A Happy Life in the Empire - The Princess Once Called a “Failure” Becomes the “Most Important Person” as a Hostage in the Empire - Chapter 8

The village chief was in a state of panic and could hardly hold a conversation.

Alto calmed him down and got him to explain what had happened.

“The medicinal herbs stored in the warehouse… they’ve all been stolen!”

“The medicinal herbs!?”

“Yes! This morning, when one of the villagers checked, the warehouse was completely empty!”

“This is terrible…! Who would do such a thing…?”

The words slipped out of my mouth.

It was such an unbelievable situation.

“This was like a bolt from the blue for us as well! I can’t believe there’s a thief in a place like this! And they stole medicinal herbs of all things!”

I agreed with the chief’s sentiment.

Stealing them might have been easy, but getting them out of the village unnoticed would have been incredibly difficult.

If someone wanted to commit a crime, they would normally choose a place where it was easier to act.

Maybe that was exactly why the thief targeted this village.

Even so, something about this still felt strange to me, despite my lack of knowledge about the situation.

“Are those medicinal herbs valuable?”

“No, not at all! They grow naturally in many places! However, they are the most essential ingredient in medicine. Many treatments rely on them, as they form the base of most medicines used in clinics. Without them, many treatments would have to stop…”

“That’s a serious problem.”

Alto narrowed his eyes, crossed his arms, and sighed.

I stood there, speechless, unable to move.

“So, what does this have to do with the knights? Are you asking us to search for the culprit?”

When Alto asked, the village chief shook his head.

“No! Right now, we would like the knights to gather that medicinal herb—’Elphonia Grass’—for us! It grows deep in the mountains and in the surrounding areas, but there are many dangerous monsters, so it’s difficult for us to collect it…”

According to the village chief, they usually buy it from other towns.

“I see, so that’s the situation.”

Alto murmured in thought.

“But why would someone steal Elphonia Grass?”

I found it odd.

Like the chief had said, Elphonia Grass grew in many places.

It was a common herb with small, pale purple petals—not rare at all.

It even grew in the kingdom, where people considered it a “weed” rather than a “medicinal herb.”

It had so little value that even if someone sold it, it would barely be worth anything.

“We have no idea. What kind of grudge would drive someone to do such a thing…?”

The village chief was at a loss.

If I were in his position, I would probably be just as frustrated.

“Your Highness, if this continues, we won’t be able to save lives that could have been saved! I know this is a great imposition, but please! Could you ask the knights to gather Elphonia Grass?”

The chief bowed deeply.

The villagers watching from afar also bowed their heads, pleading, “Please, we beg you!”

“Given the circumstances, we would be happy to help.”

Alto agreed without hesitation.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

After nodding, Alto turned around and commanded the knights.

“Knights, you heard the situation. Start gathering Elphonia Grass immediately. Form squads of four and search the surrounding mountains!”

“Understood, Your Highness!”

The knights saluted.

They quickly organized themselves into squads and set off.

The villagers cheered at their dependable presence.

“Your Highness, what will you do?”

One of the knights asked.

It was the captain in charge of Alto’s security.

His name was Gerald—an experienced warrior and the person Alto trusted most.

At banquets, he was bold enough to call Alto by name and treat him like a child.

“Of course, I’ll go gather herbs myself. Deep in the mountains.”

Alto’s answer seemed to be exactly what Gerald had expected.

“I thought you’d say that. But I cannot allow it. It’s too dangerous.”

“No problem. If monsters appear, I’ll take them down with my sword.”

Alto patted the sword on his waist.

“Then I will accompany you.”

“No need, Gerald. You, of all people, know my strength best. Compared to fighting on the battlefield, this task is nothing.”

“But if something were to happen to you, Your Highness…”

Gerald didn’t back down.

“That’s an order, Gerald. You will lead the other knights in gathering herbs.”

Alto wasn’t backing down either.

He had complete confidence in his abilities.

(If this keeps up…)

Seeing the deadlock, I made a decision.

“I will accompany Alto!”

I raised my hand.

“Sophia, what are you doing!?”

“Lady Sophia, what are you saying!?”

Alto and Gerald were both shocked.

The village chief and the others looked confused, as if wondering, Who even is this girl?

“If I accompany Alto, there will be no need to worry about monsters. With my magic, they won’t come near us. So, there’s no need for a guard. Am I wrong, Sir Gerald?”

“That is true, but…”

Gerald couldn’t argue, looking frustrated.

However, Alto objected.

