Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 32

“Excuse me? Oh, it could be sooner. It’s just until the stretched ligament finds its place…”

“Damn, no, that’s enough. Go on, then.”

Seeing the Crown Prince about to curse, the doctor, who was watching for his reaction, quickly left as soon as he heard the words to leave.

“…Damn.”

Kaiden clutched his head, overwhelmed by sudden regret.

Instead of asking if she was okay or comforting her for her trouble, he had just stormed out in anger.

“She must have been in considerable pain. And she foolishly endured it alone?”

He was torn between guilt and anger, pacing in front of the tent in a manner that would make anyone question his sanity.

“Did the doctor give her painkillers? Should I go check now… No, going back in after getting angry to deliver painkillers would be…”

Eventually, blushing with immense shame, he realized that his father had foreseen this situation and advised him accordingly.

“He told me to think before acting… Father, why didn’t you raise me to be someone who thinks?”

Kaiden ruffled his abundant hair almost as if he might pull it all out.

“Should I go in now, apologize first, and then… No, the lady’s reckless actions are problematic. I need to address this. What if she really gets into danger? But what if she’s in unbearable pain? She looked so pale…”

Damn it!

His kick uprooted a patch of grass.

Her face seemed to suggest she hadn’t considered that anyone might worry about her.

She must have been treated like that the entire time she was at Krembell.

Gillian Krembell was certainly a man with a blunt nature.

He thought it was just his clumsiness in expressing affection, but knowing the truth, he realized how wrong he had been.

“Both she and I were just tools.”

Did he ever have someone with whom he shared genuine affection with?

Even the friend he thought was loyal gifted him betrayal, and the spouse he promised to spend his life with was driven to consider divorce.

He saw the doctor returning with a large bag.

“You there!”

“Yes?”

The doctor, who was heading toward the tent, stopped at Kaiden’s call.

“If the patient complains of pain, make sure to prescribe painkillers. Healing is important, but so is not being in pain.”

“Oh, yes. Understood.”

“Absolutely. Absolutely!”

The doctor waved his hand, saying he wouldn’t dare ignore such an instruction.

Once the doctor finished treating her and came out, they could move.

With a major concern resolved, Kaiden sighed in relief.

His previously uneasy heart felt a little more at ease.

“Yes. Apologies and consideration are separate matters. When we return to the palace, I’ll instruct them to prepare meals carefully for her recovery, and assign her the best room. I heard some good medicine arrived…”

Concerned about her injury, Kaiden decided to treat her with unparalleled care while she was under his responsibility.

In retrospect, the help he had given her was nothing compared to what she had given him.

It was wise to earn points in this area.

“And I foolishly got emotional and angry. I must do my best. Otherwise…”

She might discard me, just like Gillian.

With a chill of fear passing through his chest, he clenched his fist.

Kaiden called one of the knights waiting nearby.

“I need to go back and organize the venue, so once the lady’s treatment is done, you are responsible for her protection. Even Duke Krembell shouldn’t be able to approach. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Don’t let anyone pass except me. You can be a bit rough. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

After giving several reminders, he finally headed back to the venue.

* * *

A golden statue that seemed to move and ornaments shining brilliantly, painstakingly crafted by artisans.

Anyone could tell it was an imperial carriage, and inside sat a woman in a red riding outfit.

“What is all this…?”

Ellen was slightly bewildered.

Suddenly, people rushed in and carried her on a stretcher.

She accepted that much.

But they brought her to what was clearly an imperial carriage.

[We will escort you.]

[This carriage is…]

[It’s by the order of His Highness. Please hold on tight as we lift you.]

[What? Ah!]

She couldn’t even board the carriage on her own.

It would have been hard to do so with only her strength, but still, it was excessive.

They seemed determined not to let her feet touch the ground.

[If you need anything, please let us know. Anything at all.]

[It’s fine. I’m already quite comfortable.]

[You might need a cushion for your feet. Please wait a moment.]

[Ah…]

Before Ellen could respond, the man who spoke left swiftly.

But the surprises didn’t end there.

She knew the destination was the imperial palace. The Crown Prince had openly stated he would take responsibility for her, so she expected to go to the imperial palace.

But to the Crown Prince’s palace?

When she arrived at the front gate of the Crown Prince’s palace, she asked,

“…Did I hear correctly that I’ll be staying at the Crown Prince’s palace?”

“Yes. His Highness insisted. Please, enter.”

“Oh… Yes.”

Ellen was truly bewildered.

After leaving in such anger, to suddenly receive such treatment.

And naturally, she couldn’t set foot on the ground at the Crown Prince’s palace either.

They brought a well-maintained wheelchair from somewhere, seated her gently, and were on high alert, ensuring she wouldn’t move the wheels herself.

“The room is on the top floor, the Rose Room. If you prefer another, please let us know.”

“It’s fine. I’ll go to the room you’ve prepared.”

Once she gave permission, they moved busily.

To move to the top floor, three strong men assisted her, and she soon entered an enormous room.

“These are the maids who will serve you. If you need anything, just send one of them to me. Have a comfortable rest.”

The chamberlain said this and left.

Finally, she was free from the whirlwind of people.

“I’m Maria Ashhill. This is Christie Wilton. We’ll do our best to make you comfortable.”

“Ah, I’m Ellen Crient.”

Maria smiled and said,

“How about a bath first? We’ll assist you since you might be uncomfortable.”

As Maria spoke, Christie left to prepare the bathwater.

Soon, they led Ellen to the bathroom.

While being wheeled, Ellen asked,

“Are there other rooms on the top floor besides this one?”

“Of course. The Crown Prince’s chamber is right next door.”

“…And nothing else?”

“No. On the top floor, it’s just this room and His Highness’s chamber.”

Hearing this, Ellen began to understand the situation.

All this excessive kindness was based on a misunderstanding.

For instance, the Rose Room was where past Crown Princesses stayed, leading to assumptions.

‘No wonder it seemed suspicious…’

But what was the Crown Prince thinking with such orders?

It was baffling.

She understood why the staff acted this way.

But the fundamental question remained…

After leaving in anger, what wind blew him to make her a guest in the Crown Princess’s room?

She was still technically married to Gillian, with only divorce rumors circulating.

Such actions could lead to unfavorable rumors for both of them.

Ellen almost sighed at the reckless behavior.

‘Well, the reason for his anger was concern…’

In hindsight, he was always like that.

Since the old days that are now lost in time.

She thought she’d seen many unexpected sides of him, but in a sense, he was consistent.

‘But that’s that, and this is this.’

Ellen added ‘develop a cautious attitude’ to the list of things to convey to Kaiden.

‘When he returns, I should ask about the tournament’s outcome. And I need to mention Lady Sorbon…’

She regretted not organizing the information network sooner.

With the chaos and avoiding Gillian, she hadn’t managed it.

Though she couldn’t do much now, she felt it was time to expand the network.

The clothes she changed into after the bath were very comfortable.

They seemed aware of her limited mobility, providing loose-fitting clothes unlike typical palace loungewear.

“Thank you both.”

Maria smiled gently at Ellen’s gratitude.

“It’s our duty. Is there anything else you need?”

“Oh, if His Highness comes, could you let me know? I have something to tell him.”

“Understood. Have a pleasant time.”

The two bowed and left the room.

But that day, no news came to her.

Not until the distant lamp went out in the long night.