I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 70

(A Day Outside)

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"I hope you didn't waste my time.'

Isabella said with a frown.

"Please believe in me."

"Sure~ After I see your work."

Isabella said with a shrug.

"Yes."

The girl said, slumping her head.

"Later, then."

Saying that Isabella got out of a flower shop.

Sigh~

Why am I even here? I didn't know why but I want to trust her. 

Anyways I should go back now. It has been a while. Anne must be looking for me.

Soon I started walking fast but suddenly-

"Isabella?!"

Huh? I looked behind.

What the? What is William doing here? 

He was wearing his knight uniform. And behind him was a group of knights wearing the same purple knight uniform. Is he patrolling the area? 

Aghh! What luck!

"Why are you alone? And why are you here?"

William asked with a worried face.

"Greetings, Crown Prince."

"You still didn't answer. What are you doing here?"

What is wrong with him? Since when did he care where I go?

"Why? Am I not allowed to get out of the palace?"

"What? When did I say that? You can get out but where are your escorts?"

"I don't like to be surrounded by people."

"Don't tell me you came outside without even one knight?"

"..."

"Sigh~ You don't know what the outside is like."

I frowned hearing him. Sigh~ I shouldn't talk to him. Let's just ignore him.

I continued walking without saying anything.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

William said while following me from behind.

Isabella: "Wherever I want."

William: "Sigh~ I will escort you."

What? No way! 

"That won't be neces-"

"Allen, you are in charge now."

Aghh! This guy is not listening to me at all. 

"Ah-Yes, Captain."

The knight with green hair replied.

"Let's go now."

Isabella glared at William. But then continued walking as it would be a waste of time to talk to him. And William followed her silently without saying anything.

Knight 1: "Whoa~ That's the First Princess?!"

Allen: "You heard the Captain, right? He called her Isabella'. So she must be."

Knight 2: "Sh-She is so pretty."

Knight 1: "I know, right!"

Knight 4: "But I didn't expect to see her here. And without any escort at that."

Knight 3: " Even the Captain was shocked to see her here."

Knight 1: "Come to think of it, it was the first time he showed such vivid expression."

Knight 4: "Well, if I had such a pretty sister, I would've been too."

Knight 3: "Mhmm."

The knight agreed while nodding his head.

Knight 2: "And Vice Captain too."

Knight 1: "Aha~ He blushed so hard seeing the Princess.'

"Ahem. We should continue our work, guys."

Allen said with an embarrassed look.

"Yes, Vice-Captain

The Knights replied instantly.

After that, the Knights continued their work.

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"My Lady! Where have you been? I have been looking for you for a while now. Ah-"

Anne grumbled worriedly but then stopped looking at William.

"G-Greetings, Crown Prince."

Anne bowed and greeted William. But William just ignored her.

"Did you buy cake, Anne?"

"Yes, My Lady."

Anne replied, nodding her head.

"You can go back now."

"Huh? But-"

"Can you walk like that?"

Isabella said, looking at Anne. Her hands were filled with bags of dresses and cakes.

"Ah."

"Don't worry. The Prince is here. So I will be alright."

Isabella said with a smirk.

"Ah. If you say so."

"The coachman is probably waiting where we got off. So return to the palace using that."

"Huh? Then what about you?"

"The Crown Prince is here. So I shouldn't have any problem, right?"

Isabella said, looking at William.

"Yes. So the maid should just listen to her Master."

William said coldly looking at Anne.

Anne flinched at his word. Then she bowed then hurriedly left for the carriage.

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"So where do you want to go next?"

William asked with a straight face.

"To a library. An old one."

"A library? But every book is available in the Royal Library."

No. There isn't. 

"If you don't want to, you can go back."

"Sigh~ Let's go. So, where is that Old Library you mentioned?"

"Follow me. I saw it on my way here."

Saying that I started walking without waiting for his reply.

After walking for a while, I finally stopped in front of an old building. 

Whoa~ it's really old.

Ring~

A bell rang as soon as I opened the door. 

"Welcome."

An elder said while sitting on the front desk.

"Choose whatever book you want to buy. Then bring it here. You have to pay for it here."

"Alright."

Saying that I walked towards the old wooden bookshelves. 

"Hmm~"

I have read some of these books. And some of the books are totally irrelevant.

Haa~

Was it a waste of time after all?

William: "What kinds of books are you looking for?"

"You don't have to know."

I replied without looking at him.

Tch! Why is he being so annoying!

