Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 33

 

“Is that really the slave? Is it?“

 

“Be quiet.“

 

“No, but where on earth was she?“

 

“I don’t know either, ah, don’t push! Seriously!“

 

The two syllables, ‘Sez,’ from the Crown Prince’s lips rippled through Enapork like a wave.

 

Along with the murmuring behind me, the sound of footsteps approached as well. Some seemed to be hurrying, their feet pounding the ground.

 

Tap.

 

The Crown Prince took a single step closer.

 

With that one movement, the murmuring died down. Though it was a path I walked every day, it felt as if I were in a different space, my whole body tense. It was as if every nerve and cell in my body flew toward him and stuck there. Under the sunlight, his presence was so overwhelming that even breathing felt unnatural.

 

Tap, tap.

 

He took two more steps closer.

 

He was just out of reach, almost close enough to touch if I stretched out my hand. Baslo looked as if he was about to report something but then quietly stepped aside. I could see Arnic being held back by someone as he tried to move forward. Apparently, Priest Oment was also inside and came out after us, wearing a surprised expression.

 

I summoned my courage and lifted my head a little higher.

 

There was a height difference, so to look him straight in the eye, I would have to raise my head even more, but I couldn’t quite do it.

 

I just wanted to check if he was hurt, if he had any injuries. There were no signs of bandages or splints, which was a relief. I didn’t know about the places I couldn’t see, but at least there were no major wounds where I could see.

 

“Phew.“

 

A long sigh slipped out without me realizing it. And then, it happened. He closed the distance in an instant. The flow of air seemed to change, as if a breeze had blown.

 

Whump.

 

Suddenly, my vision went black. Something firm wrapped around me. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I could feel his hot breath above my head. Something sweet and tingling seemed to flow into me and swirl around inside.

 

The arms holding me felt stronger than anything in the world, giving me a sense of comfort and safety I’d never known before. It was the first time I’d ever felt this, and my body froze. A hot lump kept rising up from inside.

 

『…I will come for you.』 

 

『If you ever want to leave the palace, I’ll let you go.』 

 

『From now on, when we’re alone, call me by my name.』 

 

His voice echoed in my mind, my ears, my heart. I remembered everything clearly—the atmosphere, his gaze when he said those words. Even the face smiling among the fluttering white petals flashed before my eyes.

 

Unable to hold back, I reached up and grabbed his collar. I felt the arms around me tighten just a little more.

 

I suddenly wished that whenever I teleported, I could always end up in these arms.

 

“Baslo, what exactly am I seeing right now?“

 

Arnic’s voice sounded as if it were coming from far away, muffled and distant.

 

“Didn’t they say she was a slave?“

 

“Is that really who the Crown Prince was looking for all this time?!“

 

“Oh my god.“

 

“No way, seriously! Does this make sense? Right now?“

 

The whispers swirled around the square, merging into one. Words like ‘slave’ and ‘no way’ popped up here and there. But it was as if there was an invisible wall; none of it really reached me. The comfort in these arms was so big and important that I didn’t care about anything else in the world.

 

“Um, Your Highness….“

 

“Stay still.“

 

Arnic tried to step forward, but Baslo stopped him again. And as if that was a signal, the strong arms holding me slowly loosened. I wasn’t cold at all, but my body trembled slightly at the loss of his warmth. It felt both like a long time and the blink of an eye.

 

“Are you hurt.“

 

It was the Crown Prince’s question, but I shook my head slightly, rudely. I was afraid my voice would tremble too much if I said, No, I’m not.

 

His figure kept blurring and coming back into focus. My nose stung and ached.

 

“Your Highness. Wouldn’t it be better to speak comfortably in the tent?“

 

Arnic finally brushed off Baslo’s restraint and spoke up. He seemed to be concerned about all the eyes on us. The Crown Prince looked down at me in silence for a moment. Then, instead of answering, he simply began to walk.

 

“Gasp.“

 

“Hah.“

 

People around us all inhaled at once. I moved my body like a doll, passing by the crowd.

 

The Crown Prince’s presence ahead of me felt even bigger than usual today. And the hand he was holding onto felt even smaller than ever.

 

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

 

Fortunately, the Crown Prince’s tent seemed to have escaped damage from the Beasts.

 

He led me not to the table, but to a comfortable sofa and had me sit down. Only after confirming I was seated did he finally let go of my hand. He’d been holding it so tightly that my fingers buzzed with sensation. The feeling was both painful and ticklish, so I clasped my hands together and bit my lip hard.

 

“Where on earth were you? You were nowhere to be found when we searched!“

 

The question came first from Arnic, who had followed us in.

 

“Your Highness. I’ll wait outside.“

 

“Hey, why? Don’t you want to ask where she was all night?“

 

Arnic protested as Baslo dragged him out. Come on, let’s go, Baslo insisted, pulling him with his uninjured arm. Arnic looked as if he could have resisted, but for now, he let himself be dragged out, his face full of injustice.

