Cold Blooded Duke Hunt

Anna seemed to think that Riv was telling a bad joke.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I guess you’re still half-asleep. Don’t ever say that in front of Princess Marianne.

Maid Anna

I know.

Maid Anna

The princess is in the silver room. I need to go to the dressing room for a bit.

Anna disappeared to get Marianne’s hat while Riv headed to Marianne’s drawing-room, more commonly referred to as the silver room.

Maid Elle

Princess, Miss Katana is here.

Princess Marianne

Let her in.

Marianne raised her doll-like face to stare at Riv.

Princess Marianne

You’re so late, Riv.

Princess Marianne

Why did you even bother coming? My mood was ruined waiting for you.

Marianne loathed even being in contact with Riv.

Princess Marianne

If I touch you, your misfortune will spread to me.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

...

Princess Marianne

I don’t think it’ll be fun to order the knights to beat you down.

Princess Marianne

So, how should I punish you?

At that moment, Marianne’s arms tightened suffocatingly. The small dog in her arms howled and squirmed, almost scratching her.

Princess Marianne

Argh!

Marianne leaped off the sofa and threw the dog to the floor.

Princess Marianne

You ruined my dress! Damn-!

Princess Marianne

He doesn’t even recognize his master. Do you know how expensive this dress is? This damn hybrid mutt!

Angrily, Marianne lifted the hem of her dress and kicked at the dog with her pointed heels.

Princess Marianne

Get lost.

Princess Marianne

Nanny, nanny, maids! Get this thing out of my room right now!

Maid Elle

Princess Marianne, please calm down!

The little dog had stopped moving a long time ago.

That dog was just another one of the numerous animals killed by Marianne.

Later that evening, Riv built a grave for the dog in the corner of the royal garden.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I hope you’re resting well in heaven.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I have to get out of this palace somehow.

How could she change her destiny?

If she did something she hadn’t done before, she would be able to twist her fate, no matter how small the change.

Thinking hard, Riv realized she had never met or spoken to Duke Sentoren.

Riv was Marianne’s maid, but she hadn’t been present during the couple’s wedding.

Should she meet Duke Sentoren?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

But what kind of a man is he?

All she knew was that he was Princess Marianne’s older fiancé and a soldier who had succeeded the old Duke Sentoren in his late 20s.

She didn’t know for sure about his tastes or appearance, and his rumors, while interesting, were hardly a reliable source of information.

However, Riv did know that Princess Marianne loathed Duke Sentoren, her husband.

It was a terrible, poisonous hatred – one that burned as hot as the fire Riv had died by before.

In Riv’s memory, there was no such thing as Marianne and Duke Sentoren having a normal marital life. It was also doubtful whether they had even met after the wedding.

Duke Sentoren had been living separated from Marianne for more than half a year.

Marianne continued to live in the palace after her wedding to Duke Sentoren.

He did not meet Marianne, as though the wedding had never happened. He never even came to the palace to see her.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Perhaps he’s been in the Southern territory the whole time.]

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Why did he marry Marianne?]

Marianne was pregnant with the child of one of her lovers.

Even after Riv’s death, it was unlikely, no, impossible, that Marianne stayed faithfully by Duke Sentoren’s side.

Marianne hadn’t wanted to marry him.

It was Marianne’s father, Philip II, who pushed ahead with and insisted upon the marriage.

The marriage was also to cover up Marianne’s promiscuous scandal.

What did Duke Sentoren think when he followed the orders? Did he really love Marianne? Or did he agree to the marriage for power?

Marianne and Duke Sentoren never bothered with such a pretense.

Though Marianne had a high status and wealth, Duke Sentoren also possessed lots of money and land, more than anyone could even need.

The Duke also had many older brothers, so even if Marianne married him, he would not be able to succeed the throne.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Then why?]

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Why did Duke Sentoren agree to get married like this?]

If his marriage to Marianne didn’t take place, then maybe she wouldn’t be killed horribly by Marianne’s hands.

She might learn something if she met Duke Sentoren in person.

Riv was in charge of Marianne’s life as a whole and took care of her little messes, but that was all.

She never had the chance to meet the Duke before her death, for she had never been allowed in public.

In fact, Riv looked ugly and was thrown aside by her birth family, so no one would care if she disappeared suddenly.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[I’m sure everyone thinks it’s no problem to get rid of me at any time.]

Even as a maid of the Princess, Riv was unable to attend the royal family’s official marriage ceremony and could only peek at the banquet from afar.

Despite being Marianne’s maid, she wasn’t allowed anywhere near the banquet hall.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[So, how should I proceed from here?]

If she couldn’t meet Duke Sentoren in public, then where could she?

She kept pondering on this problem. Riv locked herself in her room to brainstorm, even skipping dinner to do so.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[What should I do now?]

Riv fiddled with her mother’s pendant, curled up in bed.

She caressed the protruding part of the ruby ring.

The burn scar on the back of her left hand was throbbing.

Riv began to sift through the facts one by one.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I’m not dead now, but I will die in the near future.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Should I stop Marianne from getting married or getting pregnant?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

What should I do with my future?

Riv, who was agonizing over many problems, whispered to the pendant while fiddling with it.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

Come out, ring.

The old gemstone ring popped out of the pendant.

Riv recalled the blood-colored gemstone emitting a crimson glow like a ruby, so she decided to call it a ruby ring.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

But is this ring really an heirloom?

The death reaper had given this to Riv, so surely it must be important.

It had also called her a witch.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Am I a witch?]

The ruby Ring had also been with Riv when she died. Even after she came back to life, she was carrying it along with her.

What if this ring is a magic tool that only works with witch’s blood? What if she really was a witch?

Everything the reaper said was, indeed, truths about what brought her back to life.

She didn’t want to die by Marianne’s hands.

Therefore – she must change the future.

Riv was murdered after learning of Marianne’s pregnancy.

How about interfering with Marianne’s pregnancy?

Marianne’s pregnancy was a distant future.

Rather, the marriage between Princess Marianne and Duke Sentoren was closer.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

[Can I stop their marriage?]

What if she met with Duke Sentoren and exposed Marianne’s private life?

Would the marriage still take place? What if Duke Sentoren knew about Marianne’s promiscuity and scandals?

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

More than that, I’m sure I have to escape from Marianne’s side.

Riv decided to devise a way to escape from the palace and find a way to contact Duke Sentoren.

However, she was not allowed to attend official royal ceremonies for now, which would impede her plans.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

I have been to Duke Sentoren’s mansion before.

That would be around the time of Princess Marianne’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Where else could she encounter Duke Sentoren?

She’d been ordered to go to Duke Sentoren’s mansion, but he was not home. It would be too late to contact the Duke then.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

The hunt before Princess Marianne’s birthday?

The king had gone hunting in the woods behind the Ailte Palace with his aristocratic subjects, including Duke Sentoren.

That day, the king had also held an elaborate dinner banquet open to everyone. What if she sought out Duke Sentoren at the banquet?

Riv tried to figure out a way to meet him.

Riv Katana/ Olivia [FL]

The hunt was definitely around this time.

What could she do with this knowledge?