Chapter 53

From afar, a crowd was gathered at the entrance of the camp. Sitting in front of Freyer, I looked back and spoke.

 

“They must have been waiting for us to return.”

 

“Is that really the case.”

 

His words carried meaning.

 

We reached the camp, and Freyer dismounted first, extending his hand to me.

 

“Careful.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I took his hand and carefully set my foot on the ground.

 

“Lady Lilithia! Lady Lilithia…!”

 

Nazlee came running toward me, her eyes brimming with tears.

 

“It’s really you, right? This isn’t a dream, is it?”

 

“Lady Nazlee.”

 

“Hic… thank goodness. Thank goodness you’re safe!”

 

I hadn’t expected Nazlee to be this worried about me. She burst into tears as though she’d been holding them back all this time.

 

“I’m sorry, Lady Lilithia…”

 

“Why are you apologizing, Lady Nazlee?”

 

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

 

“It feels like it’s my fault. If I hadn’t said I wanted to attend the Hunting Festival with you… maybe none of this would’ve happened.”

 

“How could that possibly be your fault?”

 

“But still…”

 

“Please don’t say things like that.”

 

“You’re too kind, Lady Lilithia…”

 

Nazlee sniffled and suddenly threw herself into my arms. The unexpected hug pushed me backward. The ankle I thought was fine flared with pain again.

 

“Ah…”

 

“Are you hurt…?”

 

Hearing my groan, Nazlee sprang back from my arms.

 

“I twisted my ankle a little.”

 

“I’m so sorry… I didn’t know…”

 

A hand came around my waist—then the ground dropped away. I was lifted clean off my feet.

 

“Ah—?”

 

“We need to treat you first.”

 

Nazlee stared wide-eyed, looking between me and Freyer. Freyer took my hands, awkwardly hovering in the air, and placed them behind his neck.

 

“Hold tight. You can’t fall.”

 

Without sparing Nazlee a glance, he strode toward the tent and called to the priests standing nearby: “Emergency patient. We need treatment immediately.”

 

The bewildered priests hurried after him.

 

 

***

 

 

Nazlee blinked in a daze, staring at Freyer’s retreating back.

 

“His Highness is… truly impressive.”

 

She felt herself fall for him all over again. His courage in rushing into danger, the kindness of wanting to help someone in trouble, the charisma that made even the priests follow without question—everything about him was perfect.

 

“If only I could’ve spoken with him for a moment longer…”

 

It was the first time she’d seen him since the banquet, yet he’d passed by so quickly. She looked down at her hand and murmured: “He held only my hand…”

 

Lady Lilithia had been in his arms. How she envied that. Nazlee wanted to be held by him too—to feel that broad chest, that embrace. Even imagining it made her heart race.

 

“If only I were Lady Lilithia…”

 

If she had been the one who’d fallen into danger in the forest, would she have shared more moments with him? Would she have been the one in his arms instead? Just the thought made her heart flutter.

 

“What am I thinking…”

 

Nazlee shook her head sharply. Jealousy like this was wrong. Wanting to get closer to him had led her to an ugly thought, and guilt washed over her.

 

 

***

 

 

Inside the tent, Freyer laid me down on the cot. The priests following behind asked: “What seems to be the emergency, Your Highness?”

 

“Her ankle is broken.”

 

“B-broken?!”

 

The priest stared in shock.

 

“That’s not it—it’s just a slight twist!”

 

I tried to stop the escalating diagnosis, but no one listened.

 

“She used a potion and it still didn’t improve. It must be broken.”

 

“That’s serious. Let us examine it immediately.”

 

The priest began inspecting my ankle. It had felt fine that morning, but now the throbbing had returned.

 

“Ah… it hurts.”

 

At my groan, Freyer’s expression hardened. He grabbed the priest’s wrist.

 

“She said it hurts.”

 

“But we need to be thorough, Your Highness.”

 

Unhappy, Freyer let go.

 

“Be gentle.”

 

After examining the swollen ankle, the priest spoke: “It is not broken, but a fine crack is visible in the bone.”

 

I stared at him, startled.

 

“A crack? It doesn’t even hurt that badly…”

 

I hadn’t fallen from a great height. The idea that such a small impact could crack a bone shocked me. The priest placed his hand over my ankle.

 

“I will begin treatment.”

 

“Okay…”

 

White light spread from his palm, warming the aching area. I watched with wide eyes.

 

“Treatment complete.”

