The Emperor's Killer Bride

11.

The rising sun casts a rosy hue across the morning sky, enabling the shadows far below in the large field bustling with people to swivel. The field was direct across the dark forest facing it. Despite the sun, however, it was still cold. Way colder than it had been days ago. It also seems as though, a fog could come up any moment.

But that didn't seem to bother any of the citizens of the kingdom of  Dumborton. Roaming around were people of different social classes were giggling, talking, laughing, and yelling. The atmosphere screamed feast and festival. The aroma of food was a plus.

Standing in the middle of the circled field were fifteen men dressed in linen underclothes, which mostly wick away moisture while the outer wool garments retain warmth even when wet. They wore boots which were essentially leather socks sewn inside out then reversed for wear. Great for stalking, like a moccasin, and perfect wear for the pending hunt.

To the left, were women, all dressed in long, red gowns with sleeveless tunics. Their hair braided to the side. Although they've all been working non-stop throughout the training days, they still all looked good.

At the far end of the large field, directly across were the men standing and the dark forest ahead, stood a large golden chair. The arms were shaped as lion's head, with its mouth open. A chair similar to it stood a few feet beside it, giving enough privacy to the inhabitants of the chairs. Four chairs were placed on each side, no doubt for the ministers and high-ranking officials.

Regina stood uncomfortably in-between Valeria and Skyler, blowing into her hands and placing them back on her cold cheeks. Wearing the same gown as the rest didn't stop her from standing out. Her long ginger hair was braided beautifully to the side, a red rose attached to match her gown. Her hands were tightly fisted as she let her gaze wander around in search of Jade. But she wasn't to be seen anywhere, nor had Regina seen her ever since they got separated from the carriage yesterday.

"Have any of you seen Jade?" She asked, directing the question towards Valeria and Skyler. "I've counted us, and funny enough, we are forty in number. However, Jade isn't part of us."

"I thought I was the only one," Valeria replied, her eyes wandering around too. "But I also haven't seen her, and personally, I think that's for the best for everyone."

Regina wasn't thinking the same. She knew something was off and what Jade had meant with Fiona still being alive had something to do with her disappearance. Besides, hadn't she said she had been doing all this to look tough and save herself? Why? What exactly is she trying to save herself from? And why had she said Fiona was still alive? All these were questions running in Regina's mind, questions she had no precise answers for.

It was at that moment that Madam Gisella had gotten right to their presence. She had been going around for one last inspection before the hunt began. At first, Regina contemplated asking Madam Gisella about Jade's whereabouts, however, she shoved away all thoughts trying to disturb and faced Madam Gisella with a small smile.

"Madam Gisella, I seem to notice Jade isn't here. I haven't seen her ever since you asked to see her yesterday after our arrival. I suppose something is wrong, right?"

Madam Gisella simply pinned her gaze on Regina for a while, her jaw working around before a smile graced her lips.

"You ask too many questions, soon-to-be prey," she sucked in a breath then continued, "focus on surviving this hunt and worry about yourself before anyone else. Where Jade is or what happened to her isn't any concern of yours."

"But you..."

"Every single one of you is here to play a role. Once that role is played, it is left for us to decide what next to do with you. Do not dig more into something you have no power over, young woman."

Regina listened to her words, first with shock and then with growing anger. She made it sound as though Jade's life meant nothing, just like she had treated Fiona's. Her fists tightened even more. Her suspicions were getting confirmed. Something must have happened to Jade.

"Was there anything else, Regina?"

There were a hundred things Regina wanted to say, but she knew they would do no good. Instead, she shook her head and watched as Madam Gisella walked off, her shoulders straight and proud. Regina wished she could slap the living hell out of her.

She was about to voice her thoughts to Valeria when the sound of a trumpet filled the air. People shuffled all around, and in a moment, the whole large field was quiet.

"His Liege, the Emperor of Dumborton and her Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager of Dumborton" A loud voice boomed all around. "All rise," he added, and those who had already been sitting down stood up, and bowed their heads, so did those standing.

However, Regina couldn't help but look up just so she could see who the Emperor was and what he looked like. His head was staring ahead as he walked to his seat. She watched as he scanned the crowd first. The first thing she noticed was the white ceremonial gown he wore, his hair was styled back, leaving his forehead bare, while his golden crown seats gracefully on his head. 

For a moment, Regina thought her mind was playing a trick on her because she found herself staring at the man she loathed, the man who had refused to help them despite her pleadings and desperate attempt to get away from Sir Merian. She had assumed it was her newfound obsession of thinking about him whenever she was angry that was playing a wild game with her, but as she kept her eyes glued to him, she remembered his powerful build, his dark hair, his angular features, and his eyes that she couldn't make out what shade laid in them. 

Her eyes swept to his side, and she caught a look of the other man. Now, she needed no miracle to tell her that the man who had refused to help them days back was the Emperor. Perhaps, that was why he didn't help them? So they could be part of his entertainment. Her arms remained at her side as she tried so hard to control the thundering rage building up in her chest. The last time she had felt this murderous intent was when she had been the captive of Sir Merian, but now, Regina wanted nothing more than to plunge a sword deep into the chest of the man.

"That's him," Valeria whispered to Regina. "That's the man who had refused to help us."

Her suspicions had been confirmed!

*****

The one thing Eduardo hates besides fighting his grandmother is a large gathering. He prefers to spend his days alone, or, in some cases, with Arman only. Large gatherings rip him of his senses and make him wish he had never been born into royalty. But no matter how much he hates large gatherings, this wasn't one he had a choice of escaping. Not when it was a national gathering, and not when he had lots of things planned out for this big day.

