ATIRPBT 114

Chapter 114………………

Because we had eagerly roamed the streets, the sun was already beginning to set.

I stopped walking alongside the three ladies and lifted my gaze toward the sky.

“Ah…”

My wistful sigh seemed to remind the young ladies of my schedule.

“Ah, it seems it’s about time for Your Highness to return to the palace for the formal opening of the festival.”

“How disappointing…”

“Shall we go with you?”

Emily, Viante, and Lala spoke one after another, but I shook my head.

“It’s fine. You’ve been looking forward to this coming-of-age festival eve for so long. I can return alone.”

“But still…”

“I truly don’t mind. Instead, at the next tea party, I’d love to hear what you all enjoyed most at the festival. That way, we can plan even better for next year’s eve festival.”

“!”

Their eyes lit up at my words.

“So, that means you’ll spend next year’s with us as well?”

“Great! We’ll make a list of all the most fun places we find!”

“Don’t forget to invite us after the festival ends~!”

I laughed brightly and nodded. After chatting a little longer, we parted ways.

Just then, Cecile—who had been keeping herself hidden—appeared at my side.

“Your Highness.”

“It’s Lili, Cecile.”

“Ah, forgive me. In any case, we are running late. I’ve already prepared the carriage; we must hurry.”

“Understood.”

I quickened my pace, but the crowd was so thick that I kept bumping shoulders with those heading the opposite way.

Thud—!

“Urgh…!”

“What the hell—”

I’d collided with a drunkard.

As my body staggered, Cecile swiftly wrapped an arm around my waist and glared at him.

The drunkard squinted at Cecile’s plain clothes and snarled.

“Damn it… is she with you? My shoulder hurts!”

“If your shoulder hurts from this much, you’re no man at all.”

Cecile ground her teeth and glared. We didn’t have time for this, but this drunkard was making us lose even more.

I glanced at Cecile.

“Sir…”

“…Forgive me, Your Highness. Could you go on ahead? You know the carriage rental at District 3?”

“Of course. I’ll leave it to you.”

With a guilty look, I slipped between them and darted away.

The drunkard lunged to grab my shoulder—

“Agh!”

—but a sharp cry rang out instead. Cecile had twisted his arm back, hard enough to nearly dislocate his shoulder. With a cold smile, she murmured,

“If you don’t want to die, you’d best settle this quietly.”

“…gulp.”

Terrified, the drunkard nodded. His arm looked completely bent out of joint.

Realizing Cecile was no ordinary opponent, he whimpered,

“F-fine, I’ll settle! But my arm—damn it, take me to Sylvain Hospital right now!”

“…Tch.”

Cecile cursed under her breath.

The princess will surely have other guards watching in secret.

Deciding to dump the man at Sylvain Hospital first, Cecile hoisted him onto her shoulder. She cast a quick glance toward where I had vanished into the crowd.

I swallowed hard.

Five men in black robes blocked the narrow alley ahead.

At their feet lay two of my guards, unconscious.

Ever since leaving Cecile behind with the drunkard, I’d suspected someone was tailing me.

So this is what the Empress meant when she said I should “look forward to it.”

I let out a hollow laugh, recalling her words. Inside the palace, where security was tight, she couldn’t touch me. She must have been waiting for the eve festival, when I’d leave that safe zone.

“Princess, why don’t you just come quietly?”

“Did someone of high rank order you? Ordered you to abduct me?”

“That’s none of your concern. Unless you want to get hurt, do as you’re told.”

I grit my teeth. With no Cecile, no magic tools, I was like a cornered rat.

How could I possibly shake these men off and reach the carriage rental?

Unable to think of any clever escape, I broke into a desperate charge.

“Out of my way!”

They hadn’t expected me to rush forward. I crashed into one of them, sending us both sprawling.

“Don’t just stand there! She’s escaping!”

I scrambled up and sprinted with all my might.

If I can just get out of this alley, there’ll be too many eyes on me for them to act recklessly!

That hope spurred me on—

“How do you plan to escape at that speed?”

“…!”

A voice whispered just behind me. I whipped my head around—an assassin!

I thought I’d shaken them off, but no.

Smirking like a cat toying with prey, he drawled,

“Having fun with our little chase, Princess?”

“Kyaa—!”

His rough hand clamped around my wrist. The grip was so strong it felt like my bones might snap.

“L-let me go…!”

“Oh, I’ll let go soon enough.”

He pulled out a handkerchief. My face went pale instantly.

No wonder the imperial knights had collapsed.

It wasn’t superior skill—just agility, and the use of sleeping powder on the cloth.

No… hold your breath!

