‘I couldn’t see his face properly earlier because it was chaotic, but looking at him now, Greg is handsome too, though not as much as the crown prince?’

Greg opened his mouth toward Theodore.

“Three lower-ranking knights were injured, five horses, and two supply wagons were damaged. Pearl is treating the knights with healing magic. They weren’t seriously injured, so they’ll recover soon.”

‘Thank goodness!’

At the news that no one had died, the embarrassment from moments before disappeared completely and a sigh of relief burst out. Then Greg’s gaze turned to her, sitting behind Theodore. An indecipherable look continued before he soon changed his expression and discussed with Theodore about how to handle the damaged supply wagons. After finishing the discussion about the procession’s marching speed and schedule to the imperial palace, Greg suddenly asked.

“But how did you manage to rush here from Ice Valley?”

“I found a breach in the barrier. I confirmed that a group of monsters had crossed over through there. I tracked them and came here.”

“Is there a possibility they’ll appear again?”

Greg’s voice was quite serious.

“I don’t know how many escaped through the barrier. Just today, seeing that the second attack immediately followed the first attack, the numbers might be more than expected.”

“The road to the imperial palace won’t be safe anymore either.”

“After reorganizing the formation, we’ll go to the next village early tomorrow morning without rest. Prepare accordingly.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Throughout their conversation, she felt annoyed watching them completely ignore her existence. She wished they would go outside to have such discussions, but they showed no signs of leaving. Feeling her staring gaze, Theodore’s eyes turned toward her. Then he immediately raised one corner of his mouth crookedly.

“By the way, Greg! Have you lost your strength? You seemed to desperately need someone’s help.”

Theodore’s lips twitched as if he wanted to mock him as ‘a knight so weak he needs help from a woman.’ He seemed to have seen her pushing Greg away when the monster was about to attack him.

Greg’s embarrassed expression and Theodore’s gaze, as if wanting to dig into his intentions, simultaneously flew toward her. Facing two pairs of eyes full of curiosity, no particular words came to mind. But if she kept her mouth shut obediently, they would wait until she spoke. Wanting to quickly chase them both away and rest peacefully, she blurted out.

“I have a bit too much strength. Let me know if you need help again.”

Theodore contorted his eyes with an incredulous expression, and Greg unexpectedly chuckled. Just as she was about to open her mouth to tell them the conversation was over and to leave, soft voices were heard from outside the barracks, and a knight came to inform them of a visitor.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Lady Biella has come to visit.”

At the mention of ‘Biella,’ the crown prince’s eyes suddenly seemed to find life and sparkled.

“Wa, wait.”

Just as she was about to tell them to leave, Theodore answered without hesitation.

“Let her in!”

What are you all doing in my barracks?

I just fainted and woke up.

Even now my head is dizzy, my stomach is churning, and I haven’t eaten anything but feel like throwing up…….

But her words were drowned out by the sound of the curtain being drawn back. An extra that no one cares about. Realizing her position once again, she had no choice but to quietly hold her breath. Soon Biella entered with her mysteriously shining golden hair and pure face. Everyone’s gaze turned to Biella, who looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. Among them, Theodore’s eyes seemed to look at Biella with such pity, as if he might run to embrace her at any moment.

‘See, his wife-to-be is right next to him, so how could he look at the woman he loves indifferently?’

The moment she turned her gaze away to give them some consideration, her eyes met Greg’s. Since her heart didn’t ache nor did her stomach burn, she shrugged her shoulders with an awkward expression. Greg chuckled once more.

Biella’s appearance as she lightly bowed her head toward Theodore in greeting was elegant and beautiful. Anyone could see her pure and pitiful appearance that captivated the eye. After Biella told Theodore she was glad he was safe, she asked her.

“Princess, what on earth were you thinking?”

What kind of question is this? She stared at Biella with a dumbfounded face. Had she done something wrong to Biella before she possessed this body? Just as she wondered if she was being scolded for something she couldn’t remember,

“Why didn’t you come into the shield?”

Ah, that? How tiresome. You don’t need to ask such questions too. Biella looked at her with teary eyes as if she might shed tears at any moment.

“I reached out my hand, so why didn’t you come into the shield? What if you had been seriously injured…… Do you know how worried I was?”

Biella was an attendant dispatched from the Arepe Empire to serve Princess Arnica. So Arnica and Biella had only met a few days ago. Yet seeing her worry like this, she was indeed the female protagonist. Kind to everyone, speaking prettily, with a pretty face and an even prettier figure. Hmm. So that’s why Theodore’s eyes keep going to Biella. Biella! I almost died just a while ago! No, that’s not right. I died once after being hit by a car, woke up, and almost died again! So I want to tell you to leave me alone, but she held back and answered.

“Lady. There were many people besides me who couldn’t enter the shield.”

