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*** important A/n : The concept of the Master of the Hunt was inspired from Choices the gaming app from the story The Royal Masquerade.
It has been about a week since the council gathered for the meeting. The sisters were given a span of three months to find a suitor who will lay a strong claim to the throne.
The social season has begun. The purpose of the social season is for the noble houses to secure new allies. Although House Rosario had the protection of House Orkwood and Oakwood, they also needed a marital alliance given the claim they held for the throne.
On the first day of the social season, the nobles were required to go on a hunting trip.
The sisters got into their carriage, accompanied by their maids along with their hunting equipment .
“Do we always have to travel with the amount of people that could suffice a small village?”, asked Mary.
“I suppose that is one of the side effects of having a blood claim to the throne. Every noble in the country is looking to strike an opportunity. Lord Balmont arranged for these many people to ensure we do not get killed in the process”, said Laura.
As soon as the sisters reached the venue , they were received by Orkwood sisters.
“Lady Mary , Lady Laura nice to meet you two again”, said Lady Hannah .
“Lady Hannah, Lady Charolette ,lovely meeting you too”, said Laura.
Mary was lost in her own thoughts. Since the day of the council meeting, Mary was afraid she and her sister would become mere pawns in the dangerous games played by the nobles. She wanted Lord Henry to know how much she loved him, but he never saw her as anything more than a friend and an ally. She was afraid that after this she might lose him forever if she were to admit her feelings.
“Isn’t it right, Mary ?”, asked Hannah . Hannah’s voice snapped Mary back into reality.
“Ye-yes”, said Mary, not sure what she heard Hannah say.
Laura noticed that something was off about Mary.
The Orkwood sisters left and the Rosario sisters were to follow them to the hunting grounds.
“You don’t seem to be enjoying out hunting trip.”, said Laura.
“Of course I am.”, said Mary clearly denying the obvious.
“Mary, please don’t say that you are distressed about your marriage prospects, I know that you want to marry for love and happiness”, said Laura.
“I am fine Laura, we should head to the hunting grounds, we wouldn’t want to keep everyone waiting “,said Mary.
The sisters went to the hunting grounds as they bumped into Henry and Philip.
“The Rosario sisters, pleasure seeing you here”, said Henry sarcastically.
Mary’s frown immediately changed to a sweet smile as she spotted Henry. If only she had to courage to go up to him and tell him how much he meant to her.
“ It’s rather not a pleasure for us seeing you here Lord Henry”, replied Mary teasingly.
“Oh ,will you stop it you two”, said Laura as she playfully hit Mary’s hand.
“I see you sisters have come fully prepared for the Hunt “, told Philip.
“We suppose we are”, replied Laura
“Here, I brought you two a small gift which will help you in the Hunt”, told Philip as he handed each of them a dagger.
“It’s beautiful”, told Mary.
“I was not informed of any gifts Philip”, told Henry as he nudged Philip’s shoulder.
“ I suppose Philip wishes for House Rosario to win .We wish you a good Hunt , Henry and Philip”, told Laura.
Everybody mounted their horses. A loud drum beat captured everyone’s attention.
“Lords and Ladies, we have all gathered here for the hunting trip. You are required to hunt for the bear we let into the forest. The bear holds a mark of Balanovan crest. A true master of the Hunt never kills his prey, make sure the bear you captured is alive. Let the Hunt begin! ”, said Lord Balmont.
Mary, Laura ,Philip and Henry rode through the woods.
“This Hunting trip already seems to be fun”, told Henry.
“I would rather prefer staying in my carriage “, told Mary.
“Look , there seem to be footprints!!”, exclaimed Laura.
“Good, now finding the bear should not be much of a task.“ ,told Henry as he pulled the rein of the horse.
The four of them continued to follow the footprints until they were led to a cave.
“Looks like no one has reached this far yet”, told Henry.
Henry got down his horse, making his way towards the cave.
“HENRY!STOP!”, shrieked Laura.
“There could be traps set up from previous hunts, recommend throwing a stone before you take a step”, instructed Laura.
Henry picked up a stone and threw it near the entrance of the cave only for a net to fall on it and pick it up.
“It WAS a trap”, said Philip in awe.
“That would be you Henry , if it weren’t for Laura”, told Mary.
“I could say, you saved me Lady Laura. I owe you a favour”, told Henry with a smirk.
“I suppose this is not the time to return the favour, we need to catch the bear before anyone comes”, told Laura.
Henry took his bow and arrow, coating the arrow head with a potion.
“Don’t tell me you are going to poison the bear”, told Mary.
“I am not surprised that you thought I would do such a thing Mary. I see the court has filled your mind up with all these thought of murder, backstabbing or poison. This is a sedative, it will knock the bear unconscious which should buy us enough time to take it back”, told Henry.
“Well when it comes to you it is hard not to believe you would not do something harmless”, told Mary playfully.
“You don’t know me that well.....yet”, said Henry, with a smile before heading inside the cave.
Four of them headed back to the starting point with the bear they captured.
“I see Lord Henry has yet again proved his skills. I name Lord Henry The Master Of the Hunt for this social season!”, told Lord Balmont.
“It is a pleasure Lord Balmont, but I must say I could not have done it without the support of my allies, especially Lady Laura. Without her skills of observation and quick thinking, I would not have made it.”, told Henry as he accepted the sword, fashioned with a blue sapphire on a silver scabbard, which was given to the master of the hunt as a token of appreciation. He looked at Laura as she smiled back uneasily. Laura was not used to anyone giving her credit before a huge crowd like this. The crowd broke into cheers chanting Henry’s name. Mary gave Laura a hug as she cheered for Henry .A/n : This chapter was a little lengthy 😅. Thank you for reading. Please let me know if there is a need for character introduction.😊
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The Royal Entanglement - Not A Fairytale
Historical FictionTied up between Politics and Love. A conflict between Mind and Heart. What will you choose? Book cover credits to owner