ESMLT 17

Chapter 17

“Why, Master of the Magic Tower?”

“There’s no blanket.”

“Ah, I left it outside earlier because I spilled my drink on it.”

Shien lowered his head, looking dejected.

“…I can’t sleep without that blanket.”

What am I supposed to do about that?

“…I really can’t sleep.”

“…Sigh, fine.”

I ruffled my bangs and headed for the door.

Ha, what? You’re going to start liking me? Cute? Ridiculous.

I decided to never let myself think something like that again. From now on, whatever Shien does, I’d just see it as flattery or curiosity from someone who recognizes unpaid, hard labor.

I stepped out of the cabin and grabbed the blanket hanging on a branch.

As I pulled it smoothly toward me, Shien was watching from the open window.

Leaning on the window frame, he waved at me leisurely, as if visiting a peaceful mountain lodge.

I gestured inside with a brusque face.

“Come in. You don’t need to watch over me—I’ll wash it myself and put it away.”

Saying that, I turned sharply toward the back gate, but suddenly heard Shien’s laughter.

It wasn’t a mocking laugh—it sounded genuinely joyful.

“Did you know, Lia?”

“What?”

“I’ve started enjoying life a little more than yesterday.”

Because he enjoys tormenting me?

“…You’re the same type of person as the Crown Prince.”

Shien wiped away the smile from his face and looked serious.

“…That’s insulting.”

“…I apologize.”

Yeah, even I thought that was a bit much.

“I’ll go now.”

I grumbled as I headed to do the laundry. Shien remained in place, waving his hand lightly like a cat flicking its tail.

Watching Redria disappear through the back gate, Shien withdrew from the window frame.

He crossed his arms and smiled lazily as he watched her retreat.

“Lia is really cute.”

Behind Shien, a broad shadow fell.

“Finally, a chance to talk.”

At the same time, his violet eyes turned cold. Shien casually glanced at Jaeger, who had appeared silently.

“Speak quickly. We need to go fetch Lia.”

Jaeger raised one eyebrow in surprise.

“…Did you send her on purpose?”

“You’re giving me so many hints, how could I not notice?”

Sighing deeply, Jaeger ran his short hair through his fingers.

“Speak. Lia is waiting.”

Hearing that, Jaeger flinched slightly, then let out a cold laugh.

Shien tilted against the window frame, giving Jaeger a sidelong glance.

“Why are you laughing, Duke?”

“Isn’t it amusing? After all this time, the Crown Prince and the Master of the Magic Tower, two pillars of the Empire, are worrying over her.”

Hmm. Shien rolled his eyes to the empty sky and nodded.

“Well, I can’t deny that.”

For a brief moment, Shien recalled yesterday.

Even he found it amusing.

Everything he said and did was obviously meant to get her companion out of the way. And yet, she fell for his transparent flattery.

Still, he couldn’t help but hold her hand.

“No one will love you? Then how about this? From now on, I will love and protect you.”

He saw in her the image of her adoptive father.

There had only been two people in his life who promised to protect him unconditionally, and one of them was a notoriously unruly young lady.

So he couldn’t help but wonder how someone so fragile could protect him and held her hand.

“And if I am loved by someone like her…”

His violet eyes calmed for a moment.

This time, maybe he could finally resolve the emptiness that had tormented him all his life.

He lifted his gaze, caught Jaeger’s eyes, and felt a surge of irritation recalling the past.

“So, what is it you want to say?”

Shien’s gaze sharpened, and Jaeger, as if he had been waiting for this, began without a hint of hesitation.

“I’m advising that Your Highness and you need to be more cautious of that woman. Don’t be deceived and regret it later.”

Shien snorted, then lazily blinked.

“I don’t care.”

“What did you say?”

“I said it doesn’t particularly matter if I fall for it.”

Jaeger frowned, and Shien lazily muttered while brushing his hair back.

