Chapter 38
“I want to be fed by you too.”
It must have become a rumor that the Emperor often did that.
Surely, the story about me feeding Francis didn’t spread, right?
“Alright.”
What’s so hard about that anyway?
The food wasn’t bad. There were stacks of wheat bread people could take as much as they wanted, and the soup seemed unlimited too. Dried meat and simple snacks were laid out so anyone could eat freely.
“You must have a lot of wheat harvests.”
“Yeah. My territory stays cool all year round.”
“I see.”
I cut the bread into pieces and dipped it in the soup. When I gestured for him to open his mouth, he grinned slyly — like some smug black panther.
“You’re dressing like that on purpose, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
At some point, he’d stopped wearing his cravat altogether. A uniform was supposed to be buttoned neatly to the collar, yet he always left a few buttons undone — like he was deliberately showing off his collarbones and chest.
“You don’t like it?”
He’s not denying it.
Not that I don’t like it… but I can’t exactly say I do either.
“Just eat.”
“Okay.”
He chewed obediently after being fed, and somehow looked exactly like a black panther again — calm but wild underneath.
Then his expression changed slightly, like something tasted off.
“Is this your first time eating here?”
“Yeah. I’ve been too busy before.”
Since his reaction was strange, I tried a bite myself — and immediately, he flushed bright red, stammering as he tried to speak.
“Th-that was… what I was eating…”
“You can eat all the bread and soup you want. Why? Are you being stingy?”
“N-no… that’s not it…”
He covered his mouth and turned away — probably was feeling possessive after all.
Thud!
“Huh?”
I turned toward the sound — one of the workers had collapsed.
“Haha… what’s wrong with me!”
“Yeah, Bill, you’ve been fainting a lot lately.”
“Pull yourself together, man.”
The soup had an oddly strong azalea scent.
“Are there a lot of azaleas around here?”
“If you go over that way, yeah. Want to go see later?”
“Sure.”
Maybe I was just imagining things.
If there really were spies, what exactly were they after? Based on last time, their resentment probably stems from how Dairid slaves were elevated to the status of city citizens.
If so, were they trying to stop that?
But that would mean directly opposing the loyal dukes, de Lebois and Russell. Who’d be dumb enough to do that?
Or maybe what they really want isn’t what I think.
“Ishi?”
“Was that supposed to be me?”
“Yeah. You don’t like it?”
“It’s weird.”
A nickname? “Ishi” sounds kind of strange.
“Then what should I call you?”
“You said… you liked calling me Clayton. And we used to call each other Ray when we were kids.”
If we had childhood nicknames for each other, then maybe there was something between us.
In the last memory, though, I rejected his proposal. But when we kissed before, there was something tender there.
“Who was your first kiss?”
“What?”
Clayton’s face turned red again. He changes color so often — he must have some kind of condition.
“What are you, a tomato? Earlier you were a green tomato, now you’re ripe red. I swear you ripen ten times a day.”
“Ah… well…”
I casually tore another piece of bread and dipped it in soup. Then he mumbled in a tiny voice:
“You.”
Damn it. I knew I shouldn’t have asked.
“So your first kiss was with Adrian?”
“No.”
Now he’s back to being an unripe tomato.
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m the one who knows. Your first kiss.”
Ah, crap. Why did I even ask? I got swept up in the moment. Stupid!
“How likely is Adrian to interfere with your work?”
“Why are you suddenly asking that?”
Because I needed to change the subject, obviously!
“Just thinking someone might try to get in your way.”
“…”
He suddenly looked serious. But even while thinking, he obediently chewed the food I fed him — which was kind of hilarious.
“Maybe he just doesn’t like that I’m getting close to you again.”
“That’s nonsense. He’s probably more competent than you. Why would he care?”
“I’m competent too! If you want, I’ll set up my own tribunal. I’ll quit being a general and become a magistrate. How’s that?”
“No. I like you as a knight. Why try to copy Adrian? I don’t like that.”
The conversation was starting to veer off point, so I gave up cutting the bread and just shoved a big piece directly at him. Surprisingly, he ate it easily.
“You’ve got a monster mouth. You could probably fit a baguette in there.”
