The End of the Storm
“...You’re saying I was out cold for three days?”
“Sniffle, uh-huh…”
Only after I managed to calm Lucy down from her crying fit was I able to hear about what had transpired after I collapsed.
First and foremost, the chaotic situation had been completely resolved.
All the students had safely returned to the base camp.
The undead knights that had been roaming the forest had all been dealt with.
Reinforcements from the Academy, who had rushed over after receiving the camp's message, were now stationed on the island.
Additionally, Professor Lucas's body, which I had retrieved from those corpse bastards, had been recovered.
And it seemed that, aside from me and Golden Boy, there were no other casualties...
“...That’s a relief.”
Even though we had prevented a major disaster, my mind was still a tangled mess.
As I pondered those words of self-consolation, Lucy, who had been sniffling, suddenly pinched my cheek hard.
“You’re in no state to say that! What do you mean, ‘a relief’?”
“Ow, Your Highness…”
I muttered in pain, feeling like my cheek was about to be ripped off.
However, it seemed that my merciless princess had no intention of listening to my complaints.
Lucy continued to torment me with a mischievous grin, finally releasing her grip when my cheek had turned a bright shade of red.
I rubbed my stinging cheek and forced out an awkward laugh.
“Thank you for coming to save me, Your Highness… Thanks to you, I survived.”
“...”
Lucy froze for a moment at my words of gratitude.
She clenched and unclenched the hand that had been pinching my cheek, her grip weak.
And then, her eyes welled up with tears once more.
“I was… I was so scared…”
Her voice, thick with emotion, broke the silence of the infirmary.
Tears welled up in her ocean-blue eyes, glistening like dewdrops.
“I… I thought I’d lost you forever…”
Her voice trembled with unshed tears, choked sobs trapped in her throat.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she struggled to form coherent sentences, her words tumbling out in disjointed fragments.
“I-I was so scared… that you were gone…”
Tears streamed down her pale cheeks like a mournful rain.
Each tear, a drop of relief, and lingering fear traced a shimmering path down her face.
Finally, unable to contain her emotions any longer, she burst into tears.
I reached out and pulled her into a hug.
“I’m right here, Your Highness.”
Lucy buried her face in my chest, her sobs muffled by my shirt.
I felt the warmth of her tears seep through the thin fabric.
I gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her.
“I’m not going anywhere… I would never leave your side.”
“Hicc, uhh…!”
My words only seemed to make her cry harder.
She must have been truly terrified.
Well, she did witness me getting impaled and collapsing…
‘I should’ve finished them off more thoroughly…’
But then again, who was I to blame?
It was my own fault for being careless.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips as guilt washed over me.
As I comforted Lucy, my eyes met Margaret’s.
“...”
She didn’t look too good.
Her crimson eyes, usually brimming with life, were now clouded with exhaustion, and her vibrant silver hair seemed to have lost its luster.
She had been here for the past three days, keeping watch over me alongside Lucy.
I softly called out to her, “Lady Phyler.”
“...Yes.”
Her reply came a beat late.
She must have been half-asleep.
I gave her a concerned look and asked, “Shouldn’t you get some rest? You look exhausted…”
“Ah… yes, I think I should.”
Margaret nodded in agreement and rose from her chair.
Her dazzling silver hair shimmered as she moved.
She turned to leave, but then stopped abruptly at the entrance of the tent.
“...You.”
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a small voice, her gaze fixed on me.
She was trembling slightly.
“Yes, Lady Phyler?”
“...Thank you.”
“Pardon…?”
I tilted my head, wondering if I had misheard her.
Margaret frowned slightly and repeated herself, “For saving me back at the gorge. Thank you.”
“Ah.”
Understanding dawned on me, and I couldn't help but smile sheepishly.
I wasn't sure if I deserved her gratitude, considering the whole situation at the gorge was my fault to begin with.
But, well, I did save her.
“I should be thanking you. For taking care of me.”
“Yes...”
With a small nod, Margaret exited the infirmary.
“I’ll be going then.”
“See you, Lady Phyler.”
As I watched her retreating figure, I briefly wondered if I should say something more.
But I decided against it. This was enough.
At least for now.
With that thought, I gently patted Lucy’s back as she continued to cling to me.
.
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Thanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteNjir margaret nya peluk juga lah cuk
ReplyDelete... Sus
DeleteWhy does it feel like the princess should have been his ex fiance instead of Margaret. 🤔
ReplyDeleteI wish the women of this story can do more than drop in fear or cry...
ReplyDelete