“I know Lia isn’t purely innocent. Honestly, I find people like that uncomfortable. Annoying, right?”

Observing Shien closely, Jaeger frowned and turned away.

“…Then do as you wish. After all, the responsibility is yours.”

Shien smiled lazily and moved away from the window, calmly watching Jaeger walk toward the door with crossed arms.

“What’s your problem with the aspiring Paladin Captain?”

Seeing Jaeger stop, Shien moved close behind him.

“You’re strict and can’t tolerate injustice, but you’re not the type to interfere unnecessarily. So why are you overreacting to Lia?”

“…I judged her to be the most suspicious among us, so I’ve been monitoring her. But seeing the two of you unusually influenced by her, I felt the need to advise.”

“Advice, huh.”

Shien rolled his eyes and smiled.

“Oh, so it’s ‘that incident’ that makes you so sensitive about her?”

In an instant, Jaeger turned to Shien with a fierce gaze.

Shien let out a light chuckle and turned away.

Snap!

He easily jumped from the window and looked back lazily.

“Relax your eyes. Whatever the past was, I have no interest.”

Humming softly, Shien suddenly opened his eyes coldly.

“But I hope from now on you don’t meddle unnecessarily or interfere with my time with Lia.”

Goodbye.

Shien waved his hand lightly and disappeared, leaving only a cold silence behind the two.

“…Damn it.”

Jaeger twisted his face, slowly clenching his fists, and stood rooted there for a long time.

With the bedding arranged, the fireplace lit, and the Crown Prince back, it was time to check the armory.

I called them to the armory and brought the key to the doorknob.

Just as I was about to open the door, a thought struck me.

“Ah, right. The laundry.”

I turned to Shien, who was standing behind me.

“Master of the Magic Tower, is the laundry done?”

“Of course, Lia. Look over there.”

Shien pointed to the clothesline at the edge of the cabin. The blanket he had hung was there.

He smiled proudly.

“Good job, right?”

I smiled faintly.

“…Good job? Damn it.”

The blanket was soaked and so heavy that the line sagged like a stretched rubber band.

Water dripped from the decorations along its edges, forming a puddle below.

I pressed my palm to my forehead and sighed internally.

I didn’t mean for the princess to do the chores.

An hour ago, Shien had asked me to do the laundry. Shortly after, he followed me and snatched the blanket, saying he’d do it himself.

“Why? You asked me to wash it.”

“Because I wanted to.”

“Like when you shoved the pillow in haphazardly without putting it in properly? I’ll do it myself.”

When I sulkily tried to take it back, Shien hid the blanket behind him.

“…Lia, you know? I actually sleep fine without a blanket.”

“Really…? Then can we do the laundry later?”

Just as I clapped my hands, glad not to have to do it now, Shien slyly narrowed his eyes.

“But I can only sleep if I’m hugging something warm and soft. If Lia hugs me all night—without a blanket—…”

“Good luck with that.”

I dashed into the cabin like the wind before he could grab me.

From beyond the closed back gate came a voice of complaint.

“…Lia, you’re heartless. I was joking.”

Not thinking about the fact he said something insane himself.

Even so, I thought he’d handle it later with charm…

I frowned and glanced at Shien, who was smiling like a puppy expecting praise.

“…Was he always this bad in the original story?”

Strange. He was supposed to be in charge of lyrics there.

Of course, he wasn’t perfect from the start…

“Maybe it’s because I’m here? I indulge his childishness?”

I realized I had naturally become responsible for overall cleanliness and meals.

At this rate, all the household chores would be my responsibility.

Better to use carrot than stick with Shien.

Resolving my thoughts, I forced a bright smile.

“Well done. Can I trust you with other things too?”

“Really?”

Is that true?

“Of course. You’re too good at it—”

Mid-sentence, I felt a burning gaze from the side.

Unconsciously rubbing my cheek and turning my gaze, I found the Crown Prince watching me with a skewed expression.