Please Die, Your Highness - Chapter 93

Although it was something they had agreed upon in advance, hearing the woman call him by the nickname ‘Decky’ made him feel somewhat strange. Decky. Despite it being the intimate-sounding title he had requested from her. That is to say, being called this felt far too much like a pet name. He wondered what exactly it meant for something to feel “pet-namey,” though.

Maeve did not spare a single glance at Prince Declan’s agitation and remained focused on filling the leather pouches with water.

Whether she was interested in him or not, Prince Declan suddenly felt self-conscious. It had been a very long time since someone had called him by a nickname.

“It seems better than I expected. The people here don’t look that rough.”

Prince Declan tried to strike up a conversation like that, clearing his throat for no reason.

Without answering, Maeve stopped what she was doing and suddenly stared at him with a chilly gaze. Then, she pointed toward the elderly man who was near them.

Oh. Dear.

Prince Declan quickly began to carry out repairs that didn’t need to be made.

“What I mean is, they are far removed from city people. Isn’t that right? City people are truly obnoxious. They try to rip us off as soon as they see us, and…… they sing in the streets. Very loudly, I might add.”

“Decky.”

Maeve regretted giving him the signal in the first place. She called him again, but the Prince, sweating profusely, did not stop talking.

He seemed truly flustered.

“I really like the people here. Everyone looks kind. The baby is really cute, too. Did you see that baby, Maeve? He looked exactly like the older brother carrying him. They were both quite lovely.”

“…….”

“Do you remember our nephew we saw a while ago? Our aunt! No, the eldest child of our uncle’s house. His name was Harold. Right?”

Maeve seriously began to consider methods to physically shut the Prince’s mouth.

“Those two look alike? They aren’t real brothers.”

As expected, the man who had been listening intently to their conversation cut in nonchalantly. Maeve cut off the dialogue before Prince Declan could react as if he had been waiting for it.

“I heard you have some hay. Can you spare just a small amount?”

At Maeve’s words, the man gave a chin gesture for them to come this way, looking indifferent without any sign of offense. Maeve followed behind the man, bringing Prince Declan along.

Just as Prince Declan had said, the village looked peaceful at a glance. However, heterogeneous things stood out here and there. The houses in the village were all decent, as if they had been built not long ago. Furthermore, the structures were impeccable, as if a quite skilled carpenter had worked on them.

That kind of house was the sort only someone like Ian, who had a fair amount of money at home, could live in. Yet, in contrast to the decent houses, the faces of the people were uniformly devoid of vitality.

“Where are you headed?”

The man asked, and Maeve said, “None of your business.” Even at such a reaction, the man laughed heartily, unbothered.

And the man truly led them to a warehouse where hay was piled up high. Thinking she should have brought a larger sack if she had known, Maeve began by packing the hay tightly into the sack she had brought.

Since it was already becoming quite chilly at night, it was right to prepare in advance. Let’s just get what we need and leave quickly. After swiftly gathering what was necessary, Maeve rose from her spot.

“Thank you.”

“It is nothing.”

And it was the moment she turned her back.

The Prince was gone.

“…….”

Maeve stood there stupidly for a moment, too flabbergasted to move. He had been quiet since a certain point, but he was definitely there just before entering this fence.

To think he disappeared in less than five minutes—it was so unbelievable and irritating that she narrowed her eyes. How on earth could he vanish the moment she looked away, as if he weren’t even a three-year-old child? She clicked her tongue at the thought and turned back toward the man. The man had disappeared somewhere and was nowhere to be seen.

Maeve stood blankly in front of the fence. She looked dazed, like a person who had lost their signpost.

Should she find that man who disappeared first? Or should she find the Prince, who might be undergoing something even at this very moment? She rolled her eyes at those thoughts, finally made a decision, and turned back the way she came.

The village was too peaceful. People were still doing their own work as if nothing had happened. With a cold gaze, Maeve looked at a woman sitting on the steps in front of a house sewing, and at the dogs and children running around and playing.

Maeve entered the alleys between the houses that looked like perfect spots for committing a crime to anyone. Just then, as if waiting, someone spoke to her from behind.