Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 54.2

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Chapter 54.2

A small pond and an area landscaped with waist-high saplings were clearly visible. A large tree cast a shadow, offering respite from the sun. Beneath the tree, I saw a bench and a swing hanging from a thick branch. The swing, worn with age, suggested someone had spent time there long ago.

“…It’s been a while.” Bashar finally broke the silence. His voice drew my attention away from the swaying swing.

“It has been a while, Your Highness.”

“…Tsk.” He frowned again, seemingly displeased.

“You don’t need to be so formal with me. Save that for the Crown Prince and my brother.”

“But…”

“Besides, I’m not used to being treated that way. You’re not trying to make me uncomfortable, are you?”

Not used to it? He seems perfectly comfortable ordering others around. I smiled at him instead of replying.

“Anyway, how are you? You were injured…”

“I’m fine. The healer the Crown Prince brought was very skilled.” I pointedly showed him my left arm. The skin was flawless, without a single scar. The intermittent pain was gone as well.

Bashar abruptly turned his head away when I presented my arm. “I understand, you don’t need to show me.”

“…Alright.” His cold tone made me lower my arm sheepishly. I had simply thought it would be quicker to show him since everyone was asking about my injury.

“You were hurt because of me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Weren’t you injured by the beasts while trying to save me?”

“…I suppose you could say that.” I offered a strained smile. To be precise, I had intentionally injured myself to lure the beasts away, but since it was ultimately to save Bashar, it amounted to the same thing. It’s better not to go into too much detail.

“I feel terrible that I was a burden, rather than being able to protect you.”

“It’s alright. You’re safe, and that’s what matters.”

“….” Bashar fell silent again.

What is it now? What had I said to upset him this time? My responses had all been perfectly reasonable. Dissatisfied, Bashar lightly clenched his fists. Then, he sighed briefly.

“Both Haroon and you… Why would you risk your lives for the likes of me…?” A near-whisper, laced with incomprehension, accompanied his sigh.

The fight with Haroon was probably due to this. Haroon likely hadn’t agreed when Bashar told him not to risk himself for him. And they still hadn’t reconciled after that argument. It was true; they seemed never to have fought before.

I thought about Haroon and Bashar. Usually, Bashar would acquiesce to Haroon’s wishes, preventing any conflict. But this time, Bashar had expressed his disapproval, leading to friction. It must have been something Haroon couldn’t easily ignore. But even fighting takes practice. The brothers, unaccustomed to even minor disagreements, were now avoiding each other after their first real argument.

Should I help them this time? If I left them as they were, they would likely remain awkward the next time they met. Bashar was one of the candidates, so I intended to create opportunities for future encounters. If their relationship remained strained, it would undoubtedly be uncomfortable for me as well. So, it’s best they reconcile quickly.

“It’s because you’re important, Your Highness. Because you’re precious.”

“…Precious?”

“That’s why he tried to protect you, even at risk to himself.” I needed to explain Haroon’s true feelings to this dense prince. I continued, addressing Bashar, who blinked slowly. “Besides, he’s much more capable than you, Your Highness, who doesn’t train his body. He can handle dangerous situations more effectively.”

“I’m not that frail.”

“Think of it as him stepping in to protect you, not to die for you.”

“….”

“He must have been constantly wishing for your safety.”

“…I see. I understand how he feels.” Bashar nodded slightly.

“So please understand him, Your Highness. Understand how much Haroon cares for you.”

“I need some time… What?” Bashar, who had been responding agreeably, stopped mid-sentence. He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Did I say something strange? I stared back at him questioningly. I couldn’t think of anything odd in what I’d said.

After a moment of silence, Bashar finally spoke. “…Did you just say Haroon?”

“Yes.”

He closed his mouth and fell into thought, furrowing his brow and shifting his gaze as if trying to recall something. “…So you’re saying everything you’ve said so far reflects Haroon’s feelings?”

“Yes, that’s how I perceived it. Haroon cares deeply for you and worries about you.”

“Ah, I see…” Bashar made a strange expression. I stared at him, bewildered. No matter how I thought about it, I hadn’t said anything unusual.

After another long silence, Bashar finally spoke. “Are you concerned about my relationship with my brother?”

“It was clear to me that both of you care for each other. Please consider it just me being meddlesome.”

“…Very well.” Bashar responded with a hollow laugh, sounding resigned. He seemed exhausted after arguing with Haroon, whom he was so fond of. He was acting strangely today.