Festival

"Geez, how can young master catch a fever like this?"

I pressed the towel with cold water and fold it nicely, placing it on Nokto's forehead.

I found him wrapped in blankets on his bed this morning. Despite the fact that it's