Episode 40

That evening, a rich meal was served with the relief items that Cesaria had brought.

Tables were specially set up in the square for all to enjoy.

Stews bubbled over the bonfire, and the table was filled with food from the capital.

“Tsk, tsk, You’d actually think that we’ve been starved.”

Vaslow stood to one side, with his arms crossed, not wanting to join in.

It wasn’t bad to see the knights eating, but he sighed heavily when he thought about the people who brought these food.

“It’s the princess!”

Speaking of the devil, she actually appeared from behind him.

Even in the darkness, her elegance still shone through.

She was accompanied by Arnic and a maid.

“Make yourself at home.”

She gestured for them to sit down.

Arnic immediately noticed Vaslow’s presence and suddenly muttered something in his mouth, probably a curse word that seemed to say something about why he should be here.

“Why don’t I see any alcohol?”

“Oh, no. We’re all on special alert today, so alcohol is prohibited.”

Arnic replied in a mechanical tone to Cesaria.

“Wouldn’t you mind a little?”

“It’s the only way to avoid annihilation, and while I appreciate the gesture, I’d appreciate your understanding.”

“I see.”

The princess smiled slightly, as if she had heard something amusing.

She seemed to think that the words ‘To avoid annihilation’ was just something that was said in passing, and without even hearing the rest of the conversation.

She suddenly heard some of the knights marveling, with words like ‘She’s really beautiful.’, and ‘I’ll pray to the heavens. May it be a safe day.’

In this place where you don’t know when and where the demons will pop out, they even had a noble to protect.

Vaslow clicked his tongue once again.

Meanwhile, Cesaria was looking for someone, and scanned around the table.

She then looked back, and saw Sally shaking her head, too.

With everyone here, she would have expected ‘That Slave’ to be there, but she was very much concerned about where the hell she was

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If anyone saw me, they’d think I was peeking out of jealousy.

I sneaked a peek behind Cesaria’s back while she went to the square and cheered everyone on.

I heard that she would be leaving after the night, but the fact that she’d leave immediately made me even more anxious.

I wondered if she had done anything to Shane while they were alone.

I couldn’t help but wonder because I was worried that she might have come with a different intention.

Perhaps I would have to stay up all night to keep an eye on her.

“Is she changing barracks again?”

“She must not like the one before.”

“I’m sure she doesn’t like it here.”

“If they have to change again, we won’t even have time to get dinner, tsk.”

At the sound of those words, I immediately ducked out into the shadows— it wouldn’t do me any good to be seen spying on Cesaria.

‘She doesn’t like the barracks?’

She probably wouldn’t say that if she saw what the crown prince’s barracks looked like.

Even though he was a member of the imperial family he only had a little more room than the knights.

It was nothing different, so it was highly unlikely that she’d find a barrack that would satisfy her.

‘Ah.’

There was one with a bed and a canopy.

It’s small, but maybe it’s the best room she’ll ever have here.

Come to think of it, if she were to use that barrack, I might be in a better position to keep an eye on her.

I probably won’t be sleeping anyway.

‘Yeah.’

First, I need to talk to the person who gave me that room.

I looked at Cesaria’s back for a moment and turned to the opposite direction, since Arnic was with her, she’ll be fine for a while.

⚘

“Have you had dinner?”

But Shane reacted as if he hadn’t heard anything.

In fact, I had come to the crown prince’s barracks and was snooping around outside, unable to enter.

‘Come in.’

A servant soon ushered me inside, apparently reporting about my lingering outside.

“She can stay there if you like.”

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

‘I can’t.. Not worry though, because she probably came here with the intention of killing you!’

I think she’ll be better off in that barrack, where I can keep an eye on her.

I couldn’t bring myself to say that though…

The original story was changing, and it was now me, not her, who was the first to call Shane by his name, which meant that the future was now unknown.

What if, compared to the original story, things actually took a turn for the worse and the original female lead will actually try to do something bad to him?

The thought alone made me feel dizzy.

I had to stop it somehow.

“But I thought it might be the best place for her to stay.”

It would also be the most convenient place for me to spy on her.

“Seth.”

“…Yes.”

“Are you uncomfortable there?”

“What? No, it’s too nice!”

My words slipped out again even before J could think about it, I was worried that he might misunderstand me.

‘Could there be a better place for me?’

It’s not because I don’t like it or it’s uncomfortable, that’s not it.

“Then don’t bother.”

I felt like he should be saying, “Okay, okay,” or maybe he should be the one asking me if I’d be willing to let her stay there for a night, but he didn’t.

I have no choice but to find out which barracks she’d be staying in then, so I could find a place to hide nearby.

“Dinner.”

Oh, I forgot to answer his question, though I did quickly eat some fruit when I was spying behind Cesaria’s back before.

I wasn’t in the mood for a leisurely meal, so I was going to say I had some at least but—

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, the princess is here.”

