Richard bid farewell to Barbara and went to stand with the participants. Barbara stood there thinking about the matter. Her thoughts swirled like the wind. Shifting her gaze to Aurora who stood there smiling cheerfully, the frown between her eyebrows deepened.
"For whom did you make the handkerchief?" Barbara asked to end the doubt she was feeling.
"I just did it to kill my boringness. When I saw my sister in an embarrassed state, I wanted to help you. I hope you didn't mind," she answered innocently.
Barbara pressed her lips and said nothing, unconvinced by Aurora's excuse. She lived in the Evoria kingdom and Aurora knew what giving a handkerchief to a man meant expressing their admiration. It was an old method and there was nowhere for her not to know something basic. Besides, she had eavesdropped on her conversation with Richard and then appeared out of nowhere to be the hero who saved the situation.
"I will see Mother," Aurora said, running to the tent.
Staring at Aurora's back, she clutched her dress, wondering if Aurora knitted a blue rose deliberately. The blue rose was a symbol of admiration, mystery and desire. Moreover, blue was Richard's eye colour.
Barbara took consecutive deep breaths, thinking that perhaps it was a coincidence as it wasn't planned and Aurora would not know that Richard would participate in the hunt beforehand.
As she calmed a bit, she went to sit in her seat because the event would start soon. The king and the queen sat on two golden chairs, in a majestic place where every decoration shone. The imperial knights stood by their side, guarding them.
The king stood, extending a warm welcome to the assembled guests. "Esteemed invitees, the hunting tournament represents a distinguished occasion to witness our valiant men demonstrate their prowess in an endeavour to secure the admiration of their beloved and honour our kingdom," he expressed, his words resonating through the forest. A profound silence enveloped the gathering as they heeded his address. "Let us extend our sincere greetings to our courageous participants," he proclaimed, prompting the lined-up men to be acknowledged.
Around twenty men were competing, so the hunt would be more exited. The king nodded, and the courier announced the hunt's beginning.
Barbara gazed at Richard who stood at the first line. Their gazes locked for a while. Her heartbeats quickened. She felt her cheeks warming up. Richards smiled at her and grabbed his sword, seeing the handkerchief roped around the sword's hand, Barbara forced a smile, feeling a mix of anger and jealousy.
After a while, the men rode on their horses and went their ways. Since the hunt wouldn't end till sunset, there would be nothing to do but wait.
Hours later, the men began to come one after another. Barbara waited for Richard's upcoming but he didn't show up. The darkness began to fall upon the forest. Barbara's heart thumped restlessly wondering if something bad happened to her fiancé.
"The hunt is ending soon."
"Sir Harrison is the one who hunts a huge quantity."
"He will be the winner like usual."
The women before her whispered, making her rub her hands anxiously. 'Where are you, Richard?'
A moment later, the king stood to announce the end of the hunting tournament, suddenly, Richard appeared from afar, his clothes were dishevelled, his hair was unkempt and his face was sweating abundantly, behind him many prey.
Barbara stood and wanted to go to him, but the king talked. "Sir Richard had come. With only watching how much prey you brought with you, I know you are the winner." The king ordered him to have a ruby jewel and five thousand golden coins as a present.
The place burst with whispers. The men congratulated Richard who smiled at them. He walked to her. "Milady, I hope you accept this gift from me," he said, handing her the jewel.
"But Richard," Barbara murmured, looking in the king's direction. "It is the gift sent by the king. It will not look good to give it to me!"
"Take it. If not for you, I would not have to participate in the competition," he said, putting the jewel between her hands.
"I will change my clothes and return," he said, and she nodded looking at his worry state.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a beautiful array of colours, a lively barbecue party was organized to celebrate the successful end of the hunting expedition. Barbara savoured the delicious food in the company of Richard and her loving family, enjoying the warm conversations and laughter that filled the air. After the meal, she took a leisurely stroll with Richard through the serene surroundings, soaking in the cool evening breeze and chatting about the day's adventures.
The next day, all the families packed their belongings and prepared to depart. The Marquis' family was not an exception. "Are you done?" her father said, after checking everything.
Barbara checked her belongings, and as she was closing the bags; she noticed her bracelet was missing. She examined the tent and around it but found nothing.
"The carriages are ready. Let us depart," her father ordered, taking his mother to their carriage.
"Father, I forgot something, I will bring it and follow you," Barbara said, walking away without giving her father the chance to stop her.
She headed to the way she and Richard went for a walk, scanning the soil carefully. As she was engrossed in her quest, she heard a sound behind her; she froze while her heart thumped, and she turned around to see Aurora behind her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
Aurora replied, coming closer, "I saw sister coming alone, I wanted to help her."
"Mother will be upset," Barbara replied, pressing her lips displeasingly.
Barbara strode deeper. As she saw something glittering from afar, she ran over. As she squatted, she found her silver bracelet hiding between the shrubs.
"I found it," she squealed from happiness.
When she turned around, "Aurora," she shouted as she didn't see her. "Aurora, where are you?" she screamed, thinking that Aurora was playing a prank on her, but all the idea vanished when she saw Aurora being held by a man who covered her mouth with his hand.
Barbara panicked, seeing the tears in her sister's eyes. She gulped as she felt someone behind her. She shifted her gaze slowly, "Hello," a man said, smirking.
Barbara ran, but the man grabbed her arm, she struggled to shove his hand away, but stopped when he pointed his sharp blade at her back.
"What do you want?" she asked, and the man laughed. "If you want money, I will give you."
"We don't want your money, we want something more precious," the man holding Aurora said, sneering. He moved backwards, when Barbara took a step forward, the man beside her moved his blade to her neck.
"I am the Marquis' daughter, I will give you money as much as you can, let Aurora go," Barbara said, trying to convince the men, but she felt an aching on her head before she fell on the ground. Seeing the men dragging Aurora, she crawled to follow them, but her vision turned dark.