Chapter 3.
I snuck Friedrich into my room, avoiding everyone’s eyes. Luckily, after rummaging around a bit, I found a first-aid kit.
“Sit down.”
I sat him on the bed and pulled the cloth out of his mouth.
“Stick out your tongue.”
Hearing words you’d say to a little kid, Friedrich looked utterly bewildered.
Sorry, but right now, you really are like a child.
“Hurry up.”
Reluctantly, Friedrich stuck out his tongue. I soaked a clean cloth in disinfectant and gently dabbed at the boy’s tongue. He frowned, probably from the bitter taste.
“Bear with it. Who told you to go biting your tongue so recklessly?”
I scolded him as I tidied up the kit. His eyes were fierce, but the pose—with his tongue out—created such a hilarious mismatch that I burst out laughing. He must have noticed, because he quickly pulled his tongue back in.
“Ugh.”
Whether from the disinfectant’s bitterness, Friedrich scrunched up his face in disgust. I couldn’t hold back anymore and collapsed onto the bed, giggling uncontrollably.
“Go to sleep now, patient. No one’s coming into my room until dawn anyway, so don’t worry.”
“…….”
“And don’t even think about escaping. I won’t overlook it a second time.”
“How did you know I was planning to flee to the garden?”
I told him to sleep, and instead he asks a question. I replied offhandedly.
“Well, kids’ thoughts are pretty obvious.”
……That was a joke, of course—it was all in the original story.
But Friedrich, unaware of that, bristled.
“I’m not a child.”
“With that face?”
I smirked teasingly and leaned my face close to his.
Friedrich flinched in surprise and tried to pull his head back, but I cupped his plump cheeks and wouldn’t let go.
“Look at the face reflected in my eyes. See if it’s a child’s or not.”
Friedrich’s gaze wavered. The sight made me smile.
“You’re so adorable like this.”
Especially these soft, squishy cheeks like sticky rice cakes!
I rubbed them lightly, then gave a pinch, and Friedrich’s face turned beet red as he shouted indignantly.
“D-Don’t lay a single finger on my body!”
What does he think I am, some kind of creep? The absurdity hit me for a moment, but soon mischief bubbled up.
“No? No way?”
I yanked the blanket over Friedrich’s head, all the way up, and pushed him down onto the bed.
A moment later, I pulled the blanket down just enough to reveal his eyes, and he glared at me fiercely.
Ah, even cuter? I giggled and stroked his hair.
“Sleep tight, little prince. Make sure to stay under the covers so you don’t catch a cold.”
“…….”
Surprisingly, he accepted this without protest. Does he like having his head patted? I’ll have to remember that.
I let out a long yawn and lay down beside Friedrich. He wouldn’t try to escape again, right?
* * *
“……They say ‘never say never’ for a reason?”
When I opened my eyes again, the spot beside me was empty. As I sat there in the sunlit bedroom, now bright with the rising sun, feeling utterly dumbfounded.
“Prince Friedrich has been sent back to the prison.”
Elsa’s voice reached me.
She approached and began combing my tousled hair.
“He looked perfectly fine, though.”
“What exactly were you imagining?”
“Don’t look at me like I’m trash. He’s the prince you chose, even giving up your right to the throne, so everyone assumes the same thing.”
“Hah.”
People’s imaginations were truly astounding, but I’d brought it on myself, so what could I do?
“Act like a lady. If you commit suicide, I’ll have to find a new husband.”
“Wise as ever.”
“Do we really have to send him to prison? He’s going to marry me anyway.”
“Until the wedding, he’s still a prisoner of war.”
“You’re so cold. Treating a man who’s spent the night with the princess so harshly.”
At those words, Elsa paused with a thoughtful expression before speaking.
“If you wish, I could arrange for better treatment.”
“Really?”
“Physically, at least. I’m not sure about his dignity.”
“Of course, the fact that he’s a prisoner of war won’t change.”
But comfort for the body comes first, right? I immediately told her to do it.
And when I went to board the carriage back to the capital, I saw Friedrich Kill again.
He was wearing silver handcuffs that covered his wrists completely, and because my last memory of him was as a child, he looked strangely unfamiliar.
Then, Friedrich Kill spotted me and his face hardened. At the same time, the knight holding him kicked hard at the back of his knees.
Friedrich Kill let out a sharp groan and dropped to his knees. I approached the two with an awkward smile.
“Good morning, Sir Hans.”
