Zhan's pov

Emperor Alistair Solvaris Ravaryn stepped onto the grand platform overlooking the hunting grounds. The crowd of nobles, soldiers, and attendants slowly fell silent as his presence commanded the field. Everyone including me was staring at the emperor.

He raised one hand, acknowledging the gathering.

"My people," he began, his voice deep and measured, carrying easily across the open grounds.

"Today we stand together beneath the blessing of spring to celebrate the sacred festival of Bastina a time when our kingdom renews its strength, its unity, and its devotion to the prosperity of our land."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the assembled nobles.

"For generations, the hunt has been more than a tradition. It is a reminder of who we are. A kingdom built not upon weakness or chaos, but upon courage, discipline, and unwavering loyalty."

Murmurs of approval rose among the crowd.

"Beyond these lands lies a world filled with dangers those who envy our peace, those who wish to see our kingdom fall. Yet for centuries, this empire has stood unshaken."

His hand rested against the royal crest on his chest.

"And it has endured because of men and women like you. Noble houses who defend this land. Soldiers who give their strength to protect our people. Families who stand united beneath the banner of the crown."

A polite wave of applause followed.

"Today's hunt honors those virtues. In recognition of this day, the hunt will begin shortly. Let skill guide your arrows, let strength guide your blades, and let honor guide your hearts."

He lifted his hand toward the forest stretching beyond the grounds.

"The one who returns with the greatest bounty shall receive the royal prize... and the privilege of presenting their victory before the throne."

He spread his arms.

"Now go forth. Hunt with pride. Return with glory."

His voice rang across the gathering.

"And may the strength of goddess guide your aim." with that he ended his speech, and everyone ran towards the forest. Like every hunt Yibo stood close to me, and this time it was a problem, I had to reach prince Simon by any means before the afternoon and for that I need to shake off Yibo, I can't let him come with me.

However shaking him off was a tough task, the commander of royal knights was not that easy to be fooled and left behind.

"Let's go in this direction." Yibo said and I followed him, we went deeper and deeper into the forest and I looked at Yibo who was all focused with his weapon in his hands, but my focus was somewhere else, I had to get to prince Simon at any cost.

I suddenly heard some noise and I quickly raised my weapon towards that noise, Yibo followed my gaze, however instead of our prey somebody else came, somebody that I hadn't expected to meet here.

"Well, Hello there." the man said as he walked towards us with his knight following him close, he gave us both a smile and stood before us.

I hadn't expected to meet this guy here.

"Crown Prince" Yibo said as he bowed his head lightly, "I didn't knew that you came back from your visit to the temple."

Crown Prince smiled at him and patted his shoulder, "I came back today, and after coming back I came straight here. So how are you doing Yibo?" he then glanced at me and said, "Oh general Zhan is also here. I thought that you went back to the borders."

I just smiled when I heard that, crown prince Gideon was always sort of rude and cold towards me even in my last life, he hated me for some reason. I had a hunch in my life as to why that was.

Gideon was just like his father, cruel, rude, cold, a total tyrant whose favourite time pass was to hurt and torture people, he loved making people cry in agony and making people's life miserable. That is why the emperor loved him and favoured him. He was also favoured because his mother the current empress Lysandra was just as cruel compared to prince Simon's mother who was a kind soul and was hated by the emperor as he deemed her weak. This was a family made in hell.

"I won't be going back anytime soon crown prince, since the situation at the borders is rather peaceful."

Gideon gave me a look and then turned back to Yibo, "then I guess he'll continue bothering you Yibo."

Yibo was quick to shake his head, "of course not crown prince. Zhan's company is never a bother."

I did not miss the way Gideon looked at Yibo and how his hand had not left Yibo's shoulder, how his eyes held something else under the calm gaze as he stared at Yibo. My Yibo. I think I understood very well why Gideon hated me.

"Shall we go ahead?" I asked with a little impatience.

Gideon didn't even look at me but Yibo already took a step back , "yes, crown prince we'll leave now."

"Oh let me join you guys."

Fuck this man.

It started with me Yibo and Haoxuan and now there was Gideon and his knight. Now I had to ditch them all but I didn't want to leave Yibo alone with Gideon. I looked at the two of them and they were busy conversing with each other, mostly it was Gideon asking Yibo questions.

I looked at the sky and I knew that my time was running out. I had make an exit soon.

"Zhan?" Yibo called out my name and I looked at him. Both he and Gideon were looking at me, "I... I think I heard something in that direction, we should all split up otherwise we will waste time in chit chatting." the last part was meant for Gideon and he very well understood that because I saw his eyes twitch, "I'll take Haoxuan with me."

Yibo wanted to come with me but I did not give him a chance to speak, I just turned my back and ran in other direction , leaving him behind. I didn't like leaving him with Gideon but right now I had to focus on my task.

I ran till I was at a safe distance and then immediately turned to Haoxuan, "Haoxuan we need to find prince Simon."

Haoxuan blinked, and then nodded, he was always good at taking orders without asking questions.

I focused on my memories trying to remember anything crucial from my past life, and then I remembered the cliff. Prince Simon's body was recovered near the cliff.

So I ran in the direction if the cliff with Haoxuan following close behind me, I had already wasted so much time and now I was getting anxious.

Once we were nearing the cliff I spoke, "Haoxuan hide among the trees don't make your presence known."

Haoxuan vanished from behind me while I ran towards the cliff, and once I reached there I found that there was no one there.

I looked around looking for any sign of prince Simon, I hope I was not late, I went near the edge of the cliff and then I suddenly heard sound of footsteps.