<Episode 14>

‘No wonder he’s hungry.’

Sien had been sleeping the entire time, and the food storage in the western shelter was left untouched. While we had been sustaining ourselves with jerky, Sien must have gone two days without eating.

I smiled brightly and cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, spearing a piece with a fork.

I walked over to the bed and offered him the glistening, juicy piece of meat.

“Try it, Tower Master. It’s really delicious.”

Look at this—if you stick with me, you can keep enjoying tasty food.

I watched him expectantly, assuming he would immediately take the bite, but instead, Sien just blinked at me.

“…Water.”

“…Water?”

“I’m thirsty.”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t even had water properly?”

Sien gave a small nod.

‘Oh, my goodness.’

I set the fork down on the sink and took out a water bottle from my backpack on the table. I even unscrewed the cap for him, and he took it with both hands, drinking eagerly.

His smooth neck was completely exposed, and I could hear the distinct sound of him gulping, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow.

‘He really does have such delicate features.’

His appearance was a unique blend of beauty and masculinity.

I found myself staring at him in a daze until our eyes met.

His thin, violet eyes were fixed on me.

“…….”

After quenching his thirst, Sien wiped his chin with the back of his hand and handed the bottle back to me.

“Thank you.”

I took the bottle and headed back to the kitchen.

‘Let’s make sure he has a proper meal before trying to persuade him. He might starve before we even get to the western shelter.’

“Wait a moment, I’ll have everything ready soon.”

I plated the soup, sautéed some onions and mushrooms—since there was no asparagus—and served it with the steak. After adding the sauce, I set two plates and cutlery on the table, completing the meal.

“Alright, go ahead and eat.”

“…….”

It seemed that Sien had finally decided he was ready to eat. He ran a hand through his messy hair and sat down at the table, staring blankly at the food.

“What’s wrong?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Sien looked up at me with an indifferent gaze.

“Feed me.”

What? Did I hear that right?

“Feed you?”

In response to my question, Sien just stared at me, as if he didn’t want to repeat himself. He didn’t seem to have any intention of lifting a finger until I fed him.

‘Am I really supposed to take care of him like a child now?’

I resisted the urge to smack him upside the head, remembering that this was the same Tower Master who could set an entire kingdom ablaze if he wanted to.

Sighing, I cut a piece of steak, dipped it generously in sauce, and brought it up to his lips.

“Here, eat.”

Sien obediently accepted the bite. He chewed slowly, his pretty eyes blinking in a way that was almost cute.

While he was busy chewing, I stirred the soup and glanced out the window.

‘The Crown Prince and Jaeger should be back by now.’

When I started cooking, I had sent the Crown Prince to go find Jaeger, who still hadn’t returned. He had been reluctant to go, but I convinced him by promising to have something delicious waiting.

When I asked why he seemed so hesitant, he tilted his head and muttered something ridiculous like, ‘You really do seem like a wife…’ I almost smacked him for that one but managed to hold back.

“…I’m still hungry.”

The soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Sien, having finished his steak, was now looking at me again, his gaze seeming to read exactly what—or rather, who—I had been thinking about.

Hurriedly, I scooped up some soup and brought it to his lips.

“Here, say ‘ahh.’”

Just as I was about to deliver the spoonful to his mouth.

A sudden kick from behind sent Sien’s chair flying.

Crash—!

“Tower Master!”

Sien toppled over like a paper doll, sprawling on the floor.

“Your Highness, what are you—”

I began, thinking it was the Crown Prince, but I was startled to see the real culprit.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The person who had kicked Sien’s chair was Jaeger.

His sudden and unexpected action left me stunned.

“What does it look like? We were eating.”

Jaeger responded, his eyes cold and distant as he stared at me.

“Does this man not have hands? Why are you indulging his whims?”

“…….”

I was at a loss for words, utterly taken aback.

‘What’s gotten into him?’

Meanwhile, Sien groaned softly as he tried to sit up.

‘Oh, my poor fragile princess.’

Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t bitten his tongue.

I helped Sien to his feet, brushing off his clothes as he stood. He glared icily at Jaeger, his lips pressed into a thin line in a way that was more petulant than threatening, making him look even more delicate.

