Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 9

Ssssh, ssssh.

 

The thought that the Crown Prince might use the hot spring made me put even more strength into my arms. I scrubbed and wiped it down more than usual.

 

Even though I cleaned it every day, I sometimes felt a bit disappointed that no one ever used it. Maybe now, someone would finally come to use this wonderful hot spring.

 

That hope made me forget how tired I was.

 

“You’re the new slave, right?”

 

“Gah, you startled me.”

 

I was so focused on cleaning that I almost threw the cloth. Judging by the black dress and white apron, she must be a maid.

 

“You’re much prettier than the rumors said, aren’t you?”

 

Is that an attack? Or a compliment? I couldn’t tell.

 

“And this place is even more amazing than the rumors.”

 

She didn’t come in, just poked her head in and looked around here and there. I could see her lips forming a “hoh” of amazement.

 

“Sez. Right? I’m Mary. I got permission from the slave manager. We’re really short-staffed. Could you help out for a bit?”

 

It was still late at night, and if it was just for a moment, I figured I could come back and finish up. I nodded.

 

“There’s always a shortage of hands in this palace. I’d borrow a cat’s paw if I could. No one volunteers because they’re scared.”

 

Mary seemed like a very sociable person. Maybe only people with good personalities were gathered in this palace.

 

“Help me move these bundles, will you? There’s not enough time to do the full setup. Normally, they wouldn’t be needed until next week.”

 

“Next week?”

 

“Yeah. They always come for the Princess’s memorial day.”

 

“Oh…”

 

So there was a memorial day for the Princess.

 

“Ah, just set them down there!”

 

“Yes.”

 

The inside of the Crown Prince’s palace wasn’t as fancy as I’d expected. But I was sure everything I saw was expensive. I walked, making sure not to touch anything with my body.

 

“Ladder coming through. Everyone, make way.”

 

“Wait. The painting needs to go more to the left.”

 

“Ugh. Who touched this scented candle!”

 

It was late at night, but I could hear people bustling about here and there. The “bundles” Mary mentioned seemed to be curtains and bed sheets. Other slaves came to help move them, too.

 

At first, I looked around, wondering which room was the Crown Prince’s, but later I was too tired and just kept counting how many were left. Each piece was light, but stacked together, they were quite heavy. Besides, I wanted to finish up the hot spring one more time, so I felt even more pressed for time.

 

“Ugh, this is tough.”

 

After helping the maid, I got caught by the gardener and ran another errand before finally returning to the hot spring. I wanted to just finish and go to my quarters, but I couldn’t.

 

Splash.

 

I splashed water on my face to clear my head. I rolled up my sleeves and took a deep breath. With the resolve to finish it perfectly, I glared at the statues. I’ll make them shine so much they’ll be blinding! I even polished places that were already clean. A strange thrill welled up from deep inside my chest.

 

I must really be cut out for this job.

 

“Ah, done.”

 

Perfect. I couldn’t have done any better. Who would’ve thought I’d ever put so much effort into cleaning a hot spring? I laughed.

 

“Aghhh.”

 

My arms and legs felt like lead. I hadn’t noticed while moving, but once I thought I was finished, I wanted to scream.

 

“This feels good.”

 

I lay down for a moment on the floor I’d cleaned so thoroughly. It was always warm and pleasant here. Just resting my back on it seemed to ease my fatigue a bit.

 

“Uuuuuu.”

 

My body was warm, but I felt sluggish. My bones felt creaky. I stretched out my arms and legs. It was refreshing and tingling at the same time. I figured it’d be okay to count to ten before getting up. I decided to indulge myself just for a moment. One, two, three, four….

 

＊ ＊ ＊ 

 

Flash. I opened my eyes.

 

I’d only meant to count to ten, but I must have dozed off. Time to get up.

 

“!”

 

But suddenly, a cold sweat broke out on my back, which had been so warm. The hot spring felt as cold as ice. Still lying down, I turned my head to the side.

 

“Gasp.”