“Sophia, it’s too dangerous. Some monsters aren’t afraid of demonic magic. Even if monsters aren’t an issue, the mountains are harsh and exhausting.”

“I’ll be fine! I have plenty of stamina! I used to run around Rockwell all the time! Besides, if anything happens, you’ll protect me, right, Alto?”

I smiled brightly.

“Good grief…”

Alto let out a wry smile.

“You’re a strong woman. Alright, you can come. Gerald, is that acceptable?”

“There’s no helping it…”

“Sophia, be careful of your footing.”

“I will!”

And so, Alto and I set off to gather medicinal herbs together.

“Ugh…! I didn’t think it would be this hard…!”

“I told you it would be tough.”

“Ughhh…”

The mountain path was steeper than I had imagined.

The rocky ground hurt my feet, and the incline drained my stamina.

Even so, I didn’t give up.

I pulled out Elphonia Grass and tossed it into the woven basket on my back.

The village chief had lent it to me.

“Alto, any signs of monsters?”

I asked while collecting herbs.

Since it was just the two of us, I was in charge of gathering while Alto kept watch.

Having the crown prince act as my guard… I was quite a bold woman.

“No problems. I see them sometimes, but when they sense your magic, they run away. As expected from someone with demonic power.”

“See? It was the right choice for me to come!”

While chatting, I kept filling my basket.

Sweat dripped down my forehead and neck.

“Phew… this is harder than I thought.”

“That’s why I keep telling you to watch your step—”

“I know, I know—ah!”

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been paying attention.

I slipped on a mossy rock and lost my balance.

“Sophia!”

Alto quickly reached out and grabbed my wrist, steadying me.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes! Thanks to you…”

I bowed slightly.

Then, as I calmed down, I suddenly felt embarrassed.

We were so close I could feel his breath on my face.

“B-Be more careful!”

Alto helped me stand up and quickly let go of my hand, looking flustered.

It seemed like he was embarrassed too.

That made me happy for some reason, and I grinned.

(It was really dangerous, but… I felt kind of happy just now.)

My heart was racing.

Even though it was just a small moment, it was deeply etched into my memory.

“Alright, let’s move to the next area. We should have enough if we gather a little more.”

“Yes, Alto.”

We started walking again.

Carefully, I moved forward while trying not to trip over my mud-stained hem.

“The basket must be getting heavy by now, right? I’ll carry it. It doesn’t feel right to make a woman carry the load.”

“No! Alto, you need to be ready in case something happens!”

“Even so…”

“I won’t back down on this!”

Normally, in situations like this, the man would carry the basket.

However, things were different when the other person was the crown prince.

Even the village chief had handed the basket to me without hesitation.

Even if he had known I was a princess, he wouldn’t have acted any differently.

“Sorry, Sophia. Just don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Got it!”

After that, our gathering continued smoothly, and soon, the basket was full of medicinal herbs.

“It’s about time we head back.”

“Yeah!”

“At least let me carry the basket on the way back—”

“No way!”

Laughing together, we retraced our steps.

And then—

“Stop right there.”

People suddenly appeared from a blind spot.

There were dozens of men.

They were dressed in fur and leather armor, wielding curved swords and daggers.

There was no mistaking it—they were bandits.

“That outfit… You’re the crown prince, aren’t you? How lucky for us that you don’t have a knight escort. No hard feelings, but you’re going to die here.”

The man who seemed to be the leader grinned.

The other bandits raised their weapons, preparing to surround us.

“I see… So I was your target all along.”

Alto stepped in front of me protectively and glared at the bandits.

“Huh?”

I asked in confusion, and Alto replied.

“The village warehouse lost its medicinal herbs right on the day we arrived. And now, this well-timed ambush… You were after me from the start, weren’t you?”

“Bingo.”

The bandit leader grinned, showing his yellowed teeth.

“Stay back, Sophia.”

Alto gripped the hilt of his sword and stared at the bandits with sharp eyes.

He hadn’t drawn it yet, but he was ready to strike at any moment.

“But…!”

“Don’t worry. These guys are no threat to me. And besides, I’m a man who keeps his promises. No matter what happens, I will protect you.”

His words were full of confidence.

Even so, I couldn’t stop feeling anxious.

There were just too many enemies.

“’No threat,’ huh? You’re looking down on us! Alright, men, kill the crown prince!”

The bandits charged all at once.

“This is what it means to be outnumbered! Don’t take it personally, Prince! Now, die!”

The bandits raised their weapons.

“Alto!”

I reflexively shut my eyes.

I was too scared to watch.

All I could do was clutch my pearl necklace tightly.