 

In my old world, this would be a half-cast at best. To have it healed instantly—unbelievable.

 

“Try standing.”

 

I cautiously lowered my foot to the ground. The pain that had stabbed even from the slightest pressure was completely gone.

 

“Wow… it doesn’t hurt at all.”

 

“Though the treatment is complete, you should still avoid strain for a while.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I only did my duty.”

 

He bowed and left the tent. I rotated my ankle experimentally. It felt like I could even jump. So I did—lightly.

 

‘It doesn’t hurt! This is amazing.’

 

I grinned at Freyer as he approached.

 

“Look! It’s completely fine!”

 

I was about to jump again, but he raised his hand to stop me.

 

“You heard the priest. Don’t strain it.”

 

“It’s just so fascinating.”

 

I bowed to him with a bright smile.

 

“Thank you so much for saving me. I’ll head back to my tent now—Your Highness, please rest as well!”

 

Freyer frowned.

 

“Where do you think you’re going?”

 

“To my tent…?”

 

“You’ll rest here.”

 

“……?”

 

“You don’t know what could happen outside.”

 

“It’s a camp. Nothing is going to happen.”

 

“This is the safest place. And you’re not supposed to strain yourself.”

 

Before I could protest, he lifted me again and set me back on the cot.

 

“I’ll step outside for a moment. Don’t think about going anywhere.”

 

Without listening to a word, he left. I was alone in his tent when a voice called from outside: “By order of the Second Prince. May we enter?”

 

“Yes.”

 

A familiar face entered.

 

“Huh? Butler?”

 

Jaybil smiled and stood beside me.

 

“His Highness thought you might want someone to talk to.”

 

***

 

Freyer didn’t like leaving Lilithia alone. He had ordered Jaybil to stay with her.

 

“Pretending he’s fine, is he.”

 

Freyer glanced at Ivailo, who was speaking with the knights. Though his plan had failed, the crown prince tried to appear calm.

 

To others he looked generous as always, but Freyer saw the anger simmering underneath. Blood vessels stood out in his eyes and neck.

 

“Can’t blame him. Having everything fall apart must be infuriating.”

 

Arms crossed, Freyer watched Ivailo.

 

A mage jumped onto the platform, holding a sound-amplifying artifact.

 

“Attention, everyone.”

 

The nobles turned toward him.

 

“Though a monster appeared, with the orc movement having ceased and His Highness Freyer and Baroness Baimery safely returned, we will now bring the Hunting Festival to a close. We apologize for the delay.”

 

With two participants having gone missing, the festival had not proceeded smoothly.

 

“To investigate the cause of the monster appearance, the announcement of the winner and the closing banquet have been moved to tomorrow.”

 

The nobles groaned.

 

“I brought such a lovely dress for the banquet…”

 

“Where will it be held, then?”

 

“At the Imperial Banquet Hall.”

 

Those who had looked disappointed stared in shock.

 

“The Imperial Banquet Hall?”

 

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor will personally announce the winner. Your attendance is highly encouraged.”

 

For Freyer, this was ideal—he would present his hunt directly to the emperor.

 

“And participants will use the gate to return.”

 

Thus the turbulent Hunting Festival came to an end.

 

Diara approached Freyer.

 

“Your Highness, I’m relieved you were able to save Lady Lilithia and return safely.”

 

“…Diara Alstein.”

 

Freyer frowned. If not for her lie, Lilithia might never have been put in danger—and he would have protected her from the start.

 

Though she claimed not to share her family’s ambitions, she carried the empress’s blood. Freyer grit his teeth as he looked at her.

 

“You knew she collapsed.”

 

Diara smiled.

 

“Of course. When the mage collapsed earlier, Lady Lilithia fell as well.”

 

As expected—she had deliberately blocked him from reaching Lilithia. Even if she denied siding with her family, her bloodline said otherwise.

 

“Why did you lie to me?”

 

“Lie? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

She shrugged innocently, clapping her hands.

 

“Ah—did you want me to tell you Lady Lilithia fainted? Is that why you’re upset?”

 

“……”

 

“So I was right.”

 

Her flippant tone made irritation prick along Freyer’s nerves.

 

“If you had asked me directly whether she fainted, I would’ve said yes immediately.”

 

She toyed with him deliberately, goading his temper.

 

“I can’t wait to see who wins the banquet’s award.”

 

Placing her hands over her chest dramatically, she smiled.

 

“Well then, I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”