ESMLT 40

Chapter 40

“Why are you laughing?”

“I think I’ll have to collapse regularly from now on. When I do, you treat me as kindly as you do the Tower Master. Ever since the leeches started clinging to me, you’ve been cold. But like this, you’re gentle.”

“That’s entirely your fault, Your Highness. If you didn’t play games with your life all the time, I wouldn’t have treated you so coldly.”

Feeling that this crown prince—who couldn’t even use force—was becoming a little easier to handle, I pinched his nose lightly, making sure not to hurt him. Startled afterward, I pulled my hand away, but he only curved his lips into a bright laugh.

…It feels like we’ve become oddly familiar with each other.

Of course, part of it was because he was too exhausted to be fully aware, but it felt like the barrier between us had crumbled.

I’m tired too.

Sighing, I lay down beside him. He slid a pillow under my head, rested his arm beneath it, and turned toward me.

“Hey, Lady.”

“What?”

“What’s your type?”

“A normal person.”

“Oh-ho, then at the moment, I fit your ideal type best.”

I widened my eyes at him.

Does this bastard have no self-awareness?

I considered dragging him to a mirror for therapy, but gave up when I saw him smiling drowsily like a fool.

“Hey, Lady.”

“Ugh, what now?”

“You really have no intention of marrying me?”

“None.”

“Why not? I do dishes really well now. Better than that other prince.”

…What would you even achieve by winning in dishwashing?

“Hey, Lady. Doesn’t it feel like a honeymoon suite when we’re like this?”

“I’d like to build a house, at least.”

His eyes widened in surprise, almost happy.

“Really?”

Yeah, your grave, idiot. Please just sleep, will you?

Seeing my sour expression, he made a face as if to say, of course not.

“So you didn’t mean it.”

I glared at him.

“Why act like it’s a pity, when you don’t even truly like me?”

At that, he raised one eyebrow.

“Maybe I already do, but just haven’t realized it yet. After all, a woman willing to die with me couldn’t possibly be unattractive.”

“Ridiculous.”

“How about putting yourself in danger just once? Who knows, maybe in that moment, I’ll realize I actually like you.”

From the moment he tested me by wagering his life, I knew he had no regard for life. But wasn’t he taking it too lightly?

I shot him a sharp glare.

“Why should I go that far? My life is precious.”

With a sigh, I turned my back to him. Truthfully, I found him less endearing whenever he treated life so lightly.

For a while it was silent, so I thought he’d finally fallen asleep. But then—

“Lady, want to make a bet?”

Again, his voice.

Seriously, is this guy not planning to sleep at all?

I turned, glaring at the so-called sleep-talker. He was smiling faintly, like something amused him.

…Fine. I’ll let it slide because his smile looks nice.

Though my words had been curt, I had realized midway that he was deliberately keeping himself awake, chattering nonstop. A faint pity welled up.

It seemed inner anxiety was preventing him from sleeping.

Does he have bad memories about sleep?

It didn’t suit someone usually so arrogant and confident.

Grudgingly, I opened my mouth.

“…What’s the bet?”

With that faint smile, he slowly closed his eyes.

“Hmm, whether it’ll be day or night when we leave this place. I’ll say daytime.”

“Then I’ll pick nighttime.”

“Good. Loser grants the winner a wish.”

“That’s childish. What are you, a kid? Planning to be a gambler in the future?”

“Wife, don’t say such things. Our baby can hear.”

Then, covering the ears of the rabbit dozing beside my pillow, he made me burst out laughing despite myself.

Ugh, so humiliating.

After that, he kept asking questions—about my favorite food, hobbies, habits. Twirling my hair between his fingers, he even promised to help me with gray hairs once we returned to the Empire. Clearly, he was out of his mind.

Then he playfully shaped my hair into a mustache over his lip.

Is he insane?

I couldn’t help a laugh slipping out.

What was even crazier was that I found it… a little cute.

Before long, his eyes, heavy with exhaustion, finally closed.

Oh, is he actually going to sleep?

“Lady, I’m sleepy.”

“Then just sleep. Or are you afraid I’ll kill you while you’re out?”

“Yes.”

…Should I really assassinate him just once?

When I shot him a glare, he chuckled faintly, eyes still closed.

After a long pause, his quiet voice came again.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“…You want me to live, right?”

…What?

“Have you ever seen anyone risk their life to save someone they wanted dead?”

I meant it as a reminder—you owe me your life several times over, so don’t forget that back in the capital. But he just smiled, lips curving beautifully, oblivious to my intent.

Though he’d barely eaten a scrap of bread that morning, he looked as satisfied as a predator after a feast.

“Good. That’s enough. I think I can sleep now.”

What is he even saying…

Time passed.

The chill faded, and drowsiness finally washed over me.

Just then, his voice came again, low and lazy.

“When I was little… my elder brother, the Emperor, used to sing me lullabies to sleep.”

“…So what, you want me to sing you one too?”

“Don’t say something so horrific, Lady. Earlier I heard you—completely tone-deaf.”

“I find you horrific.”

He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my exasperated reaction.

Soon after, his smile faded. His breathing evened out, calm and steady.

Watching the prince asleep, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

Maybe I did want him to rest peacefully after all.

I closed my eyes too.

It was dark and still.

Rihad curled his small body under the blanket.

Before long, the door creaked open.

A gentle hand stroked his hair, and a lullaby followed.

He wanted to leap up and throw himself into the arms of the person, but part of him just wanted to savor that sweetness a little longer.

So he thought—

I’ll surprise Brother.

Just imagining his elder brother’s startled face made him giggle uncontrollably, struggling to hold back laughter.

“Rihad, are you asleep?”

The smile on his lips deepened.

A brother who cherished him—an orphan without a mother—like the most precious treasure in the world.

Did his brother know? How much he trusted him, how much he loved him?

“Rihad, are you asleep?”

He couldn’t hold back the mischievous grin. His heart swelled with affection, and he was just about to sit up and hug his brother when—

“I wish you would never wake up again.”

…

“I wish you would sink into despairing slumber and dream nothing but nightmares.”

…

“Do you know I pray every night for your death?”

…

“Don’t make my efforts meaningless. Hurry and die.”

The lips whispered against his ear.

“Die.”

…

“Just die.”

…

“You should never have been born, you worthless insect.”

Gasp!

Rihad jolted awake, sucking in a harsh breath.

His shirt and hair were soaked in cold sweat. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, stifling a groan.

He was in the barracks. His legs were dangling outside the tent.

Damn it…

The reality he had briefly forgotten while lost in the nightmare returned all at once.

With a heavy sigh, Rihad turned his head.

Redria was curled up, fast asleep, facing him.

“Hah.”

He widened his eyes, then let out a short, incredulous laugh.

I actually slept? With someone right beside me?

How long had it been—since he’d collapsed into sleep next to someone?

And not just anyone—beside Redria, someone he’d doubted until recently.

Was it sheer exhaustion that loosened my guard?

Running a hand through his damp hair, Rihad sneered softly.

Ha. Still… unbelievable.

He had said he would trust her, yes—but only that she wasn’t involved in the incident. Not that he trusted her completely.

Yet here he was, having fallen sound asleep at her side.

Even he couldn’t quite believe it.