ESMLT 29

Chapter 29

“You mean they can’t hear or see, but they only recognize humans?”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t know how that’s even possible?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded while carefully stepping over twigs as the Crown Prince questioned me.

At that moment, Xien approached, still hugging the tattered blanket I had washed for him. He said it was too much of a waste to throw away.

“As expected, Miss Ria is truly clever.”

His violet-like eyes curved into crescents.

‘As if we even have food—what’s the point of flattery?’

I glanced at the cut on Xien’s cheek.

“When we reach the western shelter safely, I’ll treat you.”

I couldn’t help but be bothered by it—not just because it was anyone’s injury, but because it was his face.

It felt like the same kind of frustration one feels when a bright red, perfect apple gets bruised.

Xien blinked slowly, turning his head slightly to the side.

“Hm, rather than treatment, I think I’d heal faster if Miss Ria just blew on it for me.”

Again with the unnecessary sweetness.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Xien turned away with an exaggeratedly disappointed look.

“…Tch.”

Tch?

Tchhh?

I was dumbfounded.

If a hulking muscle-bound guy had done that, it would’ve been revolting, but since it was this delicate, beautiful Snow White doing it…

‘So why does that come off as cute?’

I really didn’t understand my own tastes.

Up ahead, the Crown Prince turned his face toward Xien with an expression twisted in disgust. His gaze brimmed with loathing.

“What a lunatic.”

Hearing this, Xien blinked in surprise, as if thinking: How could someone say such a thing…?

That must’ve been a new experience for him.

Well, of course. Our fragile princess sometimes acted a little fierce, but having been pampered all his life, he probably never encountered real profanity before.

The words that suited him weren’t insults, but things like “flower,” “butterfly,” “red apple,” “grace,” and “elegance.”

I narrowed my eyes and gave the Crown Prince a sidelong glare.

“Your Highness, please refrain from swearing. You’ll hurt the Tower Master’s feelings.”

“Ha.”

The Crown Prince gave a short laugh and tapped my shoulder with the end of his spear.

“Young Lady, you’re being deceived. You’ve no idea how foul that man’s mouth really is.”

Oh, come on. Surely not.

Yes, he sometimes behaved in ways that made me question his personality, but swearing? That didn’t suit him at all.

“Don’t slander people, Your Highness.”

It was bad enough that I had broken my promise to bring him his family’s remains—did he have to be accused on top of that?

“Ha!”

The Crown Prince looked like he was about to lose his mind from sheer injustice, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

Then suddenly, Xien stepped quickly between the two of us, startling me.

“Please don’t fight because of me, Miss Ria.”

“No, we weren’t really—”

“Then I’ll just accept being the lunatic.”

…What on earth was he talking about? Why would he take that on?

I must have had a bewildered expression, because that’s when Xien leisurely took my hand and pressed it to his cheek.

Tilting his head, his lashes lowered as he gazed down at me. Those darkened irises, half-hidden under his thick lashes, were beautiful—seductive.

“That’s why you can’t take your eyes off me. Who knows what I might do otherwise.”

The graceful curve of his eyes sent a chill down my spine.

It felt like a lion jealously guarding his mate from rival males.

‘Does he already know that another male lead will appear soon?’

Caught off guard, I found myself nodding slightly.

At that, Xien smiled, blooming like a radiant flower.

But instead of making my heart flutter… it honestly scared me a little.

We finally arrived at the back gate of the western shelter.

We had left the forest at dawn, and only as night fell did we reach the place.

The shelter was surrounded by a rectangular fence, covered in flowers and shrubs. Just outside, as Jaeger had said, stood a crumbling stable.

I was about to pull out some jerky to summon Aporta, but instead, I tossed it to a rabbit.

That’s because I had already heard the sound of a flute somewhere nearby.

We circled along the fence, following the melody.

Soon, through the leaves of a tree pressed against the back gate, we spotted a man.

The closer we drew, the clearer the pure flute music became.

And, of course—

Graaah!

The groaning of zombies as well.

When we arrived, we saw them clawing furiously at the tree, trying to climb it. Their savage grip stripped away the bark, sap oozing down.

Crack! Thud!

By now, dispatching zombies had become fairly easy. After we cleared them, I looked up at the tree and let out a short laugh.

The man either hadn’t noticed us, or he simply didn’t care to stop until his song ended. He just kept playing.

