ㅤChapter 30
ㅤA reply came immediately from inside.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Who is it?”
ㅤ”It’s Ruby. May I come in?”
ㅤ
ㅤWhen she asked, there was a clattering sound like a chair falling over, and footsteps approached.
ㅤThe door opened and Theodore appeared with a puzzled look on his face. Seeing Ruby in a bathrobe with her body flushed, he stiffened.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……What are you doing here at this hour?”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore asked timidly, like a lumberjack who had encountered a grizzly bear. However, his gaze was directed away from her.
ㅤUnaware of his agitation and confusion, Ruby answered with a bright smile.
ㅤ
ㅤ”I had a good idea! Why don’t we provide food for the residents? Even with the usual ingredients, we can create new dishes by devising different cooking methods and seasonings. I thought they would be delighted!”
ㅤ
ㅤRealizing it was a work-related matter, Theodore breathed a sigh of relief. He let out a deep sigh and gently placed his own jacket over Ruby’s shoulders.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……? I just got out of the bath, so I’m not cold, though.”
ㅤ”I know. However, it’s troublesome for you to be walking around in that attire. There are male guards around your room, right?”
ㅤ”Ah! I’m sorry! I was so focused on getting your permission, I was still in this state……”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby pulled Theodore’s jacket tightly with both hands, hiding her exposed chest.
ㅤAs she blushed and looked down, a large hand gently touched her ear.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Your hair is still wet too. Honestly, you become oblivious to your surroundings when you’re engrossed in something.”
ㅤ”I’m so sorry. I’m truly embarrassed…… I’ll go back and get dressed.”
ㅤ”……It’s irritating to have you walk past the guards again. It’s fine. I’ll dry it for you.”
ㅤ”Your Majesty will?”
ㅤ
ㅤHe invited a bewildered Ruby into the room and had her sit in a chair.
ㅤTheodore returned from the bathroom with a magic-powered hot air blower and began to dry her hair.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Um, I can do it myself.”
ㅤ”It’s fine. You continue talking about the food distribution. That would be more efficient.”
ㅤ
ㅤTheodore’s voice was sullen. The thought of the guards having seen Ruby in that state was stuck in his mind and unpleasant.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Is that really the issue……?”
ㅤ
ㅤAlthough she raised a significant question, she sensed his undeniable pressure and returned to the topic.
ㅤ
ㅤ”I think we need to confirm the food supplies we can use, as well as the equipment and venue for the food distribution. I’ll be in charge of the cooking with Emma, so I was hoping we could ask volunteers to help with the serving.”
ㅤ”Understood. I’ll check with the Mayor-san tomorrow.”
ㅤ”Eh? Is that alright!?”
ㅤ”It’s something you thought of for the sake of the people. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.”
ㅤ
ㅤDelighted, Ruby turned around.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Whoa. It’s dangerous to move suddenly.”
ㅤ”Your Majesty! Thank you!”
ㅤ
ㅤA flushed smile, still carrying the afterglow of the bath. Theodore blushed, but covered it up with a cough.
ㅤ
ㅤ”It’s dry. Now, go back to your room and rest.”
ㅤ”Yes! I apologize for disturbing you so late at night.”
ㅤ
ㅤRuby left like a storm.
ㅤTheodore walked unsteadily to his desk and collapsed into his chair. He placed his arm on his forehead and looked up at the ceiling.
ㅤ
ㅤ”Oh, I was surprised. Does the Princess have no sense of danger? Coming to a man’s room dressed like that……”
ㅤ
ㅤTo think that the day would come when he would dry a woman’s hair with his own hands. If Arnold found out, he would be pointed at and teased for a whole month.
ㅤHe didn’t regret it, but he couldn’t hide his bewilderment at his uncharacteristic behavior.
ㅤWhen he recalled the sweet scent and lustrous texture of her hair, the back of his head and the pit of his stomach felt hot and restless.
ㅤ
ㅤ”……I’m completely awake now…….I guess I’ll work……”
ㅤ
ㅤWith that murmur, the night in Cyril quietly deepened.
ㅤ
ㅤ◇
ㅤ
ㅤThe next day. When Theodore and Ruby together proposed the food distribution to Mayor-san Molly, the Mayor-san jumped for joy and agreed. He was deeply moved that his town and its people were being cherished, and offered to let them use as many potatoes as they needed, as they could be harvested easily.
ㅤHe also offered to lend them cooking utensils and personnel, and guided them to the riverside park, suggesting it would be a good location.
ㅤ
ㅤ”This is a lovely place! The wind passes through here, and it feels so pleasant.”
ㅤ”I’m glad you like it. This is where the townspeople usually come to relax, so it should be easy for everyone to gather here.”
ㅤ
ㅤThe hem of Ruby’s dress danced like a large lily as she spun around on the lawn. Filled with excitement, she detoxified the miasma in the entire park.
ㅤFrom that day on, while Theodore was away on official business, Ruby and Emma worked with the Mayor-san and the others to make preparations.
ㅤThey confirmed recipes and prepared ingredients that could be preserved. It was the first time they had involved others in such a large undertaking, and they were nervous, but they enjoyed the preparations even more.
ㅤ
ㅤAnd two days before Ruby and the others were to leave Cyril.
ㅤA flag was raised in the riverside park that read 『Free Food Distribution Here. Everyone is welcome to eat their fill!』