If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 136

“…”

 

His genuine reaction, as though he truly couldn’t understand, made my heart skip a beat. Regen had just declared with certainty that even if the domination was undone, our relationship wouldn’t end.

 

Suppressing my happiness and excitement, I calmly returned to the original topic. “But that’s you, Regen. Sir Ciel might be different.”

 

“Shall we make a bet?”

 

“Huh? There’s no need to go as far as making a bet…”

 

“Then again, I have nothing left to wager, so it wouldn’t really be a bet. I’ve already given even my body to Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

How could he say something like that and still make it sound so noble and pure, completely devoid of lust? I genuinely wanted to learn that skill.

 

“Don’t say you gave it… It sounds weird.” Without realizing it, I avoided his gaze and covered my mouth with the back of my hand.

 

Just then, Regen pressed his large palm against my hand and slipped his fingers deeply between mine. The firm interlocking of our fingers gave me a strangely unsettling feeling.

 

“Regen?”

 

“Ah, I did it without thinking.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

The moment he confessed it had been an impulse, I realized the source of that oddly suggestive sensation. The feeling of him intertwining our fingers and pinning my hand deep into the sheets. My body had learned that sensation far too well. As a result, memories of our nights together surfaced immediately.

 

It was broad daylight, yet somehow he was making me feel like a shameless woman. Embarrassed for no reason, I pulled my hand free and lightly scolded him. “We’re leaving to take care of something important right now.”

 

“Yes. I only wish to finish it quickly and return quickly.”

 

That sounded like a good mindset. I should turn this excitement into motivation as well.

 

At that moment, someone appeared to interrupt my peaceful time with Regen.

 

“Princess Rosasia.”

 

Just seeing the blue uniform and flashy blond hair was enough to make me sigh. His sharp eyes and permanently curled smile seemed especially irritating today.

 

After staring at my face for quite a while as if in admiration, he spouted nonsense without caring that his subordinates were standing behind him. “What’s the occasion today? All the princesses seem to have twin tails.”

 

“…Are you seriously asking because you don’t know?”

 

“Yes. Is there perhaps a ponytail day too? Personally, I prefer ponytails.”

 

I had only intended to look annoyed, but ended up glaring at him with outright contempt. “If you like them that much, then grow one yourself.” After that, I continued toward the carriage, ignoring him.

 

Dominic immediately claimed the spot on my other side, opposite Regen, and matched my pace. “Should I grow my hair out? If long hair is your preference, I’d be happy to do it.”

 

“…”

 

“Of course, Your Highness would have to untie my ribbon personally.”

 

“…”

 

I was seriously considering using that ribbon as a gag.

 

Just as my patience was rapidly wearing thin, Regen stepped in on my behalf. “Her Highness prefers neat hair.”

 

“Neat hair?”

 

“Shave it all off. Completely.”

 

“…”

 

“Can’t do it?” Regen looked at Dominic with open disappointment. It was such a vivid expression that even an onlooker might have felt insulted.

 

Who would have thought Regen could humiliate someone so effectively? This unexpected side of him was surprising, fascinating, and honestly rather impressive.

 

“You bas—”

 

“You are standing before Her Highness. Mind your language.”

 

“Ha.”

 

Dominic forcing himself to stay patient was equally surprising.

 

“You seem less and less aware of your place with each passing day. I honestly can’t figure out why.”

 

“Must I tremble before you to be considered aware of my place?”

 

“That would help.”

 

“You think too highly of yourself.”

 

“Ha, I really can’t understand why Her Highness chose someone who talks without considering the consequences as her personal knight.”

 

“Because Her Highness has excellent judgment.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Something murderous seemed to be passing back and forth over my head.

 

Dominic suddenly frowned thoughtfully. “Actually, now that I think about it.” His unusually serious expression naturally drew my attention. “You feel different from a week ago.”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

“How should I put it? Your atmosphere? Your aura? Something like that. You’ve become more irritating, no, more unpleasant.”

 

“How strange. Haven’t you always disliked me?”

 

“No. It’s different. What is it? For some reason, I want to kill you even more than usual…”

 

“…”

 

Dominic’s voice dropped into a chilling tone cold enough to freeze one’s ears. I quickened my pace and put some distance between the two men.

