The Hero is Standing in My Way - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

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I will do my own thing and work hard to win the favor of the southern nobles. Of course, Siegfried attracts people’s attention even if he stands still.

“Hmph.”

I turned my head away from staring at nothing in particular. I couldn’t forgive Siegfried for what he had done last night no matter how much I thought about it.

Thankfully, Count Paresa was tight-lipped, because if the rumors spread, I’d be in very big trouble. I must cut-off all contact with Siegfried before anything happens again. It was enough to see the caves from afar.

Anyways, Siegfried is going to leave Ellifritz after the monster subjugation, so we won’t see each other after that. Maybe after a while when it is time for him to succeed the throne, I will be able to see him from a distance.

“What are you thinking?”

I was just stirring my soup when Killian asked, after he finished wolfing all his food, probably because he was hungry.

“I was thinking about the consequences of a thoughtless action… No, what am I saying? I don’t usually eat hot things, so I’m just waiting until it cools down.”

“I see.”

“Yes, it’s that.”

I already felt that Killian wasn’t very good with words since the first time we met, but what’s with his reaction? He did make some weird comments just now.

“Let’s start moving again before it gets dark.”

Abbysion rose from his seat. One by one, the party got up and got on the horse.

I also brought the horse I tied on a tree and this time, I planned on riding the horse side by side with Kilian.

Time really goes by quickly as we were having casual conversations; the other nobles were cumbersome to deal with.

The young aristocrats kept showing their affections towards me, while other older nobles were anxious as they couldn’t introduce their sons to me.

Ellifritz were a large noble family with the greatest power and status in the South, and I was the only woman among the direct blood relatives of our family. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand their actions towards me, but they were all just annoying to me. All of them are not taller than 190. Not qualified.

At least they didn’t know they were annoying me when I’m with Killian, but I also couldn’t approach him hastily, so I was using Killian as a shield a little bit.

I moved away with Killian and drove my horse forward leisurely. Then in response to Killian who asked again how to kill a Siren, I laughed while saying, ‘You can kill it if you stab the heart.’. Killian rolled his eyes at me and didn’t ask any more questions.

“Please come forward, Milady.”

When it was almost time to leave the forest, Abbysion’s servant ran up to me and said those words.

“Huh? Who?”

“I… that… he told me not to tell you….”

“I know that you’re Abbysion’s servant but who are you talking about?”

“Th-that.”

The servant hesitated. I tilted my head at the gaze I felt towards me. In front of the procession far away, Siegfried was looking towards me, and as soon as our eyes met, he shrugged his shoulders.

“Can you tell him there is no reason for me to go forward?”

“But….”

“Go now.”

The servant quickly nodded and ran forward. Killian, who was watching me from the side, burst into laughter.

“You don’t really need to think of me, it’s okay for you to go.”

“I’m not here because of him.”

“Then?”

“If His Highness looks for me again for nothing, then… ” Because I don’t know what kind of grumpy play Siegfried was going to act. 

I was trying to explain I like that, but the servant came running to me again.

“Please go over there even if there is no reason, my lady!”

“So who ordered that?”

“I don’t think you will come if I tell you that… .”

“His Highness?”

“Yes! His Highness the Prince did – hyuk!”

The servant quickly covered his mouth and looked at me while Killian’s laughter grew louder. Are you laughing? 

“Are you having fun?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“….”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Because he didn’t specifically call you.”

I no longer listened to Killian and just pulled his remains. He was shouting at me like, ‘Please let me go, Ariella. Please let me go!’ but I pretend I didn’t hear him.

“Your Highness, why are you doing this to me?”

I asked as soon as I saw Siegfried’s back. The two of us got out of the queue, while I heard complaints from behind.

“What did I do?” Siegfried looked back at me and asked. He was extremely blunt.

“Your Highness told me to come forward. I know why Your Highness did that.”

“….”

Siegfried didn’t answer but instead, silently stared at Abbysion’s servant. Seeing his bitter gaze, the servant bathed in cold sweat.

