Hiiro (42)
I didn't even want to bring Rikimaru here, and now he's telling me to stand back? Does he have a death wish, this brat?
"If he has the energy, he can move, right? Your Highness spoils him too much, you are just in the way."
Even though I glared at him, he didn't back down. Though he did look away eventually.
He placed the Naruhito on the bed, making him sit down. He surrounded him with cushions to keep him from slumping over.
I was watching closely, worried if it would be okay, when I felt a push on my back. Remember this, Rikimaru.
"Naruhito, let's eat while it's still warm."
Rikimaru handed a spoon to Naruhito. Can he really eat on his own? I was anxious watching him.
Rikimaru opened the fridge and put water and ice into two cups.
"Wice."
Naruhito’s face lit up. He dropped the spoon and reached for the cup, but Rikimaru caught his hand.
"Later. Eat your meal first. I'll leave it here for you."
He handed the spoon back to the sulking Naruhito.
Watching him with a dissatisfied expression, Rikimaru began eating his own meal.
It looked like omelette rice and corn soup. Quite yellow...
"Naru? If you don't hurry, the ice will melt and disappear."
"Huh?"
"Take a look. Ice melts and turns into water if you leave it."
There were only four pieces of ice, so they wouldn't disappear too quickly, but they would gradually melt into water.
Naruhito seemed to get anxious. With shaky hands, he started to scoop the corn soup. He spilled most of it on the way to his mouth, but he drank the soup desperately.
Rikimaru skillfully slipped some porridge into the Naruhito’s mouth when there was an opportunity.
When he looked dissatisfied, Rikimaru handed him water. He also ate his own meal properly.
He's quite good at this.
I thought, but somehow it annoyed me.
"Let's eat too, Your Highness."
Before I knew it, Ikumatsu had set out two servings of omelette rice and corn soup.
I sat in a cheap chair, taking a plate from the small table.
"He's eating..."
"Yeah."
"By himself..."
When I looked up at the choked voice, I saw Ikumatsu holding back tears while watching the Naruhito.
Just a moment ago, he had been so weak, but now he was leaning over the soup, eating it earnestly without slumping.
"Ikimau. Wice, the wice..."
"Naru, hurry up. Do your best. You can drink the melted ice water."
With a clink, the spoon fell, and Naruhito grabbed the cup. He drank it down and shivered, then smiled faintly.
"Sho cold."
Ah, he's moving.
"Ikumatsu."
"Yes."
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
"... Yes."
What do you think about this chapter?
