Chapter 20
The royal hunting grounds were still bustling with young nobles–every one of them either part of the imperial family or closely connected to it. At the moment, though, all eyes were nervously fixed on Damian. Not a soul dared to make a sound. Heads lowered. Breaths held. No one wanted to cross Damian. That was a death sentence.
They thought, ‘And the woman he has just sent riding into the forest–isn’t that Princess Deborah?”
“She probably thinks she’s some great beauty,” someone whispered behind a fan, voice laced with envy. “Trying to seduce Prince Damian behind her husband’s back. No wonder she’s being punished.”
It was clear that Deborah’s stunning looks didn’t earn her admiration–only jealousy and resentment.
“She’s pretty, sure,” another girl chimed in. “But doesn’t she know Prince Damian hates it when women get close to him?”
“Didn’t you see how he smacked Luisa’s horse just now? That poor girl went flying.”
“Exactly. He’s notorious for being cold as ice. Anyone who tries to flirt with him is basically signing their own death warrant.”
“And she’s married, no less.”
“Flirting around like that? She’s just asking for it. Serves her right.”
The gossip was still going when someone suddenly called out, “Your Highness!”
Damian was walking toward the entrance of the hunting grounds. Everyone instantly fell silent and bowed low. No one dared make another sound.
Luisa limped forward, putting on her sweetest voice. “Damian, don’t be mad. She’s not worth it.”
She thought, ‘A woman who tries to seduce her own husband’s older brother–what decent person would respect that?”
Seeing how cold Damian had been to Deborah actually made Luisa feel a little better. Her physical pain? Forgotten.
“Damian,” she tried again, “are you going hunting? Let me come with you–Damian? Where are you going?”
But he didn’t respond. In one smooth motion, Damian mounted his horse, and in a flash, he and the animal were gone–racing straight into the depths of the forest.
“Wait–he’s heading toward the predator zone!” Gasps rippled through the crowd.
They thought, ‘Prince Damjan is going into the predator zone? That is serious.
Most of them had been hoping to show off their skills in front of him–impress him, earn his favor. The men wanted recognition. The women, his attention. But the predator zone? No one had the guts to follow him there.
Thomas’s heart skipped a beat. He thought, ‘Hasn’t the prince said earlier that he didn’t care? So why has he taken off like that? What if Princess Deborah isn’t even in the predator zone? What if he is charging in blind? That would be dangerous.
“Follow him!” Thomas shouted, gripping his bow and kicking his horse into motion.
Behind him, a dozen royal guards immediately followed.
And where was Deborah? Definitely not in the predator zone.
She might not know the forest well, but there were signs posted everywhere. She wasn’t stupid–why would she head somewhere that was basically a death trap?
She had no idea what kind of chaos she’d caused outside. After entering the woods, she’d been having a lovely time. Without the grumpy Damian hovering around, everything felt easy.
She picked a few berries. Did a bit of hunting. Honestly, it was one of the best days she’d had in a while.
Not long after, she came across a patch of bright, juicy wild fruit. After eating her fill, she galloped deeper into the woods, humming to herself.
By late afternoon, Deborah was trotting back toward the clearing, proudly carrying a wild thrush in one hand.
Just as she emerged from the trees, she saw Thomas returning with help–looking battered and bruised.
1/2
“You’re hurt?” she asked, hopping off her horse in one swift, graceful motion.
Even as she was dressed in flowing silk, her movements were light and sharp–strikingly elegant.
Thomas blinked, stunned, then his pupils contracted sharply. “Princess Deborah–how
Deborah looked genuinely confused. “Why would I go there? I’m not trying to get
you here? You didn’t go to the predator zone?”
myself killed.”
Thomas didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “His Highness thought you had. He’s still in there–searching for you.”
He hesitated, then added, his voice grim, “And… he’s been injured.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, a guard came bursting out of the woods, covered in blood and clearly shaken.
“Thomas!” he shouted breathlessly. “We were ambushed by a wolf pack. His Highness–he’s wounded. And he’s missing!”
2/2
