I Will Avoid The Death Flag [It's Published]
22. Hunting Competition I

I practiced archery a lot with Sir Derick, Viten, and Axel in turn.

All three are good teachers, minus Viten who feels more annoying. They also synchronously said that I was talented in archery, so it made me excited to go to the training arena.

Until without feeling, time really goes very fast and hunting competitions are held as well.

The competition was held in a forest in the northern part of the Asher Kingdom. There, the terrain is not too steep and the trees are not too thick. So that makes it easier for us to hunt game animals.

The competition starts at nine in the morning. More like a competition just for me and Clare. Meanwhile, the hunting competition for the other nobles will start at ten and end at five in the afternoon.

I got off the horse-drawn carriage I was riding with Viten, alone.

Basic, he even insisted on coming with me early at eight in the morning. Though I was sure that he also had a pile of other political and military administrative duties waiting for him. Meanwhile, Viten was also responsible for Sir Derick's absence by my side. Viten ordered Sir Derick to come by separate train so we didn't arrive at the same time.

The early presence of Viten at the hunting site, a place not far from the forest and already ensured its safety, made many nobles surprised.

"His Majesty came here?"

"Cannot be. His Highness is usually not interested in attending a competition like this."

"Your Majesty loves the Princess so much that he has the desire to attend this competition."

"There should be a seat on the podium. I thought Prince Cioten was coming, but apparently His Majesty Viten."

Despite the whispers in the air, all the nobles there still bowed respectfully as we walked past them.

"Mr Princess."

A noble lady blocked our path. Her dress is so fancy. She was wearing a very troublesome and perfectly fluffy dress, and her hair was nicely curled without displaying a single strand of hair sticking out. The aging line on his face was now clearly visible, but he kept a friendly smile.

Ih, weird? We are the royal family and you are blocking us?

Aki glanced at Viten beside me, but her facial expression still displayed the fake political smile of her mainstay when she appeared in public. Face base two.

Despite feeling that this case was strange, I still showed off my smile. "Hello."

"Sorry not to greet you both, before the sun and stars of the Asher Kingdom shine." The old woman looked down with perfect etiquette. She looked graceful and elegant, giving me goosebumps due to the perfection created.

"Stand up, Madam Kricia" said Viten.

I glared. Here comes Madam Kricia. The man behind the hot Madam Kricia gossip paper! He who says many pros and cons about me and is eager to skin information about my life. During this time also, the gossip newspaper about Serethy Asher written by Madam Kricia has always been a hot gossip newspaper and ranked first most in demand. In essence, the people of the Asher Kingdom were very curious about me, and this person before me was the trigger.

I have to be careful. He looks dangerous. Well, from the past, journalists were very dangerous.

Madam Kricia stood up straight again and showed off her smile wide.

"Mr Princess, I'm sure that this is the first time we've met, isn't it?"

I returned it with a smile. "Yes, that's right."

"Include myself first, Princess. I am Kricia Voleyald, Countess Voleyald."

Wow, okay. So, the owner of the gossip paper company is the Countess.

"I also used to be His Majesty's foster mother, Princess."

"Well, before you left me to set up a gossip newspaper company?" cut Viten.

Madam Kricia chuckles small. "That was ten years ago, Your Majesty. I've been nurturing you for seventeen years, so I hope you'll forgive me because I'm just trying to make my ideals come true."

"Whatever, it's a story of the past."

Madam Kricia just chuckled a little, then glanced at me. "So, Your Majesty has got what you want now, huh?"

"What do you mean, madam. Serethy is my sworn sister, she's my foster sister."

"But, of course, marriage between you is not forbidden."

"Madam ...."

"Okay, fine, Your Majesty. Don't look at me with such a cold look." Madam Kricia has now completely turned to me. "Mr Princess, can I ask for your time after your competition ends? I'd like to interview you."

The threat is approaching. I don't know if Madam Kricia will publish gossip that matches what I said or if she will re-make it into a drama if I accept Madam Kricia's interview. Because, in the previous newspapers, a lot of gossip about me who seemed exaggerated.

"Mr Princess can't."

That one sentence was able to make the three of us turn their heads.

"Cioten," call Viten calmly. "I thought you were coming."

Cioten approached us with light steps, not forgetting the sweet smile on his face that caused a friendly effect.

"Hello, Brother. Hello, Princess. And hello, Madam Kricia," said Cioten one by one, then he looked at Madam Kricia. "Sorry, yes, Madam Kricia. The Princess cannot spare her time for you because the Princess and I will talk and spend time together. I miss my sister, so this is normal."

