The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: A Double-Edged Flower (3)

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"Finn! That's a Giant Nepenthes! Let's see… unlike regular Nepenthes, it feeds on large monsters and animals."

Lili, holding the guidebook, read aloud, her voice clear and bright.

Only one guidebook was provided per group in the Secret Garden, unlike typical botanical gardens.

"It's huge… If it feeds on monsters and animals, does that mean it can eat humans too?"

"Ugh, that's disturbing. Imagine being slowly digested inside that thing…"

The same person who casually crushes monsters and demons like they're bugs?

The boy's mind flashed with images of mangled, pulped flesh.

He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head, reminding himself that in this world, monsters and demons were considered less than insects.

'This world… it's both similar and different from Earth…'

He scanned the colorful, rock-lined path and the flowers blooming around them.

Familiar flowers, the kind he had seen on Earth.

Roses, sunflowers, carnations, rose of Sharon, morning glories.

He didn't have the guidebook, so he couldn't name all the flowers, but he recognized many of them.

Others, while unfamiliar by name, looked vaguely familiar, like flowers he had seen in passing on Earth.

But not all the flowers in the Secret Garden were earthly.

Like the Giant Nepenthes, some were carnivorous, capable of devouring even humans if desperate enough.

Like the flowers, this world had many similarities to Earth, but also significant differences.

The most striking difference was the perception of monsters and demons, which, despite their often humanoid or animalistic appearance, were treated as vermin.

People, regardless of age or gender, showed no empathy towards their suffering, their deaths, their screams.

Were they genetically predisposed to disregard demonic life forms?

Or was it simply a setting imposed by the author of this world?

'I can't even be sure anymore.'

He shook his head, recalling everything he had seen and experienced.

The opulent Imperial Palace.

The even grander Solus Academy.

The countless magical tools and devices.

And the diverse races, united against the demonic threat.

Could a single human mind create such a complex world?

He wondered if that was the reason why Academy Demon Hunter Chronicles was considered a third-rate story.

Even a god, if not truly omniscient, couldn't create a perfect world.

And the story, narrated from the perspective of a protagonist protected by plot armor, offered only a limited view of this imperfect world.

Perhaps even Ian Cedric, the supposed protagonist, was just an ordinary being, blessed by fate, not a true hero.

"Finn? What are you thinking so hard about?"

His thoughts were interrupted by Lili's voice, her amethyst eyes, sparkling like a galaxy of stars, gazing at him with concern.

She had leaned in close, her face just inches from his.

She was happy, her joy radiating outwards, unburdened by the watchful eyes of others, as she walked hand-in-hand with her beloved.

While she had agreed to keep their relationship a secret, for now, to avoid unnecessary complications, she still wished they could be more open about their affection.

But she trusted his judgment.

He had brought her the elixir when no one else could even slow the progression of her disease.

So, instead of questioning his decisions,

She simply accepted his judgment as the truth, trusting his intelligence and deductive abilities.

She believed that while he might be lacking in romantic experience, he was practically infallible in all other matters.

Her faith in him was absolute, far exceeding the respect and admiration shown by Grace, Anna, or any of the other students.

Her dependent nature amplified her trust, and his repeated acts of selflessness, saving her life as both Finn and Berry, solidified it.

While she regretted not being able to openly display her affection, due to her status as a princess,

She was also grateful for the difference in their social standing.

Otherwise, the "equal partnership" he desired would have been impossible.

What had her maid, Marianne, advised her?

-I understand Your Highness's position, but you mustn't be intimidated! Express your feelings freely, but never act subservient!-

Men, fickle creatures that they were,

Might lose interest if she acted too submissive, like she had with Grace.

It was the opposite of what she had believed, that showering him with affection, offering him everything, would guarantee his eternal love.

But Marianne's cynical view of men, her belief that they were driven by their baser instincts, was surprisingly persuasive.

Perhaps because the Princess was surrounded by immature boys, their desires strong, yet their attention spans short, their lack of responsibility glaringly obvious.

And Finn himself desired an equal partnership.

She was willing to give him anything he wanted, even if it meant being treated as a mere object of his desire, but she was holding back, her instincts screaming at her to reciprocate his selfless love, to offer him her everything.

'Thankfully, Finn seems to be completely clueless when it comes to romance.'

While she had tried to act jealous,

She had almost broken down and begged him to stay, her true feelings, her overwhelming gratitude, overriding her attempts to maintain a semblance of control.

His ruby-red eye, reflecting her amethyst gaze.

He was probably lost in thought, pondering matters far beyond her comprehension.

He finally spoke,

"Ah… no, I was just wondering which three flowers to choose. There must be some rare plants that can only be found here… like Libera berries, for example."

"Oh, Libera berries? I heard about those in class. They're supposed to…"

"Yes, provide temporary revitalization and neutralize various poisons."

She had learned that much in her basic pharmacology class. Before reading the elven guidebook.

And as expected, he continued, his knowledge far exceeding that of an ordinary student.

"They only grow in harsh environments, and they only appear for one hour out of twenty-four, during twilight."

Where did this commoner boy acquire such knowledge?

She smiled internally.

It was a foolish question.

All she had to do was trust his judgment, to believe his words.

She, a mere gifted individual, couldn't possibly understand a genius, a being who defied human limitations.

Trying to understand him would only lead to frustration and confusion.

She would simply accept his love, his choices, with gratitude.

And she would strive to be worthy of his love, for the rest of her life.

…Because she, whose very existence, aside from her birth, was a result of his kindness, the elixir he had given her,

Couldn't imagine a life without him.

And then,

"Finn, do you know what that flower is? The guidebook calls it… a 'double-edged flower'…?"

She pointed at a cluster of silver, tulip-like flowers, their closed buds clinging to a vine, and asked,

Hoping to tease him, to see if he knew.

He would surely enjoy her playful banter.

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