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Even several nobles changed their expressions, subconsciously eyeing her clothes with looks of confusion.
But often, shame is something we impose on ourselves.
She sat confidently and calmly on the horse, giving orders and riding steadily with no hint of embarrassment in her expression.
When people saw her poised and confident demeanor, they felt a sense of respect for her.
—Such a thing could only be done by a queen.
The Setters and Irish Wolfhounds followed the hunter’s trail into the forest, while the nobles waited on the edge of the woods for news.
The lead hunter soon returned, with a Norwegian falcon perched on his shoulder.
“There are several deer—and wild boars!”
The queen raised her hand and blew a sharp whistle, signaling the group to spur their horses into the dense forest. More than ten hawks swooped and circled, calling loudly as the hounds and falcons worked to herd the prey.
Leonardo stood beside her, holding the reins, and motioned for her to look to the right. “There’s a deer.”
Hedy tightened her grip on the crossbow, turned her horse, and shouted, “Go!”
The two horses leaped forward, jumping over bushes to close in on their target.
A stag had already sensed the disturbance, but the sounds from all directions kept confusing its judgment.
Hedy tugged on the reins, raised her crossbow with one hand, and aimed at the prey without hesitation.
One shot!
Two shots!
Three shots!
The stag stumbled two steps, then fell heavily to the ground.
At the same time, a wild boar, being chased, came charging from the east, grunting and almost crashing into them.
Leonardo raised his flintlock rifle, aimed, and pulled the triggerin the next instant: “Bang!”
The bullet struck its skull, penetrating its spine and exploding out through its back!
The bulky prey was sent flying, rolling a few times before it gasped its last breath and closed its eyes.
It was a grand and spirited hunt.
It was summer, and the animals were well-fed, slick with fat, each one robust and full.
The nobles urged their hounds to chase and capture, even managing to catch a number of wild rabbits.
People had slowly become accustomed to the queen’s strange attire, even going so far as to compliment her, saying she looked even more beautiful than before.
After tiring herself with the hunt, Hedy gazed at the distant mountains for a moment before turning to Leonardo and saying, “How about a race?”
The prince raised a smile. “I’m an experienced rider; this wouldn’t be fair to you.”
The two of them shot forward like bolts of lightning, leaping from the grasslands to the hills, swift and rapid in their movements.
For the first time in a long while, Hedy felt this deeply relaxing sense of freedom—
