Chapter 17
A moment later, Sian let out a sigh of relief.
“Haah, thank goodness. It seems unlikely that His Highness the Crown Prince will be harmed by the monster. And this room is quiet too. The noise outside is blocked—either this place is magically protected, or the walls are that thick and solid. Unlike Room 203, it’s not likely to collapse. Everyone should be safe for now.”
“Everyone is safe? That’s a relief. What about the person with the big sword? Are they safe too?”
April laughed brightly, making Sian frown and mutter through clenched teeth.
“Lady April… that monster is not one of our companions….”
After that brief exchange, silence fell.
Room 203 looked about the same as Room 207—like a normal noble guest room. Only, instead of a bed, this one had a long sofa.
Sian began searching the room.
“Please sit down for a while. I’ll search the room.”
“April will help too!”
April smiled sweetly. Sian looked uneasy.
“The way you can help, Lady April, is by staying put.”
“Uuum, that sounds difficult. But since April wants to help Sir Sian, I’ll do her best to sit still!”
Of course, she only said she’d try, and went to relax comfortably on the sofa.
While Sian searched, April’s eyes landed on the left wall.
‘Hm? That spot’s a little different….’
She stood and touched the suspicious part. Unlike the rest of the stone wall, this portion felt like wood. Her fingers found a slight bump, almost like a hidden switch.
With some force—click!
The panel opened, revealing a hidden cabinet. Inside was a medical kit.
“A first-aid box?”
Remembering how the Crown Prince had looked more and more like a patient last she saw him, April opened it. Inside were antidotes, neutralizers, bandages, headache pills, stomach medicine, and many other unknown drugs.
‘Should I use these? No—why use my head when there’s a smarter person right here?’
She immediately shook Sian.
“Sir Sian! Sir Sian!”
“I’m busy, Lady April.”
“Look, look!”
She held the box up proudly.
Sian flinched in surprise.
“Where did you find this, my lady?”
“In the wall over there! It’s a first-aid box. Since His Highness the Crown Prince is sick, April will cure him with this!”
Sian quickly checked the contents himself, then brightened.
“This is exactly what His Highness needed! Fortunate indeed. Well done, my lady. Thanks to you, we now have what the Crown Prince requires.”
The two almost embraced in joy. Then, Sian suddenly froze, face stiffening.
“Why do you look like that, Sir Sian? Are you hungry?”
[Affection with Strategist Sian has greatly increased!]
Sian’s face turned red.
“D-don’t come so close.”
[Affection with Strategist Sian has slightly increased!]
[Affection with Strategist Sian has greatly increased!]
[Affection with Strategist Sian has slightly increased!]
[Affection with Strategist Sian has greatly increased!]
It never went down anymore—only up, a little or a lot.
“Yes! I won’t come closer!”
April cheerfully stepped back three paces.
Sian sighed faintly, his expression complicated.
Sian felt a strange flutter every time he saw April smiling so innocently.
‘What is this feeling?’
It wasn’t anger—it was too embarrassing for that. Even when faced with monsters or despair, April never gave up. She always treated people with pure warmth, and that comforted him.
Yet when she drew close…
Thump, thump! His heart pounded so loudly he feared she might hear.
‘It must be… her looks. That’s all. I just never noticed before.’
So he told her to stay away. But when she actually stepped back, his chest sank even lower.
About forty minutes remained until the promised time.
“There might be more clues in this room besides the first-aid box.”
“Yes!”
“…You didn’t understand, did you?”
“Yes!”
Sian pressed his forehead in exasperation.
“Anyway, you still haven’t noticed any new powers or changes?”
April giggled.
“Oh, you mean compliments? My family always said April was as lovely and beautiful as a lily. They said every day I become more like a lily.”
“….”
Sian fell silent.
[Affection with Strategist Sian has slightly increased!]
‘Why did it go up again? Does everything I do raise it now?’
April checked her Awakening progress.
[April Sharon: Awakening in progress… (81/100)%]
Still slow, but climbing.
Sian continued, “Inside the first-aid kit were neutralizers to keep monster poison from spreading, antidotes to cure it, and other useful medicines.”
“April doesn’t really understand things like that.”
She laughed again.
“…I didn’t expect you to. Just don’t look at me with those innocent eyes while I explain.”
April just looked.
Still, Sian’s mood had clearly lifted since finding the kit.
‘He must’ve been really burdened by the Crown Prince’s condition.’
After all, the heroine Yeniel was from the Emperor’s faction. If the Crown Prince died, their entire side would lose. The Empire without an heir would be chaos, and blame would fall on those who failed to protect him.
‘Not my problem, though. I’ll be back in reality before then… right?’
But then she paused.
‘Wait. How do I even return to reality?’
The Awakening window popped up again.
[April Sharon: Awakening in progress… (82/100)%]
It rose by 1%. Almost as if to say: Once you fully awaken, you’ll have your answer.
Still, the “■■■■ patching in progress…” message remained hidden.
Too many thoughts crowded April’s mind. Then, Sian suddenly asked—
“Lady April, why did you, of all people, choose to follow Lady Yeniel?”
