Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 24

 

“Sez?”

 

I heard Oment’s voice coming a step closer.

 

No, please don’t call me right now. Please, just leave me behind for now. Priest, I would be so grateful if you could just forget about me for a moment. Please.

 

I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately wishing and wishing again in my mind.

 

“Your Highness, I’ll gather and report the damage situation—huh?”

 

An unexpected ambush appeared from an unanticipated direction. Baslo suddenly showed up right in front of me. He was carrying a piece of paper he’d written something on, and our eyes met.

 

“Huh? You?”

 

I pretended to shield my nose and mouth from the smoke with my arm. Why did he have to come from the front? I’d been focusing all my attention behind me and let my guard down. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of my mouth.

 

I walked past Baslo, who wore an incredulous expression. I felt like my nerves would be shot if I stayed here any longer. I needed to get away first.

 

“Huh? That way—”

 

No wonder my face felt hot. I really was crazy. The place I’d walked toward was where the Beasts was burning. I didn’t even have the presence of mind to look ahead, so my body just moved on its own. Anyone watching would think I was walking into the flames.

 

Luckily, Baslo seemed unsure, thinking there was no way I’d be here. I needed to use that moment to hide myself. Honestly, I just wanted to teleport away right now without worrying about the consequences.

 

I quickly turned and walked toward the side of the Beasts’s corpse.

 

“Hey, wait a second.”

 

I sensed Baslo chasing after me a beat too late. I must have looked suspicious to anyone watching. I should have walked naturally, but my mind was so blank I probably drew attention with my odd behavior.

 

This is crazy, crazy.

 

I kept my arm up, walking as fast as I could. There was debris from the collapsed barracks, and I nearly tripped over it. I didn’t even care how embarrassing it was—I just wanted to get out of there.

 

“Huff, huff.”

 

I turned a corner and slipped into a barracks with a door that was slightly broken. The door was stuck open just a crack, and I squeezed through the gap.

 

Even in the middle of this foolishness, at least I’d found that small opening. I hoped no one would think I’d come in here and just pass by.

 

“Haa.”

 

I hadn’t even run—just walked quickly for a bit—but I was already out of breath. I leaned against the wall and slid down to sit for a moment. I thought I could hear someone’s footsteps approaching.

 

I felt like I should beg Baslo to turn a blind eye just this once. For him to recognize my face so quickly—he must be quite sharp-eyed.

 

Ah, should I just teleport out of here?

 

The herb storage room was probably empty, but there was a chance someone might be inside in an emergency. Where could I go at this hour to be sure no one would be there?

 

I bit my lip, racking my brain for a place to teleport. Maybe the corner behind the herb drawers would be less conspicuous? I was about to decide when—Crash!

 

Something shattered violently. I covered my ears too late—the damage was already done. I slowly turned my head and was met with a chilly emptiness. The door that had been barely ajar was now completely torn off.

 

Even for a knight, that door wasn’t light. To rip it off and toss it aside in one go—was that even possible with bare hands? I stared, dumbfounded, mouth agape.

 

Thud.

 

Someone stepped through the torn doorway. The barracks were dark, so I couldn’t see their face right away, but of course it had to be Sir Baslo. I should at least say hello. And beg His Highness to turn a blind eye just this once. I awkwardly stood up from where I’d been sitting.

 

“Gasp.”

 

And then I realized. It wasn’t Baslo. I couldn’t breathe properly. A familiar figure was blocking the doorway. In the dark barracks, golden eyes were staring at me.

 

Creak, thud.

 

As he took a step forward, the wooden floor groaned. And just like that floor, my chest felt like it was being crushed.

 

He approached where I was leaning against the wall. My body trembled slightly from the tension. I’d never felt his presence so overwhelmingly before, not even when we’d been together. It was so oppressive, I could barely breathe.

 

“Why are you—”

 

He stopped only a hand’s breadth away. I’d never stood this close to anyone before, so I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms. I had the crazy urge to reach out and hug him. Maybe I really had been broken by living as a slave.

 

“Why are you here.”

 

Your fiancée called me. I spilled tea—well, it wasn’t me, but anyway. I was punished, then sent to Enaphok, so I came, but actually, I wanted to come. I was really happy. Seeing you like this makes me so happy… My mind was a mess, not knowing where or how to begin explaining.

 

“Why are you here, of all places.”

 

So this is what your voice sounds like when you’re angry—so dry. I could feel his breath, as if he was holding something back.

 

I hadn’t done anything wrong, but somehow he made me feel like I shouldn’t be here.

 

I glanced down unconsciously, and saw that he, too, was clenching his fists tightly. Seeing his fist made my throat burn.

 

Drip.

