Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Meanwhile, Erina sat down in disappointment, sensing no response despite shouting several times. She sighed as she held her visibly swollen right wrist.
“I don’t think I can move my wrist at all for the next few days.”
It had only been two days since they started camping, and now she was injured. She was also worried that she might not be able to fulfill princess Anna’s request in her current state.
Although only a few minutes had passed since she fell into the trap, Erina’s mind was already filled with gloomy thoughts. Just as she was about to call out again after taking a moment to catch her breath, a round, glowing orb of light approached from somewhere and surrounded her.
“Ah, this is…!”
Recognizing the magic as Dylan’s, Erina let out a deep breath of relief. It had been worth trusting the dragons and calling out for help. She had started to feel scared, being trapped in such a dark and deep place, but the bright light of Dylan’s magic orb reassured her.
As she passed the time by gently tapping the orb, Dylan’s voice soon came from above.
“Miss Erina! Are you all right?”
“Dylan! I’m okay!”
As Erina replied, a handsome face appeared, even in the backlight. The moment she saw his face, her nose tingled with emotion. She had believed he would come to rescue her, but that didn’t make the fear any less real.
As the tension released, the pain in her body from her first experience falling into a trap rushed in, making her want to cry out.
“Hold on a moment. I’ll lift you up now. Don’t be surprised if your body suddenly rises,” Dylan said calmly, trying to reassure her.
Erina nodded vigorously in agreement. As Dylan had said, her body began to float slowly.
Surprised by the unfamiliar sensation, Erina held her breath and shut her eyes tightly, fearing she might fall again if she moved too much.
“Miss Erina, you can open your eyes now.”
With a soft chuckle, Dylan’s gentle touch landed on her shoulder. Only then did Erina open her eyes and gingerly test her footing.
The solid feeling beneath her feet confirmed she was truly back on the ground.
“Phew, thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing. But how did you end up in such a trap…?”
“What I was looking for was right in front of me, so I was focused on that, and… before I knew it, I was falling.”
Erina scrunched her nose in embarrassment. She was deeply ashamed to have been so careless, especially when she was supposed to be looking after the children. She hadn’t even had time to think about this earlier in her panic.
“I did suggest we go together, didn’t I?”
Dylan said with a stern expression.
“I know, I just caused trouble. I’m sorry.”
“To be fair, it’s the fault of the jerk—no, the person—who set a trap in a place people walk. Don’t blame yourself too much. That’s not what I meant.”
Although his words included one rather harsh term, Erina understood his intention well enough. She thanked him again.
“Really, thank you. If I had come alone and something like this happened, I might’ve just disappeared from the world without a trace.”
“Miss Erina, please don’t say things like that, even as a joke. Disappear from the world? No way. From now on, let’s agree you’ll go anywhere only with me.”
“Huh? No! This was just a one-time accident. I’m usually very careful!”
Erina tried to explain that this was just a freak incident, but Dylan didn’t look convinced. He seemed skeptical.
And then, as he saw her wave him off, his gaze landed on her wrist, and his eyes sharpened ominously.
“Miss Erina, what is this?”
Dylan grabbed her right forearm with his large hand. Though his grip was gentle and not painful, the sudden gesture startled Erina, and her eyes followed his gaze.
Seeing her seriously swollen wrist, Dylan clenched his jaw.
“I must’ve injured it during the fall. If I rest it for a few days, it’ll be fine.”
“It looks pretty bad to me. I don’t think it’s something to dismiss so lightly.”
“It’s because it just happened.”
Dylan sighed again and shone a bright light around Erina’s wrist. The throbbing pain subsided significantly. Erina looked at him in bewilderment.
Just how powerful was this dragon’s magic?
“Y-You can use healing magic too?”
“My magic doesn’t specialize in healing, but it can ease pain for a while—just a temporary fix. You’ll need proper treatment once we’re back.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Erina nodded obediently. At least the pain had eased for now, which was a great relief.
As Dylan guided her to leave, she suddenly stopped him.
“Wait! Dylan, since we’re already here…”
She pointed to the ‘Lady Bell’ flower. Even just out of spite for what she’d gone through, she was determined to take it.
Dylan studied her carefully. Normally, Erina wasn’t the type to insist on getting something at all costs. Especially not in a situation where she had been a burden.
Her unusually strong insistence meant it wasn’t for herself, there must be a reason she had to have it. Dylan smiled brightly, his eyes narrowing.
Unaware of Dylan’s suspicious thoughts, Erina simply smiled back, dazzled by his shining face.
“Miss Erina, did the princess’s letter ask you to retrieve something?”
“Ha ha, yes! Uh… what?!”
Erina froze mid-laugh and shouted in surprise at Dylan’s accurate deduction. Even if she tried to deny it now, she had basically confessed her purpose for coming on this trip, charmed by his smile.
She glared at Dylan in frustration.
“Dylan, you used your good looks to get that out of me, didn’t you?!”
“What?”
“Smiling like that while asking me questions is cheating!”
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Dylan showed a rare expression of surprise. But soon, he flashed another picture-perfect smile and shrugged.
Noting how calculated even that gesture was, Erina puffed up her cheeks in protest.
“Wait, Dylan. Can you read minds or something? I really thought I was hiding it well. How did you know?”
Dylan wondered when Erina would realize she was terrible at hiding things.
Well, maybe it was better if she never knew. It was more amusing that way.
“So, what is it you need to get? If it’s something I can help with, I will.”
“Ah, um… that is…”
“You’ve already been found out. Just speak comfortably.”
With an annoying grin, Dylan urged her. Letting out a small sigh, Erina finally gave in and explained what the princess had asked for.
“So, she told you to bring back herbs with detoxifying properties?”
“Yes.”
“Any kind, as long as it’s a lot?”
“Yes! She didn’t tell me what it’s for or how much she needed, either!”
Erina felt a little less frustrated. Until now, it had felt like trying to solve a riddle with no clues. Just telling Dylan helped relieve some of the burden.
“Indeed… Hmm, what could the princess be thinking?”
Dylan fetched the ‘Lady Bell’ flower Erina had pointed to.
Looking at the small, pink bud, Erina thought she would never forget this flower for the rest of her life.
Who would have thought she’d fall into a trap while trying to pick this? Especially in such a peaceful meadow!
“Let’s call it a day for the morning gathering. Pushing further might be dangerous.”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
“And about the princess’s letter, I’ll help you with that too.”
Dylan had gained two things: a reason to visit the royal palace soon, and confirmation that the princess was secretly planning something.
And Erina was getting pulled into it without even realizing.
He decided he’d have to intervene and draw the line before she got in too deep.
The princess, the emperor, Consort Darien, and possibly some rogue dragons—Dylan was starting to get intrigued by the tangled web surrounding the palace.
Whatever happened, he hoped it would at least be interesting enough to justify getting involved.
Otherwise, he might just wipe the board clean and set his own pieces in place to create his own fun.
