A Guide to Raising a Villainess-Chapter 100: Crossbow

To be honest, I really didn’t expect things to turn out this way.

Not only did I receive an invitation to participate in the Imperial Hunt, but Ruby also decided to go with me.

Even though I didn’t like the idea from the start and didn’t want to take her with me, it seemed that there was nothing I could do about it. When Ruby really wanted something, it was difficult for me to resist her.

Since she wanted it so much, I couldn’t continue to oppose her decision.

Besides, as much as I didn’t want to admit it, Ruby was almost a grown woman, not a child, and had every right to make her own decisions.

I guess it was part of growing up — not just for her, but for me too.

So yes, in the end, we were going to the Imperial Hunt together.

Well... I could only hope that everything would go smoothly and that no unpleasant incidents would occur during the event.

I took a deep breath, trying to dispel my anxious thoughts about it.

The Imperial Hunt was not just entertainment — it was an event that always attracted the attention of the entire nobility. The most powerful families of the Empire gathered there, and everyone strove to show themselves, to demonstrate their influence and importance.

The event was to take place at the end of this month. It seemed that there was still enough time ahead, but I knew it was better not to delay the preparations. Especially when it comes to events organized by the Imperial Court.

Imperial events were known for their strictness and scale.

Every little detail could become a topic of discussion, and sometimes even hidden condemnation, among the nobility. So I knew I had to start preparing in advance.

First of all, we needed to order special clothing suitable for hunting, as well as purchase the weapons we would use.

Of course, hunting at the imperial court rarely turned into a real competition — more often it was a symbolic act, a demonstration of nobility and status.

Nevertheless, everything had to look perfect — even if I had no intention of actually participating in the hunt.

Since such things were always made to order and took time, I decided not to delay. It was better to do everything in advance and calmly than to rush around at the last minute, as inexperienced aristocrats do.

So Ruby and I agreed to go to town together — to visit shops and ateliers on our next day off.

I saw my niece’s eyes light up with joy at the thought.

Besides, I didn’t mind either.

It was a really good opportunity for the two of us to spend time together.

Unlike in the past, now that Ruby had officially entered high society, she had many responsibilities and invitations, which meant fewer free days she could spend at home with me.

And so, when I saw Ruby’s genuine enthusiasm as she suggested, "Then let’s go to the city on Saturday?" I just smiled quietly and nodded.

"Of course. Saturday will be just the right time," I replied, feeling a slight warmth inside.

The day dawned clear and surprisingly calm — as if the weather itself had decided to bless us with a good time.

When we arrived in the city, the sun was already high in the sky, and the streets of the capital were gradually filling with sounds: the clatter of hooves, muffled conversations, the smell of fresh pastries wafting from nearby shops.

Ruby and I got out of the carriage, and the girl, breathing in the cool morning air, looked around with a slight smile.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve come here just for fun," she said quietly, but there was genuine joy in her voice.

I couldn’t help but smile too.

"Yes, indeed. Sometimes it’s good to take a break from business and just enjoy a walk."

First, we decided to stop by the tailor’s to order outfits for the hunt.

Of course, given the nature of the event, neither Ruby nor I could wear our usual dresses, no matter how exquisite they were.

The imperial hunt required practicality above all else, not luxury. The clothes had to be comfortable for horseback riding, light but durable, allowing free movement while still looking elegant, because even during the hunt, the participants remained representatives of the nobility.

For this purpose, we headed to one of the most famous ateliers in the capital.

At the entrance, we were greeted by a pleasant middle-aged woman, the owner of the salon, Madame Eloise, dressed in a simple but impeccably tailored deep blue dress.

"Lady Weinstein, how wonderful to see you again in our humble establishment!" she said with a slight bow. "And, of course, Lady Rubiella too!"

Rubi smiled politely, and I nodded reservedly.

"We’ve come to order costumes for the imperial hunt," I explained.

"Ah, of course!" Madame Eloise’s eyes lit up noticeably. "We are already working on several similar orders this season, but we will certainly find a special solution for the Weinstein family. Please come in, ladies."

The staff quickly took our measurements. Meanwhile, Madame Eloise showed us several styles, laying out an album of sketches in front of us.

