Chapter 33
“It must mean you were that tired from nursing me.”
He didn’t seem to mind.
Come to think of it, he had always been generous toward her.
Even though he said it was fine, the self-reproach and sense of shame within her didn’t fade.
Instead of sitting here, she should brew more medicine.
To help him recover completely, she would have to re-disinfect his wound and fulfill her duty as a healer to the very end.
Prina hurried to rise from the bed, but he caught her wrist.
“Where are you going?”
“Uh, just… I thought I should get up so you can rest comfortably…”
“No. You still have to fulfill your responsibility.”
“…Pardon?”
“You fell asleep while nursing me.”
It was true, but…
Still, sharing the same bed with him felt awkward and strange.
Even so, if she were to fulfill her role as a healer, she ought to fetch the medicine. Or… maybe not?
As she glanced back and forth between him and the door in indecision, he leaned in close, met her eyes, and spoke distinctly, as if engraving his words.
“Don’t go. Stay right here beside me and watch. See how I’m doing.”
“…Ah.”
Prina had no choice but to remain by the bed.
Like him, she sat back against the headboard, avoiding his gaze.
“Here.”
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
As the air between them briefly fell into silence, he suddenly held out a small box.
Blinking, Prina accepted it.
The box was damp, as though it had been out in the rain with him.
Naturally, because he had come in drenched from head to toe.
Carefully opening it, she found nine chocolates neatly arranged inside.
Unlike the wet box, the contents were relatively unharmed.
“I thought you’d like them.”
“……”
“We were supposed to have dinner together, but I was late. I thought you might be hungry.”
She wasn’t even sure if he’d had a meal himself. Yet even in this state, he had been more concerned about her skipping dinner.
‘Why… Why would he go so far for me?’
The thought of him braving that downpour to bring her a dessert made her chest feel strange.
A warmth swelled up inside her, and she could only part her lips without being able to form words.
“…Why are you so good to me?”
Pressing down the heaviness in her heart, Prina spoke at last after staring at the chocolates for a long while.
“What do you mean?”
“I just… feel like I’m always the one receiving from you.”
“And that’s not allowed?”
It wasn’t that it was forbidden… but the one-sidedness made her feel guilty.
It was the first kindness she had ever received in her life.
Could a person really be this sweet to another?
“…What could I do for you, Hunter?”
She spoke hesitantly.
“I want to show my thanks too…”
“Hmm.”
He fell silent for a moment, seeming lost in thought, before a faint smile touched his lips.
Like someone gazing at something precious…
No one had ever looked at her like that before.
The unfamiliar sensation left her flustered.
Her heart thumped wildly, and she fidgeted, unable to keep her hands still.
“Prina.”
He called her name softly.
Her pale-blue eyes widened slightly.
“Anything would be fine, you said. Is that really so?”
“…Yes.”
She had indeed said that when she pleaded to be allowed to stay here.
But he had never asked her for anything.
Nor had he driven her out of this safe mansion.
That was why she always felt a little guilty… and anxious that perhaps she was a completely useless person.
Even the one task she had been entrusted with—caring for others—she hadn’t been able to carry out properly tonight.
“Truly, anything?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…Then eat this.”
He picked up one of the chocolates and held it to her lips.
Without suspicion, Prina accepted the sweet gift he offered.
The firm, smooth piece began to melt the moment it touched her tongue.
First came a faint bitterness that roused her dulled senses.
Then, sinful sweetness filled her mouth, and as she bit down gently, the tart apple jam hidden within burst forth, making her mouth water.
As she savored the lingering, silky richness of the completely melted chocolate, his upper body leaned toward her, his face drawing closer and closer.
“And… Prina.”
Just before their lips could touch, he turned his head slightly and whispered in her ear.
“Kiss me.”
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