Jaeger, however, looked at Sien with a detached expression and remarked dryly, “Don’t be so quick to accept food. What if it were poisoned?”

Really?

“And you, Lady Arios, stop indulging his childishness.”

Jaeger clicked his tongue and turned his head away, clearly not wanting to engage in further conversation.

‘So, he was worried I might have poisoned the food?’

I sighed, picking up the spoon I had left on the table.

Then, to make a point, I lifted the plate and began to eat the soup in front of him.

One spoonful, then another, until I started to feel annoyed at having to prove myself like this.

Clatter.

I finished the soup, setting the empty bowl on the table with a bit of force, and glared at Jaeger.

Oh, right, I should prove the steak is safe too. I cut a large piece and chewed it aggressively.

After swallowing, I spoke curtly.

“It’s absolutely delicious. But since you’re so suspicious, Duke, you shouldn’t eat any.”

Jaeger frowned.

“What? You don’t like that idea?”

“Did you really think I’d eat something when I don’t know what’s in it? I have no intention of touching it.”

Of course, you wouldn’t.

Ignoring Jaeger, I headed back to the kitchen. Sien had righted his chair and was sitting at the table again.

He stared sadly at the now-empty plate, then turned to me with slumped shoulders, looking despondent.

“My soup…”

Oops. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I grabbed another bowl from the cupboard.

“Just a moment, Tower Master. I’ll get you more soup.”

“…You’re so kind. Anyone would think we’ve known each other for a long time.”

He murmured, his voice tinged with a faint sarcasm.

Just then, the Crown Prince walked in, closing the cabin door behind him with a disgruntled expression. He glared at Sien, who was sitting quietly, before approaching me.

I nonchalantly shrugged my shoulders as I stirred the soup in the pot.

“I’ve even extended the kindness of escorting someone to the cabin, only to have a sword thrown at me in return.”

“……”

I shot a sly glance at the Crown Prince, hoping to provoke him with my words. His face twisted into a mock expression of anger.

“And who’s the ungrateful scoundrel that dared to do that?”

It’s you, you shameless rogue.

Sien, who had been watching the Crown Prince with a look of disdain, sighed and propped his chin on the table.

“It must have been difficult for the lady, surrounded by such rough men.”

“Haha.”

I laughed lightly as I poured the soup into a deep dish, thinking to mysel

*Right now, you’re the one giving me the most trouble.’

After setting the table, I reached into the upper cupboard and took out a vase.

I then placed a freshly picked daisy I had found outside into the vase and set it in the center of the table, creating a modest but pleasant dining setup.

It might not impress those used to luxurious feasts like the Crown Prince, the Duke, and the Tower Master, but it would do.

I sat down at the center of the table, with the Crown Prince to my right and Sien to my left.

Naturally, I didn’t set a place for Jaeger. I’m not the kind of person who’d go out of my way to serve someone who made such snide comments.

Jaeger stood by the window, his back to us, biting into an apple he’d taken from the pantry.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

I gestured to Sien and the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smirked slightly as he picked up his spoon and tasted the soup.

He raised an eyebrow, giving me a look of mild surprise.

“I’m quite good at this.”

I said with a grin, shrugging my shoulders as I took a bite of my own meal.

Soon, the only sounds at the table were the quiet clinking of cutlery and the soft rustling of breath, as we all ate our early dinner in silence.

I watched as Sien enjoyed his meal, and then, with a smile, I cut a piece of my steak and placed it on his plate.

“Tower Master, are you really not going to come with us?”

“……”

Sien, who had stuffed his cheeks like a hamster, looked at me while chewing slowly. He gave a noncommittal nod and then returned to slicing his steak.

“…If you come along, I’ll make you plenty of delicious food.”

Though Sien was quite the skilled cook himself, nothing beats a meal cooked by someone else, right?

Sien shook his head vigorously, still chewing on his food.

‘…So food isn’t going to win him over.’

My appetite waned, and I set down my cutlery, taking a large gulp of water.

As I set the glass down with a clink, I realized all three men were staring at me.