Chapter 212
“…Haah.”
I heard my sister sigh.
“When Fei makes those eyes, he never listens even if I try to stop him. Alright. I’ll permit it.”
“Really? What about Luwen?”
“Just promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If things go wrong and I can only save either Fei or the Third Prince, I will not hesitate to go to Fei. Don’t ask me to save the Third Prince.”
“Yes. I promise.”
It’s true that I want to end the war quickly. But I’m not prepared to sacrifice my life. Because I want to live with Luwen in a peaceful world.
“You’ve promised.”
“Yes. I promise.”
“You must keep it.”
“I understand.”
How many times is he going to make me commit? Am I that untrustworthy? I don’t recall ever breaking a promise, which is strange.
Luwen still had a distrustful expression, but he seemed to half-heartedly accept my accompanying him.
“You know that when Fei is like this, there’s absolutely no stopping him, right?”
I pretended not to hear my sister’s words as she snickered and spoke to Luwen.
“Yes. He’s truly stubborn.”
“Watch over him well. War… it would be good to end it quickly. But it’s not worth exchanging for Fei’s life.”
“I agree.”
I’m still right here…
It was embarrassing how obvious it was that they were deliberately speaking for me to hear, though it was nice to be valued so much.
“Come on. For now, Fei and Luwen, get some sleep. Meanwhile, I’ll prepare everything for your departure.”
My sister pushed both Luwen and me toward the bed.
“You’ve been up all night too, sister. And I need to return to the medical tent…”
“As for preparations, I can just have someone do it, and I’ll take care of explaining your change of residence, so don’t worry.”
That’s true. Since I’ll be away looking for the Third Prince, I would need to inform the medical division anyway. My sister would handle things so that Luwen’s reputation wouldn’t suffer, so I might as well get some sleep.
I was already on the verge of passing out, so I obediently lay down on the bed. I pulled the covers over myself and listened to Luwen and my sister conversing.
Why isn’t he lying down next to me yet?
Blink, blink. My eyeballs felt dry, stinging each time I opened them, so I just kept them closed and perked up my ears. The voices of the two gradually faded away. Softly, whispering. Their pleasant murmurs were like a lullaby.
* * *
I surveyed the surroundings while being carried on Luwen’s back. Since we had nearly reached our destination, there were likely eyes watching us.
“Is anyone there?”
I lowered my head and asked in a hushed voice. Luwen answered by tapping my waist once.
“If there’s a tree trunk that provides shade, put me down there.”
Another tap, acknowledging my request.
“We should rest here for a while.”
Having found a suitable tree, Luwen set me down. I let my arms hang loosely and leaned against the tree trunk. Luwen took out a water flask and held it to my lips.
“Young master, are you alright?”
I had told him to call me Feilun, but he felt awkward, so we agreed to go with “young master.” Perhaps because it had been a while since I heard it, I felt a strange nostalgia. A slightly ticklish feeling.
“How could I be tired when I’m just being carried around?”
I answered after moistening my throat with a sip of water.
“…You look tired.”
After securing the water flask’s cap, he caressed my cheek.
“I’m with you. I’m not tired at all.”
I smiled brightly and tilted my head to lean into his palm. While doing so, I signaled with my eyes.
“I’ll go get something to eat.”
“Lucas must be tired too. Let’s rest together.”
Since he wouldn’t even know the name of “Luwen,” the aura master, we decided to use aliases, though it seemed a bit awkward.
“…No. I’m fine. You haven’t eaten anything today. I’ll be back soon.”
His response came after a slight delay, but since I was genuinely hungry, his following words sounded natural. I grabbed the hem of Luwen’s clothes as he stood up and looked up at him.
“You’ll be back soon, right?”
“Yes. I won’t go far. If anything happens, scream. I’ll come right away.”
Luwen took my hand and gave it two squeezes as a signal. It meant there were two people watching us from nearby. Then he brushed my hand to the right.
“Okay.”