“I-I didn’t tell her….”

“That’s right, that kid did nothing wrong. I can’t help but notice that Your Highness was looking at me every ten seconds.”

I said as I sent away the servant. Siegfried slowed down his horse. Are you going to ride beside me? I stood beside him.

“Please explain. Why are you doing this to me?”

I slightly lowered my voice. There was nothing to be gained if Abbysion or Milliard heard it, especially Milliard, who had already caused a misunderstanding once. He went to the racetrack and said, ‘Actually, my noona and His Highness…’. I’m sure he will say the same thing again.

“Why did you bring Killian?”

“Haa….”

I even leaned my upper body towards him and whispered in his ear, but it seemed like I spoke to Siegfried without him listening to me since he just asked me another question.

“Are you two close? Since when? Have you ever done anything like that? Ever since the first time you’ve met each other?”

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

“It’s important to me.”

“Why? Do you want to disturb me again? I’m sorry to say, but there is nothing of the sort between me and Killian.”

“The two of you were hanging out – all day. That alone is a huge thing, and he is dangerous so keep your senses.”

I straightened my back and looked at Siegfried who was staring right ahead. Then when the horse tripped on a stone, I was shocked but he stretched out his arm from the side and stopped me from falling off.

You know, this kind of indifferent kindness is fine but….

“I already told you, Your Highness. Older people seemed attractive at that age, and it was also because I am so pretty so I tend to stand out, so Your Highness has a crush on me. But you really don’t do it this way, moreover, I don’t like this sort of man.”

“I see.”

“Yes it is…. Your Highness?”

Startled, I looked at Siegfried as if he understood it more quickly than I thought. Then he wiped the corners of his eyes and slightly muttered.

“So… you’re not happy with that.”

I hope he wouldn’t look that hurt; it seems like I have sinned. He didn’t even say what he heard, but it wasn’t a joke that I felt like a bad person now.

I was restless as I looked into his eyes. It was quite a blow for me that a young boy, whom I won’t be able to see in the future, was sullen with my words.

In fact, it wasn’t that I didn’t understand why he was like that. It will only make him sad if I keep pushing him like that; I did feel sorry.

However, I want him to know that appreciating a handsome young boy and rationally liking someone were two different emotions, so I thought it was right to keep some distance. This is like a knife.

I thought… could it be that we care for each other? 

“I… put you into some trouble. It must’ve been embarrassing.”

“N-no, it isn’t like that.”

But with that thought in mind, Siegfried came out weak to me and I wanted to give him a hug.

“Yesterday I… I did it because I thought I should help you.”

“Y-Your Highness.”

Why does my heart hurt like it was about to break at any moment? Is it because Siegfried looks handsome? I was correct. D**n it.

“Looks like I was overdoing it. In fact, I wanted to reconcile with you all day, but you kept on avoiding me.”

S-stop it. Don’t glance at me with your eyes looking like a dying puppy. Then, do I also know how to get over it? Do I look like I am happy right now? 

“It’s alright! I was wrong too! I didn’t even consider how Your Highness would feel, and I think I shouldn’t have drawn a line between us.”

But my mouth was already ranting out like crazy. I can’t stop it. I quickly shut it close.

“Is that so?” Then Siegfried, who had been exuding a gloomy atmosphere not too long ago, raised up the corners of his mouth. I was a little surprised at the sudden change of his mood.

“Is that really so?”

“Y-yes.”

“Does that mean I didn’t burden you? And you’re retracting your statement that you don’t like it?”

Oh, was that what I meant? As I was pondering, Siegfried lowered the corners of his eyes again.

“No?”

“No, that’s right!”

I couldn’t even call this a proper conversation. Siegfried unilaterally used his beauty and I was only swayed by it.

“Does that mean that you will forgive me for anything about Count Paresa?”

“It’s a bit….”

“You can’t?”

“It’s possible. I can’t even remember who Count Paresa was.”

“Of course it is.”

At that time, Siegfried closed his eyes and smiled.

… He truly has a face with the talent to captivate people.