Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 34.2
Chapter 34.2
“You can’t be certain that Pazl’s accomplice isn’t among those ‘select few,’ can you?”
Pazl had infiltrated the mansion, bypassing tight security, and even summoned a magical beast. I doubted he had accomplished all of that alone.
Even the Crown Prince’s personal Knight Order couldn’t be completely free of suspicion.
‘Pazl could also know about the sanctuary’s secret passage. Or he might have planted someone there in advance.’
Leaving Bashar alone was dangerous. The prince was frail, untrained in combat! I might be stronger than him, with my basic swordsmanship.
“D*mn! C-Could it be…?” Kelliard, finally grasping the situation, moved urgently.
He reached for a candlestick mounted on the wall. Just then, a click echoed through the room. Kelliard looked at me. I hadn’t done anything, and his hand hadn’t yet touched the candlestick.
A whirring sound emanated from the large fireplace on one side of the wall. The fireplace, along with a section of the wall, began to shift, slowly rotating to reveal a dark passage.
Kelliard nervously touched the sword at his hip. Then, a figure emerged from the passage. “You were still here…?”
Golden eyes flicked past Kelliard, settling on me. A look of relief softened his usually indifferent expression. “…You’re safe.”
Bashar Kishan stepped out of the passage, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Y-Your Highness! Why did you return here?”
It was a relief that he’d returned on his own. At least he wouldn’t encounter any enemies alone. While I was relieved, Kelliard seemed flustered by the unexpected turn of events. Bashar raised an eyebrow.
“You told me to hide in a safe place through there, but it didn’t seem safe at all.”
“W-Why…?”
“Someone colluding with Pazl could also know about the secret passage. Perhaps you are that accomplice. If this was a trap…”
Kelliard’s hand, clenched into a fist, twitched. He clearly hadn’t considered that possibility.
“I couldn’t simply follow your instructions.”
Just as he always had, Bashar hadn’t trusted Kelliard from the start. Kelliard Hazel paled as the prince’s words, so different from what he’d expected, sunk in. He hadn’t gained Bashar’s trust and was instead being suspected.
“…My thinking was shortsighted, Your Highness. But I am most certainly not a traitor.” He spoke with sincerity, but Bashar only offered a cursory nod.
Whether Kelliard was a conspirator or not was of little interest to him. Moreover, Bashar’s attention was currently preoccupied…
“Truly…”
He approached, a faint smile playing on his lips as if my reappearance was the more pressing concern. His eyes, sparkling with amusement, looked down at me before he let out a soft chuckle.
“Your Highness?”
“I’ve truly never met anyone quite like you.”
It seemed he hadn’t believed I would actually make it to the annex unharmed.
“It all worked out, thanks to you. I arrived at the sanctuary safely.”
“It was a situation where you could have died.”
I curved my lips upward.
“Unfortunately, I don’t hold you in such high esteem as to sacrifice my life for you, Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
His gaze questioned why I had remained behind alone.
“I had confidence.”
“Confidence?”
“Confidence that I could survive there.”
The thought of dying hadn’t even crossed my mind. “Though I did consider the possibility of losing a limb or two.”
My words seemed to momentarily stun Bashar; his mouth fell open, eyes wide. Then, from between his parted lips came a burst of laughter. “Ha, haha!”
“You’re a strange one indeed.” He muttered to himself, still chuckling, “Thinking about losing a limb or two…”
I couldn’t fathom what he found so amusing.
“Your Highness!” Kelliard, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly called out to Bashar, dropping to one knee.
As if by magic, his voice cut off Bashar’s laughter.
“What is it?”
“Though my consideration of the secret passage was shortsighted, I will protect Your Highness with my life.”
“Hmm?”
“There is someone, presumably Pazl, in the hallway, aiming to take your life. I will protect you from him. Grant me permission to leave this bedroom and assess his movements.”
His voice was filled with a dramatic gravity. Bashar looked down at Kelliard, still kneeling with his head bowed. Protect Bashar from the enemy outside. At first glance, it sounded like the line of a knight prepared to die…
‘How he’s struggling, truly struggling.’
To me, it just seemed like he was desperate to make Bashar aware of his presence and earn the credit for saving him from Pazl.
“…Do as you please.”
“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness, despite my shortcomings!”
The moment Bashar Kisha finished speaking, he responded, rising to his feet and exiting the bedroom. He seemed intent on checking for signs of movement outside the hallway from the reception area.
If Pazl entered the reception area first, Kelliard likely planned to ambush him from hiding. However, Pazl was also aware of our presence, so he wouldn’t be easily caught off guard.
‘Well, let them handle it.’
What I needed to prepare for was what came after Kelliard confronted Pazl.
“Tsk.”
Bashar clicked his tongue, drawing my gaze. He stared at the closed door for a moment before turning his head at my stare. Our eyes met, his the color of molten gold.
“You don’t trust my brother, do you? Kelliard Hazel, the knight.”
Bashar furrowed his brow at my question.
