Chapter 6

"Do not let anyone with suspicious movements escape! There may not be just one attacker!"

In the commotion, the knight commander Alster gave orders, and the knights began to secure the perimeter.

Amidst this—

"Sophia, hold on!"

My slumped shoulders were grabbed. When I looked up, Cyril's face was right in front of me. Even his face, stained with fear, was handsome—would he get angry if I said that?

I endured the pain and asked, "Are you alright, Sir Cyril?" His face, which had been filled with fear, turned to surprise, and then to one on the verge of tears.

"Take care of yourself first!"

"I—"

I exhaled and focused on my back. The pain from the dagger was there, but it wasn't the intense pain of being stabbed. Of course, there was no feeling of being drenched in blood.

"It hurts a bit, but that's all."

"That's all? What are you saying, you were stabbed with a dagger!"

"This robe is for combat."

Just in case, I wore a top-of-the-line item prepared by my father for his beloved daughter. It had protective enchantments that could withstand a dagger's strike.

"Miss Sophia, are you alright!"

The maid Claudia rushed over.

"...I'm fine. But... it hurts. I think it's just a bruise."

When I complained, Claudia looked surprised for a moment, then put her hand around my waist and said, "Let's go to the healer right away." But I stopped her.

"Sir Cyril, what about the magic presentation on the lake?"

"Under these circumstances, it can't continue. Once the area is secured, evacuation will begin."

That was the answer I had expected. I had failed to prevent the incident from happening. So at the very least, I wanted to prevent the presentation from being canceled and Iris's dream from being dashed.

"Sir Cyril, can you please not cancel the presentation?"

"What are you saying?"

"Just one attacker was apprehended. There are people who have pinned their dreams on this presentation. Please don't take away their chance to fulfill those dreams."

I looked up at Sir Cyril pleadingly.

"...How far will you go..."

"Please, can't you?"

Sweat from the pain seeped through my skin. My hair stuck to my forehead, making me feel uncomfortable, but I endured and pleaded. Cyril fell silent for a moment, then looked at Claudia for her opinion.

"Your mistress says this, but... what do you think?"

"The injury isn't that severe. It should be fine with the healer's help."

"...Alright, I understand."

Cyril stood up and approached King Alan, who was being guarded by knights in a nearby VIP seat. He knelt before him.

"Father, the one who saved my life wishes for the presentation to continue. I believe we need to confirm there are no other threats, but please grant her wish."

"...Hmm."

King Alan thought for a moment, then whispered something to a guard. After hearing the response, he said, "If it's the wish of my son's savior, I cannot refuse."

"Everyone, the attacker who targeted the royal family has been apprehended thanks to the efforts of Lady Sophia, the daughter of the Duke of Vistaria. At her request, the presentation will resume after the area is secured!"

A murmur rose from the audience, who had been watching the events unfold.

"Silence! My knights, first ensure there are no other threats. The presentation will resume after that! Everyone else, remain in your seats."

King Alan then turned his gaze to me.

"Sophia, go and have your injuries treated now. I will properly thank you for saving my son later."

"Thank you for your permission."

After expressing my gratitude, I left the venue with Claudia's support. Everyone else remained seated to ensure safety and search for any other suspicious individuals. Murmurs rose from the audience, and the knights were on high alert. I left the venue, feeling everyone's eyes on me.

Inside the tent I was taken to, I sat on a wooden chair and undid my robe and jacket to have my injuries treated. I exposed my bruised back to the female healer.

"...There's a bit of a bruise. I'll use healing magic now."

As the healer placed her hand on my back and activated the healing magic, the pain gradually subsided. As I relaxed in the comfort, the tent suddenly became noisy. Claudia and I exchanged glances, wondering what had happened. Moments later—

"---Sophia, are you alright!"

My brother, Arnold, burst into the tent. I was slightly taken aback by the exposure of my back, but he immediately confronted the healer.

"Is she hurt? Is Sophia alright!?"

"Um, yes, she's being treated."

"Being treated means she is hurt! How severe is the injury? Is her life in danger? Will there be any lasting scars!?"

Arnold pressed the healer.

"Brother, I'm fine, so please don't scare the healer. And, as I've said before, I am a lady, you know?"

I indirectly complained about his timing.

"...Your dedication to the prince is more like that of a saint than a lady."

Arnold sighed. I slightly grimaced at his words. The real saint is the heroine. If I were called a saint, it would be a disaster.

"Brother, calling me a saint, even as a joke, is inappropriate."

"It's not a joke... but never mind that now. Is your injury alright?"

He seemed genuinely worried.

I raised my hand to dismiss the healer. Then, turning my back to my brother, I smiled over my shoulder. "I was attacked on my back. There should be no injury now, right?"

"...Are you sure you're not overexerting yourself?"

"Do you want to check?"

As I smiled wryly, Arnold touched my back. Seeing my reaction, he asked anxiously, "Is it still painful?"

"I was just surprised. There's no pain now."

"...I see, that's good."

Through my back, I could feel the tremor in his fingers.

"...Brother, have you always been this overprotective?"

Arnold flinched.

Looking up at him over my shoulder, I saw a worried expression on his handsome face.

"Is there a reason for this?"

"...You don't remember, but when you were young, you were very frail. I was told that you might not live to grow up."

A fact not mentioned in the original story. But now I understood why my family doted on me. They must have thought I could die at any moment if not protected.

"Thank you for your concern. But I'm fine now."

"...I see. Maybe you are."

He smiled. I looked up at him over my shoulder and glared at him. "By the way, how long do you plan to keep your sister half-naked?"

Arnold blinked, then laughed. "We don't want you to catch a cold."

"I'll wait in the audience and look forward to your performance."

Arnold lifted my hair from my back, kissed it, and left. Every gesture was flawless. If this were a game, I would be taking screenshots nonstop.

I watched his back and muttered, "No wonder he's a target in a dating sim."