“Irillin!”
The grip loosened and the door swung open with a bang.
Isvino stared at the doorway, her violet eyes sparkling.
“Vin…?”
But Vin brushed past her as if he didn’t even see Isvino and ran straight for me.
He melted the ice with his magic and said softly.
“Irillin, look at me.”
I moved my reluctant head closer and turned to face Vin.
There was a hint of relief on his worried face.
And then what settled on his face as he turned to face Isvino.
A hatred so fierce it sent chills down my spine.
“You.”
Courtesy. Understanding. None of that was there, just a clear, unfiltered fury directed at Isvino.
Blue eyes that had been as calm as a lake were now filled with cold fury, like a tidal wave.
He didn’t say another word but simply extended the fury that had consumed him towards Isvino.
But the moment Vin’s sword hovered in front of Isvino’s throat.
“I’m sorry.”
Pearl-like tears fell from Isvino’s eyes.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you. I did everything wrong.”
It should have been heartbreaking to hear him call her name, to hear him worry, to see him point the sword at her.
Isvino fell to her knees in silence and simply begged Vin.
To not hate her, endlessly.
“……ha.”
No matter how angry he was, Vin was a knight to the bone.
You can’t keep pointing your sword at someone who has surrendered.
Inevitably, he withdrew his sword, but with no one to direct his anger at, it seemed futile.
“Tie him up, please.”
Vin nervously sheathed his sword and called to the knights of the Marquis of Heather who had accompanied him.
The knights stepped in front of Isvino.
“But I can’t get caught, I won’t be able to see you.”
With a bang, acrid smoke filled the bedroom.
By the time the smoke had cleared enough to see, Isvino’s figure was long gone.
* * *
Trackers were then sent out to look for Isvino’s tracks, but they could only find an opening in the mansion.
Judging by the fact that the alleged Isvino had been seen at a checkpoint heading north, it could only be assumed that he had returned to his estate in Crema.
“Are you thirsty?”
Vin asked from the head of the bed, his face full of concern. I shook my head no.
“What about food?”
“No, thanks.”
“Steak?”
“…….”
“Medium well done.”
“Hmm, that’ll do.”
I coughed in defeat, and Vin chuckled.
“Hold on. I’ll have them let us in right away.”
As if being locked up in the mansion wasn’t bad enough, I was stuck in bed.
It was the Marquis and Marchioness, Sith and Vin, who insisted on resting me even though I was fine.
“Irillin says she wants a steak-”
“Yes! I’ll call for it right now!”
No sooner had Vin spoken than Wendy was there with a steak in a flash.
It was so quick. She didn’t even go to the kitchen, she just stepped out the door.
“……How did you get it so fast?”
“His Excellency the Duke has instructed me to place the steaks, grilled to medium-well, on your doorstep, ready to eat, in case you want them at any moment. The Duke has even cast a preservation spell on them himself, so you don’t have to worry about freshness and temperature!”
The people in this house are always making a fuss, even for a day or two, why Vin as well? (?)
It’s not like I’m fragile to begin with, so every other person in this novel can’t do something for me!
“Here, I’ll do it.”
Of course. Even though I could move my whole body freely, Vin still cut the steak into pieces that I could eat myself.
“…….”
I clamped my mouth shut in refusal.
Then Vin’s face tightened, and he laughed.
“Open your mouth.”
“Okay.”
Whether I do or not, little duke.
Those eyes looked like they could kill me if I didn’t open them. I’ll take it any way I can get it.
“…….”
My disgust was short-lived, however, as the savory juices flooded my mouth, and I soon found myself in a state of bliss.
In my original world, I would never have tasted such expensive meat in my life…….
I’m glad I possessed! Hooray for possession, hooray!
….If I say that, my sister will probably slap me on the head.
Well, I’ll just have to think about it in secret.
“Is it that good?”
I didn’t say “delicious,” but my expression must have said it all.
Vin watched my cheeks move with a mouthful of steak.
I was ready to say something unpleasant like “ooohh” or “waaahh” if I had to.
“I’ve asked my superiors to allow you to have an escort so that the same thing doesn’t happen to you if he tries again when you return. If approved, Marquis Heather’s knights will protect you.”
