Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 35.1
Chapter 35.1
Bashar had dismissed Kelliard from the bedroom. He’d never been interested in Kelliard, and more importantly, he didn’t trust him. Therefore, Kelliard’s actions were of little concern.
Bashar hesitated at my question, then cautiously asked, as if gauging my reaction, “Are you displeased that I distrust your brother?”
“Of course not. To be honest, he isn’t particularly trustworthy…” I trailed off, muttering the last part almost to myself, so Bashar could barely hear. While Kelliard was arguably the best of the Hazel family, objectively speaking, he wasn’t an exceptional person. His ambition, however, was likely unmatched.
“…It’s true that I don’t trust him. That’s one reason I wanted to keep my distance. But I also believed it wouldn’t make much difference whether he was here or elsewhere.”
Although Bashar had spent little time alone with Kelliard, he seemed to have him completely figured out. Kelliard, on the other hand, was desperately trying to catch Bashar’s attention. It seemed Bashar Kisha kept his distance from those he didn’t trust.
‘If it were me, I would keep them close to observe their actions.’ I wouldn’t distance myself just because I didn’t trust someone.
Pondering the difference between Bashar and myself, a thought struck me. He kept Kelliard Hazel, whom he distrusted, at arm’s length. So…
“What about me?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Does that mean you trust me?”
Bashar hadn’t completely followed Kelliard’s advice to escape through the secret passage to safety. Instead, he had used the passage only to assess the situation. But he had listened to me and come to the annex. He even cared for the unconscious Kelliard.
‘And now, we’re alone together in the bedroom.’
The thought that he might trust me, unlike Kelliard, suddenly crossed my mind. But then I remembered how I had persuaded Bashar to come here, and that he wasn’t necessarily keeping me close because he trusted me.
‘He couldn’t possibly trust me after just a few conversations.’
Things never worked out that easily.
I was about to laugh it off as a joke when I looked up at Bashar’s face and found myself unable to speak. Bashar Kisha’s expression was undeniably one of bewilderment, as if my careless question had sparked some realization. His unexpected reaction made it difficult for me to speak.
“It was just a lighthearted remark.” I forced an awkward smile. Bashar finally spoke, the words seemingly catching in his throat. “…I trust only my brother, Haroon.”
He blurted out the words and quickly turned his head away. I simply replied, “I see.”
Silence fell over the bedroom. I glanced at the door leading to the reception area. Kelliard was still quiet, which meant Pazl hadn’t reached this far yet.
I broke the silence. “Thank you for bringing Kelliard safely, Your Highness.”
Bashar could have easily refused my request. Caring for an unconscious person would restrict his movements and could have put him, already in mortal danger, in an even more precarious situation. Yet, he had brought Kelliard here, even while suspecting him of being a conspirator.
Bashar’s face crumpled at my thanks. He crossed his arms and stared at me. “You don’t need to thank me for that. That knight should be the one offering thanks.” He added in a firm voice, “It’s rather ridiculous for a knight tasked with protection to faint.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. The beast that attacked Kelliard had been quite large. Even I hadn’t expected him to faint.
I was starting to worry about Rettie. I knew the knights, including Ray, would be protecting her, so I wasn’t overly concerned for her safety. Being from the Hazel family, they would likely survive somehow. I just hoped Rettie hadn’t fainted like Kelliard and become a burden.
‘Ricardo, who fell with the beast, will be fine.’ I wasn’t worried about Ricardo, who had fallen into the chasm with the beast instead of Kelliard.
This incident hadn’t happened in the original story, so I didn’t know the outcome. But I had a strange feeling that Ricardo would easily slay the beast and return.
“It was strange, though. He regained consciousness the moment he sensed we were safe.” Bashar’s voice interrupted my thoughts. He seemed to be talking about Kelliard.
“Did my brother wake up as soon as we arrived here?”
“Yes. I almost suspected he had been feigning unconsciousness.”
“Ha, ha…” An awkward laugh escaped me as I imagined Kelliard waking up the moment they reached the annex. The weight I felt when supporting him, and his reaction when I unceremoniously dropped him on the floor, confirmed that he had genuinely been unconscious. However…
‘He could have regained consciousness before we arrived at the annex…’
If not, then he had instinctively awakened upon reaching safety. That would be quite the instinct. Either way, it was remarkable.
