Chapter 227
‘That fucking bastard! What the hell is he doing to our Luwen!’
Boiling with rage, I glared fiercely at Ludwig who was monitoring Luwen and started running again…
“Fuck.”
I heard low cursing in my ear, then suddenly couldn’t breathe. Ethan, who had caught up to me at some point, had grabbed my throat with one hand.
My airway was blocked by his tremendous grip strength. In that state, he lifted me up. I flailed my legs and scratched at Ethan’s arm with my fingernails.
“Gak, geurk.”
“Fei!”
I heard Luwen’s cry. Then Ludwig shouted something, but I couldn’t understand it.
“Aaagh!”
Just as my vision was turning white, I tumbled down with Ethan’s scream. I gasped desperately for the blocked air, making undignified “gak gak” sounds.
I could quickly understand what had happened. It seemed Luwen had overpowered Ludwig who was holding the chain by force, then charged over while dragging him and body-slammed Ethan, sending him flying.
The traces of Ludwig refusing to be dragged and standing firm on both legs were clear. His feet were at the end of a pile of dirt carved out like ski tracks.
“Ethan Neuza.”
“…I did nothing wrong. That bastard deceived me! I showed him kindness but it was all lies! What I hate most is—!”
“Ethan. Have you forgotten His Highness’s orders?”
At the icy low voice, Ethan hurriedly shut his mouth. Somehow, it seemed I had unintentionally stepped on a landmine. While I had expected to be caught and imprisoned, I hadn’t expected him to show such violent behavior as strangling me.
‘Still, thanks to that, things worked out well.’
Thanks to him taking his attention off me, I got a chance to approach Luwen.
But I could see red blood gradually spreading across Luwen’s upper garment as he stood up. Looking closely, it was wounds caused by the tightly bound chains digging into his flesh.
It looked so painful that I almost burst into tears. I was barely swallowing back my tears when I heard Luwen’s gentle voice.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, but… you, you’re not alright. What is this? This…”
I should kill Ludwig. Wasn’t this a chance to reduce the enemy nation’s military strength? Altruism or whatever, I had absolutely no desire to forgive someone who had hurt my person right now.
“Ah. It only looks bad, it’s nothing serious. More importantly, you have handprint marks on your neck. I’m sorry. I was right beside you but…”
“What do you mean it’s nothing serious? Do you think I’d fall for that? Let’s treat it first.”
For that… I needed their permission. I was so frustrated, angry, and irritated I could die. It was one of the few times I’d felt such great anger.
“You there. Go bring the 3rd Prince.”
I pointed at the boss and ordered. The boss clicked his tongue as if he didn’t want to get involved in this situation and walked away leisurely.
‘He’s doing well.’
If he had interfered earlier, they might have found it suspicious instead. The 3rd Prince told him to guard me, but it would also be strange for a Kans who hates nobles to move actively.
“Fei. There’s blood on the bandage…”
Did the wound burst when I was strangled? I hadn’t even noticed until Luwen mentioned it.
“This kind of thing doesn’t even hurt.”
“That can’t be true.”
He had worse wounds than me but only felt sorry and upset about my wound. That made me upset and hurt too.
I was carefully stroking Luwen’s cheek when Ludwig cleared his throat with a “ahem, ahem” to draw attention.
“We should treat you first.”
“Can you treat Luwen too?”
“It’s our side’s fault. Can’t be helped.”
Ludwig was unexpectedly reasonable. I felt a little sorry for wanting to kill him.
“Luwen, this way.”
“Help me.”
He also had chains wrapped tightly around his wrists and wasn’t in good condition. It was remarkable they weren’t broken. I could imagine the level of the clash of strength.
“I’ll treat your arm too.”
So I tried to show him very small mercy.
“This level heals after sleeping and waking up.”
Then do that. Ludwig’s action of grabbing Luwen’s arm looked hard to distinguish whether it was support or escort. I thought it might be more uncomfortable to walk like that, and sure enough, Luwen twisted his upper body in refusal.
“Not necessary.”
“Suit yourself.”
