Eva frowned slightly, confusion clouding her features.

  “Your Highness,” she asked hesitantly, “what do you mean by ‘it’s you’?”

  For a brief moment, Prince Velco said nothing. Then whatever darkness had surfaced in his eyes vanished behind a practiced calm. He straightened, his expression smoothing as though the thought had never crossed his mind.

  “You should attend to your injury,” he said lightly, shifting the subject. “Go to the healer before it worsens.”

  Eva instinctively glanced at her hand. “It’s really fine—”

  Footsteps hurried toward them.

  “Eva!” Aranel appeared from between the trees, relief flashing across her face. “There you are. I sent all the animals we caught to the checkpoint. The healers were already waiting.”

  Her gaze dropped to Eva’s bare hand. “You’re bleeding. Let's go—now. The healer’s tent is close.”

  Eva hesitated, then nodded. She pulled her glove back on, turned toward Prince Velco, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  She followed Aranel away, disappearing between the trees.

  Prince Velco stood where he was, watching until Eva’s figure disappeared completely into the depths of the forest. The trees swallowed her presence, leaving behind only silence—and thought.

  Slowly, he lifted his hand.

  A faint rustle answered.

  From the branches above, a shadow detached itself and dropped lightly to the ground. The man cloaked in dark fabric bowed at once, head lowered.

  “Your Highness.”

  Velco did not look at him.

  “Your reports were wrong,” Velco said calmly. “Lady Eva and the Emperor have a connection. One close enough that he gave her the ring I once gave him.”

  The spy’s eyes widened slightly, though his voice remained steady.

  “But, Your Highness… Lady Eva is already married. Do you believe she is having an affair with the Emperor behind her husband’s back?”

  Velco’s lips curved faintly.

  “It certainly appears that way,” he replied. “But appearances are unreliable. She may be someone the Emperor truly values—or she may be nothing more than a woman who warms his bed at night.”

  He finally turned, his gaze sharp and calculating.

  “If she is merely a mistress,” Velco continued, “there is no reason for the Emperor to hand over the Dragon King for her sake if I threaten him.”

  The spy listened intently.

  “But if she is someone he loves,” Velco said softly, “someone he cares for… then he will do anything to protect her.”

  The spy hesitated, then spoke in a low voice.

  “Your Highness… then how will we figure that out?”

  Prince Velco’s gaze did not waver.

  “It’s very simple,” he said calmly. “We test him. Let us see how the Emperor reacts when Lady Eva is placed in danger.”

  The spy’s brows drew together.

  “And what kind of danger would that be, Your Highness?”

  Velco’s lips curved slightly.

  “An attack,” he replied. “Something unavoidable. Something like a wild animal.”

  The spy frowned. “But this forest has already been cleared by the imperial knights. There are no dangerous beasts left—only animals that would never attack anyone.”

  Velco’s eyes darkened.

  “Then,” he said quietly, “we make them attack.”

  A chill ran through the air.

  “Go,” Prince Velco commanded. “Activate the magic circle. Let the innocent animals lose control and turn the hunting competition upside down.”

  The spy bowed deeply and vanished into the trees.

  Velco remained behind, alone among the shadows, his gaze drifting toward the heart of the forest.

  “Show me,” he murmured, “what she truly to you, Emperor.”

  --------------------------------------------------------

  (At the Healer’s Tent)

  Eva and Aranel stepped into the white canvas tent, the scent of herbs lingering softly in the air. Bowls of water and neatly arranged bandages lined a wooden table.

  The healer looked up, smiling kindly. “How may I help you, ladies?”

  “My friend injured her hand,” Aranel said at once, concern clear in her voice. “Could you heal it?”

  Eva sighed softly and removed her glove, extending her palm. The shallow cut was already beginning to close.

  The healer examined it for a moment—then let out a light laugh.

  “My lady, this is hardly worth healing magic,” he said warmly. “It’s not a deep cut at all. A simple bandage will do.”

