Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 14

The Ducal House of Lechegno was one of the five most prestigious families in the Sharcani Empire.

 

It had made a name for itself as a tutor to the imperial family, and during the reign of the previous Current Emperor, it produced an empress, further elevating the family’s status. Now, with the current Current Emperor, they were aiming for the opportunity to rise to the rank of Grand Duke.

 

From the moment the prince was born, it was taken for granted that he would ascend to the position of crown prince and eventually become Current Emperor. The prince had promised early on that as soon as he became Current Emperor, he would name the Lechegno family as Grand Dukes. The empress had also given her tacit agreement to support them as their backer.

 

If only the prince became Current Emperor.

 

Lechegno’s wealth and status would only continue to rise.

 

“You look thin. Are you eating well?”

 

However, the daughter who was supposed to serve as that ladder had recently been faltering, which displeased the duke.

 

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, I am doing well.”

 

In truth, he didn’t care much about his daughter’s thinness. Naturally, she had been raised to the position of crown princess, so she was sure to be doing well.

 

She could have lived a life of ill repute in a brothel, so she ought to be endlessly grateful to him until the day she died.

 

“Well, if you lack anything, speak up at any time.”

 

But he didn’t show it. Until her usefulness ran out, he had to treat her as his precious daughter. He was putting in so much effort, but he couldn’t help but doubt whether she was making the proper effort herself.

 

Knock, knock.

 

There was a knock on the drawing room door where father and daughter were enjoying tea time. It was an expected guest.

 

“Come in.”

 

At the duke’s command, a family retainer entered, bowing deeply. The real reason the father and daughter were spending time together today was to meet him.

 

“Report.”

 

He bowed even lower, without straightening his back.

 

“It was a slave from Salt Island.”

 

“A slave from Salt Island?”

 

“Yes.”

 

A few days ago, there had been a minor incident at the princess’s memorial event. The prince had lightly injured a slave with his sword. It was a trivial matter that no one else knew about, but the fact that the crown prince himself had carried the slave away was not trivial. Such a reaction to the mere injury of a slave was definitely something to look into.

 

“Is that all?”

 

“She works well and is good-looking, so she’s received many offers from various departments.”

 

The duke let out a low hum, his displeasure evident.

 

“And his relationship with her?”

 

“Ah, my apologies. I’ve inquired in many directions, but no one has seen them together.”

 

“So they’re strangers?”

 

“However, one unusual thing: when the slave was ill, the Thorn Knight visited. But it’s unclear whether that has anything to do with His Highness.”

 

“The Thorn Knight, huh…”

 

“Yes.”

 

If it was the Thorn Knight, he must be the crown prince’s closest aide. It was necessary to investigate further what kind of relationship they had.

 

“Keep watching. You may go.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

He left the drawing room, never once straightening his back. The duke let out another dissatisfied hum. The report was less satisfactory than he’d hoped.

 

“Cesaria. Do you have any ideas?”

 

“…Perhaps His Highness personally intervened because the slave belongs to the crown prince’s palace.”

 

“You said you saw the slave’s face yourself, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Is she prettier than you?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Cesaria’s eyes shook with embarrassment. She had been trained not to show her emotions anywhere, but in this moment, she couldn’t help it.

 

“Even with his fiancée right there, he acts like that. Anyone would think he cares more about that slave. Not that he’s ever been someone you could understand by normal standards.”

 

It was strange, no matter how you looked at it, for the prince to carry a slave away in front of his fiancée.

 

Cesaria still couldn’t forget the look on the crown prince’s face at that moment. Her heart ached every time she remembered it. She even thought, if only she had been the one struck by the prince’s sword instead of that slave.

 

If that had happened, would he have made that face for her?

 

“Cesaria.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

“It’s been over three years since you got engaged, but you spend so little time with him.”

 

“Ah. His Highness is rarely in the capital, so…”

 

“All the more reason to exchange letters, at least. You should make an effort to spend time together.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

In truth, she couldn’t even bring herself to mention that she’d received a letter from him requesting to break off the engagement. The Duke of Lechegno didn’t actually want her and the crown prince to spend cozy time together.

 

‘If they spend more time together, the opportunity to kill him will come, won’t it?’

 

There was a sharp blade hidden in his words. The duke believed she was the most likely person to assassinate the crown prince herself.