 

I sucked in a breath. I shot upright. My body wasn’t working properly from the shock. When you’re startled, your mind goes blank. I didn’t even get up properly, just stared. It took a moment to understand what was happening.

 

The hot spring I’d polished every day. “He” was sitting on the stepping stone that led into the bath. Wearing a loosely tied bathrobe, he leaned forward, resting his arms lightly on his knees.

 

‘It almost never happens, but if you ever see a royal from afar, you must immediately prostrate yourself. Instantly.’

 

“Ah.”

 

Eva’s voice suddenly echoed in my head. Survival instinct really did come first. I had to obey my instincts as a slave. I pressed my upper body down and bowed my head.

 

Are you crazy? Sleeping in the hot spring? And spread out like that? I might as well ask to be killed. I’m insane. Completely insane.

 

I cursed myself out. As I bowed, his ankle came into view. I saw a deep wound that had just started to heal. That must have hurt terribly. He still carried his wounds with him.

 

“Must be crazy.”

 

His low voice rang out. It was a deep tone that seemed to melt into the sound of the water. Right, I’m crazy. Me. How ridiculous for a slave.

 

“Get up.”

 

Even as a slave, I’d never had to prostrate myself this much in front of someone. I awkwardly got up, making sure not to go against his command.

 

“Show me your face.”

 

Was punishment all that was left? If he remembered even a little of our past connection, maybe he’d let it slide. Should I try to appeal? I slowly raised my head.

 

“Seems real.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

I reflexively asked back. He wore an unreadable expression. He looked angry, but also tired. Maybe it was because he was the master of this place. His presence felt even greater than in the cave.

 

“Come closer.”

 

He’s not going to punish me himself, is he? No, honestly, a slave caught lying spread out in the hot spring should be ready for punishment. I clenched my fists and took a step closer to him.

 

He tilted his head back a little to look up at me. The sharpness of his features had only grown more intense. My heart pounded painfully, making me flustered. His face, completely free of blood, looked like a statue. As if someone had sculpted it to be perfect, nothing could be added or taken away. Even his slightly damp, jet-black hair was enough to make my heart race.

 

“Smile.”

 

Is this some new kind of punishment? Cold sweat broke out on my back. Why did the Crown Prince, who was supposed to arrive tomorrow, get here so early? The maids must be in chaos. If he’d just arrived as scheduled, I would have gone back to my quarters as if nothing had happened.

 

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

 

I’ve never lain down here before. I swear I’ve never slacked off during work hours. But the first time I ever lay down, I fell asleep. It’s unfair, but there’s nothing I can do. Should I be saying this while bowing? I feel like I should be kneeling.

 

“Huh?”

 

As I started to kneel, my forearm was grabbed. The spot where his big hand touched me burned hot.

 

“You…!”

 

He covered his own mouth with his other hand. His golden eyes were trembling more than ever before.

 

“So it wasn’t an illusion.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“…Sez.”

 

Time stopped for a moment. The sound of the hot spring disappeared, and my memories rushed back to the past. That name was like a key.

 

It felt like I was back in the cold cave on Salt Island. The way he endured the pain was still vivid in my mind. The clanking of chains sounded right next to my ear. I looked at his wrist, now bearing no trace of scars. I could still smell that blood.

 

His fingers slowly approached. That faintly trembling hand brushed past my nose, my cheek, my eyebrow. He didn’t touch me completely, just skimmed by like a warm breeze.

 

Every time his fingers passed, I bit my lip.

 

Salt Island exploded, and many people died. I thought I might be able to stop it, but I failed. Still, I rode the baggage cart to come to the Crown Prince’s palace, started over, and did it all again and again. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. It was incredibly hard. I wanted to spill it all out.

 

It felt like he was telling me, “You did well, you suffered.” His faintly trembling eyes seemed to welcome me.

 

Just that was enough to make all the time that had passed melt away. I felt something inside me dissolve and disappear, a ticklish sensation.

 

He