The sound of horns blaring from the palace broke through the quiet Court. Dawn had just broken through and it wasn’t fully light yet.

Even with this, most of the residents weren’t annoyed, better, they were all awake going through their morning routine. Everyone was in a hurry, since no one wanted to be left behind.

Today was the start of the hunting competition. A three-day event. It had been a day since the horse race and the most-awaited day had finally arrived.

In this event, the participants would embark on a three-day hunt inside the Dark elven kingdom’s largest and most dangerous forest.

The Splitting harrows.

The Splitting Harrows was a vast forest located in the southern part of the kingdom. The forest was infested with one of the most ferocious beasts in the elven continent. The forest housed both Corrupt and normal beasts that feed on each other. The perfect food chain.

It gained its name and popularity due to the treasures it possesses. Though dangerous most hunters would visit the forest and come out richer than they went in.

It was one of the forbidden zones in the kingdom though not fully restricted.

The picking of Splitting harrows as a hunting ground wasn’t random. During the fall season, the birthrate would increase meaning the number of monsters in the forest would basically double. With this as a baseline, most of the beasts would leave the comfort of the forest in search of food attacking villages found around the forest.

This hunting competition was essentially a cheap and free way to reduce the numbers, it would be better if they could fully eradicate them without Lilith ever lifting a finger.

"Do you think his highness will also win?" Javier, one of the soldiers responsible for monitoring the situation asked his captain as he leaned against a tree.

"I don’t know," the head of the guards, Poller, responded, his gaze moving to the groups of participants who were converging amongst themselves.

"This year seemed to have brought all the geniuses," Javier continued as he crouched down picking at the grass.

Poller did the same. At the moment, the competition was still some time away and the participants were just starting to arrive.

"I heard that there are ten sure contenders for the win," Poller whispered.

Javier leaned slightly to his side their shoulders brushing against each other.

"I’ve also heard that, every continent brought its own geniuses. The demonic continent crown prince would be arriving today," he whispered.

Poller, glanced to his side then turned back to his partner.

"I heard it’s not even about the competition... It’s about the moon crystals. There is a shortage in the demonic continent. If they win the competition, they can ask for them."

This was the first attractive thing about the competition. The winner can make any wish towards the queen. She will fulfil it to the best of her abilities.

Poller straightened stretching slightly as he wiped the dried grass that had stuck to his clothes. He walked a distance down the forest line, next to the barrier. Javier followed right behind him.

The forest had a barrier as the first defense if the beast tide started. A delay tactic.

"Should I just quit?" Poller asked Javier but the guard shook his head quickly," No, you have always participated in the competition, and backing off would be a waste."

"Even with all those giants, " he said.

A depreciating laugh slipped through his lips. Javier didn’t know how to respond to that immediately.

"It doesn’t hurt to try, you might just end up in a fruitful opportunity. This might just be your chance to go up in ranks," Javier cheered him in.

Poller chuckled at that. His gaze shifted to the dark gloomy forest ahead of him, he could try it.

.

.

.

Atheline turned in the bed, sleep slowly leaving him. He blinked awake but didn’t move out of bed for a moment.

A few moments later he threw the covers to the side and lazily got out of bed.

"You’re up," he said noticing Lilith who sat on the main chair reading a book.

She glanced at him once, her attention going back to whatever she was reading. He didn’t mind.

He dragged himself to the bathroom, cleaning himself up and dressing for the hunt.

He turned and almost bumped into her. Atheline held his chest, looking down at her in mock disapproval.

"You want an accident early in the morning, " he said, closing the little distance between them.

Her hands went around his neck. They held the stare, lost in each other’s gaze. He was the first to break contact his smile widening with each passing time.

"Aren’t you at least going to give me a goodbye make-out session? " Atheline asked as he pushed her back until she bumped into the wall.

"Not even a little kiss," he said while Lilith pouted," it’s not like we won’t see each other after a few days."

She exhaled quietly.

"Should I just cancel the hunting competition... No maybe I should just clear the whole forest," she mumbled almost to herself.

Atheline smiled. He leaned down and took her lips. He picked her up, their lips still connected and sat down with her straddling his lap.

When the need for air came, they separated and a string of saliva was left connecting them. They looked at each other’s eyes then Atheline smiled and kissed her lightly again then separated.

"There is no need for that, you’ll see the whole progress."

She clicked shifting slightly in his lap.

"We’ll see."

Atheline leaned back on the chair gazing up at her.

"I’ll be going in a few minutes," Atheline said and pulled her to him.

She quietly lay on his chest.

"Let me hold you for the little time I have before leaving," he said.

Silence ensued in the room but none of them felt awkward, it just felt calming and intimate. She burrowed deeper into his embrace and his hands tightened around her.

Atheline was the one to break the serene peace.

"I know the last time scared you but you know I will never leave your side, even if I have to fight death itself."

"I know. You’re my man. My lover. My husband. My sanity. If you continue to exist so will I."

"You speak of those words as if I will ever leave you," Atheline whispered.

Lilith chuckled, caressing his cheek softly.

"Remember that my love, even death can not separate us," she whispered and kissed his cheek. His hand tightened slightly around her waist.

The feeling was divine.