 

“You two can continue your conversation behind me. It’s uncomfortable being stuck between you.”

 

“My apologies.”

 

“I apologize.”

 

Although I didn’t completely escape the space between them, at least the unpleasant conversation ended. Only then did Dominic bring up a topic that was actually useful.

 

“I nearly forgot to tell you the reason I came. I have good news. During the trip, the imperial knights and I will be escorting Your Highness.”

 

I had expected as much, but I deliberately frowned. “You’re coming too?”

 

“Yes. It would be insufficient to entrust the safety of the princess solely to her personal knight.”

 

“That’s excessive.”

 

“Right? Should I dismiss the imperial knights? And your personal knight too. I’m more than enough by myself. Why drag all those people along? I’ll stay by Your Highness’s side day and night.”

 

“…”

 

For once, I did not need to act to make my expression sour naturally.

 

Dominic feigned disappointment. “Unfortunately, it’s an imperial order, so it can’t be helped. Let us all go together for now.”

 

“Very well.” Pretending to accept it reluctantly, I kept walking while facing forward.

 

Regen asked Dominic, “Is it truly an escort mission?”

 

“Why? Do I look like I’m desperately tagging along just so I can immediately drag Her Highness back if she runs away with another man?”

 

“As expected, you are refreshingly honest.”

 

“…”

 

Dominic had practically threatened us outright, yet Regen responded calmly.

 

Perhaps losing interest, Dominic turned to me and explained. “It really is an escort mission. The northeastern border is dangerous. As winter approaches, magical beasts and monsters descend from the Black Mountains.”

 

“There are still magical beasts and monsters? I thought they had all been exterminated over a decade ago.”

 

“The third prince of Lohengrin had been holding them back all this time, but that guy became crow food, didn’t he? We have to prepare.”

 

Since that very third prince was standing right beside us, listening, the atmosphere became uncomfortable.

 

I spoke up. “At this rate, the continent will suffer from monster attacks every winter. Sir Dominic, shouldn’t you head to the northeast and subjugate them?”

 

“Not particularly. I refuse any further deployments. I’ve already earned enough dowry money.”

 

“…”

 

As I glared at him while biting the inside of my cheek, Dominic suddenly raised both hands in surrender.

 

“Fine. I won’t make jokes like that anymore. Don’t look at me like that.”

 

“What kind of look?”

 

“…Never mind.”

 

By then, we had arrived at the carriages. Emilio, who had been waiting in front of a carriage bearing the Hwibrik family crest, spotted me and started to approach, only to hesitate. It looked as though he had suddenly been threatened by someone and decided to keep his distance instead. Stopping three paces away, he greeted me politely.

 

“Your Highness, it seems we’ll be traveling together for about two weeks. I look forward to working with you.”

 

“The feeling is mutual, Lord Emilio.”

 

Leaving him with a courteous smile, I entered my carriage. Sione, having already finished organizing the luggage, followed me inside and closed the door. For this trip, only Sione would accompany. My other two maids had been ordered to remain at the residence.

 

Regen, Dominic, and the imperial knights would travel on horseback. When I lifted the window covering slightly, I immediately spotted Regen and felt reassured.

 

The carriage set off. The rattling ride made me slightly uncomfortable, and I let out a small groan without thinking. Sione looked at me with deep concern.

 

“Your Highness, don’t overexert yourself. Please lie down.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Your back must hurt… I’ll let you use my lap as a pillow.”

 

“Sione…?”

 

I was puzzled by her excessive kindness when I heard someone outside the carriage cough as if choking. It was Regen. Only then did I understand what she meant, and my face flushed.

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It wasn’t that bad.”

 

“Yess.”

 

“I’m serious. It really wasn’t.”

 

“Yesss.”

 

There was no way the people at my residence did not know how I had spent the past week. Until now, they had never said a word even when bringing bathwater or snacks late in the morning, so I had let my guard down. I never expected to be ambushed like this.

 

Perhaps it was because embarrassment made me sit with my back even straighter than before. Not long afterward, my back genuinely started to ache, and I had to lie down on my side.

 

On the first day of the journey, Regen could not properly meet my eyes until evening.