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"Hey, get up."
When I opened my eyes, I saw the Crown Prince observing me.
My eyes felt heavy as soon as I woke up. The morning rays were too bright on my face.
"Get up quickly. We got to go."
I rubbed my eyes and casually asked him, "When did you wake up?"
"Three hours ago."
"What? You should've woken me up. What were you doing?" We had to slay the monster as soon as possible, but we lost 3 hours because I was still sleeping.
I made an apologetic face, but the Crown Prince looked embarrassed. He mumbled while avoiding my eyes, "I just… I was there."
“…?”
Did he stay here for three hours with only me and a pile of leaves?
"Anyway! Let's hurry and get out of here!" he shouted as he jumped up and marched out of the cave.
I couldn't figure out what was wrong or why he was angry. Before he turned around, I could see that his face was red.
Did he get angry because I slept a lot?
I didn't think he was that narrow-minded.
Suddenly I lowered my gaze and saw the dent on the leafy bed where the Crown Prince had been sitting until now.
My fated enemy had sat there for quite a long time.
…Eh, no way.
Just because you switched to a new body, doesn't mean you should start getting full of it. He wouldn't have an interest in the sleeping face of the woman he hates.
I should go find a lake to see my reflection in case there was something on my face.
After convincing myself of this, I decided not to think about what the Crown Prince did for three hours while I slept.
When I exited the cave, I saw the Crown Prince from behind, standing as if nothing had happened. He looked down a cliff with an unreadable expression.
I looked around and said, "So where should we go? We're in the middle of the forest, I don't even know where my colleagues are."
"I've put a tracking spell on the monster's body. He's hurt so he's probably back in his home because if he was dead, the magic would've worn off. Since he's injured and might die anytime now we'll regroup later and go after the monster as is."
I politely nodded at his plan but when I realized something was off, I stiffened.
"Then what should I do?"
"Didn't you hear me? I said we're going after it as is," he responded with a slight frown, silently telling me not to ask again.
"…" I shook my head and explained to him my shortcomings, basically telling him why I wouldn't be able to keep up. "I don't have any abilities so I won't be able to help at all. I'm even injured so I'll just be a distraction. I'd rather go somewhere safe-"
"Where in the world is safer than by my side?"
"…"
By his confident words, I swallowed the words I was going to say.
Unfortunately, the Crown Prince was right. If I was left alone in the middle of the Atter forest which was swarming with monsters, I will inevitably be attacked by them.
Furthermore, the whereabouts of the army was unknown so the safest option would ironically be to follow the Crown Prince to the monster's den.
I sighed and chased after him who didn't bother to look back at me.
For a long while, I've been two steps behind the Crown Prince without a word between us when suddenly he spoke first.
"…I'm sorry."
"What?"
"When I broke… I didn't know that would happen."
"It's okay."
He scrunched up his brows when I brushed off his apology. His steps came to a halt.
My actions seemed to have offended him again.
He looked at me in discontent and shouted, "I'm truly apologizing to you. Don't take it so lightly, you crazy…!"
I've been thinking about this for a long while but I think he was too hot-headed. In the novel, he was always described as a cold and level-headed type.
Since his nagging probably won't end for a while, I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Are you hungry? That fruit over there, I think we can eat it."
Maybe I was too obvious because his face stiffened before he scowled at me and walked forward. Judging by the direction he was going, it seemed like he was going to pick up the fruit on the tree I was pointing to.
I was starting to get worried when it looked like he wouldn't be able to reach, but he kicked the tree like he was venting his anger out on it. From the shock, fruits began pouring down onto the floor.
I stared blankly at him.
One fruit rolled and settled in front of me.
"Eat."
"…Thank you, sir."
I carefully picked it up and took a bite. I couldn't tell if he was kind or not.
I followed after him while munching on the fruit that looked like an apple. I was eating and walking absent-mindedly when suddenly the Crown Prince stopped and I crashed into him.
"What happened?"
His back twitched and he began pointing at something.
I glanced at where he was pointing but there was nothing there other than the same foliage we've passed by.
"…?"
He frowned at me as I tilted my head in confusion. Frustrated, he suddenly reached out to me.
Not forgetting what happened before, I stiffened, preparing for the pain to come. Fortunately, he paused before grasping my hand.
"…"
I slowly looked up and saw the Crown Prince with a complex expression on his face. He let out a big 'cough' as if nothing had happened and his face was back to looking indifferent.
"What?"
"…Follow me." After staring at me with an unreadable expression, he turned around with his fists clenched.
Listening to him, I followed closely behind.
It took me a while before I noticed the one the Crown Prince was pointing at.
"Uh…"
It was an elf. A young elf.
I could immediately recognize one from far away because of their pointed ears, shiny white skin, and above all…
Wow, amazing. I thought the Crown Prince was beautiful but he was something else.
"He's so pretty…"
"Yes."
The Elves were the most beautiful race in the world.
I gazed at his unbelievably beautiful face. Despite the considerable distance, I was mesmerized by the beautiful aura spewing from him.
The Crown Prince seemed to be shouting something but I couldn't hear him at all.
This was the first time in my life that my heart jumped like this for someone.
Then, the young elf suddenly turned this way.
"…!"
When our eyes met, his eyes widened like a rabbit but he soon headed this way out of curiosity.
The Elves were a curious race who were often targeted by other races and the young elf, who hadn't had enough experience in the world, was no exception.
The closer the elf came to us, the faster my heart jumped. When the elf was finally within reach of me, I started losing my head and…
"What are you doing?"
At that moment, the Crown Prince loudly shouted and grabbed my arm, keeping me away from the child. I was surprised, but I wasn't hurt thanks to him adjusting his strength.
"Ugh."
His hand blocked my sight, and I finally came to my senses.
I don't know what I was doing…
If the Crown Prince hadn't stopped me, I would've still been possessed and took that child.
The most beautiful race in the world… I was usually indifferent to everything, but when someone that beautiful was in front of me, I couldn't control myself.
I turned towards the Crown Prince to thank him for holding me back. The Crown Prince, who I felt I haven't seen in a long time, looked extremely angry.
He gnashed his teeth hard enough for me to hear a grinding noise.
"If he has a pretty face, anyone will do?"
"What?"
“…”
I gave him an expression that read 'What are you talking about?' but he fiercely snarled at me and didn't respond.
Translator: Cenetta
Proofreader: Arie Bee
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