"Seri. For the last time. Do. Your. Work." William said chastising me.

I thrashed around in my seat and whined, "I don't wanna! This is slave labor! Exploitation of the working class! I deserve compensation!"

He scowled at me in irritation, "You are being compensated! With valuable work experience. Now figure out the budget for the event or else I won't let Mary feed you snacks anymore."

Me and Mary froze. I slammed my fists against the table, "How dare you threaten me with starvation!?"

Mary agreed quickly, worried that if she had to stop making dessert, Seri would start running away from her again. "That's very cruel! You can't starve her!"

He rolled his eyes, "I'm not starving her. She can go an hour without stuffing her face."

I crossed my arms and pouted, "Can not."

He glared at me, "Are you going to do your work or not? We are on a deadline here."

I nodded in irritation, "Yes, Princess."

He glared at me in response. Mary tilted her head, "Princess? Isn't he the Prince?"

I just looked at Mary blankly. Sometimes I am completely speechless at how much of an airhead she is.

I sat back in my seat, "So... What am I making a budget for again?"

William groaned and smacked his forehead, "For the last time. It's for the annual Fall Hunt."

"Oh right! I remember now."

A necessary event in any old western fantasy novel.

The hunting competition.

Essentially, it's a competition for the Knights and other nobility to show off their skills. The men go off hunting and the one with the best, and or the most, animal kills win the competition. Then, they dedicate their kills to the woman of their choice. Usually to the woman they fancy.

Woman also attend the event, but as it's seen as a more "masculine" sport, they don't participate in the hunt. Instead, they give the man they like a hand made tassel as a good luck charm.

If the man comes back and dedicates the kill to the one who made him a tassel, it's means he likes her back. So really, this event is just another way people in this world try to find a marriage partner.

The Fall Hunt was a three day event. Since the hunting grounds are far from the Imperial City, everyone camps in tents. Although the tents are more like small mobile homes.

While the men hunted, the woman would stay back making embroidery and having little tea parties. It was just one big gossip session.

In the original novel, Mary had attended and made William a tassel. But when she found out William never accepted tassels, she chose not to give it to him. On the second day, she was cruelly bullied by Ilene and ran away crying. The next thing she knew, she was lost in the middle of the woods.

As she wandered around trying to find her way back, she just so happened to encounter the mega bear. One of the highest prized animals of the hunt.

As it charged at her, William appeared out of nowhere and shot the beast with arrows, killing it.

It was the kind of coincidence that could only happen in a romance novel.

After William saved her, she gave him the tassel she had made for him. Surprisingly, he accepted it. Then when he brought her back, he was announced as the winner due to killing the mega bear. He dedicated the bear to her, surprising everyone and angering Ilene who decided it was time to be even meaner to Mary.

But what was Dante doing during the Hunt?

Well I'm not sure myself. The book never mentioned what he was doing. He wasn't the type who would care enough to participate. He was probably out in the woods practicing with his sword.

Millie smiled at me, "Will you be participating in the hunt Seri?"

I shook my head quickly, "No way! Why would I want to participate in such a barbaric event?!"

William raised an eyebrow, "Barbaric?"

I nodded, "Yes. Barbaric. Killing poor defenseless animals... It's so cruel."

"But you eat meat."

"Yes. Well that's different. That's to survive. While hunting for sport is about having fun." I shook my head, "Nope. Killing animals for sport is where I draw the line."

Millie pouted, "Aw.. But I was looking forward to making you a tassel."

I giggled and and snuggled against her, "I would have accepted it and dedicated my kills to you."

Mary shouted, "What about me?! I would have made you one too!"

My eyebrow twitched, "Why would I accept one from you?"

She cried to herself. William spoke, "That's a bit of a relief. I was worried you'd participate and get yourself into trouble somehow."

"Trouble huh..."

A malevolent smile crossed my face.

William gulped, "Whatever you're thinking about, don't do it."

I laughed maliciously, "I'm only thinking about the budget."

Everyone in the room knew it was a lie. I quickly turned my attention to the budget paperwork. I scribbled frantically while laughing evilly.

I need to finish this quickly so I can begin to plan and get everything I need.

William had a bad feeling in his stomach.

Dante on the other hand, was looking forward to it.

____

The first day of the Fall Hunt had begun. Everyone began to arrive to the hunting grounds. The Noble's had sent servants prior to arrival so that way their tents were already set up.

Usually families also attend the hunt. However, my family would not be able to attend. My father had too much work to do and my mother didn't want to bring Oliver in fear he might get snatched up by a rabid animal.

I didn't think she would be the overprotective type. But I was wrong.

So my father sent Lona in his place. And Lona brought.... A rather annoying tag along.

Joel giggled happily across from me in the carriage. I glared at him in disgust. Lona sat next to him with a upright posture and a super serious face.