  Eva flushed slightly. “I told her it wasn’t serious,” she said, glancing at Aranel. “But she wouldn’t listen.”

  Aranel huffed. “That’s because you never listen when you’re hurt.”

  The healer wrapped the bandage gently around Eva’s hand. “There. You’ll be fine.”

  Eva bowed politely. “Thank you.”

  --------------------------------------------------------

  (Imperial Observation Pavilion)

  Eyan returned to the pavilion after briefly attending to a guest. The moment he sat down, his gaze shifted to the floating crystal before him, images of the forest moving restlessly across its surface.

  “Hans,” he asked calmly, “how is it going?”

  Hans smiled, clearly amused. “Very well, Your Majesty. Quite entertaining, actually. Many of them are struggling more than they expected.”

  Eyan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what about (Eva and Arane)?”

  Hans’s smile widened. “They’re doing exceptionally well. They’ve already captured six animals, and all of them were brought in good condition.”

  A faint smile touched Eyan’s lips.

  “Good,” he said quietly, his eyes never leaving the crystal.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  --------------------------------------------------------

  Deeper within the forest, two nobles advanced cautiously, weapons lowered as they tracked a wild boar rooting through the underbrush. It was large, but familiar—nothing more than a stubborn beast meant to be restrained and dragged back alive.

  “Easy,” one of them muttered, stepping forward with a net.

  That was when the animal stopped.

  Slowly, unnaturally, the boar lifted its head.

  Its eyes—once dull and instinct-driven—burned red.

  The air shifted.

  Before either man could react, the boar let out a shrill, distorted scream and charged with impossible speed. The net was torn apart in an instant. One noble barely had time to cry out before tusks pierced through his chest, blood staining the forest floor as his body was hurled aside like broken prey.

  “Gods—!” the second noble screamed.

  He turned and ran, branches tearing at his clothes, terror driving him forward as the sounds of chaos echoed behind him—other animals howling, crashing, raging as if possessed.

  Bleeding badly, breath ragged, he burst into the clearing near the Imperial Observation Pavilion and collapsed to his knees.

  “Y-Your Majesty!” he gasped, eyes wide with horror as he looked up at Eyan. “The animals—something is wrong. Their eyes turned red. They’re attacking us… this isn’t normal—”

  His voice broke. “They’re killing people.”

  A heavy silence fell over the pavilion.

  Eyan rose slowly from his seat, his gaze fixed on the trembling noble before him.

  “What do you mean,” he asked, his voice dangerously calm, “by

  The noble swallowed hard, blood seeping through his torn sleeve. His hands shook as he lifted a finger toward the floating crystal.

  “Y-Your Majesty… please—look. Look at the crystal.”

  Hans turned at once, his smile gone. With a sharp gesture, he widened the projection.

  The pavilion filled with images of chaos.

  Across the forest, nobles were running—screaming—as animals charged at them with unnatural ferocity. Deer with glowing red eyes rammed men to the ground. Wolves tore through horses. A massive stag gored a knight who raised his weapon too late. Blood stained the grass. Panic ruled every corner of the hunt.

  “This—this is impossible,” Hans breathed. “These animals were cleared, restrained—”

  “Show me every location,” Eyan ordered sharply.

  Hans moved his hands rapidly, shifting the crystal’s view again and again.

  Everywhere—panic.

  Everywhere—death.

  Eyan’s composure cracked.

  His breath hitched as his eyes scanned the images desperately.

  “Eva,” he said, the name escaping before he could stop it. “Show me Eva’s location. Now.”

  Hans froze for half a heartbeat—then obeyed.

  The image shifted.

  At the far edge of the forest, backed into a narrow clearing, Eva and Aranel stood frozen. Aranel’s hand was clutching Eva’s arm tightly, both of them pale, trembling.

  And in front of them—

  A wild boar, larger than any ordinary beast, its eyes glowing an unnatural crimson. Foam dripped from its mouth as it lowered its tusks, scraping the ground as it advanced—slow, deliberate, merciless.

