Tamed Monster - Chapter 48

When the Crown Prince received an unexpected gift from Lancart last time, he realized something deeply.

“Hmm…”

Despite becoming a fool, Lancart was ultimately a loyal servant—the one who, for the Crown Prince’s vigor, had secretly purchased a young boy’s rare internal organ from the black market and mixed it with fresh monster blood. Who else would do such a dreadful task for him?

“Fine, then.”

Lancart nodded eagerly, as if he’d been waiting only to hear that. The fleeting expression did not escape the Crown Prince’s notice—perhaps the trauma from the swamp still lingered, or maybe not even a memory remained.

“All right, Lancart.”

“But I’ll choose who comes with me.”

Just as the Crown Prince spoke affectionately, Lancart quickly made his proposal. The Crown Prince, expecting perhaps a knight from the family to be drafted, nodded absentmindedly but hesitated, sensing something off.

“Who will you bring?”

The Crown Prince’s instincts were sharp. He doubted this lunatic would speak sanely now. Unfortunately, his suspicion was painfully accurate.

“My wife.”

The Crown Prince jumped to his feet.

* * *

Lancart declared he would go to the swamp with his wife, a few trusted knights he liked, and five servants or attendants he could afford to lose.

When the Crown Prince rose abruptly, the shameless Duke merely glanced at him with a carefree expression, as if to ask back why he was suddenly so serious.

“Are you talking nonsense?”

“Why? You said I could decide.”

Kuinan—the monster—knew very well that he had the upper hand in this negotiation, not the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince wouldn’t entrust this mission to anyone else. He would rather give up on killing the leader.

“Ha… What use is taking the Duchess along? She’s a fragile woman who’d collapse at the swamp’s edge or be killed by some petty thug.”

“True, but I can’t leave her out of sight.”

The Crown Prince referred to the Duchess almost absentmindedly; Lancart spoke just as casually about his wife. Neither seemed to understand what the problem was as their conversation flowed smoothly.

The Crown Prince’s tone was sharp; Lancart’s voice remained calm and steady.

“She’s my wife, so I’ll take care of her.”

“Are you at odds with your wife? She’s bound to die, or at least get seriously hurt.”

“I’ve been there before. It’s not that dangerous. Last time, I was caught off guard. Let me handle this.”

Their opinions clashed sharply for a while. After several exchanges, the Crown Prince gave up with a wave of his hand.

Why was he worrying about someone else’s woman like this? Whether she lived or died was none of his concern. Unwillingly, he had played the good guy for once.

“Fine, do as you wish.”

“All right.”

“I’ll set a date and send people to receive your orders. Your wife can come as she pleases. But if she causes trouble protecting you, neither of you will get away unscathed.”

Back in his right mind, the Crown Prince delivered a ruthless warning fitting his nature. Lancart nodded obediently despite whatever was said.

The Crown Prince thought about threatening him not to nod so much but gave up, knowing the fool wouldn’t listen anyway.

“I’ve said all I need to. Leave.”

Trying to bond with him was pointless. He was far more ignorant and reckless than before he lost his memory. Lancart had never been a close brother to the Crown Prince, but their relationship had at least been more cordial then.

Thrown out of the study and left alone in the hallway of the Crown Prince’s palace, the monster bit his lip tightly.

‘Stupid Crown Prince. Sending me back to my swamp?’

Worse, sending him on a hunt for himself. It was a piece of cake as Hector said. The Crown Prince was a childish strategist with no real brains. The tide had already turned toward the monsters.

“Ah, excuse me.”

Noticing the knights’ gazes on him as he stood outside the study, Lancart acknowledged them lightly and strode down the corridor.

Excitement was swelling inside him. For the first time in a long while, his heart fluttered with anticipation. Ignoring the knights’ piercing stares from behind, the gray-haired Duke hurried back to his castle where his wife lay ill.

Though Lancart imagined his wife eagerly waiting for him, at this very moment she was lying weakly in bed, grinding her teeth in frustration over the condition he’d reduced her to.