As he strolled into the large field made into a circle, Eduardo felt a prickling sensation at the number of people present. On this occasion, hardly lives anyone who misses it. Although the peasants aren't allowed to join, they find joy in betting as to who would emerge the winner from the noble class. Now, Eduardo simply wished he was a lowly peasant, who had nothing to do with politics.

He sat on the soft cushion placed on the rock-hard golden chair and let his eyes scan around. Everyone had their heads bowed in respect, hands folded on their stomachs. He waved his hand after the Dowager had sat on her chair and the royal advisor yelled again.

"The Emperor accepts your greetings. All rise."

The field was once again filled with murmurs as people struggled to get settled before the big occasion. A few moments later, the royal advisor stepped forward and began. "Today is the big day, the day we celebrate the mightiness of this empire. Today, we watch our men add more value to the kingdom's name. Although it is merely seen as a game, we all know that this hunt does not only signify entertainment, it also shows how powerful the people from Dumborton are. Let's all look forward to a successful hunt and enjoy ourselves."

Eduardo found himself cringing at the words. This hunt doesn't show how powerful they are in any way, instead, it shows how cruel and terrible they are. No one would ever respect a kingdom this terrible.

"Her Majesty, the Dowager, has few words to share with us."

The Dowager stood up gracefully. Clad in a white Royal robe like Eduardo. Her hair had been styled into a big bun, attached to it was her crown. Although old, the Dowager Queen still looked beautiful, and one could easily see the resemblance between her and Eduardo.

"Great people of Dumborton," she began, her voice rising an octave, "It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the great hunting game held every three years," she paused, looking around the crowd before she continued. "This year, however, comes with a little twist, as we all know that this is the first hunting game with the current King, and our soon-to-be-crowned Emperor, once he chooses his empress soon. The King promises this to be exciting and much better than the recent hunts have been." Murmurs filled the field once more before the Dowager continued. "Now, the hunters should step forward if they may, please."

The men who had been standing in the middle of the field stepped closer to where Eduardo and the Dowager sat. The Dowager then nodded her head at Eduardo and sat back down.  Eduardo stood up, wondering what his grandmother had meant with her speech. He never promised anything regarding the hunt, if anything, all he did was show his disagreement towards it. Unless this was her way of warning him not to try anything stupid. Was that it?

He shoved all thoughts away from his mind and looked at the men before him. "The person who emerges as the winner gets two plots of land, the women he had captured," he paused, a disgusting feeling at his words washing all over him, but he continued. "And an added title. The rules remain the same, except for the slight change I'm adding. Do not kill any of the prey, nor hurt them." He shifted his gaze to the long line of the women and turned away, "as always, the arrows to be used would neither kill nor hurt any of the women. If the royal family hadn't been forbidden to join, I would have very much loved to join and share in adrenaline pumping." 

It started as a slow rumble, then the place filled with the cackle of laughter all along. Eduardo smiled at that, seeming to realize that the tension had lessened a bit. 

"Arman," he called as soon as the laughter had subsided. "Present them with their bows and arrows." They exchanged a quick look before Arman passed every one of them a bow and ten arrows. He stopped before Ashton and gave him a curt nod walking back to stand beside Eduardo.

"There will be a penalty to anyone who plays the game dirty. The penalty would be determined depending on one's crime severity. Remember, the women are not to get hurt, not even a strand of their hair. Do I make myself clear?"

"But the late Emperor never cared if the nobles were to capture the women, satisfy their s****l urges and leave them there." Ashton's voice rose, as he stared at Eduardo without blinking his eyes.

For a moment, Eduardo saw a flash of his childhood with Ash and Arman. He remembered the last time he and Ash shared a civil conversation. Now, however, all he sees before him was blood, and the urge to plunge a sword into Ash's chest.

"I am not the late Emperor." He seethed, gritting his teeth so hard that one would think they'd c***k at any moment. "I am the Emperor now. If you wish to continue living in this kingdom, then do not dare, I repeat, do not dare harm any of those women!" His voice thundered, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. "I'll personally check every single woman after the hunt." He directed his gaze to the royal advisor then turned back to the man with the trumpet. "The hunt may begin."

He exchanged one last look with Ash, then watched as Ash's gaze went to the women who were being guided towards the thick, dark forest. He noticed how Ash's lips curved up with a smile and followed his gaze to see what had made the cold, brutal man he had known from childhood smile.

Eduardo's heart skipped a beat as he saw her. He was unable to move, nor did he try to. All he did was try to absorb the shock he felt in its entirety, not wanting to miss a bit of it. Guilt weighed down upon his shoulders and something foreign twisted a knot in his heart. Now he was sure that his mind wasn't playing a trick on him like he had assumed when he had seen her back at house Farlan.

"What is she doing here?" He whispered to Arman. His voice was heavy with shame.

"She has been here all along. I saw her back at house Farlan the last time we visited. But you seemed not to be interested."

He looked back at her. Now she was facing him, and because of the distance between them, Eduardo couldn't understand the look in her eyes.

"Get me a disguise. Find a way to get me out of here. I'm joining the hunt."

Arman's sharp gaze swept towards him. He stared at him without blinking but knew it was wise if he didn't say anything. With the look on his face, Arman knew nothing he said would dissuade Eduardo from joining the hunt.

"But royals are prohibited from..."

"Get me a damn disguise, Arman!" He bellowed, almost dragging attention towards them. "Do not make me repeat myself." Arman turned without saying anything more.

He watched on as the girls were ushered into the forest. He watched on as the men followed, and he knew deep within him, that he was going to get that woman out. Whatever it might cost him.

He wasn't going to lose this woman. Not to his stupidity and foolishness.

He had just found the right candidate for the Empress selection.