Chapter 87
16. Flower of Temptation
I checked on Enoch as soon as I woke up in the morning. He couldn't wake up easily, probably because all the fatigue had rushed in at once.
All the boiling fever had subsided, leaving only a faint fever. I wiped Enoch's face with a wet cloth and checked again to see if his wound was healing properly.
"Lady Flone, what did you say this medicine was for?"
While I was looking at Enoch's wound, Luzef, who was sitting next to me, asked.
He was sitting quietly, studying the medicines in the medicine cabinet. I explained the types of medicines to him one by one.
Perhaps because we all slept on the first floor of the cabin, Asdal and Yuanna were also up early, following the others.
"I think we need to reorganize the scouting members."
At Asdal's words, I looked up from talking about medicine with Luzef. Asdal stood in the middle of the living room, drawing attention.
Yuanna and Sir Diego were preparing breakfast, and Kaiden was putting firewood he had brought in the morning into the fireplace.
"I'm talking about going to the place where the Saintess woke up. We can't go with him in that condition."
Asdal said, pointing to Enoch, who couldn't wake up.
He was right. We had to reassign the members who would go to the place where Yuanna woke up because Enoch was injured.
"Since the Crown Prince can't be without Lady Flone by his side, we should exclude Lady Flone from the scouting members as well."
Now everyone knew about Enoch's separation anxiety. I was embarrassed and didn't say anything, keeping my mouth shut.
"I'm fine with anything."
Yuanna shrugged, said it didn't matter, and went back to dividing the washed mushrooms into coconut bowls.
I pondered at Asdal's words and turned to look at Kaiden. Kaiden was yawning, acting like he didn't care what Asdal said.
"Kaiden, you'll have to go."
"What? No way. You're not going."
Kaiden refused my suggestion outright.
"Luzef has to help treat Enoch, and I have to be by Enoch's side. You're the only one who can go among us."
"The Imperial Guard Commander and Prince Asdal are also there..."
"Those two aren't our people. Do you understand what I mean?"
Kaiden nodded, finally understanding what I was saying. Then, he pouted his lower lip with a dissatisfied look, as if he had thought of something.
"I want to be with you too, Margaret. I have separation anxiety too."
I shook my head as if I couldn't help it at Kaiden's absurd excuse. Suddenly, I remembered what Kaiden had said a few days ago.
"I want you to live. Even if I die trying to save you."
When I asked him if that was a confession, Kaiden looked at me as if he didn't understand.
He has a way of confusing people. If I hadn't read the novel, I might have misunderstood Kaiden's aggressive attitude as him liking me.
And even if I had a crush on him, it wouldn't immediately lead to the kind of feelings Enoch has for me.
'It's just overthinking.'
Thinking that, I made a suggestion to Kaiden.
"If you go and come back, I'll do one thing you want."
"...Anything?"
He perked up and looked at me, his eyes sparkling.
"It's difficult to grant anything, only to the extent that I can grant it."
"Hmm."
Kaiden frowned and pondered, resting his chin on his hand. After a while, he nodded.
"Okay."
I was so impressed that I unconsciously stroked his head like petting a puppy.
"Anyway, so Lord is decided to participate? Saintess and Lord, and Sir Diego would be good as the remaining one."
"Isn't Prince Asdal going?"
I asked Asdal with a puzzled look. I thought he would volunteer to go himself, but it was unexpected.
"I just made a rational decision. Sir Diego's swordsmanship is better than mine. It's better to have me at the base camp and Sir Diego in the scouting party, which has a high risk."
Even if he's fallen, he's still a Crown Prince, and he seems to have a good head for using people efficiently.
"Then I think it would be good to leave right away today. We've already delayed too many days."
Sir Diego, who was quietly helping Yuanna pour water into the coconut bowl, said.
"That's right. Lord, how about it? Can you leave right away?"
At Asdal's question, Kaiden frowned and pursed his lips. Then, he kept looking at me.
I sighed and said to Asdal.
"Yes, he looks like he can leave right away."
"Margaret."
