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Chapter 48: Don’t Look Back

This fortress was initially built to respond to the Second Dragon War. At that time, several castles in the southern kingdom fell in succession, forcing us to gamble everything and retreat into the valley to establish the last stronghold.

With the dragons defeated and the war ended, the fortress fell into silence. The southern kingdom bordered the Verdant Council, creating a natural safety belt, without any fear of enemy invasion, so naturally, this fortress became pretty useless.

Who would have thought that now the dragons were making a comeback, this fortress would once again be seen as a hope for the kingdom’s counterattack and one of the few safe havens for the southern military and civilians.

Due to the long years and the fact it was built during a difficult period, the interior decoration of the southern fortress was generally quite simple.

Even in the best room, aside from a wide, thick bed, there were no extra decorations. To put it nicely, it was plain; to put it bluntly, it was monotonous.

However, a room where two could quietly be alone, a bed that wasn’t too soft but was sufficient for comfort, along with the young boy’s solid chest, was enough for the kingdom’s princess, Charlotte, to momentarily set down her burdens, remove her facade, and reveal the weariness and fragility hidden beneath her royal pride.

In times of war, Charlotte naturally couldn’t still be wearing her pink nightgown.

The girl merely draped herself in a simple camisole nightgown, curling up with her slightly damp, pale legs, leaning against Roy, and yawning softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

She looked like a sleepy cat that couldn’t keep its eyes open.

Her hair, slightly wet from bathing, carried a faint gardenia fragrance, prompting Roy to have an inexplicable urge to lean closer and take a whiff.

But seeing Charlotte rare moments of relaxation, he restrained himself from doing something reckless.

Pitying the sleepy girl, Roy carewornly said, “If you want to sleep, then sleep. You should rest well.”

“No need, I’m not sleepy yet.”

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Charlotte propped her head up, mumbling vaguely, “It’d be a shame to just sleep through the last night before we part…”

“Missing me?” Roy smirked.

“!”

Charlotte instantly became wide awake, sitting up indignantly and saying, “Isn’t it for you?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted me to keep you company? I’m busy, don’t overthink it. With the kingdom in crisis, I’m not that reluctant to part with you.”

Not that reluctant ≠ actually reluctant.

Seeing the other party didn’t refute this point, Roy smiled even more.

For this princess, who valued her country’s honor, to care about him in such perilous times, it was hard not to feel warm inside.

Realizing he could see through her, Charlotte tactfully shut her mouth but, unwilling to be easily captured, defiantly opened her small mouth and took a bite on Roy’s shoulder.

“Ow…! Why’d you bite me?!”

“Hmph, if you laugh at me, then I should be able to bite you too! You’re my knight, I can do whatever I want!”

Roy was flabbergasted: “Wait, you really can bite?!”

Even without dragon scales, steel bones weren’t just for show, but this princess’s bite was a bit too fierce, wasn’t it?!

“Now you know the consequences?”

“I specifically took time out to accompany you, little knight, so you should do what you’re supposed to do.”

Charlotte, in a great mood, then adjusted her position, leaning to the side and casually placing her slender legs in front of Roy.

Underneath her sheer nightgown, her beautiful skin was lightly tinted pink from the moisture, the subtle curve of her slightly bent legs displaying an elegant arc, her delicate feet resembling enticing strawberries adorned with morning dew.

“Understand?”

“Got it.”

Having done this many times, Roy skillfully placed his hands on her, leaving traces on the smooth, satin-like skin as Charlotte let out soft sounds of comfort.

The exquisite legs and feet were no longer unfamiliar to Roy; he knew her likes and dislikes well, serving her feet and ankles, slowly moving up her calves, careful not to go too deep.

Especially avoiding her toes and the inside of her thighs; though seeing the princess’s shy and flustered side would be tempting, it would also lead to chaotic and fierce scratching.

After so many days of constant activity in the fortress, it was a full day of running around. Even with Charlotte being a mid-tier Extraordinary Being, her legs could still feel sore. Now that she finally got some service, all the pressure she felt dissipated, and she relaxed completely.

Perhaps she was really too relaxed, as the girl who just barely kept her spirits up soon closed her eyes again, her little head drooping sleepily.

It was at this moment that Roy lightly sighed.

“Sorry, I didn’t take you this time.”

“…Hmph, as if this is your first time betraying the kingdom.”

“But leaving behind a girl who cares about me isn’t right,” Roy said with a smile, voicing her unspoken feelings: “You’re actually worried about me, aren’t you?”

Charlotte feigned sleep, pretending not to hear.

Many loyal knights had hearts concerned for their rulers, but for this princess to be so worried about him was a different kind of honor.

But that didn’t mean Roy wanted her to worry about his troubles at all.

“Charlotte, I’m grateful for your care, but this time it’s really dangerous.”

“The capital is still locked in a stalemate, so it’s considered safe. But my father has already drawn the attention of one of the seven great dragons, so there’s likely to be a fierce battle.”

“If something happens to you, it would be a huge blow to the kingdom’s morale. Moreover…” Roy’s hands paused slightly, “I’ll be heartbroken too.”

Her closed eyes still hadn’t opened, but a glimpse of redness crept across the girl’s cheeks, shimmering in the dim candlelight.

“However, you don’t have to worry. With the prince around, even if we can’t win, we’ll find a way to escape. If luck is on our side, we might reunite with my father before the dragons strike…”

The consolation continued, but Charlotte was already unable to take it in.

I should be the one saying sorry.

Sequence 6 isn’t strong enough, unable to move with you at the critical moment.

It’s just that the emotions piled up in her heart were something Charlotte found difficult to express.

Seeing that Charlotte had completely quieted down, Roy appropriately paused the massage.

Is she asleep?

What a joke, saying it was such a waste to fall asleep, but she couldn’t hold on for long at all.

No wonder—she had been pushing herself so hard; even Charlotte must be tired.

Thinking this, Roy released the girl, turned to pull the blanket.

Unexpectedly, a warm embrace came from behind.

The light and shadows cast by the candle flickered in overlapping patterns.

The heat radiating from behind, much like the candle flame, accompanied by a faint yet rapid heartbeat, caught Roy off guard.

He didn’t dwell on it for long.

Because he felt a slight wetness on his shoulder, the girl’s body was trembling.

“Charlotte?”

“Don’t look back.”

“I… don’t want you to see me like this, so pathetic.”

No longer confident, no longer commanding, her plea was fragile like a flickering flame in the wind. This time, Roy didn’t resist again.