The Duke's Daughter Is A Villainess (24)

"Oh no..." Dahlia mumbled, pretending as if she had no idea what to do with Noah.

Then she pressed her ear against his chest, listening for his heartbeat. He was still alive, which was good. If she had let the prince die on her watch.... that wouldn't be good.

[Host... if Noah had died the challenge would be deemed as a failure and you'd have to start again....]

~Well it's a good thing he's alive then, isn't it?

[..... Host.... you should be more careful.]

~Yeah, yeah, I got it.

Dahlia proceeded to perform CPR on Noah, then pressed her lips to his as if breathing into his mouth, when in reality she was just placing a kiss on him. It's not like the people watching could tell, anyway, so what was the harm?

[Task B has been completed! 100 points have been added to your point collection.]

~I need something to revive him.

[The 'Wakey Wakey' taser can be purchased for 50 points. It can wake anybody up from a state of unconsciousness.]

~Great, I'll take one.

[Purchase completed. 50 points have been deducted from your points collection, rendering the total amount of points you have to 260. The 'Wakey Wakey' taser can now be found in your dress pocket.]

Noah woke up with a jolt, as if he'd been shocked by something. The people nearby all exclaimed in relief, then looked at Dahlia as if she were some kind of healing angel. Dahlia's face covered in soot and dirt was the first thing that Noah saw when he opened his eyes, but for some inexplicable reason he thought she looked more beautiful than ever.

For a moment he blushed in embarrassment, but then shook his head to clear them of any stray thoughts. It was strange, though, lately he kept seeing Dahlia in his dreams... caressing him... smiling at him... his face couldn't help but heat up again.

"Did you save me?" Noah asked, his voice hoarse.

Dahlia nodded, a bit shy. "Yes..."

Noah felt at that moment that the dreams filled with her, her presence here today, it must've been the universe trying to tell him something.

Noah's percentage shot all the way up to +60%.

[Host!!!!]

~I know!!!! I see it!!!!!!

[This is crazy!!! It jumped so much!!!!!!]

That was when the royal knights finally got there. After checking with the people around them that everything was okay, and that the first prince was unharmed, they then attempted to take the prince back with them. Noah, however, insisted for them to take Dahlia back with them too, so they did as he said and Dahlia found herself riding in a carriage with Noah to the palace.

"Are you alright? You didn't get hurt in the fire?" Noah asked.

Though Dahlia was covered head to toe in soot, she shook her head. "I'm fine. How about you, Your Highness? I was worried you weren't going to wake up before."

"I feel fine." He responded. "I... it was brave of you to try and save that woman's child."

"I only did what I felt I should..."

"If you hadn't went in there looking for the child, perhaps no one would've known I was there, and I would have- ... anyway... thank you."

They didn't talk for the rest of the way there. Noah seemed to be in deep thought about something, while Dahlia was just tired. Though she was invincible, it was still a tough thing trying to navigate her way around in a burning building.

The moment they reached the palace, they were ushered to the throne room to meet the king. Dahlia felt she probably should've at least been given some time to clean up a bit first, but could only hold her tongue as she curtsied in front of the king and queen.

"Dahlia, is it true that you saved my son's life?" The king asked.

Dahlia felt nervous now. "Um... yes... Your Majesty."

"Good. I'm thankful that you were able to bring my son back to me safely. I must reward you for your courageous act. Tell me, what would you like?"

"... Well... to be honest there's nothing that I really need right now... but thank you for the offer, Your Majesty."

"Nonsense! I insist! Just choose anything, and I'll gift it to you."

".... There's really nothing I need, Your Majesty. I'm just glad that the first prince is safe."

The king was surprised. He'd have thought that a girl as young as Dahlia would surely have a list of things she desired, he would've never expected that she would turn him down twice. He considered the girl standing before him carefully before laughing heartily.

"Very well then! Instead of a reward, you can have my sincere thanks for saving my son."

The king smiled gently at her, as if he was a kind grandpa. Dahlia scoffed in her head.

[Task C has been completed! 250 points have been added to your point collection.]