 

“You have nothing to apologize to me for. It’s just that His Highness keeps waiting for news, so I feel ashamed.”

 

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

 

“I said there’s nothing to be sorry for. Let’s work together.”

 

“Yes.”

 

She already had everything she needed to kill the crown prince.

 

A poison that would kill instantly if a few drops were put in his tea.

 

A dagger that would cause flesh to rot from the wound if it so much as grazed the skin.

 

A pendant necklace that would make it difficult for him to control his Divine Power.

 

The duke and the prince were both eagerly awaiting the day she would use them. In fact, if she wanted to, there were plenty of opportunities. She could assassinate him any time she set her mind to it.

 

And there was one thing they didn’t know.

 

She could use Divine Power. Not explosively, but she thought she could make his power erupt at a crucial moment. If she used Divine Power at his side when he was displaying his strength, perhaps she could make him lose control for a moment.

 

But…

 

She had never once put it into action. He wanted to break off the engagement, so she didn’t know how many more chances she would have. She owed her father her life and should at least try to repay him.

 

But when she saw his face, all those thoughts melted away. She was desperate just to be a little closer to him. The moment she met his gaze, all thoughts of her father vanished far away.

 

『I’ll do anything you ask!』

 

 She had definitely told the duke that. When he asked if she could do him a favor, she felt like she could do anything. If she could go back in time, she would clamp her mouth shut so she could never say those words.

 

Under the table, Cesaria clenched her hands tightly. She was ashamed and embarrassed by her own shamelessness.

 

Sitting in front of her father, she wanted to turn into sand and scatter away somewhere.

 

＊ ＊ ＊ 

 

My fever kept going down and coming back up. When it went down, my body felt comfortable, but honestly, my mind was uneasy. I felt like I might have to leave this bed and return to the slave quarters at any moment.

 

But when my fever went up, my body felt worse, but my mind was at ease. I almost wished I could stay sick a little longer.

 

“Mmm.”

 

I rolled over in bed for no reason. The comfort of this bed was blissful. When would I ever get to sleep in such cozy blankets again?

 

It was for the crown prince’s sake, but in the end, it was a good thing for me too. I gave my arm and gained comfort.

 

Ah, this is nice.

 

My fever had gone down for once, and my body felt light. I felt a little guilty, but I decided to just enjoy this luxury for now.

 

The bed, perhaps in keeping with the palace’s taste, didn’t have a lacy canopy. Instead, it was draped with a deep purple fabric embroidered with elegant patterns.

 

Who cares if it’s not lace? The important thing is that it has a canopy.

 

“So soft.”

 

When I touched the canopy, it was softer than I’d expected. It even seemed to smell nice.

 

Nobles fall asleep and wake up in beds like this every day. I was so envious.

 

I was really curious if it actually smelled, so I pressed my face close to the canopy and took a deep breath.

 

Knock, knock.

 

I quickly let go of the canopy and backed away. I wasn’t even the owner of this room—what should I do? Should I open the door myself? I froze, clutching the blanket, but thankfully the door opened on its own.

 

A maid came in, carrying a tray with a water jug and cup.

 

“Oh!”

 

She saw me and gasped.

 

“Me… rry…?”

 

Her face looked familiar—she was the one who’d come to the bathhouse herself when they were short-handed. I remembered her fondly because, even though she outranked me, she hadn’t looked down on me and had treated me kindly.

 

She quickly set the tray on the table and hurried over to me.

 

“Um, how’s your arm?”

 

She hovered by the bedside, choosing her words.

 

“I think it’s okay now. Thank you.”

 

“That’s a relief. Whew. I was really shocked.”

 

I gave her an awkward smile.

 

“Sez.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…You’re even prettier when you smile?”

 

“Excuse me…?”

 

“No, that’s not what I meant, um, Sez, can I ask you something?”

 

“Sure.”

 

She glanced around, whipping her head back and forth. There was no one else in the room, but she kept looking around as if someone might be there.

 

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

 

“Okay.”

 

She bit her lip with a determined look and even squared her shoulders as if steeling herself. I couldn’t help but get nervous, wondering what on earth she was about to ask.

 

“When did things start between you and His Highness?”

 

“Sorry…?”

