Chapter 230
“Killis, you must have been just as hurt before. That’s why.”
“It was for Your Highness. Please don’t mind it.”
“How can I not mind it? It hurts so much.”
Indeed, one truly understands only by putting themselves in another’s shoes. Knowing how painful mana depletion was, I felt incredibly sorry for not truly caring, even when Killis told me not to worry.
“Don’t overdo it from now on.”
“I believe that’s what I should be telling Your Highness.”
When he says that, I have nothing to say.
Unlike me, who smiled awkwardly, Killis’s expression remained serious.
“And I’m truly sorry. If I had known this would happen, I should have taught you sooner.”
“Huh? Taught me what?”
“Magic, of course. I knew you were exceptional when you used dimensional pocket, which I hadn’t taught you, but…….”
“…….”
“I didn’t know you would even figure out how to use other magic on your own. If I had told you in advance, Your Highness would have known how much mana you could safely use.”
A deep worry clouded Killis’s face. Seeing him blame himself made me feel sorry for him.
‘Did using the item look like magic?’
Well, mana depletion appeared after I used the item, so it’s probably not unrelated.
‘If there were side effects, they should have written it down.’
Of course, I would have used it even if I had known. But isn’t there a difference between preparing oneself mentally and not?
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault, Killis. I didn’t mean to use it, but the situation called for it…….”
“Your Highness.”
Killis called me in a low voice. I flinched, meeting his gaze.
Ah, that expression again.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, can take precedence over Your Highness. The same goes for Lord Reno and Lord Isaac. It’s fine to trust and cherish them.”
That expression, as if he’s about to cry, trying to suppress the bubbling anger and emotions but utterly failing and letting them show. That expression that pokes at my weak spots, stimulating my self-blame.
“But do not prioritize them over your own safety. I know this might sound cruel, but…….”
“…….”
“A guardian can simply be replaced.”
At his next words, a surge of emotion involuntarily welled up within me.
“Replaced, you say?”
My voice, tinged with emotion, was quite sharp. Even though I was aware of this, I felt no need to soften it.
No matter how weak I am to Killis’s expression, this was not right. Treating Isaac and Reno like expendable items.
“I will not deny that both are excellent guardians. Still, if we need to find new ones, we can find as many as we want. The same applies to me.”
“What…….”
“I spoke specifically about Lord Isaac and Lord Reno, but if it had been me in that danger, Your Highness would have stepped forward. Wouldn’t you?”
“Yes. I would have.”
“I’m telling you not to do that.”
I had clearly been angry just a moment ago, but when Killis included himself and spoke like that, all the strength drained from my body. It felt like a lull.
“But how can I do that? Everyone is working so hard for me.”
“We are here to protect Your Highness, so it is natural for us to work hard. However, Your Highness does not need to consider this.”
“…….”
“Separate from being grateful, Your Highness needs to take our loyalty and service for granted. That is also Your Highness’s duty as a princess.”
Responsibility according to rank……. Is that what he’s talking about?
It’s true that personal feelings came first when I saved Isaac and Reno. I had grown incredibly fond of them without realizing it.
However, if I were to think about it coldly, even if it weren’t for personal feelings, I should have saved them. They were characters officially recognized by the game system.
I didn’t act with this in mind at the time, but since there’s a rational reason for it anyway, I don’t necessarily need to obey Killis’s words.
‘Killis wouldn’t understand.’
I had no intention of talking about the game or the system, nor would there be any good in revealing it.
And there was no need to be stubbornly obstinate and cause conflict with Killis.
Having quickly made my decision, I nodded.
“Alright. I was wrong earlier.”
“There’s no need to apologize for your mistake. I’m not blaming Your Highness. I simply said it so you would be mindful in the future.”
“Okay. From now on…….”
Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door. At the distinct sound, I couldn’t finish my sentence and looked towards where the sound came from.
‘Who is it?’
Before I could even get up, Killis said, “I’ll get it,” and got up first to open the door.
Standing outside the door was The Guardian.
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