  Eva’s knees shook. Aranel pulled her back instinctively, but there was nowhere left to run.

  The world narrowed to that single image.

  Eyan’s blood ran cold.

  “That’s enough,” he said, panic breaking through his voice as he stood abruptly. “Prepare the guards. Cancel the competition immediately.”

  Eyan turned sharply on his heel and strode toward his horse, mounting it in one swift motion.

  “Your Majesty—” Hans called after him, alarm clear in his voice. “Where are you going?”

  Eyan tightened the reins, his jaw set.

  “I’m going to Eva and Lady Aranel,” he said without hesitation. “They’re in danger. You take care of everything here.”

  Before Hans could respond, the air around Eyan shifted.

  The shadows at the edge of the pavilion stirred unnaturally, stretching and twisting across the ground. From them emerged three massive black wolves—their forms solidifying in silence.

  Talon. Fen. Mara.

  Their eyes burned with fury as they stared toward the forest, low growls rumbling from deep within their chests.

  Eyan frowned. “What are the three of you doing here?” he demanded. “Go back.”

  The wolves did not even look at him.

  With a sudden snarl, Talon lunged forward, Fen and Mara following at once. The three of them vanished into the trees, racing toward the heart of the forest with lethal intent.

  “Wait—” Eyan started, then stopped.

  There was no time.

  Grinding his teeth, he spurred his horse forward. The animal surged ahead, hooves pounding violently against the ground as Eyan rode hard toward Eva—toward the danger he could already feel tightening around her.

  --------------------------------------------------------

  Eva’s breath came in short, panicked gasps as she clutched Aranel’s arm.

  “We can’t stay here,” Aranel whispered urgently. “When I say run—we split. Don’t look back.”

  Eva nodded, fear tightening her chest.

  “Now!”

  They turned and ran.

  Branches tore at their clothes as they fled in opposite directions, boots slipping on damp earth. Eva had barely taken a few steps when her foot caught on an exposed root.

  She fell hard.

  The impact knocked the air from her lungs. Pain shot through her knees as she tried to push herself up—

  —and heard it.

  The thunder of hooves.

  The wild boar burst through the trees, eyes blazing red, tusks lowered as it charged straight for her.

  “Aranel!” Eva cried, scrambling backward.

  She ran blindly, tears blurring her vision, but her strength failed her. Her foot slipped again, and she crashed to the ground, palms scraping against stone. She turned just in time to see the boar leap, shadow swallowing her whole.

  Eva screamed.

  Before the tusks could reach her—

  Three black shapes slammed into the beast with terrifying force.

  Talon. Fen. Mara.

  Their snarls shook the forest. Fangs tore into flesh, claws ripped deep, blood spraying across the leaves. The boar shrieked, thrashing violently, its screams unnatural and maddened as the wolves dragged it down.

  Eva froze.

  She couldn’t move.

  She couldn’t breathe.

  Blood splattered across her cheek, warm and horrifying. She stared, trembling uncontrollably, as the wolves tore the creature apart mere steps away from her—bones cracking, flesh splitting, the sounds brutal and merciless.

  Just then, a horse thundered into the clearing.

  Eyan arrived just in time.

  He dismounted in one swift motion and ran toward her. Eva was sitting on the ground, frozen in place, her breath uneven, her entire body trembling as though the forest itself had turned against her.

  “Lady Eva,” Eyan said urgently, panic breaking through his control. “Are you alright? There’s blood on your face—are you hurt anywhere?”

  Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

  Instead, with a shaking hand, Eva pointed past him.

  Eyan turned—

  Talon, Fen, and Mara were tearing the wild boar apart with relentless fury. Fangs sank deep, claws ripped through flesh, and the beast’s screams echoed horribly through the trees as blood stained the ground beneath them.

  Eva let out a small, broken sound.

  Eyan turned back at once and raised his hand, placing it between her eyes and the sight before her.