Ludwig, who had pulled his arm back, followed us while gripping the chain even more firmly.
Returning to the medical tent, I immediately sat Luwen down and gathered plenty of the necessary herbs. I set aside what I had been preparing for myself and made effective medicine for wounds.
But I couldn’t properly apply the medicine because of the chains, so I looked at Ludwig.
“Unlock this.”
“Can’t unlock it. I’ll change the position.”
Ludwig gestured with his chin toward Ethan, who was crouching with his head deeply bowed.
“Take the young master outside.”
“You’re going to entrust Fei to that bastard?”
When Luwen immediately objected, Ludwig pressed down on his shoulder to subdue him.
“Ethan. I hope you don’t forget what orders you received this time.”
“…I won’t forget.”
Ethan muttered in a small voice, looking dejected.
“Did you hear? If you stay quiet, nothing will happen to the young master. I promise on my honor.”
This seemed like it would be okay to entrust me to Ethan for a while. He wouldn’t act rashly on a matter involving the commander’s honor. And right now, I wanted to treat Luwen quickly rather than argue about such things.
“Don’t worry. I’ll wait outside.”
Luwen nodded with a pained expression. It was clearly visible that he was reluctantly agreeing because he had no choice.
‘Because I’m upset… he’s trying to get treated.’
I forcibly swallowed the sigh that felt like it would burst and left the tent. Ethan, who followed me out, kept glancing around nervously.
“Just now, you were in the wrong, young master. I hate being deceived. I’m sick and tired of betrayal. But you probably didn’t know such circumstances… I admit I got excited.”
“Do you try to kill people when you get excited?”
“I had no intention of killing you. Your delicate neck could be severed without much effort.”
I looked at him in disbelief.
“If you had continued strangling me for just a few more minutes, I would have died.”
“…What? You’re that weak?”
I have no idea what’s wrong with this guy’s senses. I got tired of talking to him and was just staring at the tent, desperately hoping for when they’d let me back in.
“Ethan. What the hell did you do?”
The 3rd Prince appeared with an unpleasant voice, making his presence known.
“Hik. Y-Your Highness. Th-that is…”
He explained desperately but was rambling incoherently, so I couldn’t understand what he was saying at all. The 3rd Prince seemed to be in the same situation, so he stopped him and asked me.
I told him everything truthfully, including how I had deceived Ethan and run out of the tent. Since it would reach the 3rd Prince’s ears anyway, there was no need to lie.
“Sigh. So you’re waiting to treat Lord Blight right now?”
“That’s right.”
“Ethan. Didn’t I tell you not to put those two together?”
“Y-yes, you did.”
“And not to hurt Fei either.”
“Yes…”
The strength left Ethan’s voice.
“But you made things this bad again?”
“Again,” so he has a record. Ethan muttered that he was wrong with his shoulders and head drooped. The 3rd Prince, who sighed at him, turned his head toward me.
“I’m sorry. I’ll punish that guy myself, so I hope you’ll forgive him.”
Now what attitude should I show to steer the flow the way I want?
Since my answer couldn’t be too delayed, I thought briefly, decided on a direction, and opened my mouth.
“Who exactly should I forgive?”
“…Huh?”
“Ethan? Or you?”
Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as the 3rd Prince was momentarily flustered.
“B-both?”
This guy is greedy. Choose just one.
“Sir Ethan… apologized to me directly. Right?”
I smiled sweetly toward Ethan, who was crouched down. He brightened up and jumped to his feet, nodding his head vigorously.
“That’s right. I apologized properly, and you accepted it too, young master.”
“So don’t punish him. I’ll feel sorry if you do.”
“Y-young master…”
Ethan was moved to tears. However, the 3rd Prince’s expression looked complicated. He must have understood the implication that I forgave Ethan but couldn’t forgive him. From the way he was subtly backing away, it seemed Ethan had noticed too.
‘He said he hates being betrayed, but it can’t be helped.’
Right now, earning Ethan’s favor was important. Since he was assigned to monitor me, even when I was alone, I wouldn’t really be alone. If he felt favorable toward me, he’d let his guard down too.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