 

“I’m asking what kind of relationship you have with His Highness.”

 

She whispered as if speaking into my ear.

 

“Between the crown prince and a slave…?”

 

She wrinkled her nose, as if telling me not to say something so ridiculous.

 

“Did you, by any chance, at night…”

 

“At night?”

 

Merry wiped her hands on her white apron and avoided my gaze. She opened and closed her mouth several times before finally speaking with a sigh.

 

“On this bed, I mean. Did His Highness sleep here with you, or, you know. If you’re that kind of relationship…”

 

“On this bed? Huh? Why would His Highness…? No?”

 

“Really…?”

 

“No. Why would he sleep on this bed?”

 

Why would the crown prince sleep on this bed with me at night—there’s no way—.

 

Wait, could it be…?

 

“So it’s not like that?”

 

“Sorry?? Wh-what do you mean? No!”

 

“Whew. Not yet, huh.”

 

She let out a long sigh of relief, clutching her chest. I felt hot and rubbed the back of my neck.

 

“Ah, ‘not yet,’ really, Merry, you have such an imagination. Haha.”

 

“Don’t worry too much. Any conversation in this room will never leave it anyway.”

 

Honestly, I didn’t think we’d had any conversations that couldn’t leave the room. She even clenched her fists, looking very serious.

 

“Sez. His Highness seems to care about you a lot.”

 

“Me? Ah. Well, I guess after seeing someone get hurt right in front of him, he feels responsible and wants to look after me…”

 

I trailed off. Her expression grew more and more displeased as I spoke. She wrinkled her nose and gave me a look that said, “Don’t say such nonsense.”

 

“Come on. How many times do you think he’s seen someone get hurt right in front of him?”

 

Merry shook her head.

 

“We were all so shocked that day. Actually, even now, everyone is still a bit panicked, just pretending to be fine. It’s the first time His Highness has ever acted like this.”

 

“The first time?”

 

“It’s the first time he’s ever carried anyone like that. And the first time anyone’s ever seen him look so scary. He always had no expression, but seeing him show emotion like that… whew. I still get chills sometimes.”

 

Merry hugged herself as if she were cold. Her face had even gone a little pale, as if the memory was still vivid.

 

“And for you to be treated in this room. It’s strange that no one’s surprised.”

 

“I didn’t expect to be treated in such a nice place either…”

 

“Nice place? Wait, you don’t mean…”

 

Merry narrowed her eyes and looked me up and down. Then she suddenly widened her eyes in shock.

 

“You don’t know, do you?”

 

“Huh…?”

 

“This is His Highness the crown prince’s room.”

 

Merry spoke in a near-whisper, as if right into my ear. But to me, it sounded as loud as if she’d said it through a megaphone.

 

I had assumed it was one of the knights’ rooms or a guest room rarely used. My head buzzed.

 

“Then where does His Highness rest…? No, more importantly, how could I possibly be in here?”

 

“It’s fine. It’s fine. If you leave this room, he’ll get even angrier. That’s the mood right now.”

 

“Huh? But still, how could I possibly…”

 

“And His Highness comes into this room every night. Since you said ‘not yet,’ well…”

 

Merry looked away again.

 

“In this room?”

 

“Yeah. He hasn’t gone to any other room.”

 

“!”

 

So I was not only occupying the master’s room, but didn’t even know he was coming in here every night? I was shameless beyond words.

 

Did he see me sleeping soundly in his bed every night? I must have looked a mess after sleeping so deeply. Ugh.

 

“Hehe. Cute.”

 

Huh? Me?

 

“Oh, right. I shouldn’t be standing around like this. Sez, I’ll see you again.”

 

Merry waved brightly as she left, pointing at the bell cord with her finger until the end.

 

My fever, which had gone down, seemed to be coming back. My head hurt and my whole body felt hot. I pulled the blanket over my head and lay down. My heart pounded so loudly, it was as if it was making itself known even under the covers.

 

Wait, so this bed is the one His Highness usually sleeps in…?

 

I pictured him lying in this bed in my mind. Even with my eyes closed, his face would probably shine. I felt even hotter. At the same time, the blanket felt even cozier and warmer.

 

‘Sez. His Highness seems to care about you a lot.’

 

Merry’s many words overlapped in my mind, and my fever spiked again.