Chapter 27
“Yesterday, the Crown Prince and the Princess both picked a fight with you. Not once, but multiple times. What do you think the First Imperial Knights are thinking right now?”
Even the knights standing some distance away were watching us. Tessarion gestured at the First Imperial Knights surrounding Heliote’s carriage.
“They’re probably thinking: ‘We can’t touch the Duke of Claremont, but that squire is an easy target. He’s just a kid anyway – no consequences if we rough him up, and it’s a perfect excuse to cause trouble.’”
“……”
“It’s not just the Emperor and the Crown Prince who want to throw me into a death trap. So shut up and get in the carriage.”
I wanted to ask why he’d dragged me out here in the first place if he was going to say that.
But with all eyes on us, I couldn’t possibly argue with the Duke of Claremont.
Ah… Goddess.
What am I supposed to do to fix this damned situation?
My head throbbed so badly I felt like vomiting. I swallowed down my nausea and squeezed my eyes shut.
“Th-then… how about we all ride together…?”
Even knowing it would turn into a living hell, I suggested the most peaceful compromise I could think of.
The grand bridal carriage, no – the twin-horse carriage made to carry the precious new bride – was quite comfortable even over the unpaved dirt and stone roads. But it wasn’t that comfortable for four people crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, breathing each other’s carbon dioxide for a long journey.
Especially with Tessarion and Heliote, both towering men with broad shoulders. The inside of the carriage wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was suffocating.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Each glare screamed “You get out.” An intense silent war raged between them. Meanwhile, I was so carsick I felt like dying.
Squashed into a half-seat because of Tessarion’s massive frame, I sat hunched like a shrimp, clinging to the carriage wall and desperately sending telepathic pleas to Heliote.
‘Your Highness, could you just grab me by the collar and toss me out?’
My pitiful reflection in the window showed my pale face and sunken eyes. I looked absolutely miserable.
‘Please, please, please! Leave the heroine and main lead alone in the carriage! Or at least step outside and finish your fight from yesterday!’
But Heliote only tightened his grip around Berieta’s shoulders and smirked triumphantly, twitching one corner of his mouth.
Sigh… this bastard…
I clutched my throbbing head and closed my eyes.
“You’re tired, aren’t you? Lean on me, my Beriete.”
Berieta smacked away his hand and pounded on the carriage wall.
“Stop. I’m not going another step with this pervert!”
“How dare you! Where are you looking with those eyes? A mere squire daring to covet the Princess!”
Heliote suddenly roared at me even though I hadn’t done anything. Then he swept Berieta into his lap.
“Beriete, come. Let’s ride in our carriage.”
“No! Let me go! Roy, help me!”
Flinch.
I almost summoned the Holy Sword right then. I turned to the main lead, the one who should be saving the day, but Tessarion just pinned my thigh down with his massive hand, muttering something terrifying under his breath.
“Should I kill my youngest sister first? No… better to kill the older one asking for dowry money soon…”
Ugh.
Frozen stiff with cold sweat pouring down my back, I saw Berieta staring wide-eyed between Tessarion and me.
“What are you talking about? Kill? Roy, is the Duke threatening you?”
Yes.
I couldn’t exactly say that in front of him, though.
I turned my head away to avoid her gaze, clenching my trembling hands tightly in my lap. My heart was pounding so hard I could taste blood in my mouth.
‘Please, Duke. Stop that bastard. Or order me to drag Heliote out myself!’
But contrary to my desperate prayers, Tessarion arrogantly admitted his guilt.
“I threatened him. So what?”
“Y-you evil man… I knew it…!”
Berieta’s eyes blazed as her pale green magic flared brightly. Heliote, still holding her, chuckled darkly.
“See that, Beriete? That’s the real face of the cruel war demon. Marrying him would be insane. Come back to the capital with me—”
Thunk. There was a heavy, dull sound as Heliote folded over Tessarion’s knee. In that instant, Tessarion shoved me into the corner and drove his knee up into Heliote’s solar plexus with terrifying force.
“Huh—wait!”
Crash!
Heliote flew through the carriage wall and tumbled onto the ground outside. What just happened? Wasn’t this fight between the main lead and heroine? Their teamwork just now was incredible… were they actually fighting?
“Your Highness!”
The First Imperial Knights gasped and shouted. Tessarion calmly pointed at Berieta’s clenched fist.
It wasn’t me, guys. It was her.
“Huh?”
Berieta looked at him in utter disbelief.
The Imperial Knights hesitated, unsure whether to draw their swords, glancing between Heliote and Berieta. Berieta let out a sigh and flicked her hand dismissively.
“Well? Are you just going to stand there? Help His Highness.”
At her command, two knights rushed over to Heliote and lifted him up.
“Urrgh…!”
Heliote groaned, then vomited violently onto the muddy ground. Only after retching did his bloodshot eyes turn back to Tessarion, filled with rage.
“Tessarion, you bastard…!”
Drawing his scimitar, he surged forward, brimming with killing intent.
Meanwhile, the sour, fishy stench wafting through the broken door made my stomach churn again.
Hic!
I shoved myself between Berieta and Tessarion and bolted out of the carriage. Sure, it was technically my duty as a squire to protect my masters, but that wasn’t why I was running.
“Your Highness… please… move…”
I clamped a hand over my mouth, waving desperately at Heliote.
“Roy Dover, do you want to die before Tessarion does it himself?!”
Heliote blocked my path, grabbing my shoulder and pointing his scimitar at me.
I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
Bleeerrghh—!
A torrent of hot, foul vomit gushed all over Heliote’s chest and armor.
“……”
Heliote froze, sword still raised high.
“Roy!”
“Roy!”
Berieta and Tessarion rushed to me, which meant I narrowly avoided being cut down by Heliote – for now.
“In all my life, I’ve never met anyone like you,” Tessarion muttered, patting my back. Then he seemed to remember Heliote’s face and snorted with laughter again.
“I’m sorry…”
I had no excuse.
There was nowhere left to sink lower.
A squire who threw up all over the Crown Prince in front of the First Imperial Knights and the Princess… I was doomed.
“Don’t be. Thanks to you, I feel refreshed.”
Berieta managed to smooth things over, saying the cramped carriage made everyone carsick. Tessarion ordered the march to pause so we could rest, and Heliote stormed off with his knights to wash up by the river.
“But… won’t this delay the schedule?”
I sighed, glancing up at the dark clouds gathering overhead. This journey hadn’t been smooth from the start, and now even the weather was turning against us.
“A couple days’ delay won’t matter. We only rushed to Shinnevan because I thought the return would take long.”
I had assumed he’d been desperate to see Berieta. Apparently not. I sighed quietly as I looked at him.
Is he a narcissist? Does he just think he’s too perfect for anyone? How could he not waver even 0.1 seconds at Berieta’s beauty?
