Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 39

“Your Highness. I’m making sure he doesn’t overdo it.“

 

Sihien hadn’t said a word, but Oment spoke up first.

 

“Since there’s no one else here who knows herbs well, Sez is a precious asset.“

 

As the silence continued, he added more in a somewhat urgent tone. I felt embarrassed at being called a precious asset, and my head automatically bowed.

 

“Have you been uncomfortable at all?“

 

When Sihien came closer and asked, my mind went blank. Is he asking a slave if they’re uncomfortable? About what? One thing did come to mind that he might be concerned about.

 

“Huh? Not at all! I opened my eyes and it was already morning!“

 

He must have been asking about the tent, right? But maybe I didn’t need to answer so enthusiastically.

 

For a moment, the word ‘canopy’ flashed through my mind, and I felt myself shrink.

 

“Don’t overexert yourself.“

 

“…Yes.“

 

Honestly, that was what I wanted to say. I really hoped he wouldn’t push himself too hard.

 

“We’ll have dinner together.“

 

Someone let out a sound like they were holding their breath. I think I nodded as well. After leaving those words, he turned and walked away.

 

A crown prince who comes to ask a slave to eat with him. The fact that I was getting used to his kindness weighed on my heart.

 

But surely, this wasn’t the reason he came all the way here. Could it be?

 

“Don’t tell me, is that why he came?“

 

Oment spoke up for me from the side.

 

And, due to the arrival of an unexpected guest, that dinner promise was postponed.

 

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

 

It was a clear afternoon with clouds drifting leisurely by.

 

“What’s that?“

 

“Why! What is it!“

 

The knights stationed at the entrance to Enapok began to see something extremely out of place. With monsters appearing here and there, just hearing something strange made a few reach for their sword hilts.

 

“W-what is that?“

 

But soon, the hands on the hilts dropped. It was definitely not a monster. But it was still something they couldn’t comprehend.

 

“Am I seeing things right now?“

 

“I think I’m seeing it too?“

 

“Is it coming this way, seriously?“

 

“Hey, s-someone report to His Highness!“

 

They didn’t seem like the knights who always maintained perfect formation in front of monsters.

 

Someone dashed inside Enapok to report the situation.

 

Even at a glance, several carriages, the epitome of extravagance, were heading toward Enapok.

 

If there was a village made of gold in the middle of the desert, would it look like this? A scene so out of place was unfolding before everyone’s eyes.

 

The carriages that stopped in Enapok Square all boasted luxurious exteriors. Even the baggage carts were decorated—everything screamed ‘noble.’

 

Even without the lion crest of House Rechegno, even a child could tell someone of immense status was inside.

 

“Why on earth are they here?“

 

“No idea. Maybe the fiancée was worried?“

 

“Would she come here just because she’s worried?“

 

“Maybe she wanted to surprise him.“

 

“Whaaat? She does know this is a battlefield, right?“

 

Priests and knights hurried out to greet the guests. Those not included in the welcoming party were secretly peeking from hidden spots.

 

“But then, what happens to that slave?“

 

“What do you think? It’s obvious.“

 

“Obvious? Didn’t you see His Highness’s expression back then?“

 

“Hey. Still, it’s House Rechegno. It’s always the slave who ends up pitiful.“

 

“Not that pitiful, honestly. Isn’t it amazing for a slave to get treated that well?“

 

“Everyone, quiet. If you weren’t in the square, don’t talk. It’s not that simple.“

 

“Oh, here they come.“

 

Um, I can hear you all, you know.

 

Of course, their words didn’t particularly hurt me. Back on Salt Island, I’d heard much worse right next to me. Compared to that, this was nothing.

 

“Wow, it’s like a painting. A painting.“

 

‘She’ stepped out of the most ornate carriage. The moment her feet touched Enapok’s ground, my heart seemed to drop with a thud.

 

Under the blue sky, her silver hair sparkled. The indigo hood revealed a glimpse of a violet dress, adding to her elegance.

 

This was a battlefield, but the way she looked around made it seem like she was on a leisurely outing to the suburbs.

 

She was beautiful. From head to toe.

 

Cesaria Rechegno. She walked slowly, escorted by a knight. The way she nodded lightly to the welcoming party was both dignified and graceful.

 

“Shouldn’t we roll out a carpet for her or something?“

 

“Seriously. But His Highness isn’t here.“

 

The knights’ voices sounded dazed, as if entranced by the noble lady’s elegance. Now that I thought about it, Sihien must have been notified, but he hadn’t come out himself. Was he waiting in the tent?

 

Cesaria was walking toward the direction of the crown prince’s and knights’ tents. Watching her back, my feelings grew complicated.

 

How did she end up coming all the way here? What about her dangerous objective? What would she talk about with him? No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t recall anything like this from the Original Story, and it frustrated me.

 

“Hey, is this all alcohol?“

 

“Oooh, that nostalgic smell. We’re going to eat like kings today, aren’t we?“

 

“Get a grip and help unload.“

 

The scale of her care package was enormous. As they unloaded the baggage carts, everyone watched with curious eyes to see what would come out next.

