Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 31.2
Chapter 31.2
“If I went to the bridge on the first or second floor, I’d be spotted by the beast outside.”
“But you would have had enough time to reach it.”
“I had a heavy burden…” I pointed to Kelliard, whom I had carelessly dumped on the floor. Bashar stared at him with disdain.
“It would be better to leave the incompetent knight behind.”
“Unfortunately, he’s family. I can’t abandon him yet.” If something were to happen to him, it would only create more obstacles. He was a nuisance, but I couldn’t bear to see him become beast food.
Bashar clicked his tongue. “Seeing as he couldn’t subdue a single beast, your brother doesn’t seem suited to knighthood.” He must have seen Kelliard’s fight with the beast. I gave an awkward laugh.
Actually, Kelliard wasn’t a skilled fighter. He’d risen to his current position through quick thinking and situational awareness. That’s why he tried to use underhanded tactics to climb higher. He knew his abilities were lacking if he took the straightforward path.
“Your Highness can’t subdue a single beast either, even though you can command them.”
“…I have no need to learn martial arts.”
“Wouldn’t you have more opportunities to use weapons in your position?” There must be many instances of people losing their lives due to courtly intrigue. Betrayals by trusted companions would also be frequent. So, I assumed he would have learned swordsmanship or how to handle various weapons.
Bashar shook his head. “Such things have happened, but my brother always protected me. So, it’s best for Brother Haroon if I do and learn nothing. If I dabble in unnecessary things, there will be those who try to use me.” Bitterness laced his voice.
If it weren’t for Haroon, the powerless youngest prince of Kishan wouldn’t have survived the courtly struggles. He was alive only because Haroon had protected him.
“So I would die for my brother.”
“…Your Highness.”
“Because my brother always spared my life, despite my mother’s objections.”
His brother’s mother meant Haroon’s mother. I nodded along, then something occurred to me. “Your Highness, Bashar.”
“What is it?”
“You said before that only those of royal blood and their consorts can control the beasts.”
“Yes.”
“Then, can Haroon’s mother also control them?”
“…Yes.” Bashar, realizing what I was getting at, looked as if he’d been struck. His expression clearly showed he was thinking, ‘How could I have forgotten that?’
His lips parted, and he spoke defensively. “She’s been treating me well recently, as if she’s opened her heart to me. But… I was careless.”
“From what I saw, the beasts seemed to know your exact location. They even found us when I created a magical barrier. It seems there’s something specifically targeting you…” For instance, a Kishan curse using jewels or magic stones. I looked at the jewelry Bashar was wearing, focusing on pieces he would always wear that could be used in a curse.
Bashar Kisha flinched. Then, he removed a ring with a bright yellow gem from his right middle finger. “It was the first gift I received from her. I thought she had finally accepted me.” Bitterness tinged his face as he stared at the ring. “But she gave it to me for this purpose.”
Bashar Kisha couldn’t have completely trusted Haroon’s mother. She had shown him hostility countless times. Surely, a seed of doubt remained in Bashar’s heart. But he wanted to be acknowledged by Haroon’s mother and remain by Haroon’s side with dignity. That desire had completely blinded him to the suspicion he held towards his half-brother’s mother. Haroon was the only light in his life, so he would have done anything to hold onto that light.
“How pathetic of me to be blinded by temptation and unable to see anything.”
“Your Highness…”
“I’m such a fool, so why… I’m not worth my brother Haroon using himself as bait to protect me.” Bashar muttered with a hollow laugh. The last part was almost a whisper.
Looking at Bashar, his jaw clenched and his fist still tightly closed, I spoke without thinking. “But at least, Haroon’s thoughts must be different.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“That to Haroon, you are a precious younger brother, worth risking his own life to protect.”
“….”
“Do you think Bashar, your messenger, would disregard something you hold dear?”
His golden eyes wavered. He seemed to realize that Bashar’s self-reproach and humility were precisely what Harun didn’t want.
“…I don’t have time for such idle thoughts.” Bashar murmured, slowly moving toward the second-floor railing and looking down. I joined him at the railing. The ring was still on his finger.
“What do you plan to do with the ring?”
“…Normally, even knowing it’s a trap, I wouldn’t discard it easily.” Even though it threatened his life, if things went well, if she accepted him… he would have kept it, clinging to that hope. But now, his tone was resolute. “I might be able to use it to lure the beasts, at least for a while. That will give me time to cross the bridge to the annex.”
The ring, imbued with Kishan’s magic. I carefully extended my hand toward him. “Your Highness, could you entrust the ring to me?”
“…Why?” It would only make me a target. Bashar looked at me, clearly puzzled.
“I have a plan.” He would likely object, but it was a far better plan than simply using the ring as bait.
