Chapter 82

Smiling, she said her goodbyes.

As the carriage pulled away, Baron Rodon’s mansion shrank into the distance, becoming just a small dot. Karentina held the box close, feeling both a bittersweet regret and a warm contentment.

“I’m sure Princess Stella will love the fruit jellies too. Zion said she’s been finishing her breakfasts well and staying cheerful… We should hurry back. I can’t help but worry.”

“Yeah.”

Ignis, who had been hesitating for some reason, held something out in front of her.

“Ah!”

It was the pink, star-shaped shell she had tried to pick up before.

“I thought you might have forgotten it.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I was actually planning to give it to Princess Stella.”

Ignis let out a small laugh.

“This pink looks just like Princess Stella’s cheeks. Isn’t it just too cute?”

Karentina beamed, picturing Stella happily running around. She couldn’t wait to hurry back to the mansion and smother her soft, little chubby cheeks with kisses.

“….”

Ignis didn’t say anything and quickly turned his head. His ears, hidden by his black hair, had turned slightly red.

Karentina tilted her head in confusion, then shifted her gaze to the dazzling sea glimmering outside the carriage window.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

The carriage dropped them off near the teleportation circle, then headed back to the baron’s estate.

Karentina and Ignis slowly began walking toward the direction of the teleportation magic circle, crossing through the bustling market streets. Maybe because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the market was overflowing with seafood and fresh fruits. Children laughed and ran about, while merchants haggled energetically from the early morning hours. Karentina took it all in with wide, fascinated eyes. Then, without warning, Ignis grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him. Startled, Karentina stumbled into him, her wide, trembling eyes searching his face for answers at the sudden proximity.

“…Shh.”

His expression, which had softened during the carriage ride, suddenly became sharp.

‘What’s going on?’

Karentina flinched and glanced around, but before she could ask, Ignis spoke in a low voice.

“Someone’s following us.”

“W-What? Oh!”

Without thinking, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

‘Who could it be? Could it be people sent by the Empress?’

Seeing Ignis’s atmosphere suddenly become tense, Karentina swallowed dryly.

“Judging by the killing intent I’m sensing, it seems we’re being followed.”

He smirked coldly as he scanned their surroundings.

They slipped into a narrow, twisting alleyway to avoid dragging others into danger. Just a little farther, and the teleportation circle would be right in front of them.

It was then.

As an arrow shot toward them from out of nowhere, Ignis drew his sword and cut it cleanly in two in a flash. At the same time, masked assailants emerged, blocking their path.

‘Three ahead, two above.’

Judging by their movements, it was clear they were highly trained knights.

Seeing Karentina’s hands trembling in fear, Ignis pulled her into his arms to calm her. The familiar faint scent clinging to her made him momentarily dizzy.

‘Why is this woman so fragile and soft?’

Ignis bit down on his lip in frustration.

“Close your eyes. I’ll handle this. It won’t take long.”

Though she trembled, Karentina nodded, doing her best to stay composed.

In an instant, Ignis created a wall of fire around her for protection.

“So you really are the Crown Prince.”

“….”

Karentina fidgeted anxiously, unable to see Ignis or the attackers beyond the roaring pillar of crimson flames. As the sharp clash of swords and the sickening sound of flesh being pierced became too much to bear, she clamped her hands over her ears. The attackers, unable to break through the magic barrier created by a Transcendent, turned their focus on Ignis instead.

‘Ignis will be okay.’

She knew a Transcendent like him wouldn’t lose, and yet, her heart still felt like it was being consumed with worry. Could he really take on all the assassins by himself?

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but slowly, the sounds around her began to fade. The wall of fire that had been shielding her disappeared in an instant, and Ignis stepped forward, stopping in front of her. A cruel, metallic scent of blood hung heavily around him.

“Are you alright?”

“I-I’m okay. What about you, Your Highness? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“….”

Ignis looked at her with a shaken gaze.

The irritation he had felt from dealing with those tedious vermin melted away in an instant. Seeing Karentina gazing up at him with eyes as clear as the sea left him feeling strangely refreshed.

“I’m fine.”

“There’s blood on your cheek!”

Startled, Karentina quickly used the hem of her clothes to wipe the blood from his face. Thankfully, it appeared to be the assassins’ blood, as there were no wounds.

Ignis quietly accepted her touch without saying anything.

“Do you think the Empress might have noticed something?”

“It’s hard to say. Either way, we should return to the castle first.”

Worried about Stella, who was waiting at the castle, Karentina quickly made her way toward the teleportation circle alongside Ignis.