Chapter 11.2

“No.”

He was crying. Why tell such an obvious lie? I watched helplessly as tears welled up in the prince’s eyes, seeming out of place. Had I said something deeply moving?

I have no idea. I simply spoke honestly about my feelings. Perhaps it could be considered a profound statement if I were to say so myself, but all I did was say that the prince was beautiful, handsome, and skilled at everything.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong. So please, stop crying, okay? Although crying does make you look charming.”

“Sob…”

Ah, he smiled. This time, he smiled gently. My heart felt like it would leap out as his lips curved gently upwards.

It felt as though I was witnessing his smile for the first time, and what made it even more enchanting was the lingering moisture in the corners of his eyes. I found myself gazing at the prince, momentarily lost in a daze, only snapping back to reality when his long, silky silver hair fell and obscured his face.

“Your Highness… You look so beautiful when you smile. Seriously, I’m so frustrated by my lack of expression.”

“…Stop it.”

I had read countless books describing moments like this in both my past life and this one, so why was I suddenly at a loss for words? What’s wrong with me?

I could spend the entire day simply gazing at the prince’s face, losing track of time. Perhaps it was because I couldn’t forget his appearance that he kept appearing in my dreams.

“Alright, I’ll stop. Instead, please keep smiling like that in the future.”

“Can’t you stop saying that too?”

“You have so many things you tell me to do… It must be difficult to have me around.”

“Oh, no. It’s not difficult for me.”

“How would you know that? You’ve never had a maid close to you.”

“….”

Unable to find a suitable response, he pouted like a child. Despite there not being a significant age difference between us, moments like this made me feel like I was taking care of a child.

I lightly tapped his deflated arm, searching for the right words.

“Shall we go to the dining hall? I said I would give you a gift.”

“Ah.”

Once again, the prince’s gaze fixed on my hand. He meticulously responded to each of my actions, even in his human form, resembling a puppy in his ways.

There would never be a dull moment with the prince. Looking at me with curious eyes, he reminded me of a puppy with its ears perked up.

I smiled softly and descended from the bed, heading towards the door. The prince followed me, a bit flustered, awkwardly nodding his head. As I passed the familiar dining table, he seemed uneasy, hesitating before awkwardly settling on the floor, as if the various chairs placed in front of the long table were foreign to him.

“….”

“Why?”

“It’s nothing.”

There seemed to be an abundance of things I needed to teach him in the future. I entered the kitchen, located within the dining hall, and grabbed two teapots. One I filled with milk, and the other with water. Then I rummaged through the pantry in search of chocolate. However, I constantly felt his gaze upon me, as if he were intently watching my every move.

When I turned around, the prince had stuck his head out, observing me. His gaze resembled that of a baby bird seeking its mother.

“Why? Are you curious about what I’m doing?”

“Is it not okay for me to be curious?”

“Of course, it’s okay. I’m making hot chocolate for you, Your Highness.”

“Hot chocolate…”

“Yes. It’s a bit unusual to have something sweet before breakfast… but it’s a gift. Still, you must have your breakfast.”

I spoke to the prince as I poured the chocolate into the mug with a golden rim. He stared at the unfamiliar drink, suddenly perking up.

“A… sweet scent.”

“It’s delicious. Please try it.”

He hesitantly approached, his steps cautious, into the unfamiliar kitchen. I observed his every move, my eyes fixed on him, while I poured the warm milk into the delicate porcelain mug and stirred it with a dainty teaspoon.

Raising him was akin to nurturing a child, although he wasn’t one. His actions mirrored those of a child, unsure and tentative.

“Here. It’s ready.”

After confirming that the chocolate was mixed with milk, I handed him the mug. The prince hesitantly took the cup.

“I-Is this a gift?”

“Yes. It is a special gift.”

“What does it taste like…?”

Ah, just try it. I chuckled at the prince’s apprehension as he stared at the hot chocolate with suspicion, unwilling to take an immediate sip. Upon hearing my laughter, he tightly shut his eyes, as if on the verge of tears. Then, with an expression akin to taking a medicinal draught, he bravely took a gulp of the hot chocolate.

“…It’s delicious.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He opened his mouth as if about to speak, but his words remained unspoken. An innocent smile graced his lips, oblivious to the traces of chocolate that adorned them.

“T-Thank you. To make something like this…and give it to me.”

In that moment, as his smile illuminated the room, I felt like a chef who had discovered the most precious recipe in the world. The prince, his face on the verge of tears, continued to drink the hot chocolate, savoring each sip as if it were a fleeting taste of pure joy.