 

“Sez, there are herbs here too.“

 

Some of the care packages were sent by the Pope. As the priests helped unpack, it looked like a bundle of herbs came out.

 

“I’ll put them away.“

 

“Are you sure you’re okay?“

 

Of course this was my job, but he still asked if I was okay. I could sense there was another meaning behind his words. It felt like he’d called me over with the herbs just to get my attention.

 

“Of course.“

 

I picked them up as if they were nothing at all. I could feel the subtle glances directed at me. But that really was nothing. My mind was tangled with thoughts about her purpose for coming here and the image of her stepping down from the carriage.

 

I felt like I wanted to teleport and hide somewhere inside the crown prince’s tent.

 

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

 

At that moment, Cesaria was not in the crown prince’s tent.

 

She was led to the tent used by the knights for meetings and rest. It was a space with nothing but a large table in the center. Since Enapok had no noble guests, there was no separate reception room.

 

Since the crown prince always sat at the head seat, Cesaria chose the seat beside it. All the other seats were empty, making the place feel even more desolate.

 

“I didn’t tell you in advance because I thought you’d worry. You must be very surprised.“

 

“Incredibly so.“

 

A servant approached and set teacups in front of the two. The cups were far cruder than anything in the palace. Just from the scent, it was obvious the tea leaves weren’t high quality. The hospitality for nobility was abysmal.

 

“Oh dear. I should have brought some from the carriage. I didn’t expect it to be this bad.“

 

Outside the tent, maid Sally gasped at the tray the servant was carrying. She’d never seen such treatment anywhere.

 

They should have at least unloaded the supplies from the carriage and served tea themselves. Even if there was no reception room, she’d thought there would at least be a tea table. Seeing the young lady sitting at the huge wooden table, she couldn’t help but feel sorry.

 

It was a scene that didn’t suit a noble duke’s daughter at all.

 

“Drink your tea and leave immediately.“

 

“But I just arrived.“

 

“This is not a place for a lady of your status.“

 

His tone was so cold it seemed like you could see his breath. He was always a person of low temperature, but now he seemed even more frigid.

 

Cesaria unconsciously fiddled with the pendant around her neck. Inside that pendant was the poison her father had given her.

 

『Your father will take care of everything, so don’t worry.』 Just a drop in this tea would end his life instantly. If he were to collapse right here, would he finally look at me with some emotion?

 

Would I be able to see that emotionless face change, even for a fleeting moment? Cesaria gave a bitter smile at herself for imagining such a thing.

 

‘Now’s not the time. Not yet.‘

 

Just as she always did, she made another excuse to herself.

 

“I’ll stay quietly and then leave.“

 

“Monsters could appear at any moment here.“

 

“But Your Highness is here.“

 

Maybe I shouldn’t have met his gaze. His icy eyes pierced right through me.

 

“Even with me here, there are casualties in every battle.“

 

“Can’t you at least say I must have had a hard time getting here?“

 

Even if I wasn’t his fiancée, he could have at least acknowledged my effort. I could feel that my very presence here was unacceptable.

 

Though my body was tired from the journey, my heart had fluttered at the thought of seeing him again after so long. Cesaria fiddled with her pendant once more.

 

“Did you come here of your own will?“

 

“…Yes. Of course.“

 

“For what purpose?“

 

It felt like thorns were gripping my heart. For what purpose—those words stung. The official reason was ‘his death.’ But on the way here, the thing that came to mind most was ‘his face.’

 

“I want to maintain our engagement.“

 

“Lady Cesaria.“

 

“What do you gain from breaking off our engagement, Your Highness?“

 

At that moment, the same face flashed through both Cesaria’s and Sihien’s minds. Violet eyes that showed every feeling honestly. A small face that always seemed bright, no matter the circumstances.

 

That figure brought warmth to one, and pain to the other.

 

“You’re bringing up something that’s already over.“

 

“I’m not done—“

 

“Go back before it becomes dangerous.“

 

Though his face showed no emotion, Cesaria felt as if a line had been drawn in front of her. He often made people in front of him feel small like that, as if to say no further words would be allowed.

 

It was a weight she’d never felt from any other member of the royal family. Cesaria summoned all her strength not to be overwhelmed.

 

“Your Highness. Then, please allow us just one night. The people who came with me are very tired.“

 

Cesaria deliberately avoided looking at the crown prince. It wasn’t a lie that those who came with her were exhausted.

 

Above all, even the horses needed rest before traveling again. She put her sincerity into hoping he’d understand that.

 

How long did the silence last?

 

“Return as soon as it’s morning.“

 

Ah. Even this short permission felt like a blessing.

 

“I’ll be waiting for the letter of annulment.“

 

But the next words shattered that gratitude.

 

Creak. The sound of him pushing back his chair rang out louder than it should have. Biting her lip, she looked up at him. The crown prince didn’t look her way, striding out with long steps.

 

Her grip tightened around the pendant at that indifferent profile. Her desire to fulfill her father’s wishes and her sense that now was not the time swung more violently than ever before.