Chapter 91: The Mystery Woman
The sky hung heavy with clouds, the air thick with the scent of impending rain. It looked as though the heavens might open at any moment, but the threat of a storm did little to deter the gathered nobles. For them, the hunt wasn’t truly about the game—it was merely an elaborate excuse.
From her elevated perch, Lorelai surveyed the bustling gathering below. Tents were scattered throughout the dense forest like colorful mushrooms, their vibrant fabrics standing out starkly against the muted green of the woods.
Fires crackled and smoked, forming the heart of a makeshift barracks. The hunters and their attendants moved with practiced efficiency, preparing weapons and checking gear, while chefs stood ready, their knives glinting in the dim light as they awaited the spoils of the day.
Although more than a hundred people had gathered to partake in the spectacle, only a select few—a little over a dozen—were deemed worthy enough to participate in the hunt itself.
Not far from the commotion, Queen Althea stood with an air of effortless authority, feeding her hunting hawk. The bird, a sleek and formidable creature, tore into the raw meat she offered, its sharp beak working methodically as if savoring every morsel. Althea’s elegant fingers, adorned with jeweled rings, moved with precision, the crimson stains on her gloves an almost artistic contrast to her immaculate appearance.
The queen, of course, had no intention of joining the hunt today. Her presence alone was enough to command attention, and her hawk was simply a prop—a tool to stir envy and unease among the noblewomen gathered around her.
Lorelai watched from a distance, her lips tightening into a thin line as bitter memories clawed their way to the surface.
She had always despised that hawk.
It was a perfect hunting bird, intelligent and impeccably trained. But its training went far beyond hunting—it was a killer, through and through.
She had seen it kill before.
The images flickered in her mind like a series of unwelcome ghosts: soft fur, small paws, innocent eyes—all snuffed out in an instant under the cruel paws of Althea’s pet. Rabbits, kittens, even puppies. Nothing she loved had ever been spared.