The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 252

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 99

“Um… Sir Neryl. Don’t you have any pepper?”

At that moment, Garo suddenly spoke up. He was the first person to break the silence at today’s quiet meal. It seemed he couldn’t bear the strangely heavy atmosphere that was weighing everyone down.

“Just eat whatever you’re given.”

“Brother, I really want to do that, but honestly, this stew tastes like mud.”

Or perhaps he simply couldn’t stand the taste of the stew.

“I, I actually feel the same way…”

“I’d like to add at least a little salt…”

As if floodgates had opened, everyone began to speak up. Harsh reviews of the stew continued, and just when the oppressive atmosphere seemed to lighten,

“Ask Medeia for it.”

Chezare froze it all over again.

“Since Her Precious Highness always values being well-prepared.”

He was referring to the time she had hidden alone in the mountains to overturn Samon Claudio’s trap.

The shadows of dusk fell across his face as he playfully raised his eyebrows. His already dangerously handsome face became even more striking.

This was his usual self.

Even while watching Medeia navigate this forest as if it were her own home, he showed no reaction whatsoever.

Even Neryl, who revered her like a goddess, had been shaken, yet only Chezare remained calm.

“…”

Medeia pulled out salt and pepper shakers from her coat with an expressionless face.

“Your Highness, then if I may just have a little—”

“Well.”

I think I need to consider it.

The icy atmosphere broke when Medeia gave Garo the pepper only to snatch it back from his hands.

“Huh? Do you really dislike me that much?”

Everyone burst into laughter at Garo’s utterly bewildered expression.

“Thank you for today. If it weren’t for Your Highness the Princess, we would have become centipede food by now.”

The awkwardness and confusion from the day were swept away like that.

After all, they were members who would stay together until the end of this expedition.

Regardless of the reasons, it was an undeniable fact that thanks to Medeia, they were surviving in this forest without losing a single member.

Medeia nodded as if she understood and turned her gaze to Chezare.

He merely lifted the corners of his mouth slightly.

“Neryl. Honestly, it tastes terrible. I should have taken the ladle away when you were spacing out.”

Tom, who had barely finished his portion, grumbled at Neryl.

“Ah, so Sir Neryl made this…?”

Garo, who had been slowly moving his spoon even after adding pepper, immediately began forcing the stew into his mouth without another word.

“I thought I sensed integrity in that bland simplicity.”

“Garo, you were just cursing that whoever made this must have no sense of taste like me. What are you saying now?”

“I thought Tom made it—”

Garo cried out as if wronged.

“Just eat what you’re given. Before I stuff weeds in your mouth.”

Even as she said this, Neryl hesitated for a moment before tossing something to Garo.

“Jerky?”

“What! You had meat and didn’t give me any?! Hey, isn’t this too harsh to a comrade who’s like blood and flesh to you?”

Garo’s face turned red as he began forcing the stew into his mouth again.

After dinner ended like that, perhaps to shake off the remnants of the day, an unusual leisure time opened up.

“Have a drink! I brought special 500-year-old honey wine knowing this would happen!”

Garo pulled out a small wooden barrel from his coat.

“Tsk, I wondered what you were so carefully carrying around since we got off the ship…”

“Hey, so are you saying you won’t drink it?”

“No way. I’m just admiring Brother Garo’s foresight. Wow, look at this color.”

“The oak aroma is incredible, isn’t it? Come on, Your Highness, you too!”

Excited by Tom’s banter, Garo offered wine to Medeia as well.

“…”

Medeia hesitated. The amber liquid in the cup was incredibly dark.

“Garo. Get a grip.”

What kind of alcohol is this.

Along with a low murmur, a straight hand blocked her way and snatched away Medeia’s drink.

Then he handed her a small water bottle.

“You drink this.”

The shimmering liquid was as clear as water.

“It’s World Tree sap. It’s a tonic, so don’t worry and drink it.”

World Tree sap?

She had heard it was precious, but since she had never actually tried it, Medeia drank a sip without hesitation.

But somehow it had a familiar scent. Slightly sweet, with that characteristic bland taste—.

“This… Neryl, it’s like the juice you make for me?”

Neryl glanced at Chezare for a moment, then nodded as if she had no choice.

“Yes, Your Highness. Lord Chezare gave it to me to serve to you with every meal. He said your body wouldn’t be able to handle suddenly going on an expedition.”

No wonder, even though she was much less prepared than in her previous life, her body was holding up surprisingly well.

She had thought her body had become healthier along with the improved situation, but it was thanks to the World Tree sap?

“You don’t need to thank me. This guy probably just did what he wanted to do anyway.”

Terrence interrupted.

When she looked at Chezare, he just shrugged his shoulders. Medeia nodded and took another sip.

The sap in the bottle Chezare gave her was much sweeter than the juice Neryl had made.

Somehow her mood lightened.

The warmth of the campfire and the voices of the expedition members tickling her ears felt pleasant.

She had pretended to be fine, but perhaps she had been a little tense.

Like people with secrets they don’t want revealed always are.

Actually, she wanted to pour it all out.

That even though this was her second life, she hadn’t expected this.

This forest, this path they were taking together to slay the evil dragon,

“…I never thought it would feel enjoyable…”

Her head dropped suddenly.

“Your Highness!”

“Are you alright?”

Chezare quickly approached and examined Medeia before Neryl could.

Her eyes were closed, and her cheeks were flushed red.

“She’s not injured. She just seems a bit intoxicated.”

At Terrence’s words after examining Medeia, Garo suddenly looked up at his boss.

“Boss, you didn’t give her the undiluted concentrate, did you?”

“I did?”

“Didn’t you know World Tree sap needs to be diluted? If you drink it all at once, it makes you drunk like alcohol?”

Chezare frowned.

“I was fine with it.”

“Of course a monster like you would need at least a curse to affect your liver. Don’t judge normal people by your own standards.”

“I’ll take care of Her Highness.”

As if he couldn’t hear Neryl’s words, Chezare cupped Medeia’s cheek. Her small frame fit entirely in his hands.

‘This is why she gets all wobbly from something like World Tree sap.’

Displeasure and affection swirled simultaneously in his golden eyes.

“Show me the way.”

Chezare wrapped Medeia snugly in his outer coat. Then he carefully lifted her and stood up.

Neryl tried to block him, but Chezare’s actions were so careful and polite that she couldn’t find an excuse to stop him.

“Is this all there is to cover with?”

Chezare frowned his handsome features as he looked at Medeia’s simple cot.

He knew better than anyone that they couldn’t afford such luxuries when they had to keep moving without rest.

But when it came to Medeia, even this simple cot and green blanket seemed far too meager.

“Bring the Silvarend from my luggage. Alpha will know where it is.”

Neryl hesitated.

Silvarend—wasn’t that a magical blanket made from thread spun by elves?

She had once overheard Kensington mention in passing that it was imbued with the mystical power of elves, providing warmth as well as making the wearer’s dreams clear and peaceful.

‘The level of military supplies is completely different.’

Though Valdina had developed considerably, she realized they were still far from matching Cazen’s wealth.

“…Yes.”

Neryl left, and Chezare also rose to leave the tent.

At that moment, a single tear flowing down Medeia’s cheek caught his ankle.

“…I never thought it would feel pleasant…”

“What is it that’s holding you so tightly?”

Instead of his calloused rough hands, Chezare used the back of his soft hand to wipe away the flowing moisture.

Through the open entrance of the tent, dim moonlight illuminated the two of them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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