THDK Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Eating Together Makes It Twice as Delicious

“Your Majesty, your aides have gathered.”

“In this state, there’s nothing I can do. Cancel today’s meeting.”

I heard voices talking and slowly regained consciousness. I realized I was being held in someone’s arms, surrounded by a gentle scent. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to find myself staring directly into Nox’s.

“You’re awake.”

“I… uh… I fell asleep like this?!”

I tried to pull away from Nox in a panic, but since I had been cradled in his arms, I lost my balance and nearly fell. A large hand caught me just in time. Nox’s crimson eyes stared at me as if to ask what I was doing, and I muttered a small apology.

“If you’re sleepy, go back to sleep.”

“No, I’m not sleepy anymore. Um, thank you. You stayed with me while I slept, right?”

“It’s fine. Perfect timing. Let’s have breakfast.”

“Eh… Is that okay?”

“I said it’s fine. Let’s go.”

Still holding me, Nox carried me to the table in the room. He sat down with me on his lap and began tearing a piece of bread Beatrice had prepared into small bites, bringing it to my mouth. I obediently opened my mouth, and the fluffy texture and buttery flavor filled my senses. It was so delicious that I kept eating bite after bite as he fed me.

“It’s so good!”

“Eat something other than bread too.”

“Is that okay?”

“Eat whatever you like.”

“Then, can you let me down?”

“No. You’re still young. If you spill the soup and burn yourself, it’ll be a problem.”

As he spoke, he scooped up some meat with a fork and brought it to my mouth. Reluctantly, I opened my mouth and chewed the meat. Despite his intimidating aura, Nox was surprisingly overprotective.

“You’ve got something on your mouth.”

Before I could wipe it off myself, he used a handkerchief to clean the corner of my mouth. His serious expression as he removed the crumbs from my face made him look even more handsome. His face was so close that my heart started racing. Being treated like this filled me with a strange, unfamiliar feeling that wrapped around my heart.

I felt happy. Truly happy. And I realized that maybe it was okay to be spoiled by Nox.

“Hey, I’ve always wanted to try something called cake.”

“You’ve never had it before?”

“Nope. I’ve only ever watched my brother eat it, so I really want to try it.”

“Tell me what kind of cake you want.”

“Hmm… A cake with pure white cream and lots of bright red strawberries on top.”

After I finished describing it, Nox asked Beatrice to prepare the cake. Beatrice nodded and left the room to head to the kitchen. Watching her go, I felt a wave of excitement. I was really going to get to eat cake!

After a while, a large whole cake decorated with delicate whipped cream was brought in. Bright red strawberries were piled on top, dusted with a generous amount of glittering powdered sugar that looked like fairy dust. In the center was a cute bird-shaped sugar figurine.

“Wow~~~! It looks so delicious! Don’t you think so too, Nox?”

“I suppose.”

Just looking at it made my mouth water with sweetness. It felt almost too precious to eat.

“Aren’t you going to eat it?”

“I’ll eat it!”

Cake had always been for my brother. No matter how much I begged, my parents never even let me have a bit of the cream. But this cake wasn’t for my brother. It was for me—prepared by Nox, Beatrice, and the person who made it. Beatrice, who had been standing by, began cutting the cake into slices.

Using a fork, I carefully cut into the soft sponge, making sure not to let it crumble. When I took a bite, the gentle sweetness and the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the sponge made me hum with delight. The strawberries, shining as beautifully as Nox’s eyes, burst with flavor, their slight tartness perfectly balancing the sweetness.

“Ahhh~ It’s so good, I feel like I’m melting!”

“Eat as much as you want.”

“Aren’t you going to have some, Nox?”

“That’s for you. You should eat it.”

As he said this, Nox reached for other dishes on the table. I glanced between the cake and Nox, frowning slightly. I wanted him to eat it too. After all, it was so delicious. I was sure that sharing it would make it even better.

“Here!”

“What?”

“It’s cake. Open your mouth.”

I held a forkful of cake up to Nox’s mouth.

“I want to eat the cake with you, Nox. Will you indulge me?”

When I looked into Nox’s eyes and made my request, he reluctantly nodded. He took a bite of the cake I offered and then gently patted my head.

“It’s good.”

“Hehe, right?”

See? Eating together really does make it taste better. And it fills me with even more happiness. I want to savor this feeling forever. I kept eating the cake, letting the happiness soak into every part of me.

After eating so much, I started feeling full and sleepy. As I fought off the drowsiness, Nox wiped my mouth again and laid me down on the bed.

“Mmm… I’m not sleepy yet.”

“Sleeping is a child’s job. Be good and rest.”

His large hand covered my eyes, and I reluctantly closed them. Being able to eat as much delicious food as I wanted and sleep in a warm bed felt like the most special and happiest thing in the world.

“Thank you…”

As I drifted off, I whispered my gratitude. Someday, Nox might send me away. But until that day comes, maybe it’s okay to let myself be spoiled.

(I might not be able to go back to my old life…)

Once I’ve known his warmth , I don’t think I can ever go back. That’s how it feels.