“Higher-ups?”
I asked, unwillingly.
“Higher-ups. I can think of several unwelcome faces…….
“You, sir.”
Oh, no way.
There’s no way Rapel would approve of a bodyguard who would only get in her way of killing me.
Come to think of it, maybe she’s quiet because I’m surrounded by Marquis Heather’s knights.
They stay close to me at all times, except when I sleep and go to the bathroom.
When the holiday is over, I won’t be in such a safe environment.
I can’t wait to find Mona White’s treasure, just like my sister said.
I can only protect myself.
* * *
“Is that so?”
The crown prince replied dryly, nervously twirling the straw in his drink.
“Yes.”
The person in front of him replied equally dryly.
Neither of them had any interest in the conversation.
Still, the Crown Prince wondered why the person hadn’t asked to leave.
He was also annoyed.
But not too much, because it was the Emperor who had caused the division in the first place.
The Emperor had ordered the Crown Prince.
You are to be Sienna Houston match.
Sienna was Serom’s princess, a prisoner of war whom Serom’s side had given to Abert’s in defeat.
Even though she is a prisoner, she must be treated like royalty to keep her from making a scene.
This was the reason for the Crown Prince was speaking to Sienna, but the Crown Prince knew it was all on the surface.
In truth, he just wanted to save her the hassle.
She’s a victim too, being treated as a nuisance because her country has been defeated.
With that in mind, the crown prince tried to be nice to her, but she’d been that way since the beginning.
No matter what he says, the answer is either yes, no, or maybe.
Even when he gave up and replied in an equally disinterested manner, the response was the same.
He knew that neither of them were interested in the dialogue, so he didn’t bother to listen to her fabricated responses.
It’s getting to be too much to think about, so he slumped down on the table in the drawing room.
If the Emperor found out later, he might chastise him for being rude in front of a foreign princess, but it was none of his business.
He should be grateful that he’d listened to his orders.
Of course, this was purely out of a desire not to cause unnecessary conflict with Serom.
Regardless, he reached out as best he could. It was Sienna who rejected it.
Using this as an excuse, the prince was making no secret of his displeasure when a soft knock sounded outside the drawing room.
He looked up.
“Your Highness, Lord Isdon is here to see you.”
“Tell her to come in.”
Rapel entered.
She announced that the knights on leave would soon be returning, then trailed off abruptly.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a request for approval from the deputy captain.”
“What demand?”
“That House of Heather’s men be allowed to stand guard at Irillin Heather’s side within the Knight’s Order…….”
It was a ridiculous request.
A knight escorted by knights.
It happened occasionally with descendants of noble families, but House Heather had two children, so this was not one of them.
Vin should know better, but maybe he’s lost his cool since she was attacked by Rapel at the National Foundation Festival.
… It wasn’t that he didn’t understand.
You’d do anything to protect the ones you love.
But understanding doesn’t make you do things you shouldn’t.
The Crown Prince finally made up his mind.
“Say no.”
As the words came out of his mouth, he wondered.
Why do you have to be ‘determined’ to say no?
It’s hard to kill someone when they have an escort, so I shouldn’t have to say no to them.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
The crown prince looked at Rapel, who replied with an expressionless face.
I see. No wonder I’m like this.(?)
Is he feeling guilty because he’s the one who made the request after all?
Most likely. No. It’s obvious.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so pathetic, and it’s not surprising when you think about it.
He tried to kill the man who saved his life.
The sudden realization gave the Crown Prince a chill.
A benefactor. He was planning to kill a benefactor!
“I’ll leave you then.”
Rapel rose to her feet and was about to leave the drawing room.
The Crown Prince stopped her.
“Wait.”
“……?”
“I need you to approve this.”
“What?”
She saved my life once, and I’m only trying to repay the favor.
After this, there will be no more blood or tears.
Of course, he couldn’t thank her enough for saving my life by giving me a bodyguard. Not even close……. Damn. This was so uncomfortable.
The crown prince gritted his teeth.
T/n: Updates are Wednesdays and Sundays~