“Not that big.”
That azalea scent was really starting to bother me. For it to be this strong, there must’ve been tons of them nearby.
“Your Grace.”
“Hm?”
“T-this…”
One of the workers was trying to hand me something while glancing around nervously. His clothes were filthy — probably from crawling through dirt.
“What is it?”
“Thank you for helping the people of Dairid. This is… my token of loyalty!”
Then he left.
“The bear did all the tricks, but the king’s son gets the gold, huh.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.”
You’re the king’s son, actually — it was my plan, but you’re the one getting all the praise.
Still, I didn’t say it aloud. I didn’t want to be that bitter person who trashes someone just for doing well.
“Show me.”
He handed me the paper without even reading it. For a general, he’s too careless sometimes.
“Just for you.”
“Are you some kind of mind reader? How do you catch on so fast?”
“I told you. I only pay attention to you.”
“Right.”
I brushed it off and unfolded the paper. Inside was an anonymous tip-off:
Bellerophon Adens, the chief administrator, has been falsifying records to cover his gambling debts.
Well, that’s convenient.
“I’ll look into it.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Early as usual, Verdin.”
I’d secretly left the palace, but I figured I’d need him.
“Your Highness, you can’t just come out like this…”
“Does Father know?”
“I nearly broke a sweat trying to stop His Majesty from following you himself!”
Typical of the Emperor’s men — always so dutiful.
“You’re better at this than I am, Verdin. Check if these numbers add up. You brought an accountant, right?”
“Your Highness!”
“Ah, and what about Francis?”
“Don’t even ask. You have no idea how furious His Majesty is right now!”
He can’t kill me anyway. I’ll just finish this quest and go back.
What if he’s crying, though?
That thought made me want to finish the work even faster.
“Are you worried?”
“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. Any disciplinary process involving knights has to go through me first.”
“I wasn’t worried. And if you have any conscience, Clayton, you’ll help. Because of who’s responsible.”
I handed the accountant the papers Verdin had brought.
“How long will this take?”
“About an hour, Your Highness.”
“Alright. Clayton, let’s go see those azaleas.”
“Huh? Sure!”
Time to confirm things.
There really were azaleas everywhere — red, pink, white, purple — blooming beautifully.
“Hey! Bill! You okay?”
It was the same guy from before. This time he was retching violently.
“Ugh… blegh…”
“Those workers are from Dairid, right?”
“Yeah.”
“If they’re that sick, let them rest.”
“I already approved medical leave. They’re just refusing to use it.”
I looked at him, curious. He turned his gaze back to me — as always, whenever I noticed, he was already looking at me.
It used to make me uncomfortable, but now when he doesn’t look, that bothers me too.
“Is the sick leave unpaid?”
“No. Since they were slaves until recently, I figured hard labor would be too much for them. They get half-pay while resting.”
“You’re surprisingly thorough, you know that?”
I picked a few azaleas and wove them together with other stems. I’d made flower crowns before, so it wasn’t too hard — though azaleas had tough branches. Once I shaped it roughly, I noticed Clayton staring at me blankly.
“I’m putting this on you. You’re wearing it all day.”
“Is that punishment or a reward?”
“Whichever you want it to be.”
“Then it’s a reward. A really big one.”
His cheeks turned pink like ripening peaches, and I couldn’t help but smile.
He bent down slightly, letting me place it on his head.
It was mesmerizing — seeing how beauty that could make flowers seem dull really looked up close.
“Roses suit you better than azaleas.”
“I’d love anything you give me.”
“What if I gave you something weird?”
“If it’s from you, how could I hate it?”
Back to square one again. Like a broken record.
“Let’s head back. It’s probably been an hour.”
“Already?”
“What do you mean already? It’s been an hour.”
[Quest! The Princess Wonders What’s Outside the Cage II]
Clayton de Lebois, who gave Princess Gracie a new experience, may now choose one of the following rewards:
- Kiss on the lips.
- Kiss on the eyes.
- Kiss on the back of the hand.
- Kiss on the forehead.
Ugh, every single one’s a kiss?!
What kind of cursed game is this—Is this rated 19+ or what?!
What’s next, an adult scene quest?!
