PEAK NIGHT HUNT

Tonight is the last night of the hunting season. The guests at Louis's castle were celebrating their bounty. Even Albert would not waste this opportunity to catch spies who had dared to enter his castle.

In the room, Albert and Annabelle were preparing their best performance. Apart from being the hosts, they were planning something. Albert made it seem as if his assassination attempt meant nothing to him. Despite the fact, Albert was nearly killed in the attempt.

Albert will also use his assassination attempt to attract the sympathy of people who do not have a choice in voting. He hopes that this will have a good impact on his candidacy in parliament during the voting later.

Albert looked very handsome in his noble attire. The wound on his shoulder, he hid. Luckily Gerard has a magic potion that can relieve the pain he feels, even though it only lasts a few hours. At the very least, it could hide Albert's wounds when he met his guests.

If Albert looks charming in the clothes of a Duke, so does Annabelle who is so beautiful and elegant. She wore a beautiful dress, as if to convey that she was a Duchess who could not be underestimated. Her hair was neatly tied up, confirming that she was a noble woman with a high position. Even her husband is a candidate for the royal parliament.

"I will announce to the guests and all the hunting participants about the attempted assassination that was perpetrated on me. Implying to them, that we already know the spies in this castle," Albert said to Annabelle and Simon.

"But don't we know who the spy is yet?" Annabelle asked.

"Yes, it is true. We don't know it yet, but I'm sure they'll make a move, if I threaten them. And you Simon, keep an eye on the whole castle tonight. If there is anything suspicious, immediately arrest that person and take him to the dungeon. Wrong or not, I will check it myself."

"Okay, My Lord. I will carry out strict supervision and security, "said Simon.

After drawing up their plans, Albert and Annabelle entered the great hall, where the celebration was being held. The appearance of the two of them, made all eyes that stared at him in awe. They look harmonious and very dominant. It is clear, if they are the hosts and in power in this castle.

Albert put his wife's hand on his bent arm. They walked with their heads held high, splitting the great hall. Annabelle's dress was beautiful, sweeping across the hall floor. Their steps were so confident, they headed to the big pulpit with the banquet that had been served there.

Before starting the celebration, Albert stood at the front, giving his speech. At first, he just made small talk about the hunting season which has become a hereditary tradition.

"I'm grateful that until this moment, I can still hunt with you guys. However, I have to say that while we were hunting yesterday, I almost got killed. It wasn't because of the hunting event that I almost got killed, but there were people who deliberately wanted to kill me. So don't be surprised if I haven't been seen in your midst for the past few days."

Hearing Albert's words, the entire hall, which had been quiet, became noisy. They started whispering to each other and guessing who and why someone wanted to kill Albert.

A happy grin appeared on Albert's lips because he had managed to attract the attention of his guests. Albert's eyes swept across the hall, to see if there were any suspicious movements or not.

"But you don't have to worry. They're just amateur killers who won't be able to touch me. I'm sure they did this in connection with my candidacy for parliament. They must be afraid, their rottenness will be exposed when I sit in parliament later. Not only because of the tax money they use for personal gain, but there are other big things that they are hiding from us," continued Albert.

"I think that something big is going on in the palace right now. I can feel it. I heard some spies were stationed around us. Those sitting there must be up to something," said a guest from amidst the crowd.

This adds to the chaos. Albert smiled and said, "if I win a vote in parliament later, I will expose all the rottenness that is happening in the palace."

Some people started cheering, giving support to Albert, met with shouts of others who also supported him. The hall became boisterous, Albert managed to make his hunting event an indirect campaign event.

After finishing with his speech, Albert began to open the celebration. All the guests began to eat the available dishes, some went down to the dance floor.

Albert stretched out his hand to his wife. "Would you like to dance with me, My Lady?"

"Your shoulder still hurts, My Lord. I don't want to hurt you," Annabelle replied.

"I'll make sure it won't hurt me, My Lady," said Albert who then pulled Annabelle to the dance floor. Like it or not, Annabelle followed her husband's wishes.

As Albert hugged Annabelle, their chests began to pound. Moreover, since Albert was sick, they had never touched each other again.

"I remember our first dance. It's just the two of us and no music," Annabelle said, trying to raise her voice to divert the gurgling in her chest.

"And you don't recognize me," Albert teased.

"I didn't expect you to use your maid's name. When you used that name, I already suspected it wasn't your real name because there's no noble here named Simon."

"I already noticed if you doubted me. That's why I put that coat on you, so you know if I'm the man you're looking for," Albert whispered, his lips very close to Annabelle's earlobe.

Even on purpose, Albert touched his lips to Annabelle's earlobe and brushed it gently. Annabelle's fingers immediately gripped Albert's fingers tightly, because of a sudden awakening of passion. Annabelle's breath hitched and constricted with the passion.

"Stop what you're doing, Albert! You look like you're going to fuck your wife in front of everyone," Annabelle said with bold words.

Albert just laughed at his wife's words. "How did I look?" asked Albert who was also trying to divert his passion to his wife.

"Very good, you did it. I'm sure you'll get additional votes in parliament later. I'm also sure the spies are as hot as worms. Looking for a safe place."

"Simon has blocked all exits from this castle. The bridge has also been raised. If anyone tries to get out of the castle tonight, I assure you, he'll be in the dungeon and come face to face with me."

"Be careful, My Lord. I don't want you to get hurt again."

"From now on, I will be even more vigilant. I won't let anyone touch me and touch you too," Albert said possessively.

They were still following the event some time later. Just as all the guests were getting into the festivities, Albert grabbed Annabelle and took her to the library.

"What are we doing here? Are we going to find the hidden mystery while everyone is partying?" asked Annabelle, who guessed that her husband would be looking for evidence about Queen Anne's murder which might be hidden by Lord Louis, Albert's Dad who, all his life, had been very loyal to Queen Anne.

"Yes, we will look for hidden mysteries," Albert replied with a strange grin.

Annabelle covered her mouth, seeing Albert's darkening gaze. "No Albert, I know what that look means. I don't want to do it here."

"That would be very pleasant, My Lady."

"What if someone saw it? Do you want your wife's body to be seen by people?"

"Even we can do it without taking off your dress."

"No, I still don't want to," said Annabelle, still thinking about manners.

With his uninjured hand, Albert grabbed Annabelle's wrist and pinned her against the library wall. Annabelle's chest rose and fell holding her breath. There was a fear in him because for the first time in his life, he would do a union in the open. More open than his tent when hunting.

But Annabelle could do nothing to escape her husband's charms. Finally, he could only close his eyes, as Albert's lips immediately attacked and crushed his.

***