I sucked in a deep breath and struggled against his grip. My resistance only made the assassins scowl.

“Damn it, just knock her out already.”

“Yeah, let’s.”

But before they could—

Crash—!

A violent sound split the alley. I gasped, startled.

The assassins flinched, turning toward the noise.

Standing there was—

The young duke…!

Richard.

“I called out, but you didn’t answer, so I followed… and it looks like you’ve attracted some strange company. But tell me—”

He gave me a bright smile.

“—who the hell are these bastards?”

They were bullying me…!

Like a child tattling to her parents, I rolled my eyes meaningfully at the assassins.

Richard nodded, then leapt.

He vanished for an instant, reappearing atop the assassin holding me.

“Pardon me.”

He stepped on the man’s face with deliberate grace. There was an ugly crackling sound.

Shocked, I tore free and stumbled back.

“Young Duke…!”

“It’s been a while. I missed you.”

“N-no, this isn’t the time for that! We need to run—!”

If I’m late, everything will be ruined!

As I tugged him urgently, Richard glanced back.

The assassins glared, swords drawn, their comrade’s face covered in blood.

Richard sighed as if annoyed.

“Hey, mutt. Bite.”

“…Mutt?”

“What, don’t you recognize? The princess’s dog.”

“…?”

Why is he joking at a time like this?

“Forget that, we need to—”

But I couldn’t finish.

“Who the hell are you calling a mutt?”

“…Eh?”

Golden-brown hair swept down as a man landed hard—Jeron.

Why are you here?! Why are both of you here?!

Staring in confusion, my eyes met Jeron’s. He frowned.

“We called and called, but you didn’t answer. And why do you run so fast? Have you been training behind my back?”

“W-what?”

“Never mind. I’ll take this lot. Good thing I sent Shadren after you.”

I didn’t know whether to scold or thank him for tailing me.

Before I could decide, Richard scooped me into his arms.

“Let’s go. Where should I take you?”

“Th-the carriage rental at District 3!”

“Understood.”

Like this…?!

Before I could protest, he carried me in a princess hold and dashed out of the alley, striding openly through the street.

The nobles out enjoying the festival turned, eyes wide at the sight of us.

Horrified, I pressed my robed face further into my hands.

Please, please let us reach the carriage rental quickly…

“Her Highness has arriv— …what?!”

A knight, disguised in civilian clothes, froze at the sight of me—disheveled hair, torn garments, and Richard at my side.

“What on earth happened?! And how did you meet the Young Duke?!”

His eyes darted suspiciously between us.

Richard only answered calmly,

“Her Highness was pursued by some ruffians.”

“…Unbelievable. To dare such a thing during the eve festival…”

Knowing how important this night was, the knight’s gaze grew sharp with killing intent. I hurried to soothe him as I climbed into the carriage.

“Thank you for saving me—wait… Young Duke?”

I blinked in shock.

“Why are you getting in too?”

Richard sat beside me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You may still be in danger along the way. I’ll accompany you.”

“But there’s already a knight here…”

“I saw imperial knights collapse at the assassins’ hands. Forgive my boldness, but I’m too worried about Your Highness’s safety. I’ll escort you all the way back.”

“…Fine. Do as you wish.”

I leaned back with a sigh.

He wasn’t like this before…

As a child, he had been adorable. Now, he was sly as a fox.

Why is he acting differently than in my past life…?

I glanced at him. Meeting my eyes, he curved his in a crescent smile.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

“…No. Just looking.”

I turned my gaze to the window.

He still…

Shaking my head fiercely, I cut the thought off.

Too soon. Not now.

For now, I’d pretend not to know. When the time was right, I’d ask.

I faced him again.

“May I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“How did you find me? Did you happen to see me being chased?”

He nodded.

“Not right away. I first ran into the young marquis. We were about to question each other when we spotted you. No matter how we called, you didn’t answer, rushing off somewhere. But it seemed strange men were following you, so we pursued you through the crowd. I nearly lost you, but thanks to the young marquis’s aide, we tracked you down.”

That must have been Shadren.

Being tailed unsettled me, but without him I’d already have been abducted. A chill ran down my spine at the thought.

I rubbed my arms and exhaled a shaky breath, then bowed my head to Richard.

“Thank you again, truly, for saving me.”

“It’s nothing. Honestly, most of the credit belongs to the young marquis.”

“But you were the first to find me. Without you, I’d have been doomed.”

“….”

At my smile, his gaze wavered. Fidgeting, he reached into his jacket and pulled out something small.

A tiny bouquet.

“What is that?”

I tilted my head. He hesitated, then held it out.

“…For me?”