Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 54

The herb room had settled into silence. His hand, still hovering just off my cheek, radiated warmth. I met his gaze. Those deeply sunken golden eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts.

 

『That can happen.』 

The voice that had spoken in comfort flashed through my mind. As if it were only natural to want to avoid things, he had said it just like that.

 

『If you wanted it, that’s enough.』 

That sigh, as if he would grant me anything I wished for, drifted by. He was the imperial crown prince, yet he always tried to put me first. Who was I to deserve that?

 

I lifted my hand and wrapped it around his large hand by my cheek. Then I pressed it to my face.

 

Feeling his skin directly, his body heat was even more intense. It was the kind of warmth that made me think I could melt away and be happy.

 

“Haa….”

 

He let out a deep breath, almost like a sigh. I could see the focus in his golden eyes blur and then return.

 

Like a child gazing at a parent, his blindly devoted gaze pierced my heart. This time, he didn’t pull his hand away; instead, he gently stroked my cheek with his thumb.

 

“…If you ever need herbs, please call me anytime.”

 

“Alright.”

 

If it was just about exchanging herbs, no one would find it strange. Next time, maybe I could deliver them to his tent myself.

 

I felt as if a burden had been lifted from my heart, simply by having an excuse, however small. So if there was any misunderstanding on his part, I wanted to clear it up for sure.

 

“Shihien.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Even with just a single syllable, why did my heart ache so much? His softened gaze, which he probably never showed to anyone else, seeped right into me.

 

“I like being by your side, Shihien. Even if it doesn’t seem that way to you, my feelings will always stay the same.”

 

So, I wished he wouldn’t think it was only natural for me to avoid him. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be because of him, but for some other reason.

 

If there was anything I could show as a token of my vow, I wanted to swear it to him. If only it wouldn’t burden him.

 

“…Alright.”

 

There wasn’t a special answer, but instead, his golden eyes wavered greatly. I could feel his fingers trembling against my cheek.

 

Even his breathing sounded louder than usual, as if he was out of breath. The fact that all these reactions were just for me made it all the more precious.

 

“So if, really, if anything happens in the future, I hope you’ll know my feelings are true.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“I would never avoid you, Shihien. If I ever did… there must have been another reason.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“It may not be important to you, but I felt I had to say it at least once.”

 

“Sez.”

 

Maybe I was trying to explain something that didn’t matter to him. I bit my lip lightly.

 

“You can do as you wish.”

 

But what he said was unexpected. Do as I wish? It sounded as if he meant for me to follow my heart and not worry about him. Sometimes, things are conveyed even without words.

 

“Whatever that may be.”

 

His eyes seemed to say, ‘Whatever you want.’ Was he saying it was fine that I was with Oment the priest because I wanted to be? That gaze was so sweet and intense that I almost reached out to touch his eyes. His golden eyes were deeper than usual, and I felt as if honey would stick to my fingers if I touched them.

 

I wondered if my own eyes were conveying these feelings to him now.

 

His fingers on my cheek felt even hotter.

 

Even without words, it felt like we were connected by something.

 

If only I could move through space as it was, it would be wonderful.

 

Shihien and I, facing each other, our hands clasped over my cheek, spent quite a long time together like that.

 

Just being still like that made it feel as if all the burdens of reality were flying far away.

 

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

 

“His Highness doesn’t know yet, does he?”

 

“No….”

 

“Good, you did well.”

 

Oment the priest said it was good that I hadn’t told Shihien about Epilo, but he wore a look of pity. Sometimes, he would pat my shoulder lightly with a sympathetic expression.

 

But ever since ‘that incident’ in the chapel, he seemed to be avoiding Shihien.

 

“Oh, right. I heard someone was looking for me at the infirmary earlier.”

 

“Is that His Highness? I was just about to step out, but….”

 

“The inventory seems off. I’ll go check again.”

 

There were all sorts of reasons. He used to feel like a boss I served, but now he seemed more like a friendly older brother from the neighborhood.

 

He told me to think of him as an uncle, but he was too young for that. Even though he hadn’t lived as an Epilo knowingly, Oment felt closer just because he was ‘Epilo.’

 

“Oment the priest, do you have a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”

 

Seeing how Oment got along well with everyone, no one would ever suspect he was from the Epilo tribe.

 

A huge boulder called ‘Epilo’ had formed in one corner of my heart, but outwardly I went about my daily life as usual.

 

Since Deloi and Okon village, Beasts had only appeared near Enafork.

 

But everyone lived each day with anxiety, not knowing when or where urgent news might come again.

 

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

 

“Shihien. When shall we schedule it?”

 

A single leaf fell outside the barracks window. The green leaves had turned brown. Autumn had come before we knew it.

