The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Farewell (1)

***

The Lili in the original story, just like the Lili I had seen with my own eyes, was a frail princess with no political foundation. She lived a lonely life, without any real friends.

It was almost a cliché, then, that she would become the target of a demon attack on the day of the academy entrance ceremony… a sacrificial lamb for the heroine rescue event.

'Considering what happened afterwards, she was probably just a stepping stone for the protagonist's early heroic deeds…'

After being rescued by the protagonist from the demon attack, she devoted herself entirely to him.

To the protagonist, who always saved those in need, who was kind to everyone… a typical hero.

And so, she fell in love, a pure and innocent love…

'…Except that her innocence wasn't the virtuous, saintly kind.'

Generally, "innocence" has two meanings.

First, the absence of selfish desires and corrupt thoughts… a saintly innocence.

Second, a blank slate, easily influenced, like an untouched sponge.

And as you might have guessed…

Her innocence was of the latter kind.

The Lili in the story, who was "inspired" by the righteous protagonist and devoted herself to him…

The Lili who fell in love with me, sacrificing everything, even to the point of paralysis…

'…Anyone could see that her innocence wasn't 'white,' but rather 'colorless.''

…Therefore, perhaps it was only natural that I, who had painted her colorless innocence with the color of "evil," was now suffering the consequences.

***

-Bang!

"Cough…! Ugh…! Gack!"

…But still, let me just say this.

'You damn author! She's way too easily influenced…!'

I glared at Lili, who had just shot a magic spell at me with an even more vicious expression than usual, cursing the author.

'Now she's even renting out the training grounds to use me as a punching bag… Ugh…!'

She had taken the advice of that damn noblewoman and started using the training grounds to "legally" torment me.

Perhaps trying to keep her promise not to kill me, the intensity of her magic remained the same.

But my body had reached its limit. Something warm and viscous surged up from within.

"Cough…! Hack!"

Along with my rather unpleasant coughing fit, red speckles appeared on the vibrant green grass.

"…You're coughing up blood from that? You're such a drama queen…."

…Need I explain?

The red speckles were, of course, my blood.

'This frail body is finally giving out…'

Or perhaps it was Finn's resilience that had kept me going this long. My original body would have collapsed within a year.

"…I can't do this anymore. It'll be troublesome if you die on me."

Clicking her tongue, she turned to leave.

"…Does Your Highness… hate me that much?"

If I hadn't spoken, she would have left.

"…Want to know?"

She answered my question with another.

"Then I'll tell you."

I nodded slightly. She slowly approached and whispered in my ear. That she didn't just hate me, she loathed me.

"I ask God every day. Why are you alive instead of Mother…? Why did Mother have to die such a painful death…? And not for someone worthy, but for a lowly commoner like you."

She poked my head repeatedly, enunciating each word.

"…I see."

…Of course, I knew.

That she prayed for my death every day.

I had orchestrated this. I knew this would happen.

'…Sigh…'

But it still hurt.

Being cursed by the very person you were sacrificing yourself for… was more painful than I had imagined.

Seeing my pained expression, she scoffed.

"Well, of course. You repaid the kindness of being appointed a personal attendant by killing Mother. It would be stranger if you thought you'd be forgiven."

If… if I had saved her like the protagonist, if I had already earned her love… things might have been different.

'…For her, a character defined by her dependence on others, the person she loves… is irreplaceable.'

But back then, she was a girl who only knew familial love.

And as a member of the Imperial family, who executed anyone involved in the death of a loved one, she… couldn't help but loathe me, the one who caused her mother's death.

"That's… true."

"What's with that reaction? It wasn't long ago that you were begging for forgiveness… Have you given up now?"

She asked if I had finally succumbed to despair, if I had finally abandoned my persistent efforts.

Give up.

"…I haven't given up."

Even if she was a character designed to be easily swayed…

She had cared for me, a paralyzed cripple, for four years, sacrificing her own well-being. She loved me, cherished me.

Having experienced her selfless devotion for four years…

How could I, who had only sacrificed for two, have the audacity to give up now?

'And I got to see you so healthy and beautiful… I'm okay. I can endure this.'

"…Can you stop looking at me with those creepy eyes?"

