A Reason

"You have been unconscious for five days, Your Majesty. Two days were spent traveling to Celeste Village. Meanwhile, the other three days simply passed after you were examined by the doctor."

Kenneth involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief as the prince realized that he had not been unconscious for more than seven days. But after that, Kenneth's attention was immediately drawn in another direction.

"We have arrived at Celeste Village?" the prince asked incredulously. The journey that was supposed to take three more days had been accomplished in two. From Matias' words alone, Kenneth could already tell that the conditions at that time must have been urgent that Matias was forced to shorten their travel time in various ways.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, we did not encounter any more problems after that. At least now, we have all safely arrived at our destination," Matias replied. Kenneth was relieved when he heard that explanation. Previously, he had been worried that they would run into trouble again when Kenneth was unconscious.

After that conversation, Matias began to focus on treating Kenneth's wounds, while Kenneth was silent because he no longer had questions for Matias. As the two of them fell silent, Kenneth couldn't help but think about why the man still wanted to help him. Now, someone had turned on him openly. Saving him or hiding him would only add trouble to an innocent person.

"Why did you save me?"

Upon hearing Kenneth's question, Matias' movements stopped for a moment before he continued again quietly. Matias bowed his head slightly but did not answer Kenneth's question immediately.

Kenneth had just thought that Matias would not answer his question when he suddenly heard a sentence spoken in a low voice.

"We wouldn't leave a prince to die in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention, you have saved us more than we have saved you. Although what we've done is nothing compared to what you've done... I hope you are willing to tolerate our capabilities."

Kenneth was not sure if he was indeed helping Matias more than he was troubling him. But for once, Kenneth nodded without saying anything more. Just being alive was already a blessing to him. As long as he was alive, he still had the chance to protect the lives of the people he left behind in the royal palace.

"Thank you very much. I will remember this kindness forever," Kenneth told him. The prince deliberately waited until Matias had closed his wounds again before he moved and tried to get up from his lying position.

"Ugh."

Before Kenneth could get up, the prince immediately lay down again as his body felt so painful just from a simple movement. Matias, who was surprised that Kenneth suddenly moved, also immediately helped the prince find his comfortable position again. The man's forehead wrinkled slightly. If Matias hadn't remembered that Kenneth was a prince, the man would have scolded Kenneth for the prince acting carelessly when he had just woken up.

"What are you trying to do? Until your wound is completely healed, you are not allowed to exert your body," he reprimanded quietly. Kenneth no longer forced his body to move after that. The man stared at Matias before he revealed the reason why he was in such a hurry.

"That assassin will definitely come looking for me again. If I stay here, I will only put the people around me in danger again."

Matias paused for a moment, then ended up letting out a long breath. He was now convinced that what his son had said was true. Although Kenneth was a prince, he was the type of person who no longer respected himself.

Matias was a little touched by Kenneth's concern. But there was a reason why he had taken this risk. Celeste Village was a village that bordered another kingdom and the Audoran Forest. The village often got into trouble from time to time. And thanks to that, each of its residents grew up as a swordsman or sorcerer skilled enough to defend themselves.

Even if it was a trained assassin, they would be troubled if they had to fight a village filled with strong people. Matias smiled slightly, then gave Kenneth a gentle pat.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. As long as you are in this village, you can rest assured that you will be safe from any harm. For now, it is better if you just focus on healing yourself. I'm sure you must have a special reason for coming to this village, right?"

Kenneth recalled his purpose, then ended up giving a small nod. While his body still refused to move, there was really nothing else Kenneth could do but heal himself as quickly as possible.

"Then... I'll trouble you for a while," Kenneth said. Matias nodded. "Rest as much as you can. After this, I will prepare a meal for you, Your Majesty."

"Mr. Matias!"

Matias stopped walking when Kenneth called out to him again. The prince gave a small smile. "Please call me Kenneth as before, Lord Matias. Also ... you don't need to be respectful to me when I'm not in the palace."

Matias understood what that meant. Kenneth did not want others to know he was a prince, and he also hoped Matias would be willing to keep quiet about it. The man nodded once again. "Then, I won't be so polite, Kenneth," he said before continuing his steps after Kenneth gave him a satisfied smile.