Imperial maid [Novel] Chapter 19

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: Forest Negotiations

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Leona buried her face in Araha's back, clutching its mane with trembling hands.

Nacha approached Leona happily.

Leona, who had been shivering, cautiously opened her eyes and lifted her head at the familiar sound brushing her ear.

Nacha rubbed its nose against Leona's cheek and snorted.

"Eh? Nacha?"

Leona was utterly dumbfounded at unexpectedly running into Nacha.

"Nacha!"

Her joy outweighed her surprise.

Leona hugged Nacha's head.

Nacha bit Leona's collar with its mouth and pulled her down from Araha's back.

Leona slid down to the ground.

While Nacha helped Leona to her feet, Araha quickly stood up and retreated backward.

"Nacha, what are you doing here..."

Leona, too overjoyed at seeing Nacha to pay attention to anything else, suddenly felt something off and looked around.

What first caught her eye was Cha-hu holding swords in both hands.

Right behind him, she spotted the Crown Prince.

The moment she realized Cha-hu and the Crown Prince were facing off, Leona reflexively dashed in front of the Crown Prince.

"Don't hurt His Highness!"

Leona spread her arms to shield the Crown Prince as she confronted Cha-hu.

"What?"

"Cha-hu, you said you'd end the war. So why are you trying to harm His Highness?"

Cha-hu was so flabbergasted and incredulous that he couldn't continue.

Feeling an inexplicable sense of injustice, Cha-hu raised both swords higher.

Nacha moved to Leona's side and let out an angry growl threateningly toward Cha-hu.

As Cha-hu reacted, Araha bit Cha-hu's clothing and yanked him backward.

At that moment, Leona's gaze fell on the wound at Cha-hu's waist.

Only then did Leona snap out of it and survey her surroundings properly. The situation was different from what she had thought.

The 13th Har's escorts and horses were all collapsed on the ground, and even Cha-hu was not unscathed.

In this place with no imperial soldiers around, only the Katago tribesmen were battered.

"Cha-hu... you're hurt? Who did this to you?"

Leona tried to approach Cha-hu, but Kamin grabbed her shoulder first and turned her around.

"Your Highness."

"No injuries?"

"No. I'm fine. But..."

Leona kept glancing back worriedly at Cha-hu.

Kamin, displeased by this, firmly grabbed both her cheeks with one hand.

"Y-Your Highness?"

Leona had no choice but to meet the Crown Prince's gaze.

However, his demeanor was markedly different from usual.

The air around him felt heavy and rigid, exuding solemnity.

Leona unwittingly shrank back.

At that instant, the Crown Prince's aura returned to its usual lax and leisurely state.

As Leona relaxed, the Crown Prince pressed her cheeks harder.

"Seems like you've put on some weight since before."

"Uh... well...?"

Kamin glanced at Cha-hu before asking Leona,

"Did they just let you go?"

"Y-Yes... they did..."

"Just like that? Willingly?"

"Y-Yes..."

Kamin snorted coldly and released her.

Leona cupped her flushed cheeks with her palms.

Kamin grabbed the nape of her neck, lifted her dangling like a kitten, and moved her behind his back.

"Stay put here quietly."

"But Your Highness, Cha-hu is..."

"Cha-hu? Ha, so you've gotten chummy enough to exchange names with them?"

"...That's..."

"I'll handle it, so stay still. Got it?"

Leona hesitated to respond.

She was dying to know what had happened. She wanted to confirm if the Crown Prince had truly faced them alone.

Seeing Leona's eyes darting side to side, Kamin issued a stern warning.

"Move even a step, and I'll hang you upside down from a tree."

As Leona's face filled with shock, Kamin nodded in satisfaction, turned around, and faced Cha-hu.

Kamin first scanned Cha-hu and the 13th Har with cold eyes. He briefly glanced at a tree in the distance, then addressed the 13th Har.

[Are you really planning to end the war like this?]

The 13th Har noticed the Crown Prince's killing intent had vanished.

He approached Cha-hu, lowered the sword aimed at the Crown Prince, and replied.

[Yes.]

The Crown Prince sheathed his sword and asked,

[Why all of a sudden?]

The 13th Har took out a bandage, wrapped it around Cha-hu's waist wound, and revealed the truth.

[We started the war because our land is dying. Countless tribesmen have lost their lives, so we moved south seeking a way to survive. But upon arriving here, we realized this land is sick like our territory. That's why we've decided to stop the war. We'll find another way to save our tribesmen.]

While the 13th Har spoke, Cha-hu closely observed the Crown Prince's expression.

She was curious what reaction he would show upon hearing this.

But the Crown Prince remained utterly calm even after hearing that the Empire's land was dying.

His eyes were indifferent, his face expressionless.

He showed no interest, let alone questioning the truth of it.

Suddenly, Cha-hu realized.

[You already know, don't you? What's happening right now. Right?]

[Cha-hu, what's wrong?]

[Rasin, this guy knows. His own land is dying, yet he's not surprised or curious. He already knows about all this. Hey! Answer me!]

The 13th Har turned to the Crown Prince with a bewildered expression.

[Is what she says true?]

Kamin picked at his ear nonchalantly and replied,

[And if it is?]

Rasin and Cha-hu widened their eyes in shock.

Cha-hu suppressed her anger and politely asked the Crown Prince,

[If you know, then tell us. Why is the land dying?]

Chapter 19

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