Sigh~ Let's just buy a random book and return.

"You came here to buy 'THAT'?"

Huh? What is he talking about?

I looked at the book-

< Twinkle Twinkle Little Star >

Th-This is a kid's book!

"Pfft! Hahaha~"

William started laughing while holding his stomach.

"Aghh! S-Stop laughing! Do you have any problem if I want to buy this?"

Saying that I walked towards the desk where the elder was sitting.

Aghh!! So embarrassing! Why did I have to pick this book out of everything!

"Here. I want to buy this book."

"Hmm~ Is this for your child?"

The elder said while looking at both William and me.

"What? We are no-"

Both of us said at the same time.

"Hoho~ It's okay. It's okay. I understand."

What? Understand what? 

Ughh! Why is today like this!

After correcting the Elder's mistake we left the library. William paid for the book, Of Course.

"Where do you want to go?"

"The town's market."

"Sure. Let's go."

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The Town's Market…

"My shop's vegetables are the cheapest and fresh!"

"Try out these beautiful accessories. These are beautiful and cheap!"

"Try out our spicy kebabs! You can't find it anywhere in the town's market!"

Whoa~ It's so lively here…

There are all kinds of shops… stalls on each side of the road. People are gathering in each shop to buy different things.

"I want to try the kebab."

"Huh? But-"

"Are you going to pay or not?"

"Sigh~ Come on."

William sighed and went to the stall then bought the kebabs.

It feels good to see his agitated face.

"Here."

William said, giving me one skewer and he started eating the other one.

It smells so good. 

I took a bite.

Mmm~ 

So delicious! I love meat.

We continued walking while eating.

"Beautiful young lady! Check out these accessories. They will look good on you."

I looked at the stall. Different kinds of accessories with different kinds and colours of stones. Although they are nothing compared to the expensive pieces of jewellery I have.

Suddenly a pendant caught my eye. The colour of that pendant… It's the colour of Leonus's eyes.

Ah… I miss him. I want to see him.

"Do you want to buy this, Young Lady? It will suit you."

"Will it?"

"Yes. You can ask your husband."

The lady said with a smile.

Isabella: "He is not my husband!"

William: "I am not her husband!"

Sigh~

Nevermind. Let's just go to another stall.

"Sorry. I don't want to buy anything."

Saying that I continued walking.

After that, we went to different shops. And tried different things.

Unexpectedly, it wasn't that bad of a day. IF I forget some embarrassing things. Like how many stallholders mistook us as couples! Are they blind?

Anyways, after roaming around for a while, we finally got in the carriage to return to the palace in the afternoon. 

Rattle* Rattle* 

It's awkward as both of us are in the same carriage.

Sigh~

Let's not think about it.

I looked outside. 

There are so many people. They look so kind and loving.

But I know that at times…

They can be crueller than any monster.

How can I forget the people who called me a witch and mercilessly threw stones at me, cursed me to die?

Hah!

I hate them…

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"Isabella."

"..."

"Isabella. Get up. We have arrived."

"Ah-"

I opened my eyes at William's voice. We are still inside the carriage. I guess I fell asleep.

Isabella: "Hmm."

At first, William got down then forwarded his hand. But I was already down.

Sigh~

This happened in the morning too.

Let's not just make this even more embarrassing.

"Thanks for accompanying me, Crown Prince. And I apologize for wasting your time."

I slightly bowed and said.

"It was nothing."

"Then I will be taking my leave now."

Saying that I slowly walked and returned to my room.

"My Lady! You have finally returned!"

"Yes. I want to take a bath."

"Huh? But you already took a bath in the morning."

"Shut up and prepare a bath. I am not in the mood to talk."

"Ah- Yes, My Lady."

Anne bowed and rushed to prepare a bath for me.

After a few minutes…

"My Lady. Your bath is ready."

"Hmm. Let's go."

Anne undressed me then I got into the bath.

The lukewarm water is so satisfying. 

"Anne. Massage my shoulder."

"Yes, My Lady."

"Ah. You should go to Rubena's place today."

"Huh? Al-Alright. Bu-But what am I supposed to say if she asks about today?"

"Make something up. You are the best at lying after all."

Anne flinched hearing Isabella's sarcastic voice.

"Anyways, go now. I want to be alone for a while. Return after 10 minutes."

"As you wish, My Lady."

Saying that Anne left the bathroom.

Haa~

I will go there today. If it's the Guardians… They will surely know something…

Yes. Surely....