The Hero is Standing in My Way - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

– Swish. 

A gust of wind swept through the quiet forest; my hair stuck on my cheek. I frowned as it bothered me too much and wanted to remove it, but Siegfried’s other hand brushed my cheek.

“… Don’t touch me gently.”

“It’s because you’re bothering me.”

“You actually did well. Thank you.”

“You’ll be the only person who makes fun of an Imperial Prince.”

“That’s thrilling.”

I began dozing off as I was talking with Siegfried. Perhaps because my tension now was relieved, I felt like sleeping.

I want to think a little more as to why I was so sure that Siegfried would be shot on his shoulder if I hadn’t grabbed the arrow, and also, how I knew that Siegfried would be hypnotized by the Siren a while ago. Oh, come to think of it, Siegfried asked me twice if we have met somewhere before…. 

The thoughts that followed stopped there. I soon fell asleep.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

I realized that something hard was supporting my neck when I opened my eyes again. If I hadn’t seen Siegfried with his eyes closed, I would have mistook it for a cutting rock.

What is this? Maybe Siegfried’s thigh? 

“… Don’t lie down there.”

It was at that moment after I moved to a comfortable position and was admiring Siegfried’s beauty with his arms crossed. I thought he was sleeping because of his closed eyes, but he was awake.

“You look really beautiful from a new angle.”

“Turn your head away.”

“You don’t normally say anything.”

I pouted my lips. I turned around so that I could face Siegfried, but he pushed me away. If you’re going to do this, why did you lend me your thighs? 

“That’s because this is a different situation than usual. You were sleeping uncomfortably that I wanted to make you feel comfortable, but I think I am going crazy.”

Siegfried hurriedly spit out his words while opening his eyes firmly.

I don’t care if you want to say that my head was heavy. I won’t be hurt by that. 

Of course, I may wait for the perfect chance to slap Siegfried again next time.

“I’ll get up. Thanks to you, I slept well.”

“Not now.”

Siegfried fanned himself with his hands as if he was feeling hot, and then he quickly pressed me down when I tried to get up. The hand on my shoulder was burning hot. I inadvertently grabbed his hand.

“… Stop!”

Startled, he slipped out of my grasp. Siegfried quickly covered his blushing face with his hand. Aha. 

“I think I know now, Your Highness.”

“….”

“I think it would be better for me to get up.”

“Y-you saw it now.”

“No. I’ll turn my back on you. Why don’t you go behind that tree and solve your problem?”

“….”

Siegfried was silent.

I raised my body as I untied the handkerchief he had tied on my hand. He didn’t stop me anymore. I turned my back on him and handed him the handkerchief.

“You can’t take too long. It’s completely dark, so I’m a little scared.”

“… It would be better if I stay still.”

“How could that be better? I think you’d better just go.”

“Let’s stop talking about this. I was so embarrassed I wanted to die.”

“That’s a natural phenomenon so what’s the big deal!”

Siegfried took a deep breath without saying a word. I spoke to ease his embarrassment a little.

“I also had a stomach ache once. It was a hot summer day, and I had lemon tea with ice….”

“… Stomach ache?”

His voice cracked harshly. Siegfried couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

“Just what kind of conversation are we having now?”

“That’s why I told you to take the handkerchief.”

“I said I don’t need it. And I’m alright now.”

“Then can I look back?”

“Alright.”

I sat down facing Siegfried again.

He seemed to have calmed down now before I knew it, and his face was the same white as usual. But when I sat back down and grazed his fingertips slightly, Siegfried leaned to the tree and let out a breath that sounded harsh.

“Are you really okay?”

At that moment, a voice rang out looking for us in the distance.

“Your HIghneeees! Arieeeeel!”

“Miss! Your Highness!”

Milliard’s voice sounded like a cry. It looks like the party has finally arrived here.

I got up on behalf of Siegfried. I then put my hands up together and raised my voice towards the direction where their voices were coming from.

“We’re here!”

The sound of the horses’ hooves running on the ground gradually grew closer. Even in the dark forest night, Abbysion’s bright blonde hair caught my eye easily.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Have you met any more assassins?”

“We’re fine. What about you, oppa?”

“I’m also fine. Milliard got some injuries on his arm while five knights were seriously injured.”

Abbysion and I quickly exchanged about the present situation with each other. Meanwhile, the rest of the party has arrived.

“It’s getting too dark, so I think we’ll have to give up on going out of the forest now. Let’s rest here for now and leave as the sun rises.”

Abbysion must have dealt with the assassins seeing that he didn’t mention it. He was thorough in this regard.

No one knows who sent the assassin. We didn’t talk about Eisa otherwise.

Abbysion ordered the uninjured knights to set up a tent, and the wounded were laid inside. Several servants made dinner after that. There was still meat left over from the inn, so we were able to eat a meal easily.

Siegfried sat still while the whole process was going on. I guess he’s going to sleep very well like that.

I am worried about Milliard as he injured his arm. He should be treated as soon as possible. 

“What is it, Ariel? Stop making that disgusting expression on your face. I’m not dead yet.”

I was just worried. Drop it. 

“Alright, Milliard will be fine. We will get to the village right away after we get out of the forest.”

I clung on Abbysion’s side and pulled Milliard’s head closer. Abbysion was large and warm, very useful when we’re not home, so Milliard and I took a seat on each of his sides.

The branches on the bonfire burned. I quickly fell asleep with a blanket on from the tiredness after eating dinner.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Our party started moving again when it was bright enough to secure the road. As Abbysion told me, the village was right in front of us as we left the forest. But Siegfried got my horse and rode it by the time we arrived at the village. It seems that the decision was made because I was the lightest.

However, Siegfried wasn’t very happy to ride behind me. He didn’t say anything at all but it looked like that. So, I lent my horse to him and tried to ride either Abbysion’s or Milliard’s horse.

“Do not go. Let’s just ride together. Siegfried pulled my sleeve.

“No, it’s okay.”

Since we are the Count’s party, we will surely attract attention when we arrive at the village. But if I, the Count’s Young Lady, were to be seen riding the same horse as the Imperial Prince, I would instead blow up the rumors that had already spread around.

I explained it to Siegfried with that meaning, but he didn’t let go of my sleeve and bit his lip nervously.

“If we don’t touch each other, I think… it’s alright.”

What is he saying now?

“There are injured people, and we can’t let them wait any longer.”

At my urging, Siegfried bit his lip as if he had made a big decision. Then he settled behind me.

“We would run fast as Abbysion told me to hurry. You have to hold me tight on my waist, alright?”

Siegfried blushed red and nodded.

I hesitantly grabbed his hand and placed it on my belt. Siegfried was in a daze. I drove the horse after I confirmed that his firm arms were wrapped around my waist.

Why do you always stimulate me when you show me your soft side by coming out strong? I laughed out loud and ran out quickly.

It looks like I was the one inside Siegfried’s arms as he was bigger than me, but it didn’t matter.

(T/N: These three chapters are for the kofi I received last, last week hehehe I have been busy so had no time to tl. These are thank you chapters. I’ll see if I can do another three chapter release again next time and possibly, more diamond chapters. Hehe anyways thank you [gives you a heart])