Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 38==Queen Tara==

"Sister, do you think I look beautiful today?"

I slowly looked up at my sister, who was admiring her reflection in the mirror in front of me.

"Yeah, you do," I said quietly, my gaze drifting back to the passing scenery outside the carriage window as we traveled towards the Hunting Grounds.

"Do you think Prince Ben will like my look today?"

"Hmm," I replied, not looking at her, still absorbed by the view.

"Ugh! Can't you just look at me!" she suddenly snapped, making me flinch. I sighed softly and turned to face her, carefully examining her appearance.

"You look cute," I said honestly, looking her up and down. "But... do you really need to wear heels and jewelry when we're going hunting?" I asked, confused by her five-inch sandals and dangling earrings.

"It's not like I'll actually join the hunt. I'm just there to grace them with my presence. You know I'm the prettiest unmarried lady in the Empire, right?" she said confidently, glancing at herself in her small mirror.

"Not really the most... there's Princess Arabella, and also Miss Sylvia and Miss Aria in Moonlight," I pointed out. It was true that Scorpio and Aries were incredibly beautiful, like, truly stunning. And Aria was Aries' stage name.

"Tsk... Her Highness isn't as pretty as me. As for those two from Moonlight, hmm... they're attractive," she admitted honestly, and I smiled a little.

"How about me, sister? Don't you think I'm beautiful?" I asked her jokingly, but she took it seriously, studying me intently.

"You're alright, probably much prettier than Her Highness," she said, and my eyes widened slightly.

"Really?!"

"Yup, if you weren't my sister... you would have been in tenth place or so," she explained, and I chuckled softly.

"Really? Well, I'm honored."

Today was the day... the Hunting Season. Though it was happening much earlier than usual.

I wondered what the Emperor had planned for me.

~•~•~•~•~•~

"Everyone, please welcome Her Highness, Queen Tara Nesua from the Nesua Kingdom!"

All eyes turned to the front, eager to see the first-ever monarch from the Nesua Kingdom to appear in public, Queen Tara Nesua.

Cancer had told me that her being Queen was highly suspicious. Out of all eight siblings, she was the youngest and yet she had risen to power.

Even I found it odd. Virgo was currently there, under my orders, and I also had Libra and Taurus investigating how she and Catherine had become acquainted.

Ever since I became the new owner of Moonlight, I had been much busier than in the past when I was just tracking down the Zodiacs.

If things were going to be like this, I wouldn't have bothered looking for them in the first place.

"Hello everyone... I'm Queen Tara. I believe I'm the first monarch from the Nesua Kingdom to be seen publicly. I hope you will all entertain me well during my stay and—" she paused, her gaze fixed on a certain direction, her mouth slightly open.

"Oh my God! Cathy!!!" she exclaimed loudly, rushing forward to hug Catherine Nizel. I could see the shocked expressions on everyone's faces. Well, it wasn't shocking for me since I already knew.

"Oh my God! I'm so glad you were able to come! It's been a year since we last saw each other, right?! I missed you!" she exclaimed, hugging the young woman tightly.

I glanced at the Emperor, who looked suspicious of their relationship. He seemed to be deep in thought, probably analyzing their connection.

"Your Majesty, please maintain your composure... Everyone is watching," even though her assistant whispered, I could hear it clearly... probably because I was near them? I was in the front row, after all.

"Oh! I'm sorry!"

"Um... Your Majesty, what is your relationship with Lady Nizel?" a count asked bravely. I applauded his courage.

"She's my friend! She actually lived with me in Nesua!" Queen Tara said excitedly. "But she told us she lived her whole life in the countryside?" a lady of similar age inquired.

"We both did! Though the only difference is that it was a countryside in Nesua!" she explained, and everything started to make sense.

"I actually didn't specify which countryside I lived in," Catherine added with a smile, glancing at the Emperor. I too glanced at him and saw a satisfied smile on his face.

He had a new pawn to use.

"I see... Well then, now that the Queen has graced us with her presence! Let's now officially start our hunt!" the Emperor declared, and everyone applauded.

I looked around, examining the nobles present.
In our empire, there was the royal family, the Silvertons along with the Priestly family, and the Nizel family, along with Marquis Letricia and Marchioness Viridian, and Count someone...

In the Western Empire, there was the royal family and three other high noble families. In the Southern Kingdom, there were also three high nobles present.

As for the Northern Kingdom, the King and three high nobles were present... But I had heard that the Dowager Queen would be arriving a little late... and Aries from Moonlight was also present, along with Pisces, her partner, and Leo as Marchioness.

"But every family must have their own competitor, and the head should not enter," he suddenly announced, grabbing everyone's attention, or rather, everyone in our household.

Father glared at the Emperor, who was smirking in our direction, looking directly at me.

He wanted me to be part of the competition, didn't he?

"Emperor! We agreed on this!" Father raised his voice, looking at the Emperor with angry eyes.

"Are you going against my orders, Grand Duke? My rules are final," he said firmly, and Father could only grit his teeth in anger.

He knew he couldn't argue because other kingdoms and empires were watching, staring.

But I could sense that they were starting to talk about it, probably because everyone across the world knew that none of his children had his talent or anything similar.

And none of them wanted to be involved in something violent like hunting.

"But Grand Duke, you know that there will be a punishment... if you come in last place in my hunting competition, am I right?" that damned Emperor said.

In anyone's eyes... everyone could see that the Emperor planned to humiliate the war hero, but in truth, it wasn't that. He wanted me, he wanted my eyes.

He must want me killed, right? So much that he was provoking Father?

I sighed loudly and gave Aries a signal. Even if Father didn't like me, the Emperor was humiliating my family. I couldn't just stand still.

I stared at Aries, knowing she was going to enter. She had been a champion for years now. I knew that I needed to have her lose on purpose and steal every prey from the other competitors.

I stood up from my seat, removing my hairpin. "What are you doing?" Mother asked me, confused, as she sat down beside Sister, who was in front of me.

I didn't respond as I walked towards the center where Father was. I could see that he was confused by my actions.

"Alyssa, what are you doing?" Father whispered as he saw me beside him. I ignored him and faced the Emperor, standing firm in front of the others who were looking down at me.

I'll show everyone how scary I am.

"I'll enter, on behalf of the Silvertons."