As the windows were open, the cool winter breeze and the heat from the fireplace were clashing in the room, one side is cold and the other is hot.
The prince in front of me with such noble eyes were pondering over what to choose.
He knew himself that the life he lived was better than any other bastard child. And yet he was treated very well by his father. And even though he was not legitimate to take the throne since he is mixed blooded prince, he also became the crown prince since the king does not have any other son than him.
The guilt he is no feeling that he must repay his father for all the things he has received and worry for his dear mother who raised him alone. Such thoughts were storming his mind.
"It doesn't have to be now"
"...."
"I will be waiting for your reply. Just know that, I am not on the empress' side as I do not want to be beneath others"
After saying that coldly, I left the prince even more conflicted than ever in his life.
"You are done, my lady?"
"Yes. Yes I am. Inform the knights here to prepare paper and a quill for the prince"
"Of course, my lady"
...
Days passed quickly. Everyone was busy. People celebrating the victory of the first prince as well as the events for the yearly winter festival.
Naturally, I was also busy. Busy exercising indoors and making medicine whilst making connections with influential individuals here in the empire.
"My lady"
"Yes, Monica? Is something up?"
"Yes. The hunting day is today my lady"
"Yes. So?"
"The first prince, prince Diego, the heir apparent of the Theano duchy, Sir Frederick von Theano, the heir apparent of the Miller marquisate, Sir Charles Miller, heir apparent of the Olbrecht barony, Julius Olbrecht and the current viscount of Taylor, viscount Armando Taylor are currently outside to present you their catch"
I'm sorry, what?!
I get why the prince and viscount Taylor are giving me their catch but... the other three have their own lovers though. Why are they doing this?
With that question in mind, I followed Monica and saw carriages with dead animals in front of the emerald palace.
'I so want to give these guys a slap' is what I want to do but what they are doing will benefit me... although there are certain demerits as well. But who cares!
The prince took a step forward and knelt down.
"Baroness Emond, I present you my catch"
He raised his hand and an enormous bear was shown after his men removed the cloth that was covering the carcass.
"It's white fur cane be used to create custom scarf will be very comforting to wear in this winter"
"I see. Thank you very much, your highness"
As if he won a match, the prince scoff with a grin. Sir Aiden then took a step forward.
"My lady, I am glad to see you in good health again"
I just met you yesterday.
"Thank you for your kind words, Sir Aiden"
"Putting that aside, this is my offering to you"
The carriage was filled with white foxes.
Did he just massacred several skulk of foxes just for me?
"I-I see. Thank you very much Sir Aiden"
Sir Aiden back down with an even more smug face than the prince.
Sir Charles took a step forward.
"Baroness, it has been a while since we met. Although not much compared to the previous two, please accept my offering to you, baroness"
On Charles carriage were dead wolves.
Oh my god, did he just massacred an entire pack of wolves?
Seriously, I'm kind of regretting coming here to Vanifi.
"Thank you very much as well, Sir Charles"
Sir Charles back down as Sir Julius step forward while he laugh merrily.
"Ahahaha! Baroness, I am sorry to say but compared to them, I did not bring any animal"
"That is alright Sir Julius"
Thank god he didn't massacred an entire pack of whatever there is in the mountains where they hosted the hunt.
"Instead, I offer this to you baroness"
He was carrying a jar filled with leaves.
-Master! I know what those leaves are!
'Really? What are they'
-Those are Thesis' leaves. They are known as the leaves that grows in the garden of the goddess that they worship. It is extremely rare that only grows once in a hundred years. It also has very potent healing capabilities.
In summary, a goof material for a healing potion in games, huh.
'I see. Thank you for the info as usual'
"Do you know what these are, baroness?"
"Yes I do, Sir Julius"
"Eh? Really? And here I thought I could have explain to you what it can do. Sigh"
Unlike his energetic entrance, he back down with a rather gloomy expression.
The knights and servants who were spectating what is happening right now were all picking favorites. Some were supporting the prince, some chose to side with Sir Aiden, some praise Charles, while some were comforting Sir Julius.
Finally, viscount Taylor took a step forward. Unlike the others, he didn't had a carriage filled with animal corpses, which was good to know that he didn't massacre an absurd amount of animals nor does he hold a jar with precious leaves.
"Baroness. Please accept my humble offering to you. This is my token of gratitude for the grace you have given to me"
A servant handed him a birdcage. He then removed the cloth.
"Oh my god!"
"Is that really the...?!"
What's inside the birdcage was a white bird with red eyes.
The mythical guardian of Vanifi? Seriously?
We were all speechless to the bird that was inside the birdcage. Some were doubting their eyes while the rest were congratulating the viscount.
Oh, god. Things are about to get messy.
The bird's eyes glowed red. The next moment, the birdcage vanish.
The bird then flew in front of me.
"I can see why someone who holds a pure heart was pleading me to be yours"
The bird talk nonchalantly.
Everyone was still dumbfounded other than me.