Our hunting party consisted of me, Father, Damian, Oscar, King Henry, a few more of the most important nobles at court, and of course a good deal of knights. We gathered near the side doors of the palace as final wishes of luck were given by other aristocrats and those not hunting while we waited for servants to bring our horses.

I breathed in the fresh morning air, excited. My pistol and the holy dagger hung at my waist, and though I had not yet officially announced to society what it was after obtaining it, intending to dramatically make it declare itself at this competition, I’d made sure there were no shortage of foreshadowing rumours. I wore a handsome and practical hunting suit with my hair tied up in a tall ponytail, dashing enough to match my fiance, who presently approached me.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Lady Valentina.”

Oscar’s composure was cool as usual, and I was unsure if he came next to me because he craved my company or just to keep up appearances. With Mother’s help, the gossip surrounding his visit to Catherine had died down, but I hadn’t confronted him about it yet. I planned to deal with his side of it after the competition to ensure everything went smoothly here. He didn’t bring it up voluntarily either, so it seemed we’d reached an unspoken agreement not to mention it for the time being.

Thus, my manner to him was not much different, courteous with a hint of intimacy to produce a suitable impression on any passerbys. Except, perhaps, with the excitement of the competition, there was an extra bit of flirtatiousness.

“I’m sure you’ve been offered many favours again. Should I have to be jealous?”

“No. I refused them all.”

I stared at him and tilted my head incredulously.

“Why would you do that? You’ve likely wounded many poor hearts.”

“You said last year you wished I would dedicate myself only to you.”

Without realizing it, I smiled. What had I said last year? Ah, yes. I recalled that it was after my crowning as the queen of the hunting competition. Before we returned to the capital, we went for a walk together.

“I’m terribly delighted to be crowned again. The only thing that could possibly make me happier is if you dedicated yourself only to me, but I’m afraid that’s too much to ask.”

It had been one of those frequent moments where I spoke my mind and was particularly bold in trying to get any reaction out of him, because I highly doubted he was listening.

“All right.”

As expected, his response had been the exact same as the ones made to my previous remarks. He hadn’t even spared a glance my way, so I’d naturally assumed he hadn’t really heard or meant anything. Seeing on his face that same icy but evidently attentive expression he’d worn a year ago, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“That’s awfully considerate of you. I’m sorry I didn’t return the gesture.”

“That’s fine.”

“Now that you’ve turned everyone else down, aren’t you going ask for mine?”

“Do I have to?”

I took out the embroidered handkerchief I’d poured many late nights into and met his guarded golden eyes. Wondering what he truly thought and felt, I gave him my loveliest smile.

“No, never. My most heartfelt favour shall always be yours.”

Most men would have absolutely melted under my sensual gaze. However, slightly unfortunately, my fiance was an impressively cold male lead and not most men. He remained apathetic as he took my handkerchief, and I swore to myself that one day I would make him blush.

“Thank you, Lady Valentina.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Oscar studied my gift. It was the golden lion of Stoneshire, with our initials intertwined, and an elaborate pattern on the border that took me far too long to figure out. I thought I detected the faintest smile, but it vanished in an instant. Then, he carefully folded the handkerchief and placed it into the front pocket of his shirt. He nodded in the direction of where the others were gathered.

“We should go. The horses are here.”

I agreed, but I was so pleased that my favour was the only one Oscar took that I forgot to hide my smile before Damian saw it. My brother positively glowered at my fiance, who stared back unflinchingly. Luckily, Father quickly drew Damian away to the other side of the group and engaged him in conversation with the closest noble. We mounted our horses, and our party set off.

We rode through a grassy field and entered a thin forest. One of the other nobles claimed the first hunt, a plump rabbit. The second kill, a small brown deer, was soon made by the king with the help of Duke Northbury. The kills were taken back to the palace by knights, and we continued in a feverish mood, having sensed the thrill of blood.

King Henry rode beside me, and we made pleasant conversation.

“Do you like animals, Lady Valentina?”

“Depends on what you mean by ‘like’, Your Majesty. I respect the uses of tamed creatures, such as horses, and mine is one of my most treasured possessions. I also appreciate the animals being raised to feed us, and I admire the ferocity and beauty of many wild beasts.”

“I share your opinion wholeheartedly, but I was actually referring to pets. They’re very popular among young ladies, I believe.”

“I think they’re well-liked by all kinds of people. I suppose they can be amusing, but I prefer the companionship of people.”

“As do I. I consider most animals comfortably stupid, and I feel many people like it that way. Perhaps it makes them feel superior, when they can be so compared to other beings of the species. The blind devotion, too, must be rather appealing. And as you say, they can indeed be entertaining. What do you think, Zacharius?”

Father, after safely depositing Damian with a seasoned mage he idolized in our party, had slipped next to us. His demeanor towards the king was completely different than the warmth with which he treated us. Mother must’ve had a difficult task, like me with my fiance. Yet since she succeeded and taught me her tricks, certainly I could triumph too.

“I do not know about you, Your Majesty, but I raise animals for practical purposes. I think it foolish to develop attachments to creatures that can’t feel emotions in any complexity, though they’re tolerable when they’re amusing.”

I thought back to a puppy I’d once received when I was little. I’d played with it everyday for a week and adored it with all my heart, until Father brought me a new doll and I lost interest. I couldn’t remember what had happened to it.

King Henry gave a deep chuckle. He was about to continue, but Father cut him off with a sharp turn of his head towards me.

“Valentina-”

My instincts sharpened after years of experience, I sensed it just as he did. I whirled around, my pistol already in my hand, and fired.

A great brown mass roared. It stood up on its hind legs, towering over us. Exhilaration rushed through me and my heart pounded fast. It wasn’t a demon, but it sure as hell was one of the largest bears I’d ever seen. A magnificent beast that would make a fine rug.

My first shot scraped its cheek, dealing little damage but leaving behind a trail of blood and a very angry bear. It raised a paw to swipe at me, but a bullet from Father whirled past my ear and struck its forearm. It growled angrily and fell back to all fours. The other nobles backed away slightly, recognizing this kill was ours. I kept my eyes trained on the beast as Father spoke eagerly.

“I’ll go left. Try for a flank shot?”

“Got it.”

I grabbed the reins on my horse and we circled the bear. It made a run towards an opening, but Father fired a shot right in front of it and it spun around, frightened into searching for another exit. While it prowled, I raised my pistol and took aim at the front shoulders, where the lungs were. At the perfect moment, I fired.

It gave a thunderous bellow and fell with a loud thump. It tried to lift its head, but after some futile struggles, it laid still, dead. Such a terrifying and powerful animal it had been, but I had killed it. I had been stronger. My eyes glinted as I breathed heavily, trying to come back from the elation.

Father met my eyes and grinned. The king clapped.

“Wonderful, Lady Valentina! And Zacharius, I see that age has not bothered you at all! My congratulations on this magnificent kill.”

Father came next to me with a broad smile.

“Brilliant, my angel, absolutely brilliant! I could not be more proud of you.”

“You taught me well, Father.”

I laughed with the jubilation the rush of power always brought me. It was a reminder that in this life, I was not weak. I would hunt my enemies until every last one of them was out of my way, and I would never be weak again.

After all, the fun was only getting started.