If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 144

Dominic was calmer than he had expected. “Yes. I’ll ride at the front of the procession. Call for me anytime if you need me.” He personally opened the carriage door and helped Sasha inside, then spurred his horse forward and took the lead without a trace of reluctance.

 

In truth, Dominic didn’t feel particularly resentful. Since Emilio was the one orchestrating the scheme, his carriage would be the safest place today. For the sake of her safety, he could afford to postpone a chance to get close to her until next time.

 

Rattle. The carriage set off. Covered with delicately quilted seats, the interior of the carriage was no different from a massive couch. There, Sasha and Emilio sat facing each other.

 

Emilio swept his gaze over Sasha from head to toe as she sat with an expressionless face and lowered eyes before speaking. “Your outfit looks nice today.”

 

“…”

 

Sasha’s attire was very simple. She wore a beige blouse with ruffles and a flared skirt. Her hair was neatly pinned up as well, giving her the appearance of a model governess. Except for the fact that she was a beauty impossible to tear one’s eyes away from, it served as a fine disguise. It would be easy to secretly move her somewhere unnoticed. Aside from such practicalities, there was a unique charm to it.

 

Emilio found the sight a feast for his eyes. He hadn’t realized it because she was excessively beautiful, but surprisingly, an intellectual look suited her as well. However, the words Emilio offered as a compliment failed to bring Sasha any joy whatsoever.

 

“I don’t recall giving you permission to evaluate me.”

 

“My apologies.” There was no sincerity in his apologetic tone. Emilio assumed the princess was still sulking over what had happened yesterday.

 

Sasha turned toward the window. The fields disappeared from view, replaced by exposed rock faces showing layers of stratified stone.

 

“Did you have a good breakfast?”

 

“No. I only managed to eat an apple.”

 

“That’s unfortunate. I had it prepared with great care.”

 

As they entered the canyon, the scenery grew somewhat hazy. Fog seemed to have settled thick within the narrow passage.

 

“At this time of year, the canyon is covered in fog almost every day.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

The princess’s attitude remained consistently indifferent. Nevertheless, Emilio continued trying to make conversation.

 

“Your Highness, do you know why Lohengrin managed to withstand the Magnarod Empire for so long?”

 

“I wonder. Because of your brilliant strategy? And the military strength of the friend you killed?”

 

Even thinly veiled sarcasm sounded like nothing more than a captivating provocation when spoken through the princess’s lips.

 

Pretending to be magnanimous, Emilio smiled. “Of course, there is that, but geographic advantage played a massive role. The fault mountain range forming our border serves as a natural barrier, while the fog acts as a maze.”

 

“A maze?”

 

“There’s a fork in the road partway through. When the fog settles in, it creates an optical illusion, making it seem as though one of the paths has disappeared.”

 

“That’s interesting, but isn’t that military intelligence? I wonder if it is truly wise to divulge such information to me.”

 

“It’s fine. I merely explained it in extremely simplified terms. In reality, the mechanism is quite complex.”

 

Around that time, the fog had become considerably thicker. If someone stepped outside, they likely wouldn’t be able to see even two steps ahead.

 

Rattle. Perhaps they had crossed a deeply sunken patch of ground, because the carriage lurched violently once. The impact was enough that Emilio nearly pitched forward in an undignified manner.

 

“Be careful,” Emilio warned the coachman. Before he could receive an apology, Sasha interrupted with a question.

 

“The fog is this thick. Won’t traveling be dangerous?”

 

“It’s fine. The coachman is skilled.”

 

“…It seems so.”

 

Emilio felt the princess’s attitude had softened compared to before. It seemed about time to broach the main subject.

 

“About our conversation yesterday.”

 

“…”

 

“Have you given it any thought overnight?”

 

“I was under the impression that the discussion had already concluded.”

 

“This will be your last opportunity. You should think it over carefully.” His tone suggested he was graciously granting her one more chance.

 

Leisurely admiring the princess’s face, who remained beautiful even with a cold expression, Emilio crossed his legs and rested his clasped hands on his knee. His delusion ran deep that he believed the composure he was displaying at this moment would appear attractive to her.

 

“Were you really that upset by my proposal yesterday?”

 

“…”

 

“You understand, don’t you? Since you disappointed me at the martial tournament, it is difficult for me to treat you under the same conditions as before. Had you done as I said back then, you would have secured the respectable position of a marchioness. I, too, find it unfortunate.”