‘So… another kind of self-absorbed type, like Xien—but in his own way.’

I wasn’t the only one exasperated.

“How leisurely,” the Crown Prince said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Shouldn’t we just shoot him down with a gun?” Xien muttered irritably.

At that moment, the man lowered his flute and slipped it into his sleeve. Then, slowly bowing his head, he seemed to finally acknowledge us.

What widened were his eyes—clear, soft green, like fresh spring leaves.

With a sudden leap, he dropped down from the tree.

He had a refined yet mature air about him, dressed like someone out of a martial arts drama. His chestnut-brown hair was tied to one side in a long braid, bound with white cloth.

Un Danha.

The 13th prince of the Eastern Kingdom—and the last male lead.

I realized belatedly that Danha had been staring at me this whole time. His gaze held curiosity and wonder.

‘Why is he staring so intently?’

Still, no matter how handsome a man was, staring so openly was impolite.

“What are you staring at?”

I deliberately sharpened my tone to put him in his place. But the man simply widened his eyes with innocent admiration.

“…I’m astonished. I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful.”

His almond-shaped eyes curved gracefully.

“It feels as if every lovely word in existence was created just to describe you.”

My face warmed slightly at that.

‘What nonsense—what words could possibly have been made for me?’

Clearly, he was a natural charmer, skilled at winning women’s favor.

To be honest, of all the male leads, I had always liked Danha the most.

He had abandoned succession to the throne and kept far from power. Instead, he devoted himself to poetry, music, calligraphy, and flower arranging.

A man of peace, gentle and elegant.

When he admired the Saintess, he never forced his feelings—he simply waited quietly, supporting her from behind.

Though he looked like someone who had never been in a fight, he was actually the tallest of all the male leads. Still, he carried a delicate beauty, like dew on fresh leaves.

And the surprising part? With that face, he only ever courted older women.

‘Well, with lines like that, it’s no wonder the older ladies swooned over him.’

But just then, a broad back blocked my view of him.

The Crown Prince, spear resting on his shoulder, lifted his chin arrogantly.

“Well, well. Are those the manners of the East? Greeting women with such honeyed words?”

Danha did not falter; instead, he smiled faintly.

“My apologies. This foolish man’s eyes were so captivated by a beauty that I failed to notice Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

He placed a hand to his chest and bowed deeply.

“Un Danha greets the Empire’s little sun.”

He had executed the Imperial bow flawlessly.

Judging by the shift in his speech, it seemed he normally spoke the Imperial tongue with his own accent, but when formality was required, he used it perfectly.

The Crown Prince, having no grounds to find fault, only sighed in irritation and glanced around the forest.

“Still, it’s impressive. To remain so relaxed—playing the flute at a time like this. It seems the prince has no intention of escaping.”

Danha didn’t flinch at the mockery; he merely smiled softly.

“I simply didn’t know what else to do. So I was counting leaves.”

He then stepped aside and moved toward me.

“Perhaps it was fate, so that I might meet such a beautiful lady.”

Ah, smooth as always.

“Is this how one should greet an Imperial lady?”

He took my hand and lightly pressed his lips to the back of it. The soft touch lingered briefly before parting, and his eyes smiled warmly.

‘Full marks. 100 out of 100.’

I was awarding him in my head when—

Smack!

Xien struck Danha’s hand sharply. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, he rested his chin on my head.

“Know your place. Don’t touch her so carelessly.”

I couldn’t see Xien’s face, but his voice was as dark and threatening as a storm.

Danha gave a wry, awkward smile.

“You must be the Tower Master?”

“And if I am?”

“I regret approaching the lady without care. So perhaps now, you could lower the gun you’re pressing beneath me?”

I followed his gaze downward.

Sure enough—Xien’s polished revolver was aimed squarely at Danha’s groin.

“It would be an honor to lose my virtue to someone as beautiful as the Tower Master… but I’d rather not be crippled just yet.”

Embarrassed just watching, I gently pushed the weapon away.

Danha sighed in relief, while Xien clicked his tongue in annoyance.

At that point, Jaeger, who had been quietly observing from behind, stepped forward.

“I think we’ve heard enough nonsense. Don’t you agree?”

He gave me a pointed look—no, a pointed hint.

We had found another survivor. That meant it was time to plan our escape.

I understood his urgency—he wanted to return to the Empire as soon as possible.

So I cut straight to the matter.

“Shall we talk?”