Chapter 20
7. Alea
I woke up inside a cave.
When I came to, it was the dead of night. As I shifted my body, I realized my head was resting on someone’s firm knee. Startled, I jerked upright—and Enoch, who had been leaning against the cave wall, slowly opened his eyes.
“Ah. You’re awake.”
He spoke in a low, husky voice. Why did that sound so sexy—no, this wasn’t the time for that.
“What happened?”
At my question, Enoch pressed his lips together, his face darkening. Moonlight happened to be filtering into the cave, making his features clearly visible.
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh? What are you apologizing for now?”
I blinked at him, utterly confused.
“You had a fever. It seemed like a cold, so I wanted to give you some medicine, but I couldn’t tell which one in that kit you should take.”
Only then did I notice the first-aid kit beside him. Its lid was open, medicines scattered messily inside.
Staring at the kit, Enoch said quietly,
“I’ve never felt so powerless in my life.”
His face looked like it was steeped in self-reproach. For a member of the imperial family, this place truly was an extreme environment. It was understandable that he’d fall into helplessness so easily.
“That’s not your fault, Enoch. It’s just that my dress disappeared—ah, right. Speaking of which, where was my dress?”
Enoch pressed his lips together, looking troubled.
From that expression, I had a bad feeling. So it’s finally come. Looks like he’d met someone—either one of the male leads, or the female lead… or both.
Is the peace over?
Well, we were still getting attacked by monsters now and then, so it wasn’t exactly peaceful to begin with. Still, I slumped my shoulders and lowered my gaze.
Then, a gentle touch landed on my head. To my surprise, Enoch was stroking my hair.
Startled, I looked up and met his eyes. He was patting my head like I was a puppy, his face completely devoid of ulterior motives.
What is with that look? Does he seriously think I’m a dog or something?
As I was thinking that, Enoch carefully chose his words and spoke.
“I met Sir Diego. He had taken your clothes.”
Damn it. Of course.
Wait, the captain of the guard stealing a woman’s clothes while she was bathing? Where did his chivalry go?
“Where is that bas—no, I mean, where is Sir Diego?”
Enoch apologized calmly.
“He was once my man. I will apologize for his misconduct.”
“Why are you the one apologizing?”
“If you want an apology directly from him, say the word. I’ll drag him here.”
Judging by his expression, he really looked ready to haul Diego in immediately.
I sighed, all the steam going out of me. As if I’d voluntarily go meet another male lead. That would be like walking straight into hellfire.
Enoch alone was already more than enough, and now I’d picked up Kaiden too. Just dealing with those two was overwhelming.
“It’s fine. I’ll get my revenge later.”
At my answer, Enoch let out a small chuckle.
“I thought so. You didn’t say you wouldn’t take revenge.”
“Of course I will. I’m the type who gives back exactly what I receive. Tell Sir Diego to watch his back. He never knows when I might steal his clothes—uh, I mean, his garments.”
Not right now, of course, but before I left this island, I’d definitely steal them.
“Were there any others?”
I casually probed Enoch. If the original story held true, Diego should be with the other protagonists.
“That… I don’t know.”
His answer was vague—hard to tell whether he truly didn’t know or was pretending not to.
I studied his expression carefully, but it was hard to read what he was really thinking.
“Wouldn’t it be better to move together if we want to escape the island? We need to gather information, don’t we?”
Enoch stopped stroking my hair, propped his chin on his hand, and fell into thought. After a moment, he spoke.
“You have a point, but I don’t think it’s necessary to travel together. I’ve arranged to exchange information with Sir Diego once every ten days.”
Diego was the captain of the Langrid Empire’s imperial guard, so he was indeed Enoch’s subordinate. I’d assumed Enoch would naturally suggest traveling together, so his answer surprised me.
“I see…”
“He seemed to be in a situation similar to ours. He didn’t know much either.”
Still resting his chin on his hand, he rolled his eyes and glanced down at me. Then he reached out toward me again. His fingers hovered just above my hair.
