The Hungry Tyrant's Bedroom - Chapter 28
Floria picked up the teacup the head lady-in-waiting had brought and looked at the red liquid.
It looked like juice made from delicious fruit.
It shouldn’t be anything strange…
Without hesitation, Floria gulped down the juice.
“Ugh······.”
But barely after two gulps, her face, which had brightened with curiosity just moments ago, twisted in a grimace.
The juice was incredibly sour.
“Sour······. Are you sure this is really safe for people to drink?”
Most of the staff in the castle treated Floria with courtesy.
However, because she still remembered how she had been body-searched by the maids on the first day, she couldn’t yet fully trust their kindness.
As expected, the head lady-in-waiting must not like me.
If not, she wouldn’t serve such a horribly flavored drink.
She couldn’t believe it was truly a gift from Aydan, either.
Could it be they’re trying to trick me?
With such thoughts swirling in her mind, Floria stared into the teacup.
At that moment, the corners of the head maid’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“There’s nothing strange in it. It’s medicine, so it tastes a bit strong.”
“······.”
Still silent, Floria swirled the teacup, peering at the contents.
Grace continued.
“These berries can only be obtained from the roughest part of the northern mountain range in Sieff.
His Grace went out at dawn and personally brought them back.
Solely for Your Grace.”
For no one else but Floria.
Strength entered the head maid’s voice.
“There’s no way I’d dare tamper with such a precious medicine.”
This morning, when she opened her eyes, Aydan had already vanished from the bedroom.
As always, she thought he had left early for some business, but she never imagined he had gone to fetch her medicine.
It wasn’t even a serious illness······
He didn’t need to go all the way to the treacherous northern mountains.
Slip—her honest thoughts spilled out.
“He’s a kind man.”
Unlike how he looks.
That, she kept to herself and swallowed back down.
At her words, Grace nodded with a smile still at her lips.
“Though his words and appearance may be rough, deep down he has a tender heart.
And it makes me happy that it’s none other than Your Grace who’s come to recognize that.”
Since he had gone to get it himself at dawn, no matter how sour it was, it would be rude to refuse.
In the end, Floria picked up the teacup, took a deep breath, and gulped it down before she could taste it.
“Ugh······.”
Even though she had braced herself, a groan still escaped her lips.
Seeing this, Grace, trying hard to stifle her laughter, pursed her lips and held out a candy.
“If you take this candy, you’ll feel much better.”
Floria accepted the yellow candy Grace offered with a silver tong and popped it into her mouth.
The sweet and fragrant flavor spread instantly, washing away the sourness from her tongue.
“It’s delicious.”
It was just a simple-looking, round yellow candy, yet it had a flavor she’d never experienced before.
“The pastries I had yesterday were really good too. But······ this candy is delicious as well.
Did you buy it from a shop in Sieff?”
“No, our head chef made it himself.
If it pleases you, we’ll make sure you can always have it available.”
“I like it. I hope I can have it again sometime.”
She hadn’t meant to express such appetite, but Floria found herself nodding unconsciously.
Seeing this, Grace smiled softly once again.
Worried that she might have made an unnecessary request, Floria asked:
“······It doesn’t take too much effort to make, does it?”
“The chef will be pleased.
He’ll be delighted to know Your Grace enjoyed his candy.”
“That’s a relief.
The food here is truly delicious. You have an excellent chef.”
“If you’re interested, I’ll let him know that you’d like to visit the kitchen anytime.”
“Would that be alright?”
A kitchen that produced such delicious pastries and candy—she was eager to see it.
In Altomole, she hadn’t been free to go wherever she wished.
“Of course, Your Grace is now the mistress of this duchy.
You may do anything you desire.”
Grace quietly folded her hands together and fell silent for a moment.
She looked at Floria for a long time before finally speaking with some difficulty.
“Your Grace.”
