Chapter 86

Supporting his body, Elina gazes intently at his face. The bandages are wrapped so painfully. Even though she has covered him with a blanket to keep him warm, they are still visible. It seems he has injuries all over his back, which he sustained while protecting Elina.

All Elina can do is support and watch over him like this. Her knowledge of healing is limited to what she learned at the academy, and she cannot even properly treat his injuries. People would say it is natural, but when faced with the situation of not being able to do anything for someone dear who is hurt, it becomes hard to accept as natural. All that runs through her mind is regret over what she could have done differently.

"If I were stronger..."

Even if she couldn't fight like Harbara, she wished she had the physical ability to dodge his blade. If she had, perhaps Alvis wouldn't have been injured to this extent. No, even if she had the strength, without practical experience, Elina wouldn't have been able to do anything. No matter how much she thinks about it, the result is the same.

"Ugh..."

"Prince Alvis!"

Alvis, frowning slightly, tries to move his body. Elina hurriedly holds his shoulder to keep him from moving.

"Ah..."

"I'm sorry, Prince Alvis."

It seems she touched his shoulder wound, and Alvis's expression contorted. Still, Alvis remains unconscious, with a slightly furrowed brow and heavy breathing. Unable to do anything, Elina gently places Alvis's head on the pillow and quietly leaves the room. Her legs feel a bit stiff from staying in the same position, but it's a minor issue. Now, she must do what she can for Alvis. This thought drives her steps.

Not long after, Elina returns to the room with the physician and Din. Alvis still looks distressed, and his breathing seems even more labored than before.

"Doctor..."

"Hmm. It seems he has a fever. We cannot further increase his healing ability. The only thing left is for His Highness to endure it."

"Is that so..."

Prioritize treating the injuries. To alleviate his suffering as much as possible, she soaks a towel in cold water, wrings it out, and places it on his forehead. However, since Alvis is lying down, she can only place it on his head. Even this should make a difference.

"...Shu, Ri..."

Alvis's faint voice. He said "Shuri." Elina has heard this name before, when the young man and Alvis were talking.

"Shuri is not involved."

Elina doesn't know who Shuri is, but the young man seemed to know. Not only that, he seemed to know Alvis. Of course, as the Crown Prince, Alvis's name is known by the people of Ruberia, but there seems to be something more between them. Reflecting on their conversation, Elina can't help but feel this way.

"..."

"Your Highness, the Princess"

"Lord Leoiadur"

Her worried expression must have shown on her face. Din was looking at her with a concerned gaze. Though they haven't talked much, she knows he cares deeply for Alvis. Unlike Rex, who is more like a friend, Din doesn't show much emotion and sometimes scolds Alvis harshly. To him, Alvis is both his lord and a beloved junior.

"Perhaps it would be better to ask His Highness when he wakes up."

"..."

Even though she wasn't as close, it seems Din also heard Alvis's murmurs. However, for the sake of confirming the situation, they probably have many questions as well.

"But, is it okay to ask?"

"...This incident was caused by people from His Highness's past. The details are not even known by the Royal Guard. But..."

"?"

Elina's eyes widened at the unexpected words. This was a story even Alvis's childhood friend, Edward, and the brothers of the Belfias family didn't know. She thought only Littane knew.

"Many people don't know. I don't know the truth either. However, the late Duke of Forboard and his associates, who can be considered barons, did not want to acknowledge the birth of His Highness's elder brother. No, it might be more accurate to say that His Highness's lineage was very attractive."

"Prince Alvis's?"

"You know that His Highness made a contract with the goddess, right?"

Of course, she knows. The ceremony for his appointment as Crown Prince was like a fairy tale. However, it was a joyful event for the Kingdom of Ruberia, and she knows it has caused various troubles for Alvis.

"It is said that this was because His Highness has the strongest royal blood among the current royal family."

"..."

Alvis's father is the younger brother of the king, Rakuwell. Both Alvis and Girard are direct descendants of the royal family. However, Alvis's mother is from a noble family, a house of a baron, but also a prestigious family where a princess of the royal family once married. It was a political marriage arranged by the late king, but in terms of the royal family's lineage, Alvis might indeed have a stronger claim.

"The younger brother of the king was also said to have strong royal blood. It makes sense that his son, His Highness, would be said to have it as well."

"..."

That is to say, if that is true, it is a significant matter. The Forboard family would lose everything. It is hard to believe that even his grandfather would have thought of such a thing.

"Of course, it's just a rumor. However, it is certain that they had contact with His Highness. Given His Highness's character, he didn't take it at face value, but considering his age at the time, being told such things as a child... what impact it had..."

Alvis, breathing heavily and in distress. When she touches his cheek, the heat from his body radiates into her palm. What thoughts did he have when he accepted the position of Crown Prince? Just thinking about it makes Elina want to cry.

"In the future, as the Princess who will accompany His Highness, I believe he will tell you."

"Yes."

"...Then I will take my leave."

The door closes with a bang. In the room alone, Elina climbs onto the bed and, lying down, holds Alvis in her arms.