SPWHC 03

Chapter 03

I brought Friedrich to my room, away from the eyes of others. Luckily, after rummaging through a few drawers, I found a first-aid kit.

“Sit down.”

I made him sit on the bed and took the cloth out of his mouth.

“Stick your tongue out.”

He looked at me like I’d just said something only a child would hear.

Sorry, but you are a child right now.

“Hurry up.”

Reluctantly, Friedrich stuck out his tongue. I dabbed disinfectant onto a clean cloth and gently touched his tongue with it. He winced at the bitter taste.

“Bear with it. Who told you to bite your tongue in the first place?”

I scolded him while putting the kit back together. The contrast between his sharp glare and the ridiculous tongue-out pose was so funny that I burst out laughing. Noticing, he quickly pulled his tongue back in.

“Ugh.”

He scrunched up his face, probably from the disinfectant’s taste. I couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed out loud, falling back onto the bed.

“Go to sleep, patient. No one will come into my room until morning, so don’t worry.”

“……”

“And don’t even think about running away again. I won’t overlook it twice.”

“How did you know I escaped through the garden?”

Instead of sleeping, he started asking questions. I answered lazily,

“Well, kids’ thoughts are pretty predictable.”

…Okay, that was a lie. I knew because I’d read it in the original novel.

But Friedrich, unaware of that, puffed up indignantly.

“I’m not a child.”

“Looking like that?”

I smirked and leaned in close to his face. Friedrich flinched and tried to pull back, but I cupped his soft cheeks and held him still.

“Look at the face reflected in my eyes. Still think you’re not a child?”

His gaze wavered, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re so cute.”

Especially those soft, mochi-like cheeks!

I gently rubbed them, then gave them a playful pinch. His face turned beet red as he shouted sharply,

“D-Don’t you dare lay a finger on me!”

What, does he think I’m some kind of pervert? I was stunned for a second—then felt the urge to tease him more.

“Nope. Don’t wanna.”

Before he could react, I threw a blanket over him up to his head and pinned him down on the bed.

A moment later, I pulled the blanket down just enough to reveal his eyes glaring daggers at me.

Ah, even cuter now. I giggled and patted his head.

“Good night, little prince. Make sure you stay under the blanket so you don’t catch a cold.”

“……”

Surprisingly, he didn’t protest this time. Maybe he liked having his head patted. I’d have to remember that.

Yawning, I lay down beside him. Surely he wouldn’t try to run away again.

“…I jinxed it, didn’t I?”

When I opened my eyes again, the spot beside me was empty. The room was bright with morning sunlight, and I just sat there, dumbfounded.

“Prince Friedrich has been sent back to the dungeon,” came Elza’s voice.

She approached me and began brushing my messy hair.

“He looked quite healthy, by the way.”

“What kind of ‘look’ are you imagining?”

“Please don’t treat me like garbage. Everyone knows the prince you chose gave up his claim to the throne — they all think the same thing.”

“Ha.”

Well, it wasn’t like I hadn’t brought that upon myself.

“I guess I should act ladylike. If he’d killed himself, I’d have to find a new husband.”

“As expected of your wisdom, Your Highness.”

“But still, did he really have to go back to prison? He’s going to be my husband anyway.”

“Until the marriage, he remains a prisoner of war.”

“So cold. Imagine, the man who spent the night with a princess being treated like that.”

Elza paused, then spoke carefully.

“If you wish, I could arrange for better treatment for him.”

“Really?”

“Physically, yes. As for his dignity… that might be harder.”

“He’ll still be a war prisoner, huh.”

Still, comfort came first. I told her to go ahead with it.

Later, as I headed to the carriage to return to the capital, I saw Friedrich again.

He wore silver cuffs that covered his wrists completely. Maybe because my last memory of him was as a child, but now he seemed almost unfamiliar.

When he noticed me, Friedrich’s face stiffened. The knight holding him — Sir Hans — kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to kneel.

I awkwardly smiled and walked toward them.

“Good morning, Sir Hans.”

I suddenly remembered that René Starde — me, in this world — never greeted anyone first except the Emperor. Too late now.

Hans didn’t seem suspicious, though. In fact, his face was filled with reverence.

“To behold Lady René, the radiant star of Stade and one blessed by the gods, is an honor beyond measure.”

He knelt before me with impeccable form.

Hans, the captain of the Emperor’s Red Blade Knights. In the original story, he died heroically resisting Friedrich’s coup early on.

But…

‘That face is way too handsome to die that early!’

He looked like the personification of testosterone — a classic gladiator type straight out of an old movie.

‘I’ll have to ask Friedrich to spare his life later.’

To do that, Friedrich would have to not hate him first.

“You may rise. May I take the prince now?”

I gently lifted Friedrich by the arm as I asked. Hans stood and nodded.

“Of course. If the prince dares show any insolence, please inform me at once — I shall deal with him personally.”

“Thank you, Sir. So loyal as always.”

Even though he knew René was stronger than anyone here, he still said that. Such a good man!

I was all the more determined to save him later.

But then, as we reached the carriage, Friedrich suddenly dropped to his knees before the steps — like he wanted me to step on his back to get in.

“What are you doing?” I asked, startled.

He looked up at me, his gaze sharp.

“I was told that’s why you had me taken out of the dungeon — to serve you as your step.”

…Excuse me, what? That was news to me.

I turned to Elza, who shrugged.

“He was released under the condition that he serve as Your Highness’s attendant.”

“That’s a bit much. I don’t like this kind of humiliating service.”

“But it suits a fallen prince, doesn’t it?”

“……”

She wasn’t wrong. If I treated Friedrich too respectfully, people would get suspicious — rumors could spread that I planned to use him to start a rebellion.

“You heard her, prince. It’s not on purpose.”

With no choice, I stepped on his back and climbed into the carriage.

He didn’t make a sound, then followed me inside. I gestured for him to sit across from me.

“Are you okay?”

He pressed his lips tightly together, replying in a quiet, formal tone,

“It is an honor just to be spared, as a fallen prince.”

“What are you talking about? I meant your back. Does it hurt?”

I frowned and sat next to him. He flinched and pulled away from me.

“I’m heavier than I look, you know. Want me to check for bruises?”

“N-No, I’m fine.”

He crossed his arms defensively over his chest.

I wanted to look at his back, so why was he covering his chest?

Then I remembered the cut on his tongue from last night.

“How’s your tongue? Yesterday it looked—”

“Your Highness, we’re ready to depart—”

Right then, the carriage door burst open, and I found myself face to face with Elza.

“We’re departing now.”

…Wait. I think she just got the worst possible impression.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not what it looks like.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Then get in already.”

“I’ll pass. I’m not that oblivious.”

So she was misunderstanding! Before I could explain, she shut the door.

Fine. Everyone already thought I brought him along for that reason anyway.

Resigned, I turned to Friedrich.

“If you’d rather, I can have them move you to a prison carriage instead.”

Now I understood what Elza meant earlier — being confined might be harsh, but at least it would preserve his dignity.

“I really was trying to do something kind for you, but I guess I didn’t think it through.”

He looked up at me with a startled expression, as if he couldn’t believe I’d said that.

“Anyway, you’re my fiancé now. I just didn’t like seeing you treated so openly like a criminal.”

“……”

“I’ll tell Elza to have you moved.”

I reached for the window, but then felt a faint tug on my dress.

Turning, I saw Friedrich bow his head slightly.

“I’d rather stay here.”

“You can be honest. I won’t be mad. No one would enjoy being stepped on in public.”

“Still, compared to the prison carriage…”

He trailed off for a moment, as though realizing something.

“…this one’s warmer. And more comfortable.”