The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 22.2
“The louder you make a fuss, the more people will see.”
At those words, Leslun clamped his mouth shut as if struck, glancing around with a look of disbelief. Only then did he notice Lady Miroi, and his face fell into despair.
Amid the shock in Lady Miroi’s eyes, there flickered a trace of curiosity. Robin, who had rushed out belatedly, let out a heavy sigh.
“What on earth happened here?”
“My aide was unwell—how could I just sit by? So I brought him.”
“You carried him?”
“When I went in, he was writhing on the floor.”
Kailos answered brazenly, as though there had been no alternative. Leslun swallowed a breath of sheer disbelief.
The Crown Prince had been waiting inside his room before he arrived. Of course, he had collapsed as soon as he entered, but… in any case, that wasn’t an accurate description of events.
He wanted to correct it, but what good would that do? Even if the words were set straight, nothing about the situation itself would change. As Leslun’s lips parted then closed again, Robin pressed his forehead with his hand.
He already knew that while the Crown Prince kept Leslun close, he also looked on him with no small amount of disdain. A bit of petty cruelty was tolerable.
But at some point, the Crown Prince’s behavior had become incomprehensible.
It would have been simple enough to discard Leslun entirely, or to work him to the bone. Instead, he had taken him into the Imperial Gardens—or now, like this, carrying him in his arms.
Thinking on it, since Blue had appeared, those behaviors had only grown more blatant. Could it somehow be tied to the guardian beast?
…Or did Kailos, perhaps, enjoy putting Leslun into uncomfortable situations?
“I will carry him instead.”
Deciding it was best to resolve the matter quickly, Robin spread his arms. As he moved into position to receive Leslun, Kailos only shook his head.
Even though he hated being carried like this, Leslun thought he’d rather be in Robin’s arms than the Crown Prince’s, and so he began to turn toward him—only to freeze when Kailos stilled him. His awkwardly stretched arm drew back toward his chest.
Feigning ignorance, Kailos vadjusted his hold on him, drawing Leslun even more snugly into his embrace.
“That won’t do. I carried him this far—I must take responsibility until the end.”
“Your Highness, Lady Miroi is watching.”
The meaning was plain: how could he walk in holding Leslun like a princess in front of Lady Miroi?
What had been the point of watching her so intently from the beginning? The Crown Prince had known full well of Count Robert Camilo’s attempts to abduct her, and yet had allowed it to happen.
Had he rescued her and secured an engagement, he could have easily claimed the throne with Duke Delta’s support. By that time, the Crown Prince already knew exactly who Leslun was.
And yet, of all things, he had carried him all the way here?
Kailos was unmoved by Robin’s persuasion.
“If anything, it would be stranger for you to carry him. To me, he is a precious aide. And to you—what is he?”
“…A valued junior.”
“Is that so? Then Leslun must be happy, being so loved.”
Robin’s face twisted as though crushed, his attempt to compromise thwarted. Ignoring him, Kailos strolled leisurely onward.
At last, he laid Leslun down on the bed himself and commanded the physician, who had hurried in, to treat him. At the sight of Leslun, the doctor’s look said clearly, you again?—but after only a moment’s pause, he reached for his instruments.
While Kailos stood with arms crossed, watching the treatment, Robin approached.
“I will remain here. Your Highness should go to Lady Miroi.”
“You keep pushing me toward her.”
“That is correct.”
It was Robin’s duty to remind the Crown Prince of whom he was meant to meet. Even Leslun, shifting his eyes restlessly from where he lay, nodded in agreement.
Leslun only wanted Kailos to leave as quickly as possible. From the moment he had been carried in his arms until now, the discomfort had not let up.
He wanted nothing more than to escape, but that was easier said than done.
“If that is so, then summon Lady Miroi here.”
“Your Highness! How could you…”
“It is not as though the two of us will be alone. What problem is there?”
As Kailos feigned puzzlement, Robin looked at him with eyes full of words left unspoken. If he missed the chance to meet her, how could he secure the engagement?
Robin didn’t dare say it outright, but Kailos clearly understood. And still, he ignored it.
Leslun fidgeted constantly. He only wanted to return to his own room. No matter how often Kailos intruded without warning, it was still his space.
Perhaps sensing his feelings, Kailos lowered his eyes and murmured,
“And if I say I don’t want to leave?”
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