“Chapter 3: Someone to Love Less Than Myself”

Ever since that day, I was bedridden for a whole week.

As a result, I couldn’t attend the remaining banquets, but it seemed Helene was in the same situation. The temple had visited the Lily Palace, and it seemed they advised her to leave the royal palace for a while. Given that she hurriedly packed her belongings and left the palace, it seems likely.

“Well, to restore her tarnished image, she would have had to increase her activities as a saint.”

I was curious whether Helene would actually go to Ansel or not.

“Count Achillo did a good job.”

I smiled slightly as I burned a letter I received in the candle flame. It was from the Achillo family, informing me that a tremendous rain had indeed fallen in Ansel. Fortunately, since I had prepared relief supplies in the name of the Empress and arranged shelters in nearby areas, there were no casualties reported. Though houses were swept away and possessions ruined, livestock and seeds, as well as food stored in the village warehouses, were safely relocated. Once the water recedes, Ansel should recover quickly.

“Now that’s sorted, it’s time to tidy up the affairs within my palace.”

I felt like I’d overcome a huge hurdle.

After bathing and changing into a fresh dress, I planned to have lunch with Meruem. I heard he had stood outside my door every day without fail while I was ill.

“Did he worry about my life after I saved him once?”

The lunch venue was an indoor garden with large glass windows that let in ample sunlight. I greeted Meruem with a smile as he entered.

“Meruem, come in.”

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Absolutely fine. Were you worried?”

I waved him over with a soft laugh, and Meruem hesitated for a moment before quickly taking a seat. It’s common for boys his age to have abrupt and rough movements when they’re embarrassed. What’s it called again?

Adolescence?

I propped my chin on my hand and stared at Meruem, curling the corners of my eyes.

“Were you worried?”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were. Thank you.”

“I said I wasn’t. Just…”

It was a pointless argument but enjoyable nonetheless.

Meruem opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again, looking quite shy.

“Nothing happened during the week I was ill?”

“Nothing.”

“People treated you alright?”

“Sort of. Got new clothes, too.”

“I can see that. Handsome as you are, Nyxian clothes suit you well.”

As we were talking, the food was served. Since I had been ill, the menu consisted mostly of clam soup with hardly any solid pieces, gently cooked vegetables, and finely minced meat. Looking at the food, I spoke softly.

“Bring steak. Meruem is growing; he shouldn’t be eating this stuff.”

“I don’t mind. As long as I can swallow it.”

His response told me a lot about how he had been living in the desert.

Therefore, I insisted, “You need to eat meat to feel full at your age, right?”

“Treating me like a kid.”

“To my eyes, everyone is a child.”

After all, when there’s a thousand years of age difference, it’s natural.

I lazily stirred the soup with my spoon. My mouth felt irritated, and nothing seemed appetizing. I wasn’t really hungry.

“Have you looked around the Empress’s Palace?”

“They offered to show me, but I refused.”

Understandable. He must have felt awkward.

Stopping my spoon, I spoke brightly.

“Then you can look around with me.”

“Planning to faint again?”

I thought it was a good idea, but Meruem immediately looked disgusted.

“Just tired. Oh, I need to start physical training again. I’ll take you to the training grounds too. It’s stuffy staying indoors all the time.”

“Training grounds? You? Going?”
“Yes, believe it or not, I’ve been training with the knights.”

I said this with pride, but it seemed to have a completely different effect on Meruem. He didn’t hide his shock as he scrutinized me from head to toe.

“Do you want to die early or something?”

“Oh, you. I’m training to get healthier. You have no idea how much it’s helped.”

Just then, the sizzling steak was served on a hot stone plate. The sirloin steak, flavored with premium butter and salt, was slightly bigger than two of my palms put together and incredibly thick.

Meruem cut it into large pieces and ate well, which made me feel a bit more appetite.

“Do you want cake after you finish that?”

“Are you planning to fatten me up?”

“Well, I do like that. But seeing you eat makes me want to eat more.”

Saying this made Meruem shrug his shoulders and start eating more heartily.

I was a bit worried he might get sick, but at that age, they say you can chew on iron.

While I continued to watch Meruem, I scooped some soup with my spoon. I hardly noticed its flavor, just sipping a few mouthfuls, when I felt someone watching me.

Meruem, who had finished more than half of his steak, put down his knife and looked at me seriously.

“Do you always eat like a bird?”

“Like a bird? I eat more than that.”

“That’s why you keep collapsing.”