Across the low shrubs and grassy fields, eight fine horses galloped freely, startling small animals into scattering in all directions.
Blushing bright red, Betty loosed a crooked arrow. It landed five meters away from a squirrel, sticking awkwardly into the grass.
The squirrel, clutching a nut, stared at the strange object that had fallen nearby. A question mark practically appeared over its head as it tilted its little face in confusion.
That expression of pure bewilderment felt like mockery to Betty.
Pouting, she pointed forward with a finger. A small fireball condensed in front of her and shot toward the squirrel.
At the sight of the fireball, the squirrel immediately dropped the nut and darted into the bushes, vanishing without a trace—leaving behind only a patch of scorched earth where the fireball exploded.
"Miss Betty, unless you're in danger, please refrain from using offensive magic while hunting!" Soven called out from ahead.
"S-Sorry… But the bow I chose is too stiff. I can't draw it," Betty replied awkwardly.
"It's fine. There's a rest stop ahead where you can switch bows," Soven said cheerfully.
Off to the side, Ron rode calmly. With a casual draw and release of his bow, he struck his targets effortlessly, earning waves of praise from the surrounding noble ladies.
These aristocratic girls, whose looks were elevated mainly by layers of rouge and makeup, failed to spark any interest in him.
After observing the group, Serena was ironically the best-looking among them…
Even Betty at least caught Ron's eye now and then with her cuteness and innocence.
As for the idea of casually running into several peerless beauties every time one stepped outside, it was clearly just a fantasy for children.
He should've brought Eileen along. At least she would've been refreshing to look at.
Just then, the well-figured Panny suddenly let out a startled cry.
"What's wrong?" Soven was the first to rush to her side, his voice gentle.
Ron glanced at the horse beneath Panny. Its eyes were dull with fatigue, its tail drooping lifelessly.
Clearly, the potion Soven had injected into the horse's rear earlier had taken effect.
How underhanded… Ron clicked his tongue inwardly and watched Soven perform.
"Panny, your horse isn't in good condition. Look at its eyes and tail. It might be dangerous to keep riding."
"Ah? But earlier, you said this horse looked very enduring. How is it exhausted already?"
"Heh, maybe Ron doesn't know horses very well." Soven winked at Ron.
"Yes, I misjudged," Ron said flatly.
When choosing horses earlier, Ron had been the one to suggest this mount to Panny, so that she wouldn't suspect Soven later. That was the job of a proper wingman.
"So what should we do? Are there spare horses at the rest station ahead?" Panny asked, troubled.
"Only feed for the horses," Soven said regretfully.
Normally, there would indeed be spare horses. But Soven had arranged things in advance—how could he leave such a loophole?
"Um… Then maybe I can share a horse with one of the girls…"
"That's not safe," Wingman Number Two, Serena, chimed in. "Two ladies riding together is too dangerous. None of us ride regularly—something could easily go wrong."
"I…" Panny hesitated. As her gaze wandered, it inevitably landed on the handsome and captivating Prince Ron nearby.
But at that very moment, Ron had already subtly withdrawn, guiding his horse toward Betty and chatting with her casually, as though completely unaware of the situation.
Thus, gentle and not particularly bold, Panny had no choice but to turn to the only remaining man at her side. Blushing, she murmured, "Th-Then I'll trouble you, Your Highness Soven."
Soven smiled and nodded. He dismounted personally, helped Panny down, and then lifted her onto his own horse.
Afterward, he swung up behind her. His broad chest pressed against her slender back, his arms encircling her waist as he took hold of the reins in front of her.
As the horse began running again, its body inevitably brushed against the other. Panny lowered her head shyly, her face flushed crimson.
The operation was a complete success.
Ron glanced over briefly. Seeing Soven's hunting strategy progressing smoothly, he stopped paying attention.
Around Ron gathered the remaining five noble ladies. Three unnamed ones whispered among themselves at his side.
"There's no way the horse Prince Ron chose would have problems. Obviously, Panny did something herself."
"Exactly. I saw her glancing at Prince Ron just now. That little scheme was so obvious."
"Haha, she thought she could ride with Prince Ron that way. In the end, he didn't even pay attention to her."
"Right? Just because she's pretty doesn't mean she can do whatever she wants. Does Prince Ron look like he lacks women?"
"She acts so reserved usually. The moment she saw Prince Ron, her true colors came out."
Ron listened helplessly to their thinly veiled slander, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
The noble social circle was truly terrifying…
Just moments ago, they had acted like affectionate sisters with Panny. Now they were poisoning the well against her right in front of him.
If Ron hadn't known the truth—and hadn't been a participant in the plan himself—he might have almost believed their serious analysis.
These interpersonal relationships were truly vicious…
Compared to this, a girl like Betty was practically a treasure.
After that small incident, the group continued hunting and playing in the Royal Forest.
Once Panny was maneuvered onto Soven's horse, Soven's considerable skills quickly won her over.
If not for the occasional glance at Ron's irresistibly attractive face—giving her brief moments of mental resistance—she would have completely fallen already.
As Soven liked to say:
The goodwill that develops between men and women is, at its core, a pursuit of maximizing physical closeness.
And that logic worked in reverse as well.
If there was sufficient physical contact between a man and a woman, goodwill would inevitably arise.
Of course, the premise was that neither disliked the other, and that the contact wasn't forced.
Otherwise, it would simply be harassment.
Gradually, their enthusiasm for hunting faded, and they set up a hotpot on the grass instead.
Ron and Soven prepared the game they had caught, tossing it into the pot to cook. Afterward, they dipped the meat into Ron's seasoning, and everyone ate happily.
By evening, they bid each other farewell at the entrance of the Royal Forest.
Soven had prepared several carriages to send the ladies home separately.
After boarding his carriage, Ron glanced through the window and saw Soven and Panny entering another carriage.
Just the two of them.
I wonder if she can handle it… Ron thought silently as the street scenery rolled backward outside the window.
After all, yesterday Soven had drunk an entire pot of pine-needle tea.