eyes widened in surprise.
'Wait, really? Well, he was a general before so that's not surprising, I guess.'
I then averted my gaze from Nathan, "The accident..."
"Ah. Right," he mutters afterward, dropping the subject.
'But wow... Father sure is amazing...'
Eon stood up straight and struck a pose, puffing up his chest in an act of appearing strong.
"I will surely catch that boar! Then I will ask the emperor to make me a prince and dethrone Ezekiel!" He announced loudly.
Conrad immediately smacks him on the head, Gwen did the same.
"Oww!"
"Idiot! What the hell are you saying out loud?! Do you want our family to be convicted with treason?" Gwen bites back angrily, "Stupid brother!"
I sighed at the sight of Eon who was rubbing his head, looking pitiful like a puppy.
'I fear for his life sometimes...'
Eon glanced at Nathan, sporting this teary-eyed expression to gain some sort of sympathy.
"Nathan, they are bullying me..."
Nathaniel threw him a look, with an air of indifference.
"The empire doesn't need an idiot prince," he bluntly remarked.
Eon blanched, "You are all so mean," then his eyes turned to me. "Nadia..."
'This guy is seriously trying to gain an ally, what the heck...'
Nathaniel frowned as he saw Eon looking at me, "Don't lump my sister in your idiocy."
"Stop calling me idiooot!" Eon whined.
Prince Ezekiel then arrived at that exact moment, wearing a gold and red riding uniform. He looked princely with his hair pulled back and a sash going over his shoulders. With him, was Luther and Noah.
"The ceremony would start shortly. Gather all the students that are participating today," he ordered. His shining blue eyes looked at everyone and smiled, "Let's have fun today everyone."
And fun it is!