Saying, “aah,” is so embarrassing!

A tingly sensation ran down my back, making me want to writhe. Being pressed up against a handsome man didn’t make me happy! Screaming inwardly, I plunged the spoon into the soup.

“T-then, please open your mouth.”

“Aah~” Alfred opened his mouth and replied sweetly. He was just like a child.

Leaving aside his high fever, could any woman treat such an adorable Alfred coldly?

The hand holding the spoon was trembling, but I carried on with all my might.

Somehow, I managed to bring it to Alfred’s mouth without spilling anything. His well-shaped lips came a little closer. Then, he sipped the soup without making a sound.

“It’s a little cold, but it tastes amazing.”

Alfred seemed satisfied. Based on his expression, it seemed that I did a great job.

“More.” He urged me, and I fed him two more spoonfuls of soup.

The fact that I was still sitting on Alfred’s lap was extremely embarrassing, though.

After the third mouthful, Alfred feel silent for a moment.

I looked at Alfred. What should I do next? What should I feed him?

Alfred’s smile stopped my gaze from wandering. It was a soft, slightly wry smile.

“Thank you, but that’s enough.”

Then, Alfred closed his eyes. His long eyelashes casted a shadow. The area under his eyelids looked darker than usual because of it.

“Juliane.”

Alfred suddenly cupped my cheeks.

“My head hurts, so please pet it.”

Surely this won’t alleviate the pain at all?

No, he must’ve been out of it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t say something like that to me, whom he disliked.

Deep down, Alfred must be looking for a kind fiancée whom he could depend on like this, and accidentally projected her onto me.

In that case, I’d have to play the role to the fullest. I’d have to become a pure, modest, kind young lady.

I had a vague inkling of how I was supposed to behave. In truth, I had always wanted to be that kind of girl. I didn’t need the “impressive presence” that people had been telling me about since I was a child.

“…Did you really have to work this hard?”

I reached out to touch Alfred’s head. Since it was a “dream,” I no longer maintained my formal tone.

Due to sweat, Alfred’s bangs were sticking to his forehead. I brushed them aside with my fingertips and caressed his hair.

“Yes. It was a result of what the Prime Minister calls ‘unforeseen circumstances.’”

Alfred opened his eyes slightly, a carefree smile spreading across his face.

His silver hair hadn’t been washed in a while, so it was less glossy than usual. I gently inserted my fingers into it. It was warm, soft, damp, and somewhat slippery. Not to mention sticky.

It wasn’t very pleasant, but I thought I’d try to get accustomed to it.

“Things kept popping up one after another. I’m used to it, but it’s rare for it to happen so often.”

I’d heard that the king usually caused those unforeseen circumstances.

Parents could be surprisingly unreliable sometimes. Even so, I still couldn’t believe that the king was one such parent.

“For the time being, why don’t you leave the work to the Prime Minister? You need to rest both your mind and body.”

I combed Alfred’s hair, then gently stroked his head. Alfred closed his eyes again. A lukewarm breath escaped from his half open mouth.

I could guess from the snippets of whispered words exchanged by those around them that Alfred and the Prime Minister were having a hard time.

“I really wish Father would abdicate as soon as possible…”

Both Alfred and the Prime Minister had been trying various methods and were persistently negotiating. However, the king was adamant that he wouldn’t abdicate “until all my daughters were married.” Alfred recounted all of this while shrugging his shoulders in exasperation.

His smile, mixed with a sense of helplessness and impatience, must’ve been due to his tiredness from going around in circles.

“Is that so…”

To soothe him, I caressed Alfred’s head.

The king loved to be praised and wanted to think that he was special, so he was often complacent.

Unexpectedly, all factions agreed that he was an incompetent hard worker.

I’d like to take away his authority, but considering the domestic politics, it’d be quite difficult.

Alfred’s broad back was curled up. The high fever might have made him seem a bit sloppy, but not unreliable.

“The king is putting himself out there, but he’s doing it the wrong way.” I said, knowing it was disrespectful.

A somewhat cynical smile appeared on Alfred’s face.

“I won’t end up like that. I truly believe that.”

Yes, yes, yes, I nodded repeatedly.

There was nothing better than spending every day happily and joyfully.

However, being devoted to pointless things and not knowing the repercussions wasn’t good for a leader.

My gratitude toward the Prime Minister, who had managed the King and raised Alfred well, grew exponentially.

“You’ll be fine, Alfred. You can do it. The Prime Minister guarantees it. Obviously, you can’t live in a world made up of only pretty words. Confidence and anxiety will always be at odds, but you can definitely do it.”

“What about you? Do you guarantee it?”

“What? O-of course. I can guarantee it, without being too presumptuous…”

“I see.” Alfred said, his voice sounding a bit muffled.

A gentle dampness and warmth spread across my stomach. It was because Alfred had pressed his face against mine.

“I want to marry already.”

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