For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 100
I easily ignored Okhee’s obvious gaze that seemed to say, ‘Are you still going to claim there’s nothing between you?’
「 Where did they go today? I haven’t seen even a glimpse of them. 」
「 Oh my, you even know expressions like that? Since we weren’t sure when you’d wake up, they went out to explore the market and fetch some medicine for you. Plus, the festival starts tomorrow. 」
「 A festival? Wait, more importantly… Have I been asleep for a long time? 」
I had assumed I had been asleep for at most half a day, maybe a full day at worst…
「 Today is already the fourth day. Everyone has been very worried. 」
「 I was asleep for four days? 」
What am I, Snow White? How could I have been unconscious for four whole days?
No wonder my body felt so weak. The moment I realized that, my stomach let out a loud, powerful growl.
「 Oh dear, look at me. You must be starving! I’ll bring you a meal right away. Just lie down and rest a little longer, my lady. 」
In typical fashion for a warm-hearted, affectionate Korean motherly figure, Okhee bustled out of the room just as noisily as she had entered.
Finally, silence settled over the space.
I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the precious stillness.
But not even a few minutes had passed before the commotion outside began again.
Along with the clatter of dishes, Okhee’s high-pitched voice rang out once more.
「 My lady, I’ve brought your meal! May I come in? 」
「 Yes. 」
The door opened, revealing Okhee, beaming as she carried a gaeda-ri soban (small wooden dining table) in both hands.
Behind her, a young girl, presumably a maid of the house, was muttering,
「 I-I can do it… 」
「 I said I’d do it! You go finish peeling those potatoes, Nari. 」
「 Yes, Madam. 」
The freckled girl named Nari hesitated for a moment before carefully closing the door behind her and disappearing.
Meanwhile, Okhee placed the soban in front of me and urged me to eat quickly.
Suppressing another wave of drowsiness, I sat cross-legged in front of the table.
How long had it been since I last sat on the floor to eat like this?
Looking at the food spread out before me, I found myself at a complete loss for words.
“……”
As I lifted my spoon halfway, only to stop and stare blankly, Okhee hesitated and cautiously asked,
「 Is the food too plain…? Ah, you don’t eat this kind of food in your homeland, do you? Oh dear, I should’ve made that soup or whatever it’s called instead… 」
Her once-cheerful voice noticeably drooped.
But I couldn’t reassure her.
「 Samgyetang… 」
There was bean sprout salad, seasoned spinach, napa cabbage kimchi, and a steaming bowl of white rice porridge.
Gripping the spoon and chopsticks in my hands—utensils I hadn’t held in so long—I bit down hard on my lower lip.
…Korean food.
When I first fell into this unfamiliar world, the thing that tormented me the most wasn’t the scorn of others, the cold, or the grueling labor.
It was the Western food that didn’t suit my taste.
I had often gone hungry because of it.
And when I desperately craved the spicy, salty flavors of Korean cuisine, I would bury myself under the covers and cry.
But as a scorned illegitimate child, getting my hands on Korean food in this faraway land of Dongguk was next to impossible.
At some point, my biggest wish became to eat Korean food again once I arrived in Dongguk.
And now, that very dreamlike meal was sitting right in front of me.
The chicken was plump and meaty, the freshly made porridge was still steaming, and the fragrant sesame oil in the seasoned vegetables tickled my nose.
It was a perfect meal that made my mouth water just from looking at it.
「 Oh dear, I guess the food isn’t to your liking… Don’t cry, my lady. I’ll go ask around and learn how to make soup properly— 」
「 No, I’ll eat it. 」
I hurriedly scooped up a large spoonful of rice porridge and stuffed it into my mouth.
It was scalding hot, but I didn’t care.
Swallowing the smooth porridge, I immediately reached for the samgyetang, tearing off a drumstick and biting into the plump, tender meat.
It had been simmered to perfection—so tender that it fell apart with just a light pull.
Before I could even finish chewing, I dipped another piece of chicken into salt and took a large bite.
「 Haa. 」
A wave of steam rushed from my mouth.
Seeing me go from silently crying to suddenly inhaling my food, Okhee’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of her head.
「 Eat the porridge slowly first! You’ll upset your stomach at this rate! 」
I ignored her warnings.
After skillfully deboning the chicken, I grabbed my chopsticks and shoved spinach and kimchi into my already full mouth.
Even though my cheeks were puffed up, practically overflowing with food, I kept stuffing more in, chewing as fast as I could.
It was so, so delicious.
I ignored the tears trickling into my mouth and kept eating until I had cleaned every last dish.
As if releasing a lifetime of pent-up hunger, I ate and ate and ate.
「 Oh my, I knew this would happen. 」
And, of course, Okhee’s worries that I would get an upset stomach became a reality.
After stuffing an absurd amount of food into an empty stomach that had gone unfed for days, it would’ve been strange if I hadn’t gotten sick.
Clutching my aching stomach, I suddenly heard a loud commotion outside.
