Teasing him too much had caused Siegfried’s cheeks to turn bright red. His skin was so pale that the flush stood out starkly.
For some reason, I had the sudden urge to gently stroke his cheek—but I resisted, knowing full well he wouldn’t like it.
Even now, Siegfried seemed to be struggling just from being pressed so close to me while trying to cut the ropes. He wasn’t even breathing properly. Or maybe he was suffering from the same dusty air as I was.
“When we catch Killian, let’s go to the festival together. There are still six days left.”
“No thanks. I think I’ve got the general vibe.”
“It’s not the kind of place where you faint from eating random food, I swear.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Still, it’s your first festival. We can’t let it become a bad memory. So I just need to ask one more time, right?”
“……”
“Will you come with me?”
“……”
Siegfried squeezed his eyes shut and sighed quietly through clenched teeth. Was he really contemplating this? He said two times would be enough!
His inner struggle was so obvious that I couldn’t help but laugh. I had to forcibly press my lips together to stifle the giggle that threatened to slip out.
Siegfried, seeing my expression, narrowed his eyes sharply.
“Is it fun teasing royalty?”
Oh, right. Siegfried’s not just a prince—he’s the male lead, too. I got carried away like I was teasing the neighborhood kid.
“So, your answer?”
“……”
“Should I ask three times?”
“…Fine. I’ll go with you. Just untie me already.”
“Almost done!”
…That was a lie. I hadn’t even gotten halfway through. Just how many layers was this thing tied with? Siegfried glanced down at his wrist and shifted his angle a little to help me cut more easily.
Now that even our conversation had dropped away in the cramped space, all that remained were our faint, uneven breaths.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. My dangling hair kept falling into my face, getting in the way of cutting the rope.
“Ugh, seriously.”
I grumbled, brushing my hair aside. Maybe it was the heat, but it clung to me annoyingly.
“Want help?”
He asked after watching me struggle to cut quickly. Clearly frustrated by my slowing pace.
“How?”
“Like this.”
Without another word, he bent his head toward me.
His lips brushed lightly against my eyelid before taking the strands of hair into his mouth. With his head tilted slightly to the side, my view finally cleared.
…Is Siegfried secretly a genius?
“Perfect. Just stay like that for a moment and I’ll—”
Clink. Clack!
“…!”
I held my breath. Was someone already back? Did he fail to seduce that woman? Or did he leave it to someone else like he said?
The sound of locks clicking open filled the air. My heart pounded. Meanwhile, Siegfried calmly released my hair and lifted one thigh to shield my back.
“Hide.”
He motioned with his chin behind him. But instead, I moved my hands even faster.
“No. If I hide, what happens to Your Highness?”
“I’ll handle it. Just stay hidden. You’ve done enough.”
We whispered in tense argument. I’d seen Siegfried’s skill with my own eyes before—how could I abandon him? Sure, he’s the male lead and probably won’t die, but he could still get hurt. He’d just recovered after weeks of rest!
“Go. I’ll be fine.”
“Nope.”
Since I refused to comply, Siegfried started to physically push me with his shoulder. Unnecessarily strong, as usual.
I nearly toppled backward onto my butt, but thankfully, his leg still supported my back firmly.
At this point, maybe it really was better to hide for now and observe. If the enemy came in, ambushing them from behind wasn’t a bad option either.
BANG!
Before I could even get to my feet, the door burst open.
I gripped the dagger tightly and turned to look.
Standing in the doorway was none other than Killian. With a loud thud, the door slammed shut behind him.
Ah. Our eyes met.
“Well, well. Fancy meeting you again.”
Killian approached with a smile.
“Arielia, is this fate? Three coincidences—”
“Shut up.”
Siegfried growled as he stood, swaying, and pulled me behind him protectively.
“Damn it.”
He nearly lost his balance, but I quickly moved to support him—only for him to regain his footing on his own.
Killian watched him with interest.
“You must still be dizzy from the drug’s effects.”
He casually fiddled with the sword at his waist. Then his red eyes turned to me.
“I’ll give you a chance. You can still run.”
“…Me?”
“Yes, you, Arielia.”
“…It’s Elia, actually.”
“Ariel, Elia—same thing.”
Couldn’t he just play along for once? Unbelievable.
“What happens if I stay?”
“You’ll die. Or I might take you with me.”
“I don’t like either option.”
“You have to pick one.”
“…Is beating you up not on the table?”
“…Now, now.”
Killian stroked his chin, as if truly caught off guard by my answer. Clearly, he hadn’t expected that. I tried to hide my trembling hands, pretending I was more confident than I was.
“Or, how about this—you just let me and His Highness go?”
“Can’t do that. I already got paid.”
“So Aesa’s behind you, huh?”
Siegfried asked. Killian turned his gaze back to him.
“That’s right. Not that knowing will help you.”
“How much did you get?”
Siegfried narrowed his eyes at Killian. Wow, so he can glare like that. When he glares at me, it’s practically playful by comparison.
“A lot. Really.”
“Of course. Killing royalty isn’t a small job.”
“Exactly. That’s why I plan to retire after this.”
“You look too young for retirement.”
“Ariel, shut up and run.”
Siegfried glanced at me. When he opened one of his bound hands wide, I realized he wanted the dagger.
“I’m twenty-six, actually.”
“Didn’t ask.”
“Wow. An old man.”
“Ariel.”
Siegfried looked down at me again. Oh, right—the dagger.
“It’s pointless. What do you think you can do with that toy?”
“So confident in your skills, huh?”
Siegfried’s voice had a hint of amusement. Killian frowned slightly.
“Would I have been hired if I wasn’t?”
“Let me guess. You were paid… ten thousand Erks?”
“Who knows.”
“Hundred thousand?”
“Hmm…”
“Aesa’s mother’s family isn’t exactly known for their wealth.”
What was Siegfried getting at? He kept raising the numbers.
“One million?”
“…Close enough.”
Killian finally raised both hands, admitting it. Siegfried let out a short laugh.
“How ridiculous. So my life is worth only that much?”
A million Erks was roughly the entire fortune of a count-level noble family. No wonder anyone would leap at it. If Aesa’s family could afford to pay that much, they must be incredibly rich.
But Siegfried didn’t seem impressed. He spoke plainly.
“I’ll pay you ten million Erks. Go kill Aesa instead.”
My jaw dropped at his offer.
…Would you consider giving that money to me instead?
I’d never killed anyone, but for that much, I might be willing to try. Besides, Aesa was a villain who was going to die anyway. Sure, he becomes my future fiancé in the novel—but who cares about that?
I’ll do it. Just give the money to me!