 

“We’ll depart in a week.”

 

“Yes, I’ll prepare accordingly.”

 

In the tent used as a meeting room, Lekes and Shihien were discussing.

 

“Did you tell her?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

“Take her with you. She’ll surely insist on going.”

 

Instead of answering, Shihien lifted his teacup to his lips. He wasn’t sure which place would be safer.

 

But one thing was certain: if he left her here, time would pass even more slowly.

 

A ‘birthday’ that everyone had was approaching. But it wasn’t something to celebrate like everyone else. First, they had to leave Enafork and go somewhere less likely to cause harm to those nearby.

 

Just imagining facing his rampaging power made cold sweat trickle down his back. For him, the most painful time of the year was coming.

 

Yet outwardly, he seemed calm, as if just planning a simple outing.

 

Lekes also discussed the overall schedule without showing any sign. As always, the plan included the possibility that Shihien might not return to Enafork.

 

He had survived every birthday so far, but there was no guarantee he’d be safe this time. According to the predictions, Shihien should have died at a much younger age.

 

“Strengthen the perimeter.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

No one said, “Please return safely.” Having seen Shihien endure his birthday every year, Lekes’s heart was heavy.

 

But Enafork also had to be on emergency alert in case of his absence. They couldn’t just sit around feeling sorry. A week was a tight schedule to train the knights, reinforce defenses, and move supplies.

 

‘Should I be grateful that there’s at least someone he can rely on?’

 

Lekes thought of the slave girl. He was glad there was someone by his side who could offer comfort this time.

 

Of course, if he didn’t survive his birthday, those left behind would have to bear the pain. But thinking selfishly for Shihien, perhaps this year would be a little better because she was with him.

 

‘I hope he overcomes it, thinking of her.’

 

Outwardly, he conducted the meeting, but inwardly, he spoke to Shihien’s expressionless face.

 

He hoped that the one who never relied on anyone might lean on someone, even just a little. That he would overcome this and return. That he would come back to Enafork as if nothing had happened.

 

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

 

“It’s autumn.”

 

Red leaves were blooming brilliantly in the imperial palace garden. From the prince’s office, their colors looked even more vivid.

 

At every window, red leaves hung like decorations. Around sunset, the whole office would be bathed in red, creating a strange atmosphere.

 

“The weather’s gotten much cooler.”

 

The prince’s blond hair was tinged with red today. Already striking, his appearance stood out even more.

 

“He’ll come back here again this year, won’t he.”

 

“If only it weren’t for that, I’d really love this season.”

 

The prince clicked his tongue, his expression showing genuine displeasure. If he were alone, he would have shown even more anger. For now, he was just barely holding it in.

 

Autumn was the crown prince’s birthday season. When he was on the Salt Island, it hadn’t mattered much.

 

They had hoped he’d lose control and die, but that was a distant hope.

 

But after the Salt Island explosion, every autumn brought tension to the palace. With nowhere else to go, the crown prince now returned to his own palace.

 

“Looks like he’ll arrive a day or two before his birthday, just like last year.”

 

“If only it could be over before he arrives.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

As always, Duke Lechegno sat beside the prince. He was tasked with assassinating the crown prince, but he had yet to bring good news.

 

“If it were up to me, I’d evacuate everyone from the palace.”

 

“there’s still time.”

 

“There’s time?”

 

“What if we prevent his return?”

 

“Is there a way?”

 

“I know one of his weaknesses.”

 

“Hm.”

 

The prince stroked his chin with a white hand. If the crown prince died without making it back to the palace, there could be no better news.

 

“I heard the young lady’s health has gotten much worse.”

 

“I’m planning to use another method, not the daughter.”

 

“I’m starting to look forward to it.”

 

“I won’t disappoint you this time.”

 

“I understand. It’s not an easy task.”

 

“I hope this autumn, the palace will be peaceful.”

 

“Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

 

The prince smiled sincerely. He had a face that could be called beautiful, but Duke Lechegno, knowing the nature hidden beneath, could not agree.

 

‘Perhaps this is the last chance.’

 

This time, the Lechegno family would have to do everything possible. The young lady was bedridden and useless for now. There was no specific diagnosis. He couldn’t understand why it was so hard to simply drop a bit of poison in her food, and why they kept failing.

 

‘After all the expensive education…’

 

If he’d known they couldn’t even do that, he would have considered another method from the start. The return on investment was almost nonexistent.

 

In the end, he had to step in himself. He couldn’t let this end with no results.

 

She was doomed anyway, so why did she cling to life so stubbornly? Once again, the duke clicked his tongue inwardly.

 

This time, he had to succeed and prove his worth.