The Omega Princess and Her Two Leashes - Chapter 90

Schedule: Monday and Friday

Chapter 90

Arlenrose stopped him, shaking her head. “No. We don’t know how long it will take to find a doctor. We need to administer first aid. It’s too dangerous to move a patient when we don’t know what’s wrong.”

“But what if delaying medical attention makes things worse?”

“Yes, you’re right. So, we’ll do both. I’ll stay here and administer first aid while you, Camin, find a doctor and bring them here.”

“But Your Highness, I cannot simply leave you here alone.”

Arlenrose’s expression hardened. “Camin. I understand your concern for my safety, but this could be a matter of life and death for the Imperial Crown Prince. We must prioritize accordingly.”

“Your Highness…”

“It’s alright. We’re in the village square, there are plenty of people around. What could possibly happen? Just go and find a doctor quickly.”

Arlenrose’s unwavering resolve caused Camin’s normally calm green eyes to flicker with uncertainty. After a brief but intense internal struggle, he closed his eyes.

“Your Highness, you absolutely must not move from this spot. Do you understand?”

“Yes, of course.” Only after Arlenrose nodded firmly did Camin rise. He cast one last reluctant glance back before steeling himself and breaking into a run.

The moment Camin disappeared around the corner, the hand that had been anxiously stroking Leybid’s back stilled. All emotion drained from Arlenrose’s face. She released her hold on Leybid, letting his body slump to the ground. His head hit the hard pavement with a thud, but she paid no mind. Instead, she murmured, looking off into the distance, “It’s about time…”

Bang! As if in answer, an explosion ripped through the air. The shockwave seemed to shake the very ground. People came running from the direction of the blast, shouting.

“Rebels!”

“It’s a Demonas terrorist attack! Everyone, run!”

“Damn it, why here of all places…!”

“I heard Graham’s mansion exploded too!”

“What? That place is…!”

“Someone go to the magistrate’s office for help!”

The peaceful village descended into chaos. Amidst the pandemonium, Arlenrose slowly rose, leaving the unconscious Leybid sprawled on the ground. As if his existence were of no consequence, she turned to leave. Just as she started to walk away, in a direction opposite to the fleeing villagers,

“Uh…?”

A hand gripped her ankle.

Startled, Arlenrose looked down to see Leybid clinging to her. He glared at her with bloodshot eyes, coughing weakly, seemingly having regained consciousness.

“How are you already…?” Arlenrose muttered in dismay. Her gaze fell upon a trash can next to the bench, and she groaned. “You didn’t finish the crepe.”

“Cough… N-no. This damned…”

“This is troublesome.”

Lifting her skirt, Arlenrose drew a dagger from a garter strapped to her thigh. Leybid instinctively squeezed his eyes shut, expecting to be stabbed, but Arlenrose kept the dagger sheathed. Instead, she expertly twirled it in her hand. The hilt of the reversed blade pointed towards his head.

“W-wait…!” Leybid cried out, a reflexive, primal reaction.

“Th-there’s… there’s no need for that. I-I won’t… interfere…”

“And how am I supposed to trust you?” Arlenrose asked coldly. She looked ready to bring the hilt down on his head, and Leybid instinctively raised his free hand to protect himself.

“I’ll… I’ll come with you. Th-then it’ll be… fine…” he choked out, his throat raw from the effort.

“Why bother? It would be much simpler to just leave you unconscious.”

“I… I can help… if there’s anything you need… I can help…”

“What could you possibly do to help me?”

“I… I can give you an alibi… with Camin… if you help me…”

“…Camin?”

For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Arlenrose’s impassive face. While she considered his words, one eye narrowed in thought, Leybid coughed again and again, his throat burning.

Finally, a small glass vial dropped onto his lap. “An antidote. Drink it.”

“Ugh…”

‘So, there really was poison in that crepe.’

Leybid sighed inwardly, his trembling hand reaching for the vial.