And then—
Tap. His fingertip landed lightly on my hair. Tap, tap. As if teasing, he touched it a few more times before gently sweeping my hair back.
Strands of my hair tangled between his fingers. His touch was so careful that I found myself holding my breath, frozen.
What is this? Didn’t he say we shouldn’t bother each other? Why is he doing this?
Yet the touch wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, strangely enough, it made me feel calm. So this is what it feels like when someone gently strokes your head.
Back when I was Lee Jinju, I’d never experienced such kindness. Like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong place, I’d never quite fit in with people.
“If I find any useful information, I’ll share it. Don’t worry too much.”
Maybe my expression had darkened again. Enoch spoke reassuringly.
I nodded. Then, suddenly, I looked down at the dress I was wearing.
Wait. Didn’t I pass out wearing only my chemise?
As if he’d read my thoughts, Enoch replied quietly.
“I changed your clothes myself. I tried my best not to look, so don’t worry.”
“So you did look?”
Enoch fell silent again.
Good grief. I now knew exactly what it felt like for my face to go completely pale.
A chemise dress was made of very thin cotton, and I’d been soaked at the time—my body must have been completely visible.
If I died on this island, the cause of death would be embarrassment.
“Oh my god. I’m ruined. No one will marry me now.”
As I complained, Enoch, his lips twitching as if he had a lot to say, dropped a bombshell.
“If that’s what you’re worried about, then marrying me would solve the problem neatly.”
“Are you serious?”
“Does it sound like a joke?”
No. It sounded far too serious. What was wrong with him?
“When I asked you to marry me before, you rejected me so firmly.”
“Back then and now, the situation—and you—are different.”
You, he said. Not the past Margaret, but the changed me. It didn’t really matter, since Margaret was me and I was Margaret, but still.
I couldn’t understand why he was acting this way. Did he eat something bad?
Trying to avoid the uncomfortable topic, I clapped my hands.
“Oh! Kaiden!”
As if he’d seen through my attempt, Enoch stared at me silently before letting out a heavy sigh.
“That guy seemed like his fever was spiking last night, but he appears fine now.”
Enoch looked utterly exhausted.
For a crown prince to end up taking care of two patients alone—it wouldn’t be strange if he felt disillusioned. In any case, he must have had a hard time.
“Thank you for your trouble. I think my fever’s completely gone now.”
He quietly placed his hand on my cheek. After confirming there was no heat, he nodded.
“Rest well. I’ll sleep over there.”
“No, I—”
It looked like Enoch wanted to say something, but he sighed and simply told me to sleep well.
I looked at him, puzzled, then smiled and thanked him.
“Thank you.”
He stared at me for a moment with an unreadable expression, then quietly nodded.
After wishing him good night, I moved a little farther away from him and Kaiden, settled down, and went to sleep.
And so, another day came to an end.
Rustle.
Feeling unusually heavy, I shifted in my sleep. When the discomfort didn’t fade, I opened my eyes.
And met a pair of blood-red eyes.
“What—!”
I was about to scream, but Kaiden raised his bound wrists and brought his index finger to his lips.
“Shh.”
As if under a spell, I reflexively shut my mouth.
Those crimson eyes, glittering with madness, looked down at me, smiling prettily. Like Enoch, he was infuriatingly handsome.
Even with his wrists tied, he moved just fine. Leaning his face close to mine, he whispered in my ear.
“Don’t scream. You’ll wake the crown prince.”
I turned my head toward where Enoch was sleeping. He was some distance away, still fast asleep.
“A blonde woman with the crown prince Enoch, huh…”
Kaiden had instantly recognized Enoch as the crown prince. Which meant—
“Why did you lie, Margaret?”
He’d figured out that I was Lady Floné as well.
“Is it because I said I didn’t like Lady Floné?”
Kaiden traced his gaze over my face, clearly amused.
“But lying is bad.”
