Chapter 35
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 35 Chapter Title: The Defiant Princess -----------------------------------------------------------------
Edric leaped into the carriage without a moment to think and scooped the woman up in his arms. Her body was frighteningly light. And it was soaked with lukewarm sweat.
He urgently brushed the golden hair plastered to her face aside and lightly tapped her pallid cheek.
At that instant, the golden eyelashes casting long shadows over her cheek shot straight up, revealing deep, vivid blue eyes.
He unconsciously held his breath. Those swamp-like azure eyes seemed to draw his very soul in.
As he stared down at them in a daze, a stinging sensation suddenly flared across his right cheek.
He clutched his face with one hand and blinked stupidly. The woman had slipped from his arms in a flash, glaring at him like he was some shameless pervert.
"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?"
Edric, mouth hanging open, raised his voice in outrage.
"I thought Your Highness had lost consciousness...!"
"So you figured you'd take advantage and do something stupid?"
"What kind of talk is that...!"
Edric shot to his feet, face flushed with anger, only to smack the crown of his head on the carriage ceiling and crumple right back down.
Tears pricked at his eyes from both the fury at the princess's insulting words and the throbbing pain in his skull.
He clutched his head and groaned for a long while. The princess watched him with a pathetic look, rubbing her temple before jerking her chin.
"Enough. Stop being a nuisance and get out."
"Instead of that, why not step outside for some fresh air? We've still got half a day's ride ahead—do you plan to stay cooped up in this sauna forever?"
Edric muttered, rubbing the top of his head, his face sullen. It was a blunt remark tossed out with the expectation of taking another hit.
The princess shot him a look of utter disbelief. She seemed baffled by his relentless nagging without a hint of backing down.
Edric swallowed the urge to snap that he wasn't meddling because he wanted to.
It wasn't his choice, but this spoiled princess was under his responsibility all the same. If she collapsed during the journey, dealing with the aftermath would fall on him.
Determined to drag her out by force if needed, he stared straight into her venomous face.
Seemingly fed up with his attitude, she scowled and finally stood.
He brightened and hopped out of the carriage first. As he extended a hand to escort her, she slammed the door right in his face.
Edric stared at the firmly shut door in stunned silence before finally turning away in resignation.
'...I just can't figure out what her problem is.'
He let out a heavy sigh and trudged toward the lakeside.
Even as he washed his sweat-soaked face with the icy water and rested in the shade of the trees, the stubborn princess didn't so much as peek out.
Was she on guard, fearing someone might harm her?
Her prickly defensiveness reminded him of a beast caught in a trap.
He gazed at the carriage with puzzled eyes before shaking his head to dispel the idle thoughts.
What was the point of trying to understand a woman like that?
He just had to endure until the journey's end, and he'd be free of this tiresome duty.
The 2nd Princess swapped out her guard knights on a whim, so he'd be replaced soon enough too. He just had to hold out until then.
Edric steeled himself and sat in the tree shade with the other knights. He had a simple meal of wine and bread, rested a bit, then climbed back onto his horse.
After noon, the air gradually cooled.
Revitalized pilgrims pressed on along the Kaisar Mountains, which divided the western and northeastern regions. Thanks to their diligent pace, they reached the Sinai Plains—former territory of the old Balto Kingdom—by sunset.
"We'll camp here tonight."
Barkas surveyed the procession and gave the low command.
Edric looked at him with half-exhausted eyes. Despite riding all day, Barkas looked no different from when they'd set out.
His superior dismounted flawlessly and scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.
"Set up barricades around the campsite and post sentries."
The knights obeyed at once.
Edric joined in erecting fences around the camp. It felt a bit excessive, but the Sinai Plains teemed with monsters.
Such large forces rarely faced attacks, but better safe than sorry.
He pulled spiked planks from a supply wagon, fixed them to the ground, and strung wires with small bells around them.
After hours of busy work, they completed a temporary barrier encircling the campsite.
He brushed the dirt from his hands and headed to where the bonfire was lit. While they built the barricades, the princess's attendants had finished preparing dinner.
Clutching his growling stomach, he approached the fire where meat sizzled. He snatched a piece of chopped bacon and asked one of the maids.
"Has Princess Highness's dinner been prepared and sent up?"
The young maid stirring a large pot with a ladle looked at him in panic.
"Well... she said she wasn't hungry..."
Edric wiped the grease from his hands with a cloth and frowned.
Skipping lunch and now dinner too?
Irritation surged at the princess's childish antics.
He tossed the cloth to the ground and grabbed an empty basket.
"Fill this with something decent to eat."
The maid quickly packed in a hefty slice of pie, bacon stew, wine, and pickled fruits—everything she could think of.
Edric tucked the now brimming basket under his arm and headed to the princess's tiny fortress.
He knew there was no need to force food on someone being stubborn. But the memory of her unsettlingly light body made it impossible to stay put.
Cursing his nosy nature, he knocked on the carriage door.
"Your Highness, I've brought dinner."
"I said I'm not eating."
"You've barely eaten all day. How do you expect to endure this grueling journey without a proper meal? Even if you have no appetite, just try a bite."
"Get lost!"
Edric's face twisted. Not even a hedgehog bristled this much. Mustering his patience, he forced a calm tone.
"Fine, I'll leave it here, so if you change your mind..."
As he bent to set the basket down, he flinched back. The door flew open without warning, filling his view with a fiercely hardened, pale face.
He swallowed dryly, meeting those blue eyes that gleamed vividly even in the sunset glow.