The Kidnapped Prince is Mine Now - Chapter 50

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 50
His voice dropped lower, resonating against my ear.
I felt Rotar Eisenrit’s fingers trace across my lower abdomen and closed my eyes.
This was better, honestly.
Lost in pleasure, I couldn’t think of anything else.
***
Days later. All preparations to return to Graupels were complete.
Shisha spared no effort in providing the supplies and tools necessary to cross the Snowy Mountains.
Most importantly, “lending” me ancient texts related to Zaikas was an immeasurable kindness.
‘In truth, there was no need to borrow them at all.’
It was all for appearances.
Rotar Eisenrit must not know that the interpretation of the texts was already complete. We agreed to finish the remaining analysis after returning to Graupels.
When I met with Shisha alone to make this request, she studied me carefully before asking.
“You didn’t get the result you wanted, did you?”
‘….’
“Just borrowing the texts would look odd. Normally, you’d choose to stay a few more weeks to interpret the materials.”
It was a precise observation. I met Shisha’s gaze and opened my parched lips.
‘That’s why I need your advice.’
This private meeting was for that purpose as well.
A lord governing the treacherous territory of Drakenloch would surely come up with a more convincing answer than I could.
To be honest, my mind hadn’t been working well lately. Perhaps from sleepless nights.
I was rubbing my roughened skin with my palm and swallowing a sigh.
“Well, if you use diplomatic goodwill as a pretext, it should work fine.”
‘…Diplomatic goodwill?’
“A symbol that Lumektia and Elheim are friendly toward each other. Leaving such a thing behind helps domestic politics too.”
Shisha rose from her seat and approached me. Then she tapped the back of my hand with her slender finger and spoke.
“You all promise by borrowing the texts. That you’ll visit Drakenloch again someday.”
‘….’
“You can keep that promise, right?”
‘Of course.’
Even as I gave that answer, I felt tears threatening to spill.
Diplomacy between Elheim and Lumeknia would be valid. As long as Rotar Eisenrit won his battle against Maximilian through Zaikas’s blessing.
‘But it won’t be me who returns the texts to Drakenloch.’
If there is a next life, will I be able to meet Shisha then too?
That coincidence of camping near the starving Shisha and becoming her hostage—could I recreate it even once more?
‘…Thank you, Shisha. Truly.’
I embraced Shisha amid my turbulent emotions and murmured.
There was nothing more I could say. It would only be an empty promise.
And now.
The Expedition Force was departing Drakenloch, expressing gratitude for the Belgrum Race’s quiet farewell ceremony.
At the moment of parting, the Expedition Force returned the translation device they’d borrowed from Lumeknia to the Belgrum Race.
I was just about to remove the device from my ear as well.
[Elise, you need not return your translation device.]
I paused at the words and turned my head. Shisha, dressed in elaborate garments, was looking at me.
Now I understood. The smile on her face.
[We shall meet again someday. Use it then. There are limits to what pictures and gestures can convey, are there not?]
“…Ha.”
She was right. I swallowed the surge of emotion rising in my throat and forced the corners of my mouth upward.
In this final moment, I didn’t want to show her a crying face.
After parting with Shisha, we boarded the magical train through the secret tunnel and entered the Snowy Mountains.
According to what I’d heard from Shisha, Lumeknia had long ago bored tunnels through to the central point of the Snowy Mountains. The magic to control weather and the magic to control corpses were likewise preparations for potential surprise warfare, she’d said.
‘Or perhaps they were the foundation for a conquest war they themselves would launch.’
The radicals and the moderates. Depending on which faction seized control of Lumeknia, the fate of the Elheim Empire would change as well. If possible, it would be right to establish formal diplomatic relations with Lumeknia before war broke out.
Of course, all of that came after eliminating Maximilian.
“Are you well?”
The voice touching my ear pulled me from my thoughts.
When I turned my head, I saw Rotar Eisenrit looking down at me.
His shadowed face held no smile. I wanted to ask him the same question.
But Rotar reached out first. He gently rubbed my cheek and asked.
“Your complexion has been poor for some time now. Is it because of your parting with Shisha?”
“Ah.”
Was I really looking that terrible?
I placed my hand over his as he touched my cheek, then stopped myself from forcing a smile.
It was strange. In the fourth loop, I thought I’d managed to deceive Maximilian well enough.
But in front of Rotar Eisenrit, whatever I did felt like clumsy acting.
On impulse, I even checked with the Holy Knight nearby.
“Hey, Lutz. Is my complexion really that bad?”
“Y-yes?”
He seemed flustered by the sudden question, but answered without hesitation.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your eyes are quite dark underneath. You look like someone who hasn’t slept for three days.”
“….”
Right. These men were the ones who truly couldn’t lie.
Seeing his response only made me more anxious.
‘Hey, you lot. Don’t give anything away. We still know nothing.’
I’d issued that warning not long ago.
Keeping their mouths shut and ignoring leading questions was their specialty.
But in situations where they had to lie, I doubted they could even control their wavering eyes properly.
‘If Rotar Eisenrit pressed even a little, they’d probably spill everything.’
Still, I was grateful that Rotar had provided a convenient excuse first.
I quickly blamed it on Shisha.
“You’re right. The thought of not seeing Cisharang for so long feels like it’s tearing my heart apart.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Though it wasn’t the whole truth either.
Rotar Eisenrit gazed down at me as I absently touched the corner of my eye.
My heart began to race for some reason.
Rotar Eisenrit nodded and replied shortly after.
“Yes. Shisha was a good person, after all.”
…Did he let it slide?
‘Phew.’
I exhaled in relief inwardly.
Rotar Eisenrit said nothing more and adjusted my clothing for me. I could feel the care in his touch—concern that I might catch a cold.
Rotar Eisenrit would never know. That in moments like these, my throat tightens and I want to bare everything.
***
The magical train only extended to the center of the Snowy Mountains.
The Belgrum who had accompanied us for the train’s operation waved their hands as we descended and exited through the tunnel, continuing until they vanished from sight.
After that, the expedition differed little from its beginning. We trudged through snowfields where the drifts swallowed our legs up to the shins, and faced monsters and magical beasts that emerged without warning.
At least the blizzard hadn’t struck. Had I not met Shisha, I couldn’t imagine how this expedition would have ended.
As the sun began to set, Rotar Eisenrit found a rocky outcropping that blocked the wind and called out.
“Prepare camp. Set up the tents and remain vigilant for any surprise attacks.”
It was our first camp since the lavish hospitality at Drakenloch Castle.
I poked my head into the tent Rotar Eisenrit had unfurled. He was crouched low, illuminating the interior with a lamp.
I observed his figure in silence. His broad, expansive back. Firm, warm skin.
It all felt like a mirage that would vanish before long. The urge to reach out and touch his spine seized me.
“Elise….”
Sensing my presence, Rotar Eisenrit turned around. The moment our eyes met, I whipped my head away without thinking.
‘Damn it.’
It was an unnatural gesture—practically begging him to suspect me.
But I couldn’t help it. I had just been gazing at him with every emotion laid bare on my face.
‘What will he do?’
With an anxious heart, I turned my head back again.
Rotar Eisenrit was watching me with an unreadable expression.

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