"Hmm... so you've seen me before?"
Patunasankus tilted her head slightly, her golden ahoge gently rising. She maintained a faint smile on the surface while inwardly calculating how to precisely and quickly kill and silence this person should one of Princess Latifa's acquaintances notice something unnatural.
The middle-aged man knelt on one knee, prostrating himself before Patunasankus. The guards behind him followed suit and knelt down as well.
"I've only seen you once in the magical portrait released by the royal court. The Princess's charm is unforgettable," the middle-aged man answered respectfully, unaware that he had just been teetering on the edge of death.
"This old servant is named Craig, the butler of Duchess Pascal. What happened earlier was truly out of necessity; I didn't know the great Hero was personally protecting you. If I've disturbed the Princess, I sincerely apologize."
Good, he's not an acquaintance of the princess. Patunasankus glanced briefly at the people around them.
Otherwise, they might have become 'well-done' acquaintances of the evil dragon.
Unlike Loranhir's fear, Patunasankus was quite interested in the ferocious beast the middle-aged man mentioned.
Perhaps it was because dragons often held study groups to discuss matters of princess kidnapping, but Patunasankus was always curious about the evil beings cursed by humans.
Since they were already here.
Going to a crowded big city would also make it convenient to inquire about the so-called Grand Duke Dreka.
"It's fine," Patunasankus shook her head, indicating she didn't mind. "What is this ferocious beast of Silver City you mentioned earlier?"
Silver City was a medium-sized city near the western border of the Dawn Kingdom. Thanks to its pleasant climate and fertile volcanic ash soil, this place was known for its grapes and renowned worldwide for its high-quality wine.
Because it was strategically unimportant, no one paid much attention to this city. On ordinary days, it thrived quite well through wine trade.
But at some point, a ferocious beast began to appear in the nights of Silver City. Every full moon, countless young women would disappear without a trace.
Some said this monster was four ells tall, with a bloody maw that specialized in devouring pure maidens.
Others said it was all the work of goblins, and that all goblins should be expelled without leaving a single one behind!
But no one took it seriously until one of the victims included the daughter of Duchess Pascal.
Now the Duchess was gathering people to try to find her missing daughter.
Craig had set out under the Duchess's orders to go to the royal capital to find more reliable help, and shortly after setting out, he encountered the natural disaster caused by the hero.
"However, I believe I have found what I need. With the help of the strongest hero, dealing with a mere ferocious beast would be nothing," Craig said.
His expectant gaze remained fixed on Loranhir, causing her to silently move two steps back, trying to use the princess's petite body to block this intense gaze, even though this was completely impossible given the princess's size.
Refuse him! Refuse him!!
Loranhir instinctively cast a glance toward the princess, hoping Patunasankus could understand her thoughts.
She already wanted to leave.
Before figuring out the mechanism of the holy sword, she didn't want to get involved in such events at all.
Patunasankus certainly noticed this, so she deliberately turned to Loranhir with a charming, childlike smile, as if she had filled it with all her trust in the hero.
I understand.
Patunasankus's smile seemed to convey this meaning.
Loranhir finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's alright. The hero can definitely solve the ferocious beast while protecting me at the same time," Patunasankus said with a light, mischievous smile on her lips that was captivating. "I also believe she would be happy to help."
"After all, the hero is, super, powerful!" the evil dragon said, emphasizing each word.
Loranhir maintained her expression, but the corner of her mouth twitched slightly. As if mirroring the princess's words, the Heart of the Red Queen once again began to pound loudly.
After a long pause.
"...I have no objection," the hero said.
○
The carriage moved slowly through the pitch-black night. Across an oak table, Loranhir and Patunasankus sat facing each other.
The carriage compartment was in an elegant noble style, with walls decorated in luxurious patterned wallpaper, and dark green genuine leather sofas embroidered with gold thread. Not a single detail was less than exquisite.
From the moment she stepped into this compartment, Loranhir suddenly felt like she had been upgraded, but she couldn't help feeling afraid. She could completely imagine what would happen next.
Bad things were bound to happen.
Making a hero who didn't even know how to draw the holy sword solve some ferocious beast problem? Really?!
Confess!
She must confess!
Loranhir examined Patunasankus, continuously encouraging herself.
Patunasankus now had one hand resting on the window ledge, the other propping up her chin, idly watching the distant moon. Her expression was quite relaxed and carefree. Occasionally, she would glance over at the hero, seemingly completely unaware that she was about to be involved in such a dangerous situation.
Loranhir had thought it through.
For the princess's safety, for her own sake, before they reached Silver City, while there was still a chance to change their minds, she had to explain clearly to the princess.
About the fact that she was a coward who didn't know how to draw the holy sword.
If it was the princess, surely she would choose to believe her, to forgive her!
Surely she would.
Loranhir lowered her head, struggling to organize her words.
After a long while, she looked up, mustering all her courage to try to reveal her true self.
"Princess, actually... actually I..."
"Actually I, I am..."
The words that had finally been spoken received none of the anticipated response. Loranhir heard steady breathing, very close by.
"...?"
The hero shifted her gaze to look.
She saw that at some point, the princess had quietly laid on the table, arms crossed, head resting sideways on them, face tilted, eyes closed, long eyelashes like butterfly wings, a few strands of hair gently brushing against her serene face.
She had indeed fallen asleep.
With a very adorable sleeping face.
"..."
Looking at her peaceful countenance, Loranhir couldn't bring herself to disturb her. The words she had been preparing to say were instantly swallowed back. She had no desire to disturb her.
Now there was no chance to confess, so she would have to try again later.
However-
In a place imperceptible to Loranhir, Patunasankus's eyelashes trembled slightly, her azure eyes narrowing, as if secretly smirking.
Want to escape?
No way!