Kaiden grabbed my arm. His pretty face, which I liked, filled my vision. It was because he leaned closer to me. So close that I could feel his wet breath.
"Give me a blessing for a safe trip before I go."
"I'll be praying. Be careful."
"Not that."
"Then?"
When I asked with a puzzled look, he tilted his head slightly.
I was wondering why I could see his sharp jawline, but I was soon surprised when I felt his lips touch my cheek.
"?!"
Surprised, I covered the cheek where his lips had touched with my hand.
"Like this."
He smiled mischievously at my reaction. It was a captivating smile. One that instantly captivates people.
After being stunned for a moment, I glared at him, suddenly angry.
"Kaiden."
He looked at me with wide eyes.
"I told you not to do this if you don't like me. You, this is a very bad habit."
When I lowered my voice and got angry, Kaiden blinked his wide eyes as if he was really surprised, and then gave an awkward smile.
"Margaret, I don't really know what the concept of 'like' is that you're talking about. If you ask me if it's love, I don't think it is."
'Is he playing with me? What is he trying to do?'
Just as I was about to get annoyed and feel bad, Kaiden added something strange.
"I just miss you when you're not around, I feel good when you smile, I like touching you, and I want you to only look at me."
Huh?
"I like touching you. I like it when you touch me too."
What?
"I'm sorry for kissing you without permission. Will you hate me if I ask you to forgive me for that reason?"
I looked at Kaiden as if I was looking at something bizarre. I was just looking at him because I didn't know what he meant, but Kaiden was looking at me with a bright face.
What is it? Is it a new way to confess love?
"Ha. That guy is hopeless."
Luzef, who had heard our conversation from not far away, glared at Kaiden with a contemptuous look.
"Do it moderately. Get ready quickly, Lord."
Asdal sneered at Kaiden. Of course, Kaiden didn't care whether Asdal did that or not, and was only looking at me.
I was troubled about what to do with this guy. Kaiden was the one who dropped the bomb, but I don't know why I have to worry.
But if I talk to Kaiden, it seems like we'll just repeat the same conversation. Besides, whatever it is, what's important now is not that.
Before discussing love or anything like that, I had to prepare extra food and water for the scouting members and pack the necessary items.
'Why are there so many things to do?'
After roughly packing my things, I started preparing the meal. I'm very tired.
The scouting members cooked and ate mushroom soup together, and prepared thoroughly to leave.
"Ah, Margaret. This is a gift."
When the preparations for departure were almost finished, Kaiden handed me a long bow and arrow.
I had mentioned making it a few days ago, and he really made a bow and arrow.
"Kaiden, is there anything you can't make?"
When I praised him with shining eyes, Kaiden scratched his cheek and avoided my gaze, as if he was embarrassed.
I thought he would answer naturally, but he was so embarrassed that I became embarrassed too.
"Really be careful."
When I urged him one more time, Kaiden nodded vigorously and smiled.
I took out a notebook from my crossbody bag. And I tore a memo from the notebook and stuffed it into Kaiden's pocket.
Kaiden looked at me, blinking his eyes, not knowing what it was.
"This is a map of the island I drew? I marked the location of the cabin and the terrain of the island I saw from the top of the mountain. Just in case."
It was a map with only the information that Kaiden would need, excluding the location of the Bunker. I then took out a compass.
"You know how to read a compass, right?"
"Of course I know."
Kaiden nodded. I put the compass in his other robe pocket.
"If you find something at the place where the Key was, be sure to remember the location."
It would be great if the escape Gate to leave the island was nearby.
It suddenly occurred to me that if an escape route was really found, the scouting members might abandon us and leave, but I had no other choice.
I couldn't leave Enoch behind and leave with them.
"Margaret."
Kaiden quietly called my name. Then, he reached out and caressed my cheek.
"Thank you."
He's thanking me 'only' for once.
"Let's get going, Lord."
Sir Diego and Yuanna, who were standing at the entrance of the cabin, called Kaiden. Kaiden looked at me once and quietly followed them out of the cabin.
I hope they do well on their own?
Sir Diego and Kaiden are a reliable combination.
