Chapter 86

It's only been three days, yet it feels like it's been a long time.

As Lillis got excited looking at the streets of Toisen through the small window of the carriage, she heard cheers from afar.

The cheers grew louder as the carriage approached the town.

It seemed that the townspeople were welcoming Lillis back, rejoicing at her safe return.

"Your Highness, what should we do... I'm getting nervous."

"Lillis?"

"Why are you surprised? I get nervous too. I'm not good with being in front of people."

"…I see."

Lillis wanted Jesalde to encourage her with words like "It's okay" or "I'm here with you," but he was surprised.

Slightly hurt, Lillis sat across from her, where Tena was coughing, trying to suppress her laughter.

At that moment, Jesalde's hand gently overlapped Lillis's hand on her lap.

Startled, Lillis turned her face to see Jesalde frowning at her.

His expression seemed like a scowl, but Lillis knew it wasn't.

Jesalde felt guilty for hurting Lillis with his words but was at a loss for how to express himself.

Just that was enough for Lillis to forgive everything. ——If she had a blanket, she would have curled up and moaned.

Still, Lillis tried to suppress the overwhelming affection in her heart and smiled, returning Jesalde's hand squeeze.

"Your Highness, if you are by my side, I feel reassured!"

"…I see."

Lillis's words were met with the same response from Jesalde.

However, Lillis didn't miss the subtle change in his expression.

Jesalde was clearly relieved.

(Ah, what should I do... I love Jed so much it hurts...)

Lillis wasn't even angry at Tena, who was still pressing a handkerchief to her mouth, head down, and shoulders shaking.

On the contrary, Lillis thought that if Tena didn't lift her head, she could monopolize Jesalde's expression.

Love leads people to a rosy world.

The main street of the town was filled with people, and the cheers were loud, but they didn't register in Lillis's ears, which were filled with fantasies.

However, when the carriage stopped in front of the inn, Lillis snapped back to reality.

From here on, she had to act as the Crown Princess.

Jesalde squeezed her hand, as if to encourage her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes! I'm happy to!"

"…I see."

Jesalde's third response was tinged with confusion.

For Lillis, if she had to act as Jesalde's wife, she would gladly jump into fire or water.

But of course, that wasn't going to be understood.

Tena, who had watched the entire scene, wanted to hold her head but wisely maintained a calm demeanor.

Soon, the door opened from the outside, and Jesalde got out first, causing the cheers to grow louder.

However, Jesalde didn't respond and instead reached out his hand to Lillis.

The scene fell silent, but Lillis placed her hand in his large hand and slowly peeked out of the carriage.

Instantly, the cheers grew even louder.

Despite this, Lillis stepped down with her usual bright smile and waved to the crowd.

Some women even cried out of joy and relief, causing a bit of chaos.

"I have caused you all great worry, but thanks to the Crown Prince, the royal guards, and the town's security forces, I have returned safely. Thank you!"

As Lillis began to speak, the surroundings fell silent, and then were enveloped in cheers once again.

It wasn't just because of the long absence; the people of the town were drawn to the Crown Princess's approachable personality, and now they genuinely revered Lillis.

Furthermore, the impression of the Crown Prince, who had been feared before the visit, had changed, and the people were grateful for the baron's actions.

Therefore, the keen-eyed women who were relatively close didn't miss it.

The usually expressionless Crown Prince, when urging the Crown Princess to enter the inn, had a hint of kindness in his red eyes.

It made his previously eerie red eyes shine beautifully.

"Did you see that just now?"

"Yes, it was the Crown Prince, right?"

"Oh, it wasn't a mistake then."

"What a surprise..."

"That's definitely the Crown Prince... thinking about the Crown Princess..."

"He must care for her deeply."

"Well, I knew it. When the Crown Princess was kidnapped, he chased after her with such determination."

"Indeed."

As the two royals entered the inn and the men returned to their work, excitedly, the so-called well-side meeting began.

Unable to gather in front of the inn, the women moved to the well, and the children played around it.

Naturally, the rumor from Toisen, "The Crown Prince cares for the Crown Princess," quickly spread throughout the empire.

And the betting results, along with the fact that the Crown Prince personally welcomed the Crown Princess, declared "Rose" the winner.

Unaware of such rumors, Lillis immediately hugged Rese, who was waiting in the room.

"Rese! I'm sorry for worrying you! It must have hurt, right? How are your injuries? Oh, I might have made them worse!"

"Please don't worry, Lady Lillis. I am fine, as you can see."

Though she hugged Rese tightly, Lillis quickly pulled back and observed her from head to toe.

Rese smiled awkwardly and bowed deeply.

"I am more concerned about your safe return, Lady Lillis. This time, I failed to protect you—"

Rese's words, spoken with a bowed head, were cut off as Lillis forcefully took her hand.

Raising her head, Rese saw Lillis's usual bright smile.

"I want to drink the tea you made for me again. And I want to eat the sweets you recommend."

"…Understood. I will bring you some delicious sweets immediately."

"Ah, but can you wait a moment?"

Lillis stopped Rese, who had immediately started to move to fulfill her request.

Then she looked at Jesalde as if seeking his approval.

"Um... I want to see the knights first..."

"That's right. Let's do that."

Jesalde immediately agreed to Lillis's request.

He had heard that the injured knights were being treated in the largest room of the inn.

The two left the room and moved to the floor where the sick room was located, entering the room.

Seeing them, the knights tried to get up, but Lillis quickly stopped them with a voice.

"Wait. I won't allow you to get out of bed or speak right now."

After taking a deep breath, Lillis continued slowly.

"But, I won't allow only that. ...Thank you, everyone. Get well soon, and I look forward to you guarding me again."

While Lillis spoke firmly, Jesalde silently held her hand tightly, as if to encourage her.

Lillis was smiling, but she could see several knights with severe injuries and felt like crying.

She probably wouldn't have been able to smile without Jesalde's warmth.

Being the Crown Princess of this country was a heavy burden for Lillis, to be honest.

But if she could be Jesalde's wife, she would try her best. She would show her strength.

Lillis firmly returned the grip on the large hand and listened to Jesalde, who was comforting the knights.