Madam Kricia smiled stiffly. He had only ever taken care of Cioten from infants to children before Cioten was sent to the pavilion away from the palace, hence Madam Kricia felt awkward with Cioten's presence.

"Since when have I been—"

"Isn't that right, Brother?" Cioten cut my sentence. I looked at him with an unimpressed look. Spending time with a psychopath? My soul would be reduced by decades just thinking about it. "The three of us will spend time together. After all, Brother and Serethy must have missed me, right?"

"Can?" Cioten looked at Madam Kricia, then slowly approached her. "So, Madam Kricia, don't interrupt our precious time. I'm a little sensitive today ...."

The last sentence I could not hear because Cioten whispered it in Madam Kricia's ear.

However, I could see Madam Kricia trembling a little out of fear. However, he still rationalized his movements and remained standing firmly.

"I'm sorry I'm so presumptuous, Your Majesty." Madam Kricia bowed. "In that case, I resigned myself."

Madam Kricia then ran away from us at a fast pace. He looked very frightened. I don't want to know what Cioten said to Madam Kricia.

Prok! Cioten clapped his hand once, then returned a big smile to me. "Serethy, Brother is here. Do you miss me?"

I was a little shocked when Cioten actually opened both of his hands to hug me. And the hug was a little tight and warm. I'm not lying if it's convenient.

"What does the Prince mean? How could I not miss the Prince," I replied, which of course was just a lie. I may miss this psychopath. I was almost grateful when I didn't see him here, but now he's in front of me. Luck is not on my side.

Cioten let go of his embrace a moment later and invited me to talk about many things. It was random stuff, but he now looks like an older brother rather than a psychopath.

"Ciotenes. Don't talk standing up" said Viten, holding Cioten's arm. "Your body is still weak."

"Sister, I'm not that weak." Cioten rolled his eyes.

"I agree with Your Majesty" I said. "The prince must rest, no one knows what will happen later if you are exhausted."

Cioten sighed, but obeyed my words.

Viten and Cioten finally left me, then walked towards the podium. They ended up sitting on their respective special chairs and chatting lightly.

I heaved a sigh of relief after keeping Cioten away from me. However, the murder committed by Cioten at that time still left a trauma that was exposed.

"Greetings to the stars of the Kingdom of Asher."

I let out a small breath.

I don't want to listen to anything the man is talking about right now. It's because he's going to stick to me like glue! It happened several times, no, dozens of times when we practiced archery. She was reluctant to leave my side and continued to follow me like a chick to her mother.

Axel smiled broadly despite having seen the expression on my face. But I admit that she was amazing in clothes that contrasted with her eyes and hair color.

"Here, take it." Axel handed me a tiny, aegean-colored box with an elegant ribbon.

"What is this, Young Master Axel?" ask, but still receive the box.

Axel hissed slightly, he then turned his gaze with his face flushed red.

It's still morning, but he's already hot? Whatever.

"Open it, Princess."

I gave a small nod, then opened the ribbon and the box cover. Inside was a handkerchief with pink knitted and name embroidery, it was my name.

Serethy Rexanne Asher, Princess of the Kingdom of Asher.

It was a long name, but it was embroidered in the corner of the handkerchief perfectly by the pink thread.

I looked up to look at Axel.

Axel flinched as we made eye contact and instantly averted his gaze with a reddened face.

"Cutting?" slowly say.

Axel rubbed the back of his neck. "Usually only women who give this to men who will participate in hunting competitions. But, I personally broke that tradition and instead gave it to the Princess because the Princess will enter this competition first."

Oh? So, it's usually only the woman who gives the handkerchief to the man she likes at the hunting competition. But, now turned around, even the man who gave it to the woman?

"The handkerchief is a symbol of love for the woman who gives the handkerchief to the man she likes" Axel continued. "It is said that by giving the handkerchief, the woman expects the man to remain safe and return unharmed, as well as as a symbol of love and love."

Axel fizzed slightly then closed his eyes tightly. His face looked more like a boiled crab. So red.

I smiled broadly. It's so much fun. I've never had a gift before. It's very sweet. Melted heart.

I stared at the handkerchief with the highlight dear. Then glanced at Axel who was still blushing, but Axel forced to make eye contact with me.

Violet and gold meet, locking each other up.

I took out a handkerchief from the box and pressed it against my chest.

"Thank you very much, Young Master Axel. It's so precious to me, I'll take care of it with all my heart."

Axel's face burned. He covered his face with both hands.

"I'm happy if the Princess likes it."

"I like it too!"

It's nice to have friends where they'll give you something.