 

I was so focused on him that even the tiniest sound was amplified. Something thick was dripping from his left fist onto the floor.

 

“Oh, blood, blood—”

 

I leaned toward his fist without thinking. It looked like the blood was coming from inside his clothes—he must be hurt. Everything else faded away, and all I could see was the blood dripping.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

As I leaned in, he grabbed my arm. He pulled me up and ran his eyes up and down my body. His golden eyes were more urgent and frantic than ever.

 

He scanned me from head to toe, searching for a wound. I choked back a sob.

 

“No, it’s not me. The one bleeding is you. Your arm—”

 

Following my gaze from his fist, I saw a long gash on his forearm. It looked like it had been cut by something sharp. Blood was gushing out, running down his arm.

 

“Haa.”

 

He let out a long breath. He didn’t even look at his wound. He seemed almost relieved, which made me even more anxious. This was no time for relief—he needed treatment right away.

 

I fumbled for the small palm-sized pouch I always carried and opened it. Inside were some Noveni herbs, a white cloth, and a small knife. I took out the cloth and pressed it to his wound. I glanced up at him, worried it might hurt, but he ignored the pain and just looked at my face.

 

I had to stop the bleeding, so I pressed the cloth to his wound. But it was useless—the white cloth was quickly soaked dark red.

 

“Your Highness, you need to be treated—”

 

“Sez.”

 

He called my name in a low voice, and a shiver ran down my spine. He reached out with his other hand. His fingers brushed the end of my eyebrow, then my ear, and finally rested against the wall. I could feel his fingers trembling, and my breath trembled with them.

 

“I told you, you don’t need to risk yourself.”

 

“Well, I, um, it’s not like I came here on my own… There’s a bit of a story. But right now, you really need treatment. I’ll explain everything later.”

 

He looked into my eyes, then glanced at his own arm, and stared at it for a moment. He let out a long breath and briefly covered his eyes.

 

Is this what it feels like when the air ripples? Maybe I was just too tense, but my throat was dry and my body felt heavy.

 

“So you’re saying someone sent you. How dare they—”

 

My skin prickled and the air felt thin. He’d only said a few words, but it felt like something heavy was pressing down on me from above. In an instant, I felt like I was less than an ant.

 

“Mm.”

 

A strange sound escaped me before I realized it. And at the same time—crack—a piece of wood broke somewhere in the barracks.

 

Flinch.

 

His hand dropped from his eyes. He took a step back. His eyes were furrowed, as if he was in pain, angry, or holding something back with great effort.

 

Tap.

 

He lightly touched my lips with his finger. Only then did I realize I’d been biting my lip. He stepped back two more steps and grabbed the cloth I was holding with his other arm. The cloth, now stained dark, looked painfully out of place.

 

“Come out. Now.”

 

Step, step.

 

He scanned me up and down, then turned and left the barracks. As soon as he left, it felt like I could finally breathe again, as if all the air had rushed back in.

 

“Haa, haa.”

 

Whether it was tension or something else, I could finally breathe. There was a vivid bloodstain where he’d been standing right in front of me.

 

『Are you hurt?』

 

“You’re the one who’s hurt…”

 

I wiped my eyes for no reason. His urgent gaze flashed hot in my mind. I took a deep breath, slapped my cheeks to compose myself, and followed him out as if nothing had happened.

 

“Oh, my god. It’s really you.”

 

As I stepped out, Baslo’s eyes widened in surprise. Captain Lekes was standing beside him, looking at me seriously.

 

“Hello.”

 

“There’s blood on your face—are you hurt?”

 

Baslo took a step toward me, but Lekes blocked him with his arm.

 

“No!”

 

I’d forgotten I’d pressed the cloth to his wound, and then slapped my own cheek with that hand. Where was my mind today? I quickly rubbed my cheek with my arm. Hopefully there wasn’t a handprint. What a historically foolish day.

 

“You’re not staying here, are you?”

 

Lekes gestured with his eyes at the barracks I’d just come out of. Was there something wrong with it? Other than the broken door, it didn’t seem so bad.

 

“Ah, no.”

 

The Crown Prince let out another long breath as he looked at me. Honestly, I was so focused on him that I felt like I could tell even if he just breathed lightly through his nose.

 

“Your Highness, you should get treatment first.”

 

That was exactly what I wanted to say. I was so grateful to hear Lekes say it with a slight bow. How long was he planning to keep bleeding like that?

 

I looked at his wound, putting all my agreement into my gaze. He should get treated right away—why did he have to follow me like this?

 

He stared at me for a moment, then sighed, finally turning and walking away. Lekes and Baslo followed behind him. I quietly bowed my head and carefully followed their steps. The trail of blood drops on the dirt made my heart ache.