"This option will particularly flatter your figure," she remarked, pointing to a model with a dark burgundy vest and a short raincoat. "And this one is lighter, perfect for horse riding."

Ruby looked closely at the drawings, nodding from time to time.

In the end, we both made our choice: I opted for a more restrained, classic outfit — dark gray velvet with thin silver trim, while Ruby chose a light emerald suit with gold buttons and neat embroidery on the cuffs.

When the order was complete, Madame Eloise assured us that everything would be ready in exactly two weeks.

"We will make sure that you are the most dazzling participants in the upcoming hunt!" she promised, bowing her head slightly.

"I have no doubt," I smiled, accepting the bill and agreeing to have the outfits delivered directly to our estate.

After that, having finished ordering the clothes, we decided not to waste any time and go straight to the armory.

Of course, since we were talking about an imperial hunt, we couldn’t do without weapons. Even if I wasn’t going to use them seriously.

To be honest, I didn’t enjoy the idea of hunting at all. For me, killing without necessity — even if it was animals — always seemed unnecessary and pointless.

After all, I didn’t need any trophies for that, and, to be honest, I didn’t see the slightest point in it.

Nevertheless, rules were rules.

I understood perfectly well that showing up at the imperial hunt without a weapon would not only be strange, but also, perhaps, inappropriate. So, regardless of whether I was going to use it or not, I had to buy a weapon anyway.

When we entered the gun shop, the door behind us clanged softly, and the air inside seemed noticeably cooler than outside. The room was spacious, the walls hung with a variety of weapons, from swords and rapiers to crossbows and hunting rifles.

The shop owner, a man in his fifties with a thick mustache and a slightly hoarse voice, bowed politely when we approached the counter.

"Good afternoon, ma’am. How can I help you?"

"We need weapons for hunting," I replied calmly.

"Ah, for hunting," he said with an understanding smile. "In that case, allow me to recommend crossbows. They are convenient, reliable, and safer than firearms. Besides, they look dignified, especially when it comes to members of the nobility."

He gestured for us to go deeper into the shop, where rows of neatly arranged crossbows hung on the wall. Some of them were decorated with carvings and inlays, others were simple but reliable, without unnecessary glitz.

"These models have recently arrived from the workshop in Lirenfold," the owner remarked proudly, pointing to a row of elegant engraved crossbows. "Lightweight but powerful. And, of course, handmade."

I listened attentively, nodding, but to be honest, none of it really mattered to me.

Any crossbow would do just as well — after all, I was just going to carry it with me as a formality. So I chose the first one I saw, without even checking it.

But Ruby...

I noticed with slight surprise how she was looking at the weapons with obvious interest.

Her gaze was fixed on a row of crossbows, and her eyes shone with genuine delight.

She carefully picked one up, running her fingers along the smooth shaft, as if feeling the delicacy of the workmanship.

"Auntie, look," she said, a barely perceptible spark of admiration in her voice. "This one seems quite light, but sturdy at the same time."

I blinked, watching her in surprise.

I hadn’t expected Ruby to show such interest.

After all, things like this were not usually among her interests.

"I didn’t think you’d be so interested in this," I remarked with a slight smile.

However, the girl was not embarrassed in the least and did not lower her gaze.

"It’s just... I’ve never seen them up close before. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?"

I chuckled softly.

"Beautiful? I never thought I’d hear those words used to describe weapons."

"But it’s true," she replied seriously. "Look, Auntie. They have so many small details... it’s like a work of art, not a tool for killing."

"Ahem... Maybe," I said, feeling embarrassed, although I tried not to show it.

For a few more minutes, the gun shop remained silent as Ruby examined the weapons. And then...

"Excuse me," Ruby addressed the shop owner, her voice confident.

"Yes?" The owner immediately perked up. "How can I help you?"

"Can I try this crossbow?" she asked quietly but firmly, pointing to the very model that had caught her attention.

The owner twitched his mustache and smiled broadly.

"Oh, milady, you have excellent taste! This crossbow is the jewel of my collection. It is the work of a master craftsman from Lirenfold." He carefully removed the weapon from the wall and handed it to Ruby, as if he were handing her a precious jewel. "If you aim with it, you will surely hit your target."

After his words, Rubiella took the weapon in her hands and smiled slightly.