Chapter 335 - Added to the hunt

Chapter 335: Chapter 335 - Added to the hunt

Eric was still contemplating how best to retaliate against his suddenly bold husband when a quiet cough came from the imperial seat.

It wasn’t particularly loud, yet the effect was immediate.

The music softened. The dancers slowed before gracefully retreating to either side of the pavilion, and the conversations around the banquet gradually disappeared. Eric’s attention shifted toward the Emperor along with everyone else’s.

The Emperor sat comfortably with one hand resting beside his wine cup. His expression was pleasant, almost amused, but his gaze lingered on Eric and Ryan for just a little too long.

Eric straightened.

For some reason, he suddenly had a bad feeling.

"The first day of this year’s hunt has been quite successful," the Emperor began, looking across the gathered officials. "The younger generation has certainly not disappointed us."

Several people bowed their heads at the praise.

The Emperor mentioned the Crown Prince’s mountain lion first, followed by several other impressive catches. Eventually, as Eric had expected, his attention settled on Ryan.

"And naturally, General Ryan has once again shown us why his reputation is so well deserved. A bear of that size is not an easy opponent. It seems this year’s competition may already have its leader."

Ryan rose from his seat and bowed.

"Your Majesty praises me too highly."

The Emperor laughed. "If we cannot praise you after you drag a bear out of the forest, when are we permitted to praise you?"

A few officials laughed along with him.

Eric picked up a piece of roasted meat and continued eating. This had nothing to do with him, which was precisely how he liked imperial conversations.

Then the Emperor’s gaze moved to him.

Eric stopped chewing.

There it was.

That bad feeling again.

"Speaking of the general..." The Emperor smiled. "His new wife appeared quite interested in today’s hunt."

Eric slowly lowered his chopsticks.

No.

He could already tell where this was going.

Beside him, Ryan became noticeably more alert.

The Emperor continued casually, "His Highness spent the entire afternoon watching the hunters. We hear he even wagered quite enthusiastically on his husband’s victory."

Eric’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Who told him that?

He had known gossip traveled quickly around court, but this was ridiculous.

"I merely had confidence in my husband, Your Majesty," Eric replied with a polite smile.

"And that confidence was rewarded handsomely, from what we hear."

Several people chuckled.

Eric maintained his smile.

Those women.

One of them had definitely talked.

He could almost picture the scene now. Some bitter noblewoman losing half her spending money because Eric had bet everything on Ryan, then casually mentioning to someone that the enemy prince seemed very interested in hunting.

The Emperor leaned back slightly.

"Since His Highness enjoys the hunt so much, perhaps watching from beneath the canopy is a waste."

Eric’s stomach sank.

Ryan immediately stood.

"Your Majesty."

The speed of his response made Eric glance at him.

Ryan bowed respectfully. "My wife is still recovering from his recent illness. He is not accustomed to the terrain here, and the forest can be dangerous. I fear participating tomorrow may be too strenuous for him."

Eric stared at Ryan.

Delicate?

He was touched by the defense.

Slightly.

But delicate?

That was insulting.

Unfortunately, the Emperor seemed to find it equally amusing.

"Delicate?"

He laughed, and several officials joined him carefully.

"General, perhaps marriage has already made you too protective."

Ryan’s expression remained composed.

The Emperor turned his attention back to Eric. "Your wife is hardly a sheltered young noble raised behind courtyard walls. Before becoming your spouse, he was the crown prince of a kingdom that fought against our armies."

The atmosphere shifted subtly.

Eric’s amusement disappeared.

There it was.

The reminder.

No matter how beautifully he was dressed or where he sat beside Ryan, these people hadn’t forgotten where he came from.

The Emperor continued in the same pleasant tone. "We have heard stories of the enemy crown prince for years. Surely a man raised among soldiers cannot be frightened by a simple hunt."

Ryan’s jaw tightened.

"Your Majesty, that isn’t what I meant."

"Then there should be no problem."

It sounded lighthearted.

It wasn’t.

Eric understood that much.

Around them, several officials had gone unusually quiet. Even the Crown Prince was watching closely now.

The Emperor lifted his cup. "In fact, we find ourselves curious. We have seen General Ryan’s abilities many times. Tomorrow, perhaps we should see what sort of hunting skills his new wife possesses."

Eric stared at him.

Hunting skills?

He couldn’t even ride a horse.

His chopsticks suddenly felt very heavy between his fingers.

A few minutes ago, he’d been happily tormenting Ryan beneath the table. Now he was apparently expected to ride into a forest and start shooting animals.

What the hell did I do?

Why was he being dragged into this?

He had been sitting peacefully, eating meat, watching beautiful women dance and bothering his husband. It had been a perfectly good evening.

Apparently he wasn’t allowed to have those.

For God’s sake. Can’t I have one normal day?

His gaze drifted toward the tables farther away.

Some of the noblewomen who had attended the afternoon gathering were present after all, seated with their families farther down the pavilion. Eric couldn’t tell whether any of them were looking at him, but his suspicion immediately intensified.

I bet one of those women who lost money to me started this.

Petty bastards.

He should have collected interest.

"Your Majesty," Ryan began again.

Eric reached beneath the table and caught his sleeve.

Ryan stopped.

Eric didn’t look at him.

He understood what Ryan was trying to do, but continuing to refuse on his behalf would only make things worse. The Emperor had already brought up his former position as crown prince and his experience with war. If Ryan kept insisting he was too fragile to participate, it would sound ridiculous.

Worse, it would look like Ryan was protecting him from a challenge issued by the Emperor himself.

Eric sighed internally.

Fine.

If everyone wanted entertainment, he could provide entertainment.

Probably terrible entertainment, but that was beside the point.

He released Ryan’s sleeve and stood.

The pavilion became quiet.

Eric bowed toward the Emperor with the graceful movements his body had gradually become accustomed to.

"If Your Majesty wishes to see me participate, naturally I would be honored."

Ryan turned toward him sharply.

Eric ignored him.

The Emperor smiled. "Good."

"But..."

Eric lifted his head.

A few people looked surprised.

Ryan’s expression changed immediately to one of resignation. He apparently knew Eric well enough by now to understand that whenever he said but in front of someone important, trouble usually followed.

Eric smiled pleasantly.

"It has been some time since I personally participated in a hunt. Since Your Majesty is so interested in my performance, I hope you won’t be too disappointed if my first attempt is less impressive than my husband’s."

A few quiet laughs moved through the pavilion.

The Emperor’s eyes sharpened slightly, although his smile remained.

"Then perhaps General Ryan can offer you some guidance."

Eric glanced at Ryan.

Oh.

That wasn’t a bad idea.

Actually...

His mood improved considerably.

He turned back toward the Emperor and bowed again. "Then I will trouble my husband tonight."

Ryan coughed.

The Crown Prince immediately lowered his cup, clearly hiding a smile.

Eric realized how that sounded approximately half a second too late.

He decided not to correct it.

The Emperor laughed. "Very well. We shall look forward to your performance tomorrow."

Eric sat back down.