Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 38

After the battle ended, I went around scooping and bringing water for those who were thirsty or needed it. The battle had lasted longer than before, and the entire knight order was completely exhausted.

 

“Is it really okay for you to be working?”

 

Baslo, who had been talking with the knights, came over to me.

 

“Work… you mean?”

 

All I’d done was hand out water, so it felt embarrassing to call that work.

 

“I just thought maybe you should rest a bit more.”

 

“Oh, yes. I’m totally fine right now. Thank you.”

 

To be honest, I didn’t feel as weak as I used to. I guess it’s true what they say—if you’ve been working and then rest, your body actually aches more. Maybe that saying was meant for me.

 

“I thought you wouldn’t like it.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“Don’t overdo it.”

 

“Yes, thank you. But I…”

 

“And His Highness probably prefers to be alone for now.”

 

“Oh…”

 

How did he know what I was about to ask?

 

“If he feels better, he might come looking for you right away.”

 

Baslo looked toward where Shihien had disappeared and let out a breath. I followed suit, exhaling the heaviness in my chest.

 

I worried if he was struggling alone, if he was exhausted—my head was full of worries.

 

“Oh, right. Have you been to the tent?“

 

“…Sorry? Oh! The… tent.”

 

He must be talking about that extravagant space. So Baslo knew about it too.

 

“Do you like it? That canopy thing or whatever it is.”

 

He even knew what was inside the tent. Just thinking of the yellow canopy made me feel choked up again.

 

“Ah… It was so beautiful.”

 

A canopy I thought I’d never have in a slave’s life. It was so pretty, I wondered if I’d even be able to sleep, my heart fluttering.

 

It still didn’t feel completely real. That ‘order’ to stay there from now on.

 

“I’m glad you like it. You wanted it so badly.”

 

Huh? Wanted it badly? Who? Me?

 

“Don’t you remember?”

 

As I stood there confused, Baslo made a face like he understood. Then he briefly explained.

 

Apparently, while I was sleeping in the Crown Prince’s bed, I had another fever. Baslo brought a physician to the tent again at night. While the physician was taking my temperature and examining me, I kept mumbling something.

 

At first, mixed with crying sounds, it wasn’t clear if I was saying I was in pain or uncomfortable. But when they listened closely, this is what I said.

 

『Canopy… There’s no canopy. Canopy.』

 

“Me…?”

 

“Yeah, you looked like you were about to cry.”

 

So I talked in my sleep about not having a canopy, and Baslo, the physician, and even Shihien all heard it?

 

Ah… Is there a place just big enough for me to crawl into? I wanted to hide there until everyone forgot. It was embarrassing enough that someone heard me talking in my sleep, but to say something like that… I wish I could turn back time.

 

“You told His Highness too, right? That you liked it.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“He must have been happy.”

 

He was, very much so. That’s what I told him. I was truly happy just to have a place to stay. There couldn’t possibly be a knight with a taste for canopies.

 

My chest grew warm at the thought of the care put into decorating it for me. I suddenly remembered the way he watched to see if I liked it.

 

The canopy really is wonderful, but why did I have to say that in my sleep?

 

“The Captain is looking for you!”

 

“Right now? Got it.”

 

Baslo left, causing a huge ripple in my mind, and departed with another knight. He told me once more not to overdo it.

 

After that, I don’t even know how I moved my body. It felt like someone had sewn the word ‘canopy’ in huge letters inside my head.

 

『You’ll invite me later, right?』

 

Priest Oment knew too. That I had a place to stay now. Surely my canopy sleep-talking hadn’t become a rumor? I froze for a moment, but thankfully, he didn’t seem to know. He was just sincerely congratulating me. Of course, seeing him so genuinely happy for a slave’s quarters, he wasn’t exactly a typical person either.

 

When everyone else went to rest, I forced myself to turn away from the herb room. I now had a place to stay. Every step I took toward it was filled with excitement and anticipation.

 

Since the knights were gathered nearby, their gazes brushed past me as I walked by. I bowed politely, but no one asked why I was coming this way. They looked at me as if I belonged.

 

Was I the only one who didn’t know I’d gotten a room? Did everyone in Enapoke already know?

 

“He’s in a meeting right now.”

 

As I lingered near the Crown Prince’s tent, one of the knights recognized me and blocked my way.

 

“Oh! Okay.”

 

Still, being around the other knights seemed to help me keep it together. I was glad I didn’t have to be alone. But since the battle was over, they should be resting too.

 

With mixed feelings, I walked toward Shihien’s tent.

 

“Hoo…”

 

Even after taking a deep breath, my heart kept pounding. Why was I so nervous?

 

Compared to the other tents, the one before me was small. But to my eyes, it looked huge—big enough for dozens of people.

 

Creak.

 

When I opened the door, the scene I’d seen during the day was spread out before me. The night sky was clear, and the moonlight poured in.

 

It felt like it had been waiting for me, looking just the same as during the day, and my eyes grew hot again.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Being able to stay in this space felt like a dream. I didn’t even dare touch the canopy for fear it would get dirty. Just looking at it was enough. I gently set the cloth pouch I’d been carrying on the small table.

