THSMW 40

chapter 40

“Assassins!”

A knight near Siegfried shouted out. The group drew their swords all at once.

An arrow was lodged in the side of the horse Siegfried was riding. Only then did I realize the source of the strange unease that had been wrapping around my skin.

• Squeeeak!

Several arrows flew in rapid succession. Judging by the shots coming from all directions, there was more than one assassin.

“Whoa! Stop!”

Siegfried, holding his sword in one hand, pulled sharply on the reins in surprise. The suddenly wounded horse was frantic and uncontrollable.

“We must protect the Prince first!”

Abysion shouted as he deflected arrows. Most of the arrows were aimed at Siegfried. No wonder things had been quiet lately — just as I had started to relax, the assassins appeared again. Killian was the closest to Siegfried, blocking arrows with his shield.

“Aagh!”

One knight was struck by an arrow and collapsed.

I hurried toward Siegfried. The number of arrows kept increasing.

Normally, Siegfried would have blocked the attacks without issue. But the horse he was riding was wildly agitated, bucking uncontrollably. Deflecting arrows in that state was nearly impossible. I swatted away arrows flying nearby and clung close to Siegfried’s side.

“Your Highness, are you injured anywhere?”

“No. Be careful.”

Siegfried was contemplating whether he should jump off the horse. Meanwhile, another arrow pierced the horse’s rear.

Neighing in pain!

The horse braced to bolt. I cut down another incoming arrow.

This couldn’t go on. I sheathed my sword again.

Then, bending down, I took out my bow and quiver. Seeing me do that, Abysion and Miliad also readied their bows.

The knights were blocking the basic attacks, so it was our turn to fight back. I aimed at the spot where the last arrow had flown from.

• Shiiiik!

“Gah!”

Luckily, the shot hit. I heard the thud of an assassin collapsing into the bushes.

Soon, multiple arrows flew from our side as well, and the number of assassins’ arrows gradually decreased.

I was about to draw another arrow when I froze. An arrow was flying down from above, heading straight for Siegfried.

No. If that hits, he’ll definitely be wounded in the shoulder.

At that moment, I was sure.

As if I had seen it with my own eyes, the scene of Siegfried being hit by the arrow and falling from the horse flashed through my mind.

• Squeeeak!

I don’t know how I saw that so clearly. Desperately, I reached out my hand.

And then.

• Thwack!

“A–are you catching the flying arrow with your hand…?”

One knight nearby murmured. My hand stung a bit but it was bearable.

I looked down at the arrow I had caught with one hand, my palm slightly scraped.

“Ouch…”

I grimaced. After a moment, I broke the arrow in half and dropped it to the ground.

“Your Highness!”

Shiiiiing!

There was no time to feel the pain in my palm. Siegfried’s horse suddenly kicked off and bolted.

I immediately gave chase. More arrows rained down, but Abysion and the knights shielded me from behind.

I slung the bow over my shoulder and kicked the horse’s sides hard. Siegfried’s horse was galloping at an incredible speed.

I succeeded in protecting his shoulder from injury, but if he fell off that horse, he’d at least have bruises all over.

We galloped for a long time, my muscles aching all over. Eventually, Siegfried and his horse became just a small dot far ahead.

At some point, I lost sight of him.

When I reached the place where Siegfried had disappeared, I thought I wouldn’t find him.

“Ariel, over here.”

But when I heard Siegfried’s voice behind me, I finally relaxed. He seemed to have safely landed in soft bushes, peeling leaves stuck to him.

“Oh, what’s this? You scared me.”

I pressed down hard on the area near my heart, which felt like it was about to burst from running like mad. Fortunately, Siegfried looked perfectly fine without a scratch. A relieved, tired smile spread across my face.

“I was surprised too. I was too careless. At the palace, I’m used to these kinds of threats, but recently I had let my guard down too much.”

Siegfried came closer. I jumped off the horse and looked around.

I had no idea how far we had come. All around were trees, trees, and more trees. Apart from that, there was just Siegfried and me.

“What about your horse, Your Highness?”

“I don’t know. I hope someone finds it and treats its wounds.”

Siegfried clicked his tongue. We probably wouldn’t meet the assassins again since we had gone too far, but it was difficult to figure out how to find our party.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“You’re the one who’s hurt. I’ve never seen anyone catch an arrow with their hand.”

“I think Your Highness could probably do it too.”

“I wouldn’t know since I’ve never tried. How did you even do it?”

“It was my first time too. But somehow… I felt like I could predict how the arrows would fly.”

I scratched my cheek. Maybe it was because I had read novels before. I didn’t remember scenes like this, though.

“I’m fine. So, what now? I don’t know how to get back.”

“In times like this, it’s better to wait here. It’s safer than wandering around and running into more assassins.”

“You’re worried about the assassins?”

“Of course not.”

He said jokingly, but I could tell he was serious.

If I were riding and Siegfried behind me shooting arrows, it would probably make the assassins nervous.

“Then let’s rest for a while. Hopefully Abysion finds us quickly.”

I tied the horse to a tree.

The leaves were so dense I couldn’t even see the sky, making it hard to tell the time.

“Show me your hand.”

Siegfried said.

I had been holding the reins too tightly, so the wound was a bit deeper. He looked at my hand and frowned.

“Do you still have ointment?”

“Yes, luckily.”

We sat down next to the tree where the horse was tied. Siegfried reached out as I tried to stand to get the ointment.

“Wait. I’ll bring it.”

He took ointment and a water bottle out of his bag.

I stared up at his face, still beautiful from this low angle without any shame. How could his nose be so high? His jawline was like it had been carved from marble, perfect.

Siegfried seemed used to me admiring his face, saying nothing. He sat beside me and opened the water bottle.

“Don’t use it all. We don’t know when Abysion will arrive. That’s the only water we have.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Then why are you pouring so much?”

He held my palm and poured water with a rushing sound. I jumped.

“Save it! You have to save it!”

“There’s enough left for you to drink.”

“What about Your Highness?”

“I can endure it. If it comes to it, I’ll drink water collected on leaves.”

“…Sorry to say this, but—”

“Go ahead. Apologizing is your specialty.”

I didn’t know I had such a specialty, but Siegfried seemed to know.

Anyway, who was talking to whom? Siegfried had the sharp tongue of terror himself.

“Don’t drink dirty water and get sick. There’s nothing to wipe it off with.”

“Hmph…”

“That’s why I said sorry.”

“Washing your wound is more important than me getting sick, so it’s okay.”

“You’re coming at me from a weird angle.”

Siegfried didn’t understand my remark and silently applied ointment to my hand. It stung, but I didn’t show it, thinking he’d feel bad.

His thick, rough fingers carefully held and examined my hand. Compared to his hands, mine felt very small.

After applying the ointment, Siegfried rummaged through his belongings and pulled out a neatly folded clean handkerchief.

“You’re not going to wrap it with that, right? It’s the perfect size for when Your Highness has a stomach ache…”

“You’re incredible in so many ways.”

“Hehe.”

“That’s not a compliment.”

“I know it is.”

Ignoring me, Siegfried wrapped my palm with the handkerchief.

With the treatment finished, there was nothing more to do. I flopped backward.

“Your head’s getting dirty.”

“I’ll wash it.”

“How do you know when Abysion will come?”

Siegfried muttered as he rested his hand on the back of my head. His warm palm was surprisingly thick, serving well as a pillow.

“Your Highness, do you want to lie down too? It feels a bit trapped since you can’t see the sky at all, but it’s nice.”

“What’s nice about that?”

Siegfried asked incredulously. I smiled slightly and closed my eyes.