Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 36

Sleep more.

 

To interpret, it meant to lie down in this bed again and try to sleep. That was what he said. As if taking over the bed for an entire day wasn’t enough, how could I possibly sleep here any longer?

 

“Ah, I’m fine now!”

 

I definitely felt a bit lighter. I was still dazed, but I felt like if I just washed my face with cold water, I’d be fully awake….

 

“!”

 

I hurriedly threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed, but suddenly I felt warmth on my forehead.

 

The sensation of a large hand touching me was so pleasant that I almost smiled. The fingers were definitely firm, but above all, they felt soft and gentle.

 

I wanted to just lean into that hand and let it support my weight.

 

“The fever’s gone down.”

 

As the warmth slowly faded, I found myself lingering, my forehead following after it for a moment. Then, startled by that, I sat up.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Thank you for checking my fever? What was I even thankful for? Even as I said it, it didn’t seem to fit the context, but my gratitude was sincere.

 

No matter how high my fever was, no matter that I’d just come back from the brink of death, who could have possibly rested in this bed for a whole night?

 

I sneakily reached behind me and stroked the soft blanket once more. Goodbye, bed.

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

I was slinging the cloth pouch from the nightstand over my shoulder when he pulled out a chair from the table and left the tent. It seemed he meant for me to sit there and wait.

 

I sat in the chair, feeling like a dog waiting for its master. Only after he disappeared from sight did I find it easier to breathe.

 

“Ah, right.”

 

Now that I had a moment, I became conscious of my face. I’d just woken up and he was here—I hadn’t even thought about it. What if I had sleep in my eyes?

 

There was no water to wash with, so I rubbed both eyes hard with my fingers. It might already be too late, but I also tried to neaten my hair as best I could with my fingers.

 

Who knew what state my braided hair was in? It was frustrating not to have anything to check my reflection in. I looked around, but there was nothing I could use as a mirror.

 

Creak.

 

Then, at the sound of the door opening, I hurriedly straightened up. Someone entered along with his long strides. It was an attendant I’d seen before.

 

I awkwardly stood and greeted the attendant, who nodded in greeting. In truth, ever since the attendant entered, all my senses were focused on his hands.

 

Tap.

 

The attendant set “it” down directly on the table. A round bowl on a square tray. I could feel the heat radiating from it, the milky surface gleaming invitingly.

 

Creak, tap.

 

Only after hearing the attendant leave did I realize I’d been focused entirely on what was in front of me.

 

“Ah….”

 

Shihen sat in the chair beside me and picked up a spoon, holding it out so I could take it. Maybe I looked odd just staring at it.

 

“…Thank you for the food.”

 

This was definitely not just an ordinary soup. Even the subtle, savory aroma was incredibly tempting. Only now did I realize how hungry I was after a whole day without food.

 

“Mmm.”

 

I took a spoonful and put it in my mouth, and my eyes flew open as happiness spread through me. The soft soup melted in my mouth, with a hint of chestnut flavor. I savored each bite, and before I knew it, I could see the bottom of the bowl.

 

“Thank you for the meal.”

 

It was a shame to have to put down the spoon. Even if it upset my stomach later, I wanted to eat until I was completely full—it was that delicious.

 

After eating the soup, my body definitely felt lighter, and the dazed feeling was gone. The soft, savory taste still lingered on my tongue.

 

With a happy heart, I looked at “him” sitting beside me. Even just leaning back loosely, he looked strong.

 

Meeting his eyes, the fact that I’d survived the Beasts hit me all over again.

 

“It was delicious. Thank you.”

 

It was the first time I’d tasted soup like this since coming to Enafork. It was highly likely he’d prepared it specially.

 

How could I ever repay all the things I’d received so far? If he could feel the satisfaction I felt now, I wanted to do anything for him.

 

“I’m glad.”

 

Especially at times like this, I feel like somewhere in my chest softens, like the soup. When those golden eyes warm. When that warmth is looking at me.

 

“There’s somewhere we need to go together.”

 

A large hand was extended before my eyes. Was there a clue to where we were going in that hand? I lowered my head a little more to look at his palm. And then I realized.

 

Could this be…?

 

Suddenly, my arm felt heavy, as if weighed down by lead. I barely managed to muster the courage to lift it.

 

What if I was wrong? But looking into Shihen’s eyes, I was sure.

 

Ignoring my pounding heart, I very gently placed my hand on top of his. His large hand closed around my fingers, as if to grasp them.

 

I was right—he wanted my hand. Even after we left the tent, he held my hand tightly and didn’t let go.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

 The place Shihen took me wasn’t far from his tent.

 

A few knights looked surprised, but all my attention was on my hand, so they passed by like scenery, without much meaning.

