Chapter 40
“What Is It That Interests You?”
“Hmm…”
Zember sighed as he looked at the piles of grain in the storage.
In Esperos, it would take at least three more months to harvest the wheat sown in spring. The wheat saved from last year was now barely enough to last three months.
“Even if we gave the food to the people first, they would barely survive for two months.”
Another sigh escaped Zember’s lips.
“But if we can just hold out for one month, wouldn’t we be able to import wheat from other countries?”
The head chef, Raifen, spoke cautiously from behind. Zember glanced at him and answered.
“One month… The regions near our territory aren’t much better off. That means we’d have to go further south to import wheat.”
Even the hope of lasting a month was too optimistic.
If they had to travel south to buy wheat, how long would it take?
“At least another month and a half.”
Even if they could last a month, Kocheer disease would spread during that time.
“Two weeks is more than enough for Kocheer disease to break out.”
The disease was terrifying because it spread so easily.
Even Heidi had fallen ill only a few days after arriving from Zeros.
“Once food starts running out, it’ll take less than a week for the disease to strike.”
And those without mana would die even with medicine.
Zember rubbed his face in frustration.
He had focused so much on the plan to kidnap Heidi that he had neglected the most important issue: food.
If people learned he had put their lives aside for the kidnapping…
Tap, tap, tap.
…Footsteps?
Zember turned at the sound of hurried steps behind him.
Far away, he saw May running toward him, her face flushed.
“May?”
“S-Steward!”
“I told you not to run in the castle—”
“I found it! There’s a way to solve the food shortage problem!”
If someone asked me if I liked reading, I would say it just became my hobby because it was the only thing I could do.
Of course, no one ever asked.
I had come to the library in Esperos not because I loved books but because I had nowhere else to go and it was the best place to avoid people’s eyes.
“Ugh…”
I stretched after a morning spent reading.
Leaning back in the chair, I gazed out the window. The sun was high—it must be lunchtime.
“May will be here soon.”
On the days I came to the library, May always brought me a simple lunch.
I had told her not to bother since I would eat a proper dinner, but ever since I had to share tea time with Carriaire after dinner, things had changed.
“Even though I chew slowly, it feels like my stomach can’t digest anything during those tea times.”
“Then I’ll have the kitchen prepare soup for dinner instead.”
“…Huh?”
I spun around at the voice I wasn’t expecting.
There he was: Carriaire, holding a plate of sandwiches.
“Y-Your Grace?”
He walked in casually, placing the plate on the table before sitting across from me.
“I didn’t know you spent your time reading without eating properly.”
“…”
“But you should eat. For those without mana, catching Kocheer disease is a matter of life and death.”
He pushed the plate toward me. His words struck harder than I expected.
I looked at the plate and forced a smile.
“…I’m not very hungry today.”
This was going to be torture.
Whether or not it made me sick, I wouldn’t even know what I was eating.
I avoided looking at the sandwiches, and Carriaire nodded gently.
“That happens.”
His calm acceptance surprised me.
I had expected him to force me to eat since he had brought the food himself.
“Raifen is an excellent cook.”
“…?”
“But his baking isn’t as good as his cooking.”
“…”
“But if you try one of his dishes, I’m sure your appetite will return. Even the appetite you seem to lose only in front of me.”
Thump! My heart dropped to the floor.
He had noticed I’d been avoiding him. Or maybe it was just obvious to anyone.
I swallowed hard.
“Raifen can’t handle everything in the castle, but he prepares my meals personally.”
“…”
“What do you think? Should we also eat dinner together from now on—”
“I can’t hold it anymore!”
I cut him off and grabbed a sandwich, shoving it toward my mouth.
“Honestly, I wanted to eat as soon as I saw you bring it, but I was embarrassed to eat in front of you…”
“…”
“But it looks too good, so I can’t help it.”
“…”
“Ah, would you… like one?”
I offered the sandwich to him hesitantly. Carriaire looked at me for a long moment, then shook his head and leaned back.
I smiled awkwardly in relief and took a big bite.
…It was delicious.
Buttery croissant bread filled with crisp vegetables, perfectly grilled bacon, and a sunny-side-up egg.
A tangy sauce made from fruit tied everything together.
One bite after another, and I actually started to feel hungry.
I glanced at Carriaire as I ate, worried he might suddenly comment.
But he had picked up one of the books I’d been reading and was flipping through it quietly.
That helped me relax and focus on eating.
Chew, chew.
He didn’t look at me even as I finished half the sandwich.
But then, suddenly, he spoke.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Huh?”
He finally looked up from the book, a playful smile on his face.
“It’s not like you’re staring because you’re interested in my face.”
“Cough!”
I choked on the sandwich.
“See? Handsome people always know they’re handsome!”
Carriaire pushed a teacup toward me as I hit my chest and turned red.
“Th-thank you…”
I gulped down the tea and cleared my throat.
Our eyes met, and I looked away quickly—but his gaze didn’t waver.
Then, he closed the book and stood, reaching a hand toward me.
I froze in shock as his hand brushed my lips.
“Since you don’t seem curious about me, I’ll ask instead.”
“What is it that interests you… the Remstones? Or this land of Esperos?”
His sharp gaze pierced through me, and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.