“Even so, if you stayed dangerously outside the shield……”

Perhaps because Biella was a pure and pitiful type of female lead, she found her frustrating. Everyone coddles her, so she probably doesn’t see the people around her well. She spoke in as calm a voice as possible.

“Lady Biella. Are you saying I should have pushed them aside and entered?”

She slowly swept up her disheveled front hair and looked intently at Biella.

Look, I saved several attendants who were destined to die!

Now three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

“Three knights were injured trying to protect the people who couldn’t enter the shield. But if I had entered there to save myself? Everyone might have tried to give up their spots for me and even more people might have been hurt. Should I still have entered?”

Biella’s face turned reddish as if flustered, and she rolled her eyes around.

“But……”

“My life is precious to me too. But other people’s lives are equally precious. No one wants to die.”

“That’s true, but…… If you get hurt.”

“I’ll protect my own life. Even if I die in the process, I won’t blame others. So lady, protect your own life too. Don’t die a dog’s death trying to take care of others.”

It was then that the way Theodore and Greg looked at her changed. She didn’t know if it changed in a good way or a bad way, but she couldn’t tell which direction from their expressions alone. She didn’t really care either. She was going to escape anyway. But when will I escape?

Having nothing more to say, Biella’s bright, sparkling eyes drooped as if heartbroken and gently lowered her head.

“I didn’t know that…… I’m sorry.”

Perhaps feeling sorry for the pitiful Biella, Theodore looked at her and said.

“You’re being rude to someone who’s worried about your safety.”

Insolent, rude.

Somehow all the words Theodore uses to describe her are negative. Though less than a day has passed, she seems to have been branded as a difficult person by the crown prince. But she didn’t have the energy left to argue further. Moreover, if she said one more word here, it would only give her a villainous image.

She sighed and remained silent, then Biella contorted her pure face terribly and ran out of the barracks after a silent greeting. Theodore hesitated as if he was about to say something more but stopped. She could roughly guess what he was going to say, but contrary to her expectations, she heard polite words.

“You seem tired, so rest.”

Then without even making eye contact, he swiftly left the barracks. Left alone, she was about to lie back down on the bed when she gestured toward Greg, who still hadn’t left.

You leave too!

For some reason, despite her fierce gaze, the grand duke didn’t mind and smiled faintly. As if he had something to say. Right, all the protagonists have to take turns asking questions. But thinking ‘I’m not even a protagonist but an extra, yet why am I so tired,’ she gave up trying to lie down and sat back on the bed.

“Well then, what does Your Grace want to say now?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

It was unexpected.

During the long journey, she had never once had a conversation with Greg. That time when he shouted to go into the shield to avoid the monsters was the first time he had spoken to her. Greg had acted as if talking to her was taboo, just approaching near her carriage, briefly checking her condition, and passing by. Unable to respond properly to his suddenly changed kind attitude, she just blinked her eyes when Greg took something out from his chest and showed it.

“I got this from mage Pearl. Apply it to any painful areas and it will subside within minutes.”

Honestly, she was moved at this moment. This is why people invest in sub-male lead stocks. Puppy-like sub-male lead. A sub-male lead who looks big and fierce like a large dog but is gentle and caring is definitely my number one pick. Greg’s considerate side that she didn’t know when reading the novel? Looking at the herbal ointment he casually offered with his large hand, she gladly accepted it. What’s this? You’re the first to treat me like this!

Even though she was feeling weak, when she smiled brightly at him, Greg scratched his nape as if embarrassed. She should have noticed from when he was wiping the monster’s blood with a cloth. Even covered in blood, Greg was a delicate man.

“And thank you for earlier. Of course, I knew that guy was approaching. So don’t take such risks next time.”

Greg, who had been unable to continue speaking and hesitating, continued.

“If such a thing happens again, stay close to me then. I’ll protect you.”

She was newly surprised that Greg actually had this kind of personality.

What, is this a love confession? In the original work, Princess Arnica and the grand duke were enemies. This has deviated too far from the original. In the original, after one attack, there are no other monster attacks before arriving at the imperial palace. Knowing this, she could rest assured until reaching the imperial palace. After arriving, she planned to escape from the procession as quickly as possible. But since he said he would protect her, there was no reason to refuse.

“I will. Grand Duke Otwin. Thank you for caring.”

When she answered readily, perhaps unexpectedly, Greg’s eyes wavered strangely. Just in case he might fall for her, she drove in a wedge.

“But don’t fall for me. I’m not into romantic melodrama!”

When she spoke playfully while lightly shaking her head, he chuckled. She laughed along too. Was it the camaraderie of those who survived the monster attack?

At that moment, it was a smile that naturally flowed out — Greg from the relief of having protected someone, and her from the relief of being alive.