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Chapter 19
“…My knee’s fine now. You don’t need to worry so much.”
I placed my hand over the part of my leg covered by the dress, hoping he would respect my space. If I stayed like this any longer, it felt like my knee would give out. He looked genuinely surprised.
“I’m sorry. It seems I caused quite a serious injury.”
“No, please speak comfortably, Your Highness.”
I gave a wry smile at his flustered expression. Why are they both so kind? Still, riding in the wide, low-vibration luxury carriage made me feel a little more at ease.
But once we arrived at the palace, another problem arose.
Although I could walk despite limping, it seemed the others didn’t see it that way.
“It won’t be long until the treatment room. Please endure a bit; there are many eyes watching since we’re in my palace.”
“I’ll do it, Your Highness.”
“Very well. Excuse me for a moment.”
But if I refused his help, it would surely reach my mother’s ears. After all, he had gone out of his way to create the accident—if I just said, “It’s fine,” she would definitely think otherwise.
Sigh.
“Then, please.”
He lifted me into his arms and began walking. He moved slowly and carefully, paying attention to my safety, but the position was inherently uncomfortable—for both body and mind.
As I clung to him awkwardly, I spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
“Brother. You’re here at last?”
Unfortunately, our eyes met. This is the First Prince’s palace—why was Valeri just standing there? I couldn’t turn my head without seeing the First Prince’s neck, so there was no avoiding it.
“You’ve been gone for a few days, and now you’re acting all cordial. No trouble occurred in the meantime, I hope?”
“No, of course not…”
When he trailed off, a chill ran down my spine for no particular reason. Delkian sensed his gaze on me first.
“Oh. There was an accident on the way, and this young lady was seriously injured.”
“Is she alright?”
“Ah… she’s fine.”
The expression on his face instantly turned pale with worry. Anyone would think her bones were broken… Only after a while did Valeri, who had been staring, finally ask:
“Are you alright, Brother?”
“I’m fine. The accident happened when we tried to avoid your carriage.”
“Still, it would be wise for you to get checked as well. I will take care of bringing the young lady for treatment.”
Valeri extended both hands as if to pick me up immediately.
Delkian stepped back.
“No. Since it was my accident, I must take responsibility.”
Delkian refused outright. Though he meant no harm, it was firm.
“No, I’ll do it.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Even hearing this, Valeri neither withdrew his hands nor moved his body blocking me.
A brief silence passed.
I felt trapped, wanting to jump away somewhere. I silently hoped someone would speak first.
Before I could volunteer to walk myself, Valeri spoke first.
“I’m acquainted with Miss Ariandel here.”
Delkian raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
“You know each other?”
Finally, I felt some relief and nodded.
“…Yes. I’m familiar with the Second Prince, Your Highness.”
“Very well. Then rest assured. I will take responsibility for Miss Ariandel’s treatment. His Majesty was eagerly awaiting her return as well.”
Delkian, who had refused to yield, stepped back.
“Understood. Then my brother will take good care of her. He will be held responsible for today’s incident.”
“That’s fine. It was our haste that caused this, and I’m grateful for your concern.”
Delkian handed me over to Valeri, and I tried to avoid limping. A sharp pain ran through my knee, but I could still walk.
Once Delkian left, leaving only Valeri and me, I hesitated. Today’s matter seemed to have ended… but somehow, I felt I shouldn’t stay with him any longer.
“Um, Your Highness. It’s just my knee that’s slightly injured. The First Prince misunderstood.”
His gaze shifted toward my knee, though he couldn’t really see it. The dress was a little torn, but I had wrapped it roughly with a bandage and kept it firmly covered.
When he tried to lift me again, I instinctively stepped back.
“Do you dislike it?”
Wait, why does he phrase it that way?
“No, it’s not that. I wasn’t really hurt badly.”
“I heard it was a carriage accident.”
“Yes, but it’s just a minor knee injury…”
“I still can’t let you go. Let me see with my own eyes that you’re fine.”
If we argued much longer, we might be here until sunset. I let out a small sigh.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
He seemed to have been waiting for that and lifted me properly.
I’m not a baby! Still, knowing him, it felt much more comfortable than when I was handed to Delkian earlier.
He didn’t take me to the guest area but to his private palace. We had walked quite a bit; I was slightly surprised by the sudden, unplanned detour.
The First Prince had many eyes watching and had parked the carriage close, but Valeri casually carried me all the way here.
Almost immediately, a doctor entered to check my condition. He checked my pulse and examined the injury, then spoke with Valeri.
“You’re in shock from the accident. The wound can be treated immediately, but you will need medication for a few days. I’ll prepare it right away.”
Valeri’s expression was serious as he observed my injury.
“Will there be a scar?”
“Fortunately, it’s not a deep wound. As long as treatment is proper, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Very well. Treat her carefully.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The doctor began treatment, but with the Second Prince watching my knee so intensely, it was awkward for him. I imagined he was sweating nervously.
Sitting beside him, one knee on the floor like him, watching my injury constantly, it was understandable.
“Ah.”
I involuntarily groaned when the doctor pressed the disinfected cotton into the wound. The medicine was so strong it burned into the cut.
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
“You just made a sound of pain.”
“I-it’s because it feels relieving.”
I lied to avoid the doctor’s attention. He didn’t seem convinced anyway.
“Bear with it a little. If you endure till it’s over, I’ll do anything you want.”
He spoke like calming a child.
“Am I a child?”
I rolled my eyes; he raised the corners of his mouth, trying to suppress a smile.
After the doctor left to prepare the medicine, leaving just Valeri and me, he returned with a bundle of medication. It seemed to contain everything good for the body.
I handed the large bag to Ian, who had been shadowing me like a scarecrow, and stood. The pain flared as I put weight on my leg, but I could walk.
“I should go now. Could you escort me to the First Prince? I haven’t even properly thanked him.”
I wasn’t looking to see him again. But a proper noble always thanked royalty in person.
“No need to go yourself. I’ll take you there.”
He didn’t seem to have any intention of letting me go to the First Prince. Already large, he blocked the path like a huge wall.