  “Don’t look,” he said firmly, his voice low but urgent.

  He lifted his gaze again, anger and command flashing in his eyes.

  “Stop!” Eyan commanded sharply. “That’s enough—stop!”

  The wolves did not listen.

  Their snarls deepened, movements wild and uncontrolled, as if something beyond instinct drove them. With a final, brutal strike, they ended the boar’s life, the sound sharp and final.

  The forest fell into a heavy silence.

  Eva’s sobs grew uneven, her body trembling uncontrollably as the echoes of violence faded. Then—

  The smell of blood reached her fully.

  Her stomach twisted violently.

  Eva clamped a hand over her mouth, gagging as a wave of nausea surged through her.

  “Lady Eva?” Eyan asked sharply, alarm cutting through his voice. “What’s wrong?”

  “My… my stomach—” Eva whispered hoarsely behind her hand. “I feel sick…”

  She pushed herself to her feet unsteadily, barely managing a few steps before she turned away and ran, still covering her mouth.

  She didn’t make it far.

  Eva bent over and vomited, her body shaking as her strength gave out. The sounds were harsh, uncontrollable, humiliating. She retched again, knees buckling as the forest spun around her.

  “Are you alright?” Eyan asked urgently, his voice tight with worry.

  Before Eva could answer, hurried footsteps approached.

  “Eva!” Aranel burst into the clearing, panic flooding her face. She rushed to her side just as Eva vomited again.

  “Oh gods—Eva, are you alright?” Aranel asked, immediately rubbing her back gently. “Slow down. Breathe.”

  Eva wiped her mouth weakly, her face pale and damp with tears.

  “I don’t feel well,” she whispered shakily. “Aranel… please. Take me back.”

  Aranel’s jaw tightened with concern. She turned toward Eyan at once.

  “Your Majesty,” she said firmly, “please—can you take her to a physician?”

  Eyan hesitated, his gaze flicking briefly toward the darkened forest beyond them.

  “And you, Lady Aranel? I can't leave you alone here” he asked. “This forest is no longer safe.”

  Aranel nodded without hesitation.

  “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I have my horse. I’ll ride behind you.”

  Eva leaned weakly against Aranel, her body still trembling, nausea lingering heavily in her chest.

  Eyan gave a sharp nod. “Then we leave at once.”

  Eyan rode out of the forest at full speed, Eva seated before him, her posture rigid with exhaustion and shock. Her hands were clenched tightly, her face pale as she stared ahead, saying nothing. Behind them, Aranel followed closely on her own horse, eyes sharp, never once letting the distance between them widen.

  The forest slowly thinned, the darkness retreating behind them.

  From within the shadows they left behind, two figures remained hidden among the trees.

  Prince Velco stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he watched them disappear beyond the treeline. Beside him, his spy waited in silence.

  “Well,” Velco said at last, his voice carrying faint disappointment, “that was… underwhelming.”

  The spy glanced at him. “Your Highness?”

  “I expected tears,” Velco continued coolly. “Fear. Relief. Perhaps even desperation.” His lips curved faintly. “I thought she would run into the Emperor’s arms the moment she saw him.”

  He shook his head slowly.

  “But she spoke to him like a stranger. Careful. Distant.”

  The spy considered this. “Then what is your conclusion, Your Highness?”

  Velco’s gaze sharpened.

  “The Emperor cares for her,” he said with certainty. “He abandoned the pavilion, ignored protocol, and rode straight into danger to save her.”

  The spy lowered his voice. “Then… will you use her against him?”

  Velco’s smile returned—slow, deliberate, and far more dangerous than before.

  “No,” he replied. “Not yet.”

  He turned away from the forest, already calculating his next move.

  “First, I will get close to Lady Eva. There are too many things I want to understand.”

  The spy remained silent.

  “And only after that,” Velco added softly, “will I strike.”

  Behind them, the forest stood ruined and bloodied—

  while far ahead, the Emperor rode on, unaware that the true hunt had only just begun.