Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 30.2
Chapter 30.2
Reassured by Ricardo’s words, Bashar nodded. Ricardo gathered the remaining knights, seemingly relaying plans for their move to the annex.
I had worried I might have to knock Bashar unconscious if he became stubborn, but thankfully, that wouldn’t be necessary.
‘I hope Rettie’s alright…’ I suddenly felt concerned for Rettie, who had followed Haroon. Ray was with her, so she should be safe, but any trouble there would surely give me nightmares.
A sudden gaze drew my attention. Bashar was staring intently at me.
‘Why is he looking at me like that… Oh.’ I realized I was still holding his arm and quickly let go. “I apologize, Your Highness. I acted rashly.”
He would surely scowl and get angry again. Perhaps Bashar and I just weren’t compatible… His demeanor was so different from our meeting at the banquet. If this continued, the remaining candidate would be… Would I have to ask Ronen to look for someone else?
I sighed. Avoiding the original storyline and saving Bashar was one thing, but summoning magical beasts as a second option?
“…No, it’s alright.” A soft murmur came from Bashar as I stared blankly ahead, lost in thought. I looked at him, puzzled. I must not have heard him correctly.
But Bashar simply remained silent, as if pretending he hadn’t said anything.
‘Did I mishear him?’
Not only was he not angry, but his voice had sounded almost gentle for the first time. I tilted my head in confusion.
***
A sanctuary, true to its name, was a sacred space. Evil entities, especially dark-attributed magical beasts, avoided such areas. These spaces, imbued with holy power, served as refuge in case of magical beast attacks.
Creating a sanctuary required pure holy power and a significant amount of holy stones, making them inaccessible to most. Thus, temples served as sanctuaries in towns and cities.
However, high-ranking nobles and wealthy families often maintained private sanctuaries within their estates.
The Kishar princes resided in a mansion under the Imperial Crown Prince’s jurisdiction, which, naturally, had a sanctuary for such emergencies. It was located in the annex, slightly removed from the main building, but close enough to reach safely.
“Ha… ha…” I gasped for breath. The annex wasn’t far. I could reach it before the beasts attacked if I ran. The problem was…
“You useless brother!”
…I wasn’t alone. I dumped Kelliard, whose arm was slung over my shoulder, onto the floor.
‘D*mn it.’
Curses slipped through my gritted teeth.
The annex, the sanctuary, was so close. But here I was, with only an unconscious Kelliard.
Just minutes ago, we were making our way toward the annex as planned. The first floor was teeming with magical beasts, so we opted for the upper route.
We almost reached the back stairs leading to the annex when something fell from the ceiling.
It was a jet-black magical beast. There had been more than one summoned. It crashed onto the knights, plummeting through the second floor and even the first, disappearing into the depths below.
The floor collapsed under the weight of the beast, blocking access to the back stairs. And that wasn’t the only problem. Ricardo, trying to save Kelliard, who was closest to the beast, had fallen into the chasm.
I couldn’t see him in the darkness below. Only dull thuds echoed from the depths.
“…Ricardo’s not dead, is he?” Ricardo had fallen with the beast and the collapsing debris. But he was skilled; he would have landed safely. He would avoid the falling debris, deal with the beast, and then come back here… or to the sanctuary.
All I could do was hope for his safety.
The collapsing floor had separated us from the other knights. The last I saw, Bashar was with them.
“At least they have other knights…” Perhaps I was the most unfortunate one here. Out of everyone, I ended up alone with Kelliard Hazel. And Kelliard was unconscious.
I sighed deeply. After the floor collapsed and we were separated, I had sensed the approaching beasts and taken refuge in a deserted storage room.
“…This seems to be a pantry.” The two-story space was used for food storage. I sat on the stairs leading to the first floor and surveyed the area. Fortunately, there was a bridge on the second floor leading directly to the annex.
I could easily escape if I ran with all my might.
“If I were alone, that is.” I ran a hand through my hair, glancing down at Kelliard sprawled on the floor.
Carrying an unconscious, muscular knight while running wasn’t easy. I wouldn’t get far before being caught. I’d just become beast food.
‘But I need to survive… should I just leave him here?’
