THSMW 03

“Eek.” I quickly turned my head away and feigned ignorance. It wasn’t like I meant for Siegfreid to hear that anyway.

…Still, I had said it under my breath. Does he have super hearing or what?

“What did you just say?”

I glanced over at Siegfreid to gauge his reaction. Cracks were beginning to form on his previously expressionless face.

Ah, crap. Should I explain that I didn’t mean it in a bad way? …But I did mean it in a bad way. How do you explain that? Caught in my own trap, I hesitated.

Before I could think of what to do, Siegfreid stormed over to me, glaring with a red face.

In my experience—twenty years of life, which is either short or long depending on perspective—the best course of action in situations like this was to apologize quickly. I shot to my feet and bowed deeply.

“I-I’m sorry. I misspoke just now.”

“……”

Siegfreid sighed irritably, then gestured for me to straighten up. I slowly raised my head.

Through the slightly loosened sleeve from swinging the wooden sword, I caught sight of his swollen wrist. Just looking at it made my own wrist hurt in sympathy. I asked cautiously,

“Is your wrist okay? I heard you hurt it. I can call a doctor for you now, if you’d like…”

“Why are you so concerned about me?”

He cut me off before I could finish.

Well… because you’re the male lead. That’s what I answered inwardly.

I already knew from the novel that Siegfreid had a cold personality. Still, considering we’d only met twice, his level of hostility toward me seemed over the top.

Could he already know I’m supposed to be engaged to the crown prince? Judging by the way he was glaring at me, I must have done something to offend him.

“Your Highness, did I… do something wrong to you?”

I asked carefully. I had stared at him a few times, yes, but aside from that, I was confident I hadn’t done anything impolite.

“No.”

His blunt answer caught me completely off guard.

What? So I didn’t do anything wrong, and yet he’s acting like this?

“Then why…?”

“Because I don’t like you.”

Once again, he cut me off. I mean… yeah, I figured that much, but—

Could you at least tell me why?

Flustered, I began organizing my thoughts to question him in detail.

“The reason—”

But then Siegfreid spoke first, and I looked up at him, blinking.

“It’s because the moment I saw you at the mansion, I suddenly felt really awful.”

All the questions I had prepared flew out of my head.

…What kind of reason is that?

“The moment I really saw your face clearly, my chest felt tight and nauseated. It was extremely unpleasant. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like it before.”

Oh, that’s why.

…Except no. That’s not a good reason at all.

Maybe he just happened to be feeling sick at that moment? From what I can tell, it sounds like he was unwell. So why is he blaming me for that? Is this what it means to be a male lead?

“Your Highness, do you still feel that way now?”

I asked nervously. Siegfreid stared at me intently. Though the setting had changed, the situation was eerily similar to the first time we met. I fidgeted with the hem of my skirt, nervous again.

What if he still feels that way? Should I just pack my things and stay far away from him?

But this is my house. Why should I be the one to leave?

Shouldn’t he go?

No, no—getting on the male lead’s bad side could lead to serious consequences later. Trying to remain calm, I held his gaze.

Finally, Siegfreid tilted his head and looked away first, a slight furrow forming between his brows.

“Now that you mention it… I don’t feel that way anymore. My eyes don’t hurt like they did back then either.”

“Then that means… you don’t hate me after all.”

“……”

He didn’t deny it when I said that.

Oh, come on. I thought it was something serious. I let out a sigh and released the crumpled hem of my skirt.

Just like that, the worry I’d held onto all week vanished into thin air. I’d fretted over nothing.

Getting hated by a pretty boy hurts, you know. Especially when that pretty boy’s the male lead—it makes you worry you’re doomed to die or something.

“…Sorry.”

“…Huh?”

My eyes went wide. Did Siegfreid just… apologize?

“…I said I’m sorry. For bumping into you that time, too.”

Maybe he thought I didn’t hear him, because he tossed the apology out again. I gave a stiff smile and nodded.

“Well, it’s understandable… You weren’t feeling well that day, right?”

“I wasn’t in good shape.”

He didn’t deny it this time either. Come to think of it, Abusion had mentioned something recently—something about Siegfreid being on medical leave or rest?

Was Siegfreid one of those frail, sickly boys in his youth?

“…Why are you looking at me like I’m some kind of pitiful creature? I was temporarily poisoned, that’s all. I’m fine most of the time.”

He tossed his wooden sword aside and plopped down beside me, propping one elbow on his knee.

Poisoned? That was news to me. I really must’ve skimmed the novel.

I glanced at his wrist again, still red and swollen. As I did, Siegfreid started glancing back at me too.

“You’re right. I really don’t feel bad looking at you now.”

“Well, that’s good. But… poisoned?”

“My older brother, Aesa, tried to poison me. I realized it as soon as I tasted it, but it was already too late.”

He said it so casually—like his own brother attempting to poison him was nothing.

Startled, I looked around to make sure no one else was nearby. Thankfully, we were alone.

I lowered my gaze. Siegfreid’s hand bore faint white scars—clearly not from sword training. No, these had been deliberately inflicted.

The only one who could’ve done that to a prince like Siegfreid… was Aesa.

“But you must be feeling better now if you’re out here,” I said, comparing the Siegfreid of a week ago to the one sitting in front of me.

He ran his thumb along his chin, looking contemplative, then shook his head.

“I thought I was fine… but I sprained my wrist while warming up. Guess I’m not fully healed after all.”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. If that was the case, wouldn’t it be good to at least wrap his wrist for now?

Leaning toward him, I placed my hands on the ground for balance.

“You should wrap it with a handkerchief to avoid strain. Even if you’re planning to see a doctor later.”

“It’s not that serious—ugh.”

His reflexive refusal annoyed me, so I pressed lightly on his wrist.

He flinched and grimaced in pain.

“…What are you doing?”

“Just a moment.”

I bit the handkerchief and rolled up his sleeve in one swift motion. He flinched again but didn’t push me away.

“Hold your hand up, just a little—yes, like that.”

I wrapped his wrist with the peach blossom-embroidered handkerchief. Siegfreid silently watched me, not stopping me.

As I tied the knot, he spoke.

“You seem pretty good at this.”

“Of course! I’m from the Elipritz family—this much is nothing.”

Both my brother and younger brother, Abusion and Miliard, were knights. Well, Miliard wasn’t a full knight yet, but still. They often got injured, and if no doctor was available, I had to take care of them. So I naturally learned how to handle minor injuries.

“All done,” I said proudly, checking the fit.

Siegfreid rotated his wrist a few times, surprise flashing across his otherwise impassive face.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“Of course not. But still—you should see a doctor.”

“…Thanks.”

He gave a slight nod, his own way of showing gratitude.

That little gesture from a sharp-tongued, black-haired, violet-eyed boy was enough to melt me on the spot. Beaming, I said cheerfully,

“You’re welcome! I can help anytime.”

“…I don’t usually get hurt this badly.”

“Ah, right. Of course.”

Says the guy who was swinging his wooden sword like that earlier. Where’s that confidence coming from?

I replied half-heartedly and looked up at the sky. A moment ago, the sun was blindingly bright, but now the sky was tinged with the glow of sunset. So much for reading the book I brought.

“Will Your Highness be staying here?”

“Not sure,” Siegfreid muttered, also looking up at the sky. I had other plans, so I decided to leave first.

“Then I’ll be heading back.”

“…Ah.”

I was brushing leaves off my skirt and about to stand when—

“Wait.”

“AH! S–shit, that scared me!”

His face had suddenly appeared right in front of mine, pale and startlingly close.

Siegfreid had leaned in without warning.

“…‘Shit’?”