 

Anger seeped into Sasha’s voice. “You dare speak of misfortune with that mouth when you are merely trying to punish me.”

 

“That’s precisely why it’s unfortunate. How do you think I feel, having to punish the woman I cherish?”

 

Sasha openly let out a scoffing laugh and opened the window. “I feel nauseous.” In other words, she felt so disgusted she might vomit.

 

When Sasha proved unwilling to bend, Emilio lowered his voice. “It would be wise to accept gracefully while I am still willing to provide a safe house for you.”

 

“That sounds like a threat.”

 

“I’m saying this for Your Highness’s own good. Don’t throw away your last chance and regret it later.”

 

“I don’t think you need to grant me any more chances. I’ve lost count of how many last chances this has been.”

 

“Your Highness.” It was just as he called out to her in a stern, scolding tone.

 

“You really are persistent.”

 

“…!”

 

The irritation in her voice was completely unfiltered, making Emilio flinch.

 

“Your Highness, just now…”

 

Sasha looked directly at him. The slight curl at one corner of her red lips effectively provoked his sense of humiliation.

 

“Whether I accept your proposal or not has absolutely nothing to do with you in the first place. After all, you’re planning to drag me along according to your own will regardless.”

 

“…”

 

“What? Did I hit the mark so perfectly you’ve lost your words?”

 

Compared to the indifferent tone she had used earlier, which now seemed like a sweet whisper, the princess’s current voice was cold enough to freeze one’s ears. Instinctively sensing that any intention she had of being seen as a woman to him had completely vanished, Emilio was thrown into disarray.

 

Sasha gave him no room to breathe, pressing him relentlessly with mockery. “When I disobeyed you once, you told me to live as your mistress. I wonder what happens if I disobey a second time. Have you come up with some ingenious punishment?”

 

“So in the end…” Barely regaining his composure, Emilio clenched his fist. “Your Highness intends to reject my proposal.”

 

“As expected, foolish men only understand when things are spelled out this clearly.” At last, Sasha smiled as though a long-standing frustration had finally been relieved.

 

Seeing that radiant face, Emilio suddenly felt a powerful urge to break everything about this woman, especially her pride.

 

“It seems that because you were raised so delicately in the imperial palace, you’ve failed to understand your place. Your Highness clearly needs a truly harsh lesson.”

 

At his pathetic threat, Sasha laughed and cursed. “You b*stard, just like the mad emperor.”

 

From that moment on, the phony facade between the two vanished completely. Sasha’s eyes, filled with contempt, locked fiercely with Emilio’s, which were consumed by every kind of inferior emotion.

 

The silence was broken by Emilio’s faint sneer. He flaunted what he believed to be his superior position. “Do you know? Right now, there is no one belonging to Your Highness around this carriage.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Your personal knight went ahead to clear the path, and the imperial guard set off late because they had to deal with the soiled carriage. The only one left was Sir Dominic, but do you truly think he is at the front right now?”

 

“…”

 

“Why not try calling for him, to see if he lost his way in the fog?”

 

“…”

 

Even in this situation, her stubborn refusal to call for Dominic amused Emilio.

 

Emilio glanced toward the window. “The fog has thinned a bit, I see.” He pulled aside the curtain covering the small window toward the coachman’s seat. Dominic, who should have been leading the procession on horseback, was nowhere to be seen.

 

Far from being flustered, Sasha marveled in genuine admiration. “You actually managed to shake off that leech. I never even dared hope for that, yet you pulled it off. Truly remarkable.”

 

Assuming she was being sarcastic, Emilio responded with provocation of his own. “I’m pleased you recognize my competence. However, shaking off Sir Dominic is nothing compared to what was done to Sir Regen.”

 

“…”

 

“You must be wondering what exactly I did to your personal knight.” He checked his pocket watch. “By now, he should have encountered the grand welcoming procession I prepared. In a body unable to use mana, he won’t last very long.”

 

Emilio anticipated the princess’s reaction. He expected her eyes to widen in shock, or for her to shake her head in denial. Either way, he imagined he would get to enjoy the sight of her beautiful, tragic expression as he raised his gaze. Yet Sasha showed none of the reactions he expected, aside from remaining pretty.

 

“Really? Is that really what will happen?”

 

It was right at the moment Sasha asked back with a meaningful look. Rumble. A heavy, ponderous sound swelled louder and louder, and the ground began to tremble violently.