 

“Baslo.“

 

“Yes, Your Highness.“

 

In the act of closing the door, Baslo suddenly snapped to attention. Just hearing the Crown Prince call his name made his eyes shine. His usually indifferent face was suddenly full of life.

 

“We need a physician.“

 

“Yes! I’ll bring one right away!“

 

Clack.

 

The tent door closed, and silence fell. The words about needing a physician echoed in my ears. Was he hurt somewhere I couldn’t see? Was he suffering alone again? I hoped it wasn’t a serious injury.

 

I remembered watching him get treated right here once. I also recalled handing him the Noveni.

 

Ah, Noveni!

 

In my confusion, I’d forgotten about the cloth bag. Even when I was grabbed by the Beasts, it hadn’t left my side.

 

I felt around inside for the familiar rough texture of the Noveni. Thank goodness. It was still there. If needed, I could give it to him.

 

Creak, clack.

 

With the sound of wood scraping, a chair was set down in front of me. He’d brought it over from beside the table. Was he going to sit? Without hesitation, he sat across from me. The chair was a bit higher than the sofa, so his eyes were above mine.

 

“Sez.“

 

“Yes.“

 

Sitting face to face, I didn’t know where to look. I sniffed subtly, but I didn’t smell any strong scent of blood. Was he really hurt enough to need a physician?

 

“Sez.“

 

“Y-yes.“

 

Either way, he’d probably ask where I’d been all night. Maybe he was sitting across from me to interrogate me. But all I could say was that I didn’t remember. I braced myself so my eyes wouldn’t waver.

 

“Sez.“

 

“…Yes.“

 

－Where were you?

 

－How did you disappear so suddenly?

 

－Tell me where you were all night.

 

－Why are you only showing up now?

 

I steadied myself for the expected questions, but the atmosphere felt strange.

 

“Sez.“

 

I lifted my head and met his eyes. His golden eyes were as beautiful as ever. But they were definitely different from usual. Maybe no one else would notice. He could look as expressionless as always.

 

But, Beneath his long lashes, his eyes were trembling ever so slightly. The gaze reflecting me was full of emotion and wavered.

 

『Aren’t you afraid.』

 

 『No.』 

 

『I am.』 Our conversation flashed through my mind. Only now did I think I understood what he’d meant back then. In his trembling gaze, I thought I saw fear.

 

“Sez.“

 

His low voice echoed in the quiet tent. Instead of answering, I bit my lip. The way he called my name melted into my heart, hot and deep.

 

“Sez.“

 

“Your Highness.“

 

His eyes widened, then one eyebrow furrowed slightly. Now I understood why he kept calling my name. I thought I knew what he was afraid of.

 

“I’m here.“

 

I’m alive. Tears threatened to fall, but I forced myself to smile. I wanted to show him I was okay, so I smiled.

 

“…I see.“

 

He replied with a deep breath. Then, still seated, he reached out his arm. His large hand came to cup my cheek, brushing behind my ear.

 

Then he cupped my face again, gently stroking it. As if to confirm, You’re really here. I felt his fingertips trembling slightly, and my heart trembled with them.

 

Knock, knock.

 

“Your Highness, I’ve brought the physician.“

 

I was melting into the warmth of his hand when reality suddenly called me back, and I opened my eyes. He did too, his warm fingers slowly withdrawing.

 

“Sit.“

 

I thought I should move out of the way of the sofa, so I started to rise. But a gentle pressure on my shoulder made me sit back down.

 

“Your Highness. I am Limbert.“

 

Physician Limbert bowed deeply as he entered. He was the one who had treated Shihen before, sweating profusely.

 

“Your fever is a bit high.“

 

“Eh…? F-fever? Ah, yes!“

 

The physician looked at Shihen with a puzzled expression, as if he’d never heard this before. Then he hurried over to check his temperature.

 

“Not me.“

 

“Pardon…?“

 

The physician followed the Crown Prince’s gaze and actually stepped back in surprise.

 

“Eh? Me?“

 

I’d been worrying about what might be wrong with Shihen, but—me? Now? Everyone’s eyes were on me.

 

“If you’re hurt or uncomfortable, say so.“

 

It was a command, but his tone didn’t sound like it. It was as if he was certain—I know you’re hurt.

 

“Ah, I’m fine!“

 

I really am fine! I could see Arnic and Baslo by the door, both looking surprised. Seeing their faces made me even more flustered.

 

“Physician.“

 

“Ah, yes!“

 

The physician, who had frozen, hurried over to me. As I tried to lean back on the sofa, he grabbed my wrist. After a moment, he placed his hand on my forehead. I felt so embarrassed that even a nonexistent fever seemed to rise.

 

“Hmm, you do have quite a fever. Is there anywhere that hurts more in particular?“

 

“Eh? I-I really am fine.“

 

I have a fever? I touched my own forehead. It felt hot, but maybe not. My mind was a mess. Even if I really did have a fever, it was so strange to be examined in front of everyone like this.

 

“You must have been startled. Rest for a while.“

 

Maybe because he knew me, or maybe because of his professionalism, the physician became serious as soon as he started the examination. The Crown Prince watched from the side, making me feel even hotter.