Mary sat next to me in the carriage with her face pressed against the window, "Wow! Look! A tree!"

I clicked my tongue in irritation as I fought the urge to puke, "Yes. There's plenty of trees."

If you're wondering why Mary is in the carriage with me, it's because I'm such a nice person. She didn't have a ride to the hunting grounds, so I graciously offered her a ride in my carriage. I even agreed to let her stay in my tent with me. I didn't even ask for anything in return...

...Well other than the requirement that she make me some much needed snacks during the trip.

I wonder how she had gotten to the hunting grounds before? Since she was a commoner, she couldn't have used a carriage. She must have rode with someone before.

Ah, oh well. I have more important things to think about.

Lona glared at me, "What are you planning?"

I looked at her innocently, "I have no idea what you mean."

She sighed, "That means you definitely are planning something. Would it hurt you to behave for just one second?"

"Hey! I am always behaved. By the way..." I glanced at Joel, "Why'd you bring along that parasite?"

Joel pouted, "How cruel... I'm not a parasite." He sat up excited again, "I'm more like a bacteria."

My face twitched, "How is that better?"

Lona spoke, "He wanted to come, so I let him come."

I smirked, "Oh really? That's the only reason?"

She scowled slightly and looked out of the window, refusing to answer.

And that's how you successfully distract a Lona. Now I can go forward with my evil plan. Hehe.

Mary poked her head back to me, jumping around on the seat in excitement. "Are you excited??? I'm excited!! We are going to have so much fun!!"

Lona glanced at Mary and frowned at Mary's impoliteness, "And just who is this? I don't think I've met her before."

Mary smiled at Lona, "I'm Seri's future wife."

Lona was stunned, "Huh?"

I answered, "What she MEANS is that she's just my annoying classmate."

Mary pouted, "Aren't we at least friends?"

Lona surveyed her carefully. She could tell with one look that Mary was a commoner. Lona looked back at me, "I'm surprised to see you befriend a commoner."

I frowned, "I didn't befriend her. She's just obsessively attached to me."

Mary hugged me which immediately pissed me off. She smiled brightly, "Isn't Seri just the best?! She's my friend even though I'm a commoner! She's truly a good person!"

I feel nauseous.

Lona couldn't contain her dumbfounded expression, "Uhuh..."

Mary hugged me closer, "Isn't that right Seri?"

Ope. Here it comes.

The desserts I had been fed prior to the carriage ride came back up as I vomited all over Mary. Everyone crinkled their nose at the smell. Mary started whimpering.

Lona sighed, "Coachman, pull over."

We all got out and waited while the Coachman cleaned up the carriage mumbling angrily to himself. Lona looked through the suitcases and pulled out a dress.

She nodded to Mary, "You'll have to change into one of Seri's dresses. It should fit." Lona looked at Mary's chest, "Maybe."

Mary's eyes lit up, "M-Me? In Seri's dress?"

Lona just rolled her eyes, "Follow me."

They went into the bushes for privacy. I laid on the ground enjoying the break from the carriage ride. Ever since I've been able to dress myself, I chose to wear darker colors with a more mature looking style.

Mary came back wearing my dress with an elated expression. "Well? How's it look?"

Mary wore a dark blue satin dress that emphasized her curves. My gaze was instantly drawn to her chest. My eyes almost bulged out of my head.

"HOLY F*CK! THOSE PUPPIES ARE GOING TO POKE SOMEBODY'S EYE OUT!"

Millie was confused, "Puppies? What puppies?"

I cleared my throat, "Nothing. Nevermind."

She smiled, "Well do I at least look good in it?"

I sighed and muttered, "Much better than I do..."

"What was that?"

I shook my head, "Nothing. Just... Whatever you do... Don't jump up and down."

"Jump up and down? But what would that do?"

Lona added, "Also, try not to breath."

We climbed back on the carriage. I paused before going in. I looked at the top of the carriage. Bertram was laying on the roof, holding the sides of the carriage with a concentrated look.

"Bertram. We have room inside. You don't have to hang on to the roof."

He spoke, "No. It's better this way. If anyone attacks I will be able to see them coming."

I shrugged, "Suit yourself."

I climbed into the carriage. The Coachman grumbled angrily to himself as he urged the horses to start walking again. He loathed his job.

Bertram was always insisting on laying on the roof of the carriage, leaving behind a human size dent. The Coachman didn't know why he wanted that spot so badly. There was more than enough room inside the carriage as well as the seat next to him.

To make things even worse, he had to drive Seri around. She was always puking on his carriage, making his job much harder. Not to mention she had tried to set the carriage on fire multiple times.

The Coachman considered a change in career.

We finally arrived to the hunting grounds. As I stepped off of the carriage, I chuckled in anticipation.

Oh yeah. This is going to be fun.