 

Was my heart attached to my hand? Why did it feel like it was pounding so hard?

 

“Open it.”

 

He slowly let go of my hand when we arrived in front of another tent. He even stepped aside, as if telling me to open it myself. This was where the knights’ quarters were clustered.

 

Knock knock.

 

For some reason, I felt I should announce myself, so I knocked lightly and slowly opened the door. Sunlight filled the empty tent.

 

When I looked up at Shihen, he gestured for me to go in.

 

Cautiously, I entered, and the light streaming through the window filled the tent with warmth. There was a table, a dresser, a nightstand, and a bed.

 

Oh, it has a canopy!

 

The bed had a canopy with a gentle yellow pattern. I couldn’t believe a knight would have such taste. Especially here in Enafork, I’d never seen anything like it, so my eyes widened.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“It’s pretty.”

 

Maybe it was because of the good lighting, but the space felt peaceful. Even the tiny dust motes in the sunlight felt cozy. Of course, the yellow canopy reflecting the light made everything even brighter.

 

“From now on, you’ll stay here.”

 

“…What?”

 

I unconsciously gripped the cloth pouch tightly. My voice came out strange. It was more shocking than when he’d said he’d let me leave the palace if I wanted.

 

For a mere slave, not even a knight, to stay in a tent like this. No, even the attendants probably didn’t stay in tents this nice. Of course, the other slaves in my situation didn’t need to be mentioned.

 

“I….”

 

“It’s an order.”

 

My heart buzzed. As if he knew exactly what I was going to say, Shihen spoke firmly.

 

How could a slave refuse the Crown Prince’s order? I had a lot to say, but my mouth wouldn’t open. Probably not just me—no one could object to his “order.”

 

『This is my quarters?』 The night the Beasts appeared, I remembered Shihen coming into the herb room. The herb room wasn’t exactly spacious, but it was probably the best accommodation in Enafork.

 

Since it was managed by the priests, it was safe by default. Even the strong scent of herbs wasn’t unpleasant. It might have been shabbier than the palace, but my heart felt much more at ease.

 

But apparently, Shihen didn’t see it that way.

 

“Sez.”

 

Still, to prepare such an extravagant space for me. For a moment, I covered my face with both hands.

 

My eyes burned unbearably. Hot emotions overflowed in an instant. “It’s an order”—those words melted sweetly in my heart.

 

“Why are you crying?”

 

I wasn’t usually this tearful. Maybe I’d grown weak after surviving a brush with death. Suddenly, tears burst out as if a dam had broken. Maybe something inside me really was broken. Even biting my lip didn’t help.

 

“…It’s just.”

 

“It’s just.”

 

Shihen echoed my words, urging me to finish.

 

“It’s just, I’m so happy.”

 

As soon as I said it, more tears flowed. Yes, honestly, I was happy.

 

Since I possessed this body, I’d never had a space of my own, so even if it was an empty tent, I would have been happy. Who could have imagined I’d be told to stay in such a pretty place?

 

“Sniff.”

 

“Hoo.”

 

I heard a deep breath, and then I felt myself being gently pulled forward. Still covering my face with both hands, I felt as if I’d touched a wall. A familiar scent filled my nose.

 

It was so warm it was almost hot. That sensation, the coziest thing in the world, came over me again. Shihen was holding me in his arms.

 

Pat, pat.

 

His awkward hand patting my shoulder touched something deep inside my chest. His body was hard, but why did his embrace feel so comfortable? When I was in his arms, everything I’d been through seemed to become nothing.

 

Really, it was just, so, good.

 

That was all I could think. Even if time stopped completely, I wouldn’t regret it at all.

 

Shihen’s embrace was perfectly warm. The sunlight streaming in behind me added to the warmth. I wanted to throw away all my complicated thoughts and just breathe and live in this place.

 

It was then.

 

“…No.”

 

Suddenly, the words slipped out of my mouth. Over the happiness that made me feel like I owned the world, it was as if icy water was poured.

 

It felt like someone was grabbing my ankle and pulling me down. Just before falling into a pit, a chill gripped my heart.

 

Now I knew what this feeling was.

 

“Hm?”

 

Shihen gripped my shoulder and gently pulled back. I could feel him trying to look at my face. And at that moment—Bwooooooooo–.

 

The sound of a horn split the quiet air. It was the signal that Beasts had appeared. Shihen’s hand on my shoulder tightened for a moment, then relaxed.

 

“Haa.”

 

He let out a deep sigh, and the atmosphere around him changed.

 

The warmth in his eyes when he told me to stay here was gone, and those golden eyes, now empty of emotion, looked down at me.