**
"Maximilian?"
I blink at her silently. She just called my name. By my name. Instead of feeling repulsed and detested by that sound I instead can't feel anything anymore. All I can see is her.
My breath stops for a moment again. Just like back i...
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The hunting competitions had started slowly. All the noble men had mounted their horses with their weapons at a ready. I got onto my horse, and Elizabeth followed behind me too.
My body launches itself and mounts the horse in one swift movement. Pulling the reigns which make the horse groan and neigh.
"Ok, I will be going now." I speak staring at the distant view of the forest. But it seems she hasn't left yet.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" I ask, tilting my head a little. But she stands there idly without speaking, not looking at me. I don't understand her at all. Her arms clenched tightly as she was holding something in her hands. There's a faint redness in her cheeks, what is she embarrassed about?
"I came here to give you this your Highness, it is to wish you good luck." Her feeble hands hold out a small clothing. And I realize it's a handkerchief. I repress a chuckle as I take a look at it.
Covering my mouth and turning the other way. I cannot let her know. It's quite funny. "Thank you, for the good luck." I take it from her hands, and give a small smile.
"I think it might just make me win."
And I leave without waiting another second. How could I ever say something that horrendous. The handkerchief stays tucked in my pocket the entire time I hunt. And it never leaves. It never will.
When I get deeper into the forest, I take a closer look at the clothing. It seems to be hand made embroidered. Did she make this with her own hands? With her own time? When did she even have the time to make this? She always tells me she's busy to attend lunch or dinner or anything. Sometimes he made me question what she does that is so busy she must miss out on eating. And that leads me to wonder all day if she has eaten at all.
Whatever.
I clench the handkerchief in my hands tightly and tuck it away into my chest pocket. Continuing on my way. I have to win. Maybe for this handkerchief that she gave me at least.
I had gotten quite many kills. But I have to kill even more, even if it costs me something.
Something rusts in the bushes nearby and my ears perk up. My gun is raised up and pointed towards the bushes. What is it?
Something emerges out of the bushes, and it wasn't just an animal. It was a human on a horse. Roman. His figure emerged out of the bushes with a tall stature. He notices me.
"Your Highness! I did not see you there." He immediately gets down from his horse and bows. "Blessings upon the glorious sun of the empire." He greets. I give a simple nod.
And my eyes catch the eye of the kerchief in his pocket. I grit my teeth. It's annoying really.
"Roman, it's been long since I saw you. And My Empress too. Sometimes I wondered where you went all these years since you never even emerged out of your mansion since the past 10 years." I laugh.