When I released his clothes, he walked a few steps away before turning back. He seemed concerned about leaving me alone. I smiled brightly and waved.
After hesitating, he turned away, and I quietly watched his retreating figure. Despite wearing dirt-stained clothes and a headband covering most of his forehead, his overwhelming presence made him seem more like a hunter than prey.
Well, this level is just right for now. It would be stranger if he looked carefree while fleeing with a beloved partner.
‘Now, how will things unfold?’
The purpose of our separation was to wait for Kans to approach me while I was alone. If they only watched and eventually left, Luwen would stealthily follow them to discover the entrance to Kans’ hideout.
‘The only difference is whether we enter today or a few days later, but I’d prefer to be invited sooner.’
Of course, we couldn’t wait indefinitely for them to lower their guard and invite us. Our time here was limited, and there was also the variable that Tuaso’s pursuit team might appear nearby.
In the worst-case scenario, we would have no choice but to infiltrate and kidnap the Third Prince. Since we didn’t know how he might have changed his appearance, there was a chance of failure, making it an undesirable measure.
‘Shall I begin?’
While maintaining my posture of gazing endlessly in the direction Luwen had disappeared, I squeezed out tears. Then, when the wind rustled the leaves, I pretended to be startled.
Looking around nervously as if worried someone might be watching, despite there being no one visibly present, I rubbed my eyes vigorously with my palms. Then, as if pulling myself together, I slapped my cheeks with both hands, bit my lip firmly, and put strength into my legs.
Using the tree trunk for support, I barely managed to stand up and then clutched my chest, breathing heavily.
‘See. I’m this weak.’
What reason would there be to bring someone who can barely support themselves into the forest? It’s not like we’re lost, as there’s a straight, wide path. It’s just a coincidence. There’s absolutely no need for suspicion.
‘It’s also a coincidence that I, who am extremely weak, am heading in your direction.’
Earlier, Luwen had brushed his hand to the right. Since that was the end of the signal, it meant both people were to my right.
Fortunately, there was a tall fruit tree to the right.
‘Is that a Ruby Berry tree?’
Things seem to be going well. It’s my favorite fruit. It reminded me of when Luwen would pick them for me every day when I went along for monster subjugation.
‘There were annoying things too, but thinking about it now, it’s a fond memory.’
If only I hadn’t fallen into the swollen stream, I could recall it more pleasantly.
Thinking about that time made me regret buying such a nice house for Alteo. It felt like I had made an impulse purchase because I was so happy Luwen had recovered safely.
‘What’s done is done.’
As I approached the Ruby Berry tree, I sensed a presence that I might have missed if I hadn’t known to look for it. But as I began picking the fruit, it quieted down again. As if no one was there.
“Young master!”
What? Why is he back already?
Although Luwen had returned earlier than agreed, I enthusiastically welcomed him with a bright smile.
“Lucas!”
“Why are you up? I told you to rest.”
Luwen, who had put down a prepared piece of meat, hesitated when he saw the Ruby Berry tree.
“This is…”
“Remember? When I was at the academy, Lucas picked lots of these for me.”
“Yes. I remember.”
I held out a handful of Ruby Berries I had picked to Luwen.
“It’s your favorite fruit, young master.”
“This is the first time I’ve picked them myself… Would you like to try one first, Lucas?”
Then I picked up one Ruby Berry and brought it to his lips. He hesitated as if embarrassed to eat from my hand.
“Say ‘ah’.”
“A-ah…”
I burst out laughing at Luwen, who had stiffened and could barely open his mouth. This wasn’t acting. He was truly, unbearably cute.
‘I wasn’t actually planning to feed him this. I wonder if he’ll be disappointed.’
If no one intervened, I had planned to just pretend to feed him and then casually drop it.
The fruit was just about to enter Luwen’s mouth.
“Stop!”
With a sudden shout, Kans revealed himself. I pretended to be startled and dropped all the Ruby Berries I was holding.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
