526 The Chests Part 2

Each princess stepped behind their own chest to reveal their kills. Kyera stood behind her own, completely unaware of how beautiful she was right now. The light riding dress she was wearing made her figure stand out, including the bump of the baby. She glowed in the midday sun, but seemed as though she would even glow in the pitch black. She met Clovis' eyes and smiled softly. The pair passing unspoken promises for the night to come as each Princess before her opened their trunk and presented their kills.

As Melania opened her trunk, she felt nervous. Her palms were sweaty as her eyes dashed toward her husband. As always, his expression was hard to read, but he was focused on her. That was important, he did care how she did. She pretended for just a moment it wasn't just about the crown but for her. With a flick of her wrist and a gentle hand she opened the trunk to reveal the pelts carefully cleaned, tanned and folded so the myriad of colors could be seen. "Seven Kills, the largest being a Winter Moose." Melania announced glancing toward him. There was a hint of a smile on his face as he nodded at her. Warmth flooded her as she realized that was what she was hoping for. He was proud of her… there was warmth in his eyes.

Lalia opens her own trunk to show her pelts. There are fewer colors, but two of them are large. She took the White out and unfurled it. "Winter Wolf is my largest kill. Second was a doe. Total of 5 kills to feed the people." She points to the less furry pelt next to the wolf. Alexi clapped silently and teasingly for his wife. She made a crossbow motion as the majority of attention fell on Feya, and he caught the pretend bolt and pressed its tip to his lips theatrically making Lalia chuckle.

Feya was getting a bit nervous as she opened her own trunk. Inside were several pelts but none of them were incredibly large. However, the largest kill in the trunk was deep black in color. Kyera recognized the pelt and her hands balled into fists. "My biggest kill that wasn't  interrupted was a pair of matching dire wolves." Feya flared out the large black fur coat of the wolf. Anger burned in Kyera's heart.

"Uninterrupted?" Bastil asked glancing at his mother then his wife. Feya suddenly looked very troubled, biting her lip as if she had been horribly wronged. She appeared hesitant to speak as if she hid a horrid secret. The Empress Vivian became concerned as she looked at her Grand Daughter in Law.

"Did someone interfere with your hunt?" Empress Vivian asked a bit carefully. This was unusual in their lands.

"Yes, I am afraid so. My largest Kill should have been a fully mature Ursa Superior." Feya said carefully, her expression appropriately conflicted. It was enough to gain sympathy as the men kinda exchanged glances.

"The bear was rescued and healed from my arrow while I tried to wait out its death." Feya explained and The Empress was suddenly appalled as was her son. Bastil made a fist with his hand angry and it appeared to be because his wife had been wronged. What man could stand aside for that? It couldn't be over the lost kill.

"Who would do such a thing?" The Emperor began and then his eyes flicked to his lion, Rashan. He looked at Kyera. "Did you dare to interfere with another Princess's hunt? Did you not hear the rules of this ceremony?" He raged at her. Kyera raised an eyebrow seeing how this was going. Bryson went to say something but her signal bid him not to.