My shoulders stiffened immediately.

I didn’t expect to see her here.

The corners of Shane’s eyes immediately narrowed.

“Your Highness, may I come in for a moment?”

Before Shane could even reply, the door swung open.

Outside stood the figure I’d been watching all day, Cesaria Lé Chenío.

I glanced over casually, and locked eyes with her.

It was a blue gaze that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

⚘

Cesaria pretended to look around Einfork for a while, although she knew that there was no one in the square she was looking for.

She was too proud to ask about the slave’s whereabouts outright.

So she figured she’d see her if she looked around anyway.

That slave was still here, even though it’s dangerous, but the crown told her to go back immediately instead.

Telling her that it would be dangerous for her, who had traveled a long way.

She knew he didn’t say that because he was more concerned about herself than that slave.

He obviously said that because he just wanted to get her out of here.

“This is where the herbs are kept.”

The knight, Arnic, seemed polite, but was also indifferent.

He showed them around Einfork, but Cesaria wasn’t really interested.

If he showed her where the slave was staying, or where the crown prince was at, then maybe she’d be interested, other than that, she didn’t really want to bother.

But just then, she heard someone running after her.

She slowly turned around, and saw that it was a member of House Lé Chenío.

He bowed to Cesaria, then whispered something to Sally, the maid next to her.

Sally’s face went rigid immediately.

“He said that the slave has gone into his highness’ barracks.”

Sally soon moved closer to her, and whispered back what she had heard.

“Really?”

She suddenly felt faint, as if she was out of breath.

But she tried to keep her face as impassive as possible.

She doesn’t even know where his barracks was…

She turned to Arnic and said,

“Uh, do you mind if I excuse myself for a moment?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Thank you.”

The man who reported the news, was still waiting for her.

Sally winked at him, and he bowed and walked ahead of her.

It took all of Cesaria’s strength to keep her face from falling as she walked behind him.

Her hands were all sweaty already.

“Pr— Princess.”

The knights guarding in front looked puzzled after seeing her stop in front of the crown prince’s barracks.

Cesaria paused for a moment, then walked past them as if it were only natural.

The knights didn’t dare to touch her, so they simply followed behind.

Just the thought of them alone in the barracks together made her blood run cold.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

How did she get here, what was she thinking?

Cesaria pushed the door open before she was even given permission to enter.

The face she’d been looking for all day stared back at her in surprise.

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“What’s going on?”

His voice was a completely different tone from the one that he had just used to ask me if I had eaten dinner.

It sounded so heavy without any emotion, and I felt myself fidgeting.

“I was just wondering if I could join you for a meal.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes….”

“Is that why you opened the door without my permission?”

It would be nice if I could just disappear here.

This is what it feels like to sit on a thorny seat.

I gripped the cloth pouch tightly and tried to figure out what to do.

“Your Highness.”

Cesaria bit her lower lip and released it.

“I have something important to tell you.”

Something about her sounded uncharacteristically urgent.

I was trying to hold it together, but it didn’t look like I could anymore.

“I, uh, I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Seth.”

I think it’s only right that I leave.

They needed to talk about something, and it would be inappropriate for a slave to be sitting in the middle of it.

Fortunately, he must have read my mind because he sighed and didn’t stop me.

Maybe he was just being considerate because he saw my discomfort.

I bowed deeply to the princess on my way out.

I didn’t look at her face, but I could see that her hands were clenched into a fist.

Her white hands were even paler than usual.

I don’t care, but I don’t want to see her angry…

I felt uneasy and thought I should see if I could get a peek.

Even if it meant using my teleportation powers.

“How dare you, a mere slave—!”

A familiar maid glared at me from the doorway.

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but I heard it all the same, and of course it didn’t affect me at all.

I said hello to her and tried to walk away, while deep in thought.

“Argh!”

But a groan immediately escaped my lips at the sudden pain that was cruising at my side.

I sat back and held my breath, trying to cut through the pain.

“Can’t you get up?”

A panicked voice called out.

The maid elbowed me as I walked past her.

It wasn’t a strong one.

Ordinarily, I would have groaned and been knocked back for a moment, but it was an authentic jab at the side.

And it was right where the demon had grabbed me.

Bang!

I heard a wooden door slam open and felt a warmth envelope my body.

It was familiar.

“I’m okay.”

I whispered back under my breath.

If it weren’t for the fact that she had hit me right through the side, I could have just endured it, and disappeared, but I got hit right in the middle of the bruise…

It hurt too much.

“Call the doctor!”

“Yes!”

He ordered in a low voice from overhead.

I wanted the pain to go away, but it lingered, strangely heavy.

A strong force supported me to stand up.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I followed the force without thinking.

I couldn’t fully extend my back.

I wanted to pass out for a moment and then wake up.

“Your Highness.”

Cesaria’s voice vaguely sounded in the distance.

⚘

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