Chapter 79

She struggled to get up many times, but it was impossible.

She could hear many voices worrying about her, and Lilith wanted to tell them she was fine, but her body wouldn’t move.

Eventually, Lilith gave up and decided to just lie there quietly.

It was a deep, deep, quiet place where she could take her time.

And then—

“Lady Lilith…?”

“…Tena?”

She wanted to call out to Tena, but her voice was hoarse and she couldn’t say it properly.

Tena gently raised her pillow and gave her some water.

“I am here, so please don’t worry and try to get some more rest.”

“…Okay.”

Lilith felt as if something important had happened, but her body was still heavy, and she might just be tired from dreaming as usual. She closed her eyes again and soon fell back asleep.

Tena watched over Lilith, sighing in relief. She then thought she should inform the prince that Lilith had woken up once and quietly stood up. Gesualdo, who didn’t know about Lilith’s condition or secrets, was very worried about her prolonged sleep.

＊ ＊ ＊

Two days ago, the sudden appearance of the crown prince in the town of Tuisen surprised not only Tena but also the townspeople.

Before the commotion had even settled, Edgar came back, awkwardly riding a horse, and reported that the carriage had been attacked and the princess had been kidnapped.

The scene immediately fell into chaos.

However, it was Gesualdo who silenced the agitated crowd with a single shout.

His voice helped Tena, who was about to collapse from shock, to somehow maintain her consciousness.

Gesualdo’s subsequent actions were swift.

He sent two doctors from the town— one of whom was a friend of Frederick— to the scene as quickly as possible, sent out several messengers, and led his own guards, the remaining guards of Lilith, and half of Tuisen’s security forces to the scene, following the doctors by a short time.

After that, things were unclear, but the messenger returned to Tena, who had been waiting anxiously, just as dawn was breaking.

The town of Tuisen was brightly lit even at night because the people, worried about the safety of the crown princess, continued to burn torches.

Tena, sitting by the window of the inn, immediately noticed two security guards approaching.

She quickly went from her room to outside the inn, and the two guards, though surprised, relayed the message from the crown prince to Tena, asking her to bring some of Lilith’s personal items, even if it was just a simple set.

Cursing herself for being so listless, Tena quickly prepared and boarded the prepared carriage.

If there had been a "Maid's Competition for Preparing the Master's Travel Gear," she would have undoubtedly won.

Despite being injured and excited, Rese was sleeping soundly due to the medication, and Tena made almost no noise out of concern for her.

They arrived in the town of Cornats just as people were starting to move around.

Without detailed explanations, Tena waited quietly in one of the rooms of the prepared inn for Lilith’s return, thinking there was nothing she could do now.

However, this was the first time she had ever felt so painfully the agony of waiting.

（Lady Lilith… She’s sharp with her mind and mouth, but not so much with her physical strength…）

Lilith’s motor skills weren’t bad, but she basically lived a reclusive life.

Moreover, when cornered, Lilith often took rash actions, which increased Tena’s worries.

（She must have done something reckless and got hurt…）

Thinking this far, Tena shook her head.

Thinking the worst was a sign of her own weakness.

She had to muster her courage and believe in Lilith.

（That’s right. Lady Lilith is resourceful. She will definitely return unharmed. It’s okay. Lady Lilith will definitely be fine.）

Tena repeatedly told herself this, trying to overcome her anxiety.

But then she started to blame herself.

（If I had gone with her, I might have been able to do something… No, I should have advised her to bring all the knights. No, I should have had Saul investigated more thoroughly…）

“Tena, if you make such a face, Lady Lilith will be afraid of being scolded again.”

“Lord Frederick…”

Startled, she looked up to see Frederick entering the room, as usual, with his usual sarcastic remarks, but his expression was tired.

Frederick, who had a solid understanding of medicine, had entrusted the injured guards to his friends and had rushed over, sparing no time for sleep. If Lilith had been injured—

He didn’t want to think about it, but he had to be prepared for that possibility.

“Truly, Saul… I never thought he could be so foolish. I regret not seeing it sooner.”

“It’s not your fault, Lord Frederick.”

“Of course not. And it’s not your fault either. The blame lies with Saul. It’s not something a bureaucrat who represents the country should do. He must have been very confident, or perhaps—”

Frederick, who had firmly answered, still sighed and paused, as if deep in thought.

But he quickly continued.

“Lady Lilith was very careful. No one would have expected Saul to attack after more than ten days. However, she might blame herself. Fortunately, none of the knights died, but many were seriously injured.”

Indeed, as Frederick said, Lilith tended to take on more responsibility than necessary.

Probably because everyone had relied too much on Lilith’s reality dreams since she was young.

Still, until now, Lilith’s family—the royal family—had understood and supported her.

King Dreaum, Queen Casablanca, and her brothers, Prince Spirit and Prince Air, had worked to realize Lilith’s dreams.

In this country, only three people knew Lilith’s secret.

Regarding the recent pottery project, she must have felt a great deal of responsibility and concern.

（I should have been more attentive to Lady Lilith’s feelings—）

“Stop blaming yourself, I said.”

Tena, lost in thought, was scolded by Frederick and snapped back to reality.

She couldn’t help but smile wryly at his words.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. We must greet Lady Lilith as usual when she returns.”

“—Yes.”

Just as Tena nodded firmly, encouraged by Frederick, a messenger from Gesualdo rushed into the room. They were relieved to hear that the princess had been rescued, but when they learned she was unconscious, they quickly mounted their horses and rushed to Lilith’s side.