But my affectionate gaze, combined with my pathetic appearance, must have seemed perverse to her.

She looked at me with disgust.

"Do you… Do you know how disgusting it is?! To be looked at like that by the person who killed your parents?!"

-Bang!

She shot another magic spell at me, her voice filled with rage and disgust.

"Ugh…!*"

"…That's your first and last warning. If you look at me with those lustful eyes again… I'll gouge them out."

Tsk.

She glared at me one last time, then turned and left, clicking her tongue.

And as she walked away, I heard her mutter to herself,

"That trashy animal… at least he knows I'm beautiful…"

…In the end…

…I wasn't even allowed to admire the person I loved.

"Sigh…."

A bitter taste filled my mouth. I looked up at the clear sky, lost in memories of our time in the shack.

It felt like a notification, 'Bitterness limit exceeded,' would pop up any second.

And following the bitter taste, a familiar ache in my chest.

A deeper ache than the one from her magic attack.

'It's time…'

One year until the academy entrance ceremony.

It was time to initiate the final stage of my plan.

***

"…Your Majesty, I think it's time for me to leave."

That very night, under the full moon, just like before…

I informed the Emperor of my departure.

"…What can I say? You're free to go whenever you wish. I'll provide you with enough money to last a lifetime."

He still seemed uncomfortable around me… ever since I put my plan into action.

"I don't need money, Your Majesty. Just… please take care of Her Highness. You're the only true ally she has left."

I bowed my head. The Emperor opened and closed his mouth, as if struggling to speak.

I had worked to strengthen his power, for this moment, and this moment alone.

So that he could protect her, support her, in my absence.

"…Is there anything you'd like to say to Lili? I'll pass it on when she's older, when she can handle the truth."

The Emperor's guilt-ridden gaze made my heart ache.

…A message for her.

A final message from 'Finn,' to be delivered in the future…

"Instead of a message, I'd like to leave a letter. Her Highness has seen my handwriting before."

Technically, she had seen Finn's handwriting, but it didn't matter.

'It's a message from Finn.'

I could write in his handwriting.

"A letter… Very well."

The Emperor handed me a piece of stationery… the kind only used by the Imperial family.

"…"

It would be strange to refuse, and there wasn't any other stationery in sight.

So, I wrote on the official stationery, usually reserved for Imperial decrees… pouring my turbulent emotions into a final letter from Finn to her.

"Here you go, Your Majesty."

As I handed him the letter, I sensed someone behind me.

'One person… Their footsteps and breathing are expertly concealed…'

"Chuckle."

…Right on time. Good thing I stuck to the main roads.

"…? What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

My relieved chuckle, meant to be silent, must have reached the Emperor.

'Or maybe he saw my expression.'

"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Just… a chuckle of relief, now that it's finally over."

"Is that so… Oh, where are you headed?"

…Yes, I had been waiting for that question.

I answered, loud enough for others to hear, clearly stating my destination.

Hoping they were listening.

"I'm… heading to the Holy Kingdom. It's just past the Southern Forest, south of the Empire."

"I see… The Holy Kingdom… That's good. I'm relieved."

The Emperor seemed relieved that I was heading to the Holy Kingdom, a nation known for its acceptance of the poor and even refugees.

'I'd like to talk more, but… I'm out of time.'

If I lingered any longer, he might insist on escorting me.

'That can't happen. Absolutely not.'

So, I bid the Emperor farewell.

The presence behind me vanished.

"I'll take my leave now, Your Majesty. I have a long journey ahead… If I leave now, I should reach the Southern Forest by dawn."

"Ah… I see. I've been keeping you… Yes, you should go…"

"Then, I'll be on my way…"

As I turned to leave, the Emperor… Alexei… spoke.

"Thank you for everything… and I'm truly sorry… As the father of the daughter you saved, I feel ashamed for not being able to do anything for you. So, if you ever… hear that the Empire is looking for you… please come back. I'll treat you far better than I did this time…"

His expression was filled with sorrow and regret, as if blaming himself for his past powerlessness.

I simply smiled faintly, nodded, and left the room.

….
….
….

"Shall we begin?"

I had placed all the necessary items along the route.

Starting today… I would rebuild my relationship with her.

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