 

There was a candle on top of the dresser. In the herb room, I never lit candles at night for fear the herbs might catch fire.

 

Carefully lighting it, the softly glowing orange light made the inside look even cozier. Just watching the candle burn, I felt like I could stay up all night.

 

Knock, knock.

 

I was sitting there absentmindedly when someone knocked on the door.

 

“Yes!”

 

Could it be ‘him’? I was briefly flustered, unsure what to do, but I went to open the door myself.

 

“Huh?”

 

When I opened the door, I saw the Crown Prince’s attendant I’d seen before. He was holding a familiar tray.

 

“Um, they said it would be best to have soup again today.”

 

It was that soft soup I’d eaten in the Crown Prince’s tent. Having tasted it once, it looked even more tempting. The attendant came in and set the bowl on the small table.

 

I just stared blankly for a moment before realizing—I was hungry.

 

“Thank you.”

 

I was truly grateful. I’d forgotten I was hungry, but just imagining eating made my mouth water.

 

“Um, I mean, I just brought what I was told to…”

 

Despite his crisp impression, the attendant trailed off at the end.

 

“You can speak comfortably with me.”

 

It was only natural, so why did he look like he was struggling? I felt awkward too, for no reason.

 

“How’s the taste? The chef is really curious.”

 

His speech was a bit awkward, but less so than before.

 

“It’s the best soup I’ve ever had.”

 

“Oh, really? I heard you like corn, but we’re completely out right now. The chef was worried.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Ah, corn.

 

I do like corn, but how did they know?

 

At that moment, the image of the tastiest corn kernels I’d ever eaten flashed through my mind. And the large fingers that fed me with a spoon.

 

Shihien must have told them. My face suddenly grew hot.

 

I heard the attendant chuckle softly. My face must have been quite a sight.

 

“You’re really cute… No, never mind!”

 

He started to say something, then clamped his mouth shut in surprise. He fanned his face with his hand and said, “Well, rest up,” before leaving.

 

When I sat down and wrapped the bowl in both hands, the warmth seeped right in. Even though he must have been busy with the battle and everything else.

 

The canopy, the corn, this tent. And those deep eyes. I could feel the weight of his feelings for me.

 

“It’s delicious.”

 

One spoonful of soup, and it melted in my mouth like snow. The gentle softness and warmth felt just like someone’s heart, and my eyes kept blurring.

 

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

 

Morning had come. It was still bluish, but the darkness was receding.

 

“Mmm…”

 

I stretched my arms high above my head. The crisp dawn air always felt good. The temperature was just right, so my body felt light.

 

“Amazing.”

 

I couldn’t help but marvel. It was my first night sleeping in a bed with a canopy. My heart had pounded so much, I’d prepared to stay up all night.

 

The herb room’s blanket was thick and cozy, but it couldn’t compare to a real bed. Every time I moved, it was so soft that even moving a finger felt like a luxury.

 

I thought I’d enjoy that coziness until dawn and not sleep at all.

 

But I slept so well.

 

When I opened my eyes, the blue light of dawn was streaming in. I’d fallen asleep so deeply I hadn’t even dreamed.

 

“Ugh.”

 

I scolded myself for not enjoying it more and lifted my side a little. The spot where the Beasts had grabbed me was still bruised blue.

 

But compared to how colorful it had been, it had faded a lot. Considering I survived, this was nothing.

 

Creak.

 

I slung the cloth pouch over my shoulder and left my precious tent. For no reason, I tapped the closed door. Even the wood grain looked beautiful. See you later, I said to it in my heart.

 

It was still quiet, but I could hear the sounds of early risers at work. The sky was clear, promising another fine day.

 

Please, let the Beasts rest for a while too.

 

Everyone must be wishing the same. That no rifts would open for a while. That Enapoke would get a break. With that earnest hope, I headed for the herb room.

 

“Sez. Did you sleep well?”

 

“Good morning, Priest.”

 

Oment didn’t need to be out this early, but he was always diligent. Even though he needed a crutch, he never slacked off.

 

“You look well.”

 

“Oh. Do I? Thank you.”

 

I guess sleep really is the best medicine. I wasn’t sure about my face, but my body definitely felt lighter.

 

“The weather’s nice, so we should dry some herbs.”

 

“Yes, let’s do that.”

 

As always, there was a mountain of work in the herb room. Since the sun was out, I picked out the herbs that needed drying and got to work.

 

“I knew I had a good eye.”

 

Watching me move around on my own, Priest Oment looked pleased. Each herb had its own properties and scent, so the work was surprisingly enjoyable. Especially the ones dried in the sun—they had such a pleasant fragrance.

 

While I was spreading out the still-damp herbs on the bench outside, imagining how crisp they’d be once fully dried, it happened.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

I froze in place, still spreading the herbs. Now that I thought about it, the air around me felt different. I slowly straightened up and turned around.

 

He was standing there in the morning sunlight. He must have been tired from yesterday’s battle, but he didn’t look it at all. He looked as neat as if he’d just come from the palace.

 

In this place where everyone was a little worn out, his face alone stood out as something otherworldly.