ESMLT 14

Chapter 14

“Of course you’d be hungry.”

Shien had barely moved from sleeping, and the western shelter’s food storage was completely untouched.

We had filled ourselves with jerky, but Shien must have gone two days without eating.

I smiled gently and cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, then speared it with a fork.

I approached the bed and offered him the glossy, perfectly cooked meat.

“Please, try it, Lord Matap. It’s really delicious.”

See? If you travel with me, you’ll always get to eat good food.

I watched him with that thought, expecting him to eagerly accept it—but instead, Shien just blinked.

“…Water.”

“…Water?”

“I’m thirsty.”

“You’re telling me you didn’t even drink water properly all this time?”

Shien nodded slightly.

‘Good heavens.’

I put down the fork on the sink, grabbed a bottle of water from the backpack on the table, and handed it to him.

When I even opened the cap for him, Shien took it with both hands and drank deeply.

His smooth neck was completely exposed, and the sound of swallowing was clear. The movement of his Adam’s apple looked oddly delicate.

‘This person really has a finely shaped face.’

A beautiful yet distinctly masculine charm.

I stared blankly, and our eyes met.

His slender violet eyes were fixed on me.

“……”

Having quenched his thirst, Shien wiped his chin with the back of his hand and handed the bottle back.

“Thank you.”

I took back the bottle and returned to the kitchen.

‘Before trying to coax him, I need to give him a proper meal. He’d starve before I even get him to the west.’

“Wait here, I’ll prepare it quickly.”

I served the soup Shien could eat and, since we had no asparagus, I sautéed onions and mushrooms with the meat as a substitute.

I poured the sauce over it and placed two plates and utensils on the table—a perfect meal.

“Here, eat first.”

“……”

Now perhaps feeling hungry, Shien ruffled his messy hair and sat in the chair. He stared blankly at the food.

“What’s the matter?”

“……”

Shien just looked at me with indifferent eyes.

“Feed me.”

What? Did I hear that wrong?

“You want me to feed you?”

Shien didn’t respond verbally; he simply stared at me as if saying he didn’t want to repeat himself.

He seemed unwilling to move a finger until I fed him.

‘So now I have to play babysitter too?’

I almost tapped him lightly on the forehead but held back. He was the Lord of the Matap Tower, capable of burning down an entire small kingdom.

I cut the steak into appropriate pieces, dipped them thoroughly in the sauce, and brought them to his lips.

“Here, eat.”

Shien obediently took the bite. The way he blinked his pretty eyes and chewed quietly was utterly adorable.

While Shien chewed, I stirred the soup and glanced out the window.

‘It should be about time for the Crown Prince and Jaeger to return.’

When I started cooking, I had sent the Crown Prince to fetch Jaeger, who hadn’t come back yet.

He had resisted, saying he didn’t want to go, so I told him I’d prepare something delicious and wait. He made a subtle expression.

When I asked why, he tilted his head and muttered, “Feels exactly like a wife…,” which almost made me hit him on the back—luckily, I restrained myself.

“…I’m hungry.”

The gentle voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Shien chewed neatly and looked at me again.

It seemed like he could read exactly what I was thinking, so I hurriedly scooped some soup.

“Here, ah—”

Just as I was about to feed him the soup, a foot suddenly shot out from behind and kicked his chair.

Crash!

“Lord Matap!”

Shien fell over like a paper doll.

“Your Highness, what are you doing—”

I had assumed it was the Crown Prince and glared, but I was surprised to see an unexpected person.

“What are you doing?”

The one who kicked Shien’s chair was Jaeger.

I was taken aback by his sudden action.

“What do you mean, I was eating.”

Jaeger’s cold eyes stared at me.

“Does this one have no hands? Why are you indulging his whims?”

“……”

I was left speechless.

‘What’s his problem now?’

Meanwhile, Shien groaned and struggled to rise.

‘Oh, our little sunfish princess.’

Luckily, he hadn’t bitten his tongue.

I helped Shien stand, brushing off his clothes.

Shien glared coldly at Jaeger, lips tightly sealed. Despite the stern look, he was only beautiful, not threatening.

Jaeger looked at him indifferently and muttered.

“Do not obediently accept things. What if the food had been poisoned?”

Oh, really?

“And Miss Arios, don’t indulge him either.”

Jaeger clicked his tongue and turned his head, clearly done with speaking.

‘Ha, so he was worried the food might be poisoned.’

I sighed and picked up the spoon from the table.

Then, defiantly, I scooped the soup and ate it myself.

One spoon, two spoons—I got annoyed wondering why I was even showing concern.

Clatter.

I emptied the bowl and set it down loudly, glaring at Jaeger.

Ah, I also ate the steak in big bites to avoid suspicion.

I swallowed the meat and said bluntly,

“It’s very tasty. But you probably shouldn’t eat it, Duke, just in case.”

Jaeger furrowed his brows.

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“Did you really think I’d let you eat something I don’t even know what’s in it? Not a chance.”

Of course.

I ignored Jaeger and went back into the kitchen. Shien set his chair upright and sat at the table again.

He gazed blankly at the empty plate, then slumped his shoulders and looked at me gloomily.

“My soup…”

Ah, right. I awkwardly got the bowl from the kitchen.

“Wait a moment, Lord Matap. I’ll give you the soup.”

“…How kind. Someone might think we’re acquainted.”

Just then, the Crown Prince closed the cabin door and entered, complaining. He glared at Shien, who was quietly sitting, and approached me.

I shrugged casually and stirred the soup in the pot.

“I was kind enough to escort everyone to the cabin, but they just draw their swords at me.”

“……”

Guilty much?

I shot a side glance at the Crown Prince, who pretended to be angry.

“Who’s this shameless brat who doesn’t even recognize the favor?”

That’s you, you shameless brat.

Shien, looking at the Crown Prince with exasperation, sighed and rested his chin on the table.

“You poor girl, surrounded by nothing but aggressive men.”

“Ha ha.”

I laughed quietly, scooping soup into a hollow dish, thinking to myself,

‘Right now, you’re the one giving me the hardest time.’

After setting the meal, I took a vase from the cabinet.

I placed freshly picked wildflowers in it and set it in the center of the table, completing the table setting.

For someone used to luxurious tables like the Crown Prince, the Duke, or the Lord of the Matap Tower, it might seem simple—but it was presentable.

I sat at the head of the table. The Crown Prince on my right, Shien on my left.

Of course, I didn’t set a place for Jaeger. I’m not that generous.

Jaeger took an apple from the food storage, turned his back, and stood by the window.

“Here, eat.”

I gestured to Shien and the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smiled faintly and tasted the soup.

He raised one eyebrow, surprised, and looked at me.

“I’ll do it myself.”

I shrugged and ate as well, jokingly.

At the early evening meal, only the sounds of eating and utensils clinking filled the room.

I watched Shien enjoy his meal and cut my portion of meat, smiling.

“Lord Matap, are you really not going with us?”

“……”

Shien, cheeks stuffed like a hamster, watched me chew.

He nodded indifferently and went back to slicing the steak.

“…If you go, I’d make lots of delicious food for you.”

Of course, Shien is an excellent cook, but nothing beats someone else preparing a feast.

He shook his head while chewing, clearly unconvinced.

‘…Food isn’t going to work.’

I lost my appetite, put down the cutlery, and drank some water.

Thud.

As I set the glass down, the three of them stared at me.