Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 26

“If you chew it, the effect is even better.”

 

He brushed his thumb over the noveni, then lifted his gaze to look at me.

 

“Like that time.”

 

That time—when was he talking about…?

 

Suddenly, a scene flashed through my mind like lightning. The one where I tried to push the chewed medicine between his lips. Just recalling it made me feel as if I could smell the thick scent of blood at the tip of my nose.

 

But… he remembers that? I was sure he was barely conscious from the pain at the time.

 

A hot surge rose from deep in my chest, climbing up the back of my neck and spreading all the way to my scalp. Both my cheeks and ears felt as if they’d been scorched by something. Of course, I hadn’t done it with any particular intention, but just knowing he remembered made my face burn.

 

“Are you hot?”

 

“Excuse me? No? Yes. Ah, a little.”

 

What am I even saying right now? I was hot, but just admitting it made me feel even hotter. For some reason, I was too embarrassed to look him straight in the eye, so I dropped my gaze.

 

My eyes landed on his cracked lips, making me feel even warmer inside. The corners of his lips, as if drawn on, lifted slightly, then fell.

 

Huh? Did the corners of his mouth just go up?

 

I raised my gaze to his eyes. I saw a faint trace of a smile flicker across his pupils. It was so subtle that you’d never notice unless you were looking for it, but it was definitely there!

 

He smiled. I think he smiled. He did, right? Just now.

 

I wanted to freeze this moment in time. Eyes, don’t forget. Never forget this face. I wanted to clutch my heart, but I kept my composure by taking slow, deep breaths.

 

Creak.

 

He pushed the chair back further, signaling for me to sit again. Yes, gladly. I bent slightly at the waist and sat down in the chair. For the Crown Prince to pull out a chair for a slave to sit—how could I not feel overwhelmed? I clutched the soft cloth pouch in my hands for no reason.

 

He kept stroking the noveni with his hand, staring at me. Suddenly, I was deeply grateful to have come to Enapork, just to be here with him in this moment. Truly, the heavens must have helped me. I was thankful.

 

“So, why are you here? You.”

 

Ah. The quiet air suddenly grew heavy. My content heart froze in place. He had only moved his lips, but I could feel the chill underlying his words. I racked my brain for what to say, then gave up and just spoke honestly.

 

“I was punished and sent to Enapork. That’s why I came—”

 

“…Punished?”

 

“Yes. But honestly, it felt more like a reward to me.”

 

It was the truth. It wasn’t a punishment. If those above found out, they’d be even angrier, but it felt like I’d been rewarded by being sent to Enapork. Especially now, looking at his face, that feeling grew even stronger.

 

“You…”

 

He started to say more, then broke off with a sigh. I smiled softly to show my sincerity. He inhaled and closed his eyes for a moment.

 

After a long silence, he spoke again.

 

“What did you do wrong?”

 

“To be honest… I’m not sure. Maybe I offended someone above me—”

 

“Who above you?”

 

Who had punished me?

 

Was it the noblewoman who summoned me and forced me into a situation to be punished? Or the Duke Lechegno, who had gotten angry and ordered me out of the palace? Or was there someone else who wanted to send me to Enapork? I really didn’t know for sure who had given the order.

 

“Who?”

 

Another dry voice. His face showed no emotion, but his gaze was so cold it chilled me. Even though I knew it wasn’t directed at me, the back of my neck felt cold.

 

“I heard Duke Lechegno was very angry, but I’m not sure if he was the one who actually punished me by sending me to Enapork.”

 

“Lechegno?”

 

The air grew heavier and heavier. My chest felt tight, as if someone was pressing down on it.

 

“Did you meet the noblewoman?”

 

Crushed by the atmosphere, I gave a small nod. But he seemed certain even before I answered.

 

Suddenly, I wondered how the Original Story of this novel was progressing right now. He had to have a happy ending, no matter what—was it heading that way?

 

He squeezed his eyes shut, as if steadying his breath. Anyone could see he was very angry. The hand that had set down the noveni was clenched tightly into a fist. The veins in his neck stood out, showing how hard he was holding back his emotions.

 

『That was the first time I ever saw him look so scary. He always had no expression, but when he showed emotion like that—whew.』

 

The words the maid Mary had said to me suddenly flashed through my mind. If he deliberately made an angry face, everyone around would have no choice but to bow their heads. Even now, though he was holding back, the atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

 

I let go of the cloth pouch I’d been clutching and gently placed my fingers on his large, tightly clenched fist. I didn’t do it with any particular thought—just a desperate wish that he wouldn’t torment himself with anger.

 

Startled.

 

His closed eyes flew open. His deep golden eyes looked at my fingers resting on his fist, then up at me.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

The reason he was angry was because I ended up here. The reason I shouldn’t be here was because Enapork was the front line. In his view, it was the most dangerous place.

 

In the end, I could feel that beneath his anger was concern for me, and it made my heart ache.

 

“I’m grateful to be here.”

 

Even if he was angry at those who sent me here out of fear for my safety, I was still grateful. So grateful that words weren’t enough.

 

“Hoo.”

 

He let out a long breath. His eyes narrowed as if he’d heard something absurd. Even when he’d stitched wounds without anesthesia, his expression hadn’t changed, but now his eyes were deeply furrowed.

 

I tried to show him with my expression just how thankful I was. He sighed again, his shoulders rising and falling, then relaxed his fist. Then, as if stroking the noveni herb, he brushed his thumb ever so lightly over the tips of my fingers.

 

The heat from his hand flowed into my fingertips and spread through my whole body.

 

“Sez.”

 

His voice sounded cracked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Go rest now.”

 

He stood up, as if cutting something off. Well, he’d just had his wounds treated and fought Beasts, so he must be exhausted.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

At least he hadn’t said he’d send me back to the palace right away or that I shouldn’t be here, so I was relieved. I let out a small sigh of relief.

 

“Ah, if you don’t mind—”

 

Maybe I was too relieved. Words I hadn’t even thought of slipped out of my mouth.

 

“Should I stay by your side while you sleep?”

 

“What…?”

 

He froze in place, his hand running through his hair like a statue. I’d blurted it out because he’d stayed by my side when I was sick. Sometimes an attendant would stay by their superior’s side to nurse them, right?

 

Just having someone by my side when I was feverish had been a huge comfort to me. I wanted to give him that same sense of comfort and reassurance. But was it really such a shocking thing to say…?

 

Oh, could he have misunderstood? That’s not what I meant! It’s not like that!

 

“N-no! I just thought, if you’re sick, it might be hard to sleep alone. You might get thirsty. I just meant, if you’d like me to stay by your side, that’s all.”

 

“It’s dangerous.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“If you’re by my side, it’s dangerous.”

 

Ah, he must mean his own strength. The Crown Prince sometimes made sure no one was near him so he could control his power. And today, after being wounded, he might be even more dangerous. Probably. That must be the danger he meant. Whew.

 

At least he hadn’t completely misunderstood my words. To someone who didn’t know, it might have sounded like I was being very forward(?). Whew. Today was definitely the day of the fool.

 

Tap. Tap.

 

His footsteps sounded loudly.

 

He meant that kind of danger, right?

 

Hahaha. My face was burning, so I glanced at the table, then the floor, then the sofa. While I was doing that, he came to stand just a hand’s breadth away. His warm hand reached up and brushed my cheek as if to cradle it.

 

I could feel his thumb gently stroking the end of my eyebrow. His body temperature was high, and just that warmth made me feel good. He didn’t have to just brush past—I wouldn’t mind if he touched me directly.

 

“Go rest.”

 

Even his roughened voice sounded so good. His face was already overwhelming, but with a voice like that, it was just unfair. I didn’t know whether I should be grateful for such an unfair world or resent it, and bowed deeply, feeling confused.

 

Still, one thing was certain: coming to Enapork had been the right decision.

 

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

 

Two days later, at night. During that time, the Crown Prince’s tent was off-limits, and no one could approach.

 

Maybe it happened often, because no one seemed to think it was strange. When someone is sick, it’s good to have someone by their side.

 

I found myself sighing more often, feeling a dull ache in my heart.

 

“Hoo.”

 

“Hmmm.”

 

A sound matched my sigh from behind. I was sweeping out the herb storage as part of my end-of-day routine.

 

I glanced back to see Priest Omont standing with his arms crossed, watching me. When I straightened up with the broom in hand, he narrowed his eyes.

 

“Um, Priest, is there something you need me to do?”

 

“…No.”

 

He seemed like he had something to say, but it was odd. I went back to sweeping the messy floor littered with herb debris. Even though I tried not to raise dust, it was unavoidable. I coughed softly as I swept every corner.

 

“Hmmm.”

 

Since the dust was rising, it seemed like he should go outside, but Omont didn’t move and just kept watching me. Making those strange humming noises.

 

“Sez.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hmmm.”

 

He narrowed his eyes and looked straight at me.

 

“Something’s suspicious.”

 

“Suspicious…?”

 

I looked down at my clothes. I looked the same as always. What was suspicious?

 

“Uh, Sez. By any chance, with His Highness… you know.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“No, never mind.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

No, no. He shook his head firmly. I tried to figure out what he was getting at, but gave up and focused on sweeping.

 

“Priest, I’ll just take this out to the trash.”

 

“Hmmm. Alright.”

 

He rested his chin on his hand and looked at me a bit askew. His narrowed eyes looked curious, but also serious.

 

I gathered up the burnable trash and carried it out of the herb storage. I heard him muttering “Suspicious, suspicious,” behind me, but pretended not to hear.

 

After dumping the herb debris and trash, I brushed off my clothes. Every time I finished cleaning, I felt a refreshing sense of accomplishment, like I’d finished my homework. Was I destined to spend my whole life cleaning?

 

“Huh? What’s this?”

 

In the darkness, I spotted a perfectly good bow. I wondered if someone had thrown it away by mistake and picked it up out of curiosity—it was much heavier than I expected. I mimicked drawing it as if to shoot.

 

I couldn’t even pull the string halfway; it just made my fingers hurt. Maybe you’d need your arms to be shaking just to pull the string back. I realized not just anyone could do this, and was just playing around when—

 

“Don’t move. Stay just like that.”

 

A familiar low voice froze me in place.