I belatedly remembered that Rene Stade doesn’t greet anyone first except the emperor, but I decided to let it slide.
Because Sir Hans’s expression, upon receiving my greeting, showed no suspicion—only boundless emotion.
“I greet Rene Stade, the brilliant morning star of Stade and the one blessed by the gods.”
Hans knelt before me in a disciplined posture and saluted.
He was the leader of the Red Sword Knights directly under the imperial family, an extra who, in the early part of the original story, resisted Friedrich Kill’s coup and died heroically in battle.
But…….
‘That’s too handsome a face to die like that!’
Like the embodiment of male hormones. He reminded me of a gladiator from a classic movie—a real heartthrob.
‘I should ask Friedrich Kill to spare Hans’s life later.’
For that, it would be important that Friedrich Kill doesn’t harbor resentment toward Hans.
“You may rise now. Is it alright to take the prince with me?”
I subtly helped Friedrich Kill, who was held by Sir Hans, to his feet as I asked. The standing Hans nodded.
“Of course. Your Highness, if the prince acts insolently, I’ll take immediate action, so please let me know anytime.”
“Thank you, Sir. You’re as loyal as ever.”
He says that even though he knows Rene Stade is stronger than anyone here. What a good guy!
Thinking I definitely had to save him later, I led Friedrich Kill to the carriage.
That’s when Friedrich Kill suddenly prostrated himself in front of the carriage steps.
His posture, as if offering his back as a footstool, was bewildering.
“What are you doing right now?”
Friedrich Kill looked up at me with an unfriendly gaze.
“I heard you had me released from prison to use me like this.”
……Me? That’s news to me.
My eyes widened as I turned to Elsa, who shrugged and explained.
“He’s been released on the condition of serving Your Highness.”
“That’s overkill. I don’t like such humiliating service.”
“But for the prince of a fallen nation, this kind of service suits him.”
“…….”
Elsa was right. If I treated Friedrich Kill too respectfully, everyone would find it strange.
It might even spark bizarre rumors that I was planning to use Prince Friedrich Kill to declare independence.
“You heard that, Prince? It wasn’t intentional.”
With no choice, I stepped on Friedrich Kill’s back and boarded the carriage.
He didn’t even groan once, then followed me into the carriage. I offered him the seat across from me.
“Are you okay?”
Friedrich Kill, back to his pure, tragic prince persona, bit his lip tightly and replied quietly.
“It’s an honor just to be spared as the prince of a fallen nation.”
“What are you talking about? I meant, is your back alright?”
With a baffled expression, I moved to sit beside Friedrich Kill. He flinched and pulled away from me.
“I may not look it, but I’m pretty heavy. Want me to check if there’s a bruise?”
“I-I’m fine.”
He hurriedly crossed his arms over his chest.
I was offering to check his back—why cover your chest?
The absurdity lasted only a moment. Then I remembered the wound on his tongue from last night.
“How’s your tongue? Yesterday, it didn’t look too bad…….”
“Your Highness, we’re departing…….”
As I grabbed Friedrich Kill’s chin, the carriage door burst open. I turned my head and locked eyes with Elsa.
“We’re departing.”
……Uh, wait. I think I’ve just caused a really impure misunderstanding, haven’t I?
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a misunderstanding.”
“Yes.”
“You get in too. Hurry.”
“I’m fine. I’m not that oblivious.”
It is a misunderstanding! While I was stunned, Elsa closed the door.
Sigh, fine……. Everyone believes I brought him for that kind of purpose anyway. With a resigned expression, I spoke.
“If you want, I’ll send you back to the prison carriage.”
Only then did I realize the meaning of what Elsa had said. Even if it’s physically harder, being confined might be better for his dignity.
“I brought you thinking of your comfort, but I guess I was short-sighted.”
At those words, Friedrich Kill looked a bit surprised. Eyes that couldn’t believe I’d considered him?
“Anyway, you’re my future husband. Treating you so openly like a criminal made me feel bad.”
“…….”
“I’ll tell Elsa to take you back.”
As I opened the window to call Elsa, I felt a faint tug on my dress.
When I turned, Friedrich Kill said with his head slightly bowed.
“I prefer it here.”
“You can be honest. I won’t get mad. There’s no way you’d be okay with constantly being stepped on in front of people.”
“Still, compared to the prison carriage.”
His words paused there. Like someone recalling a reason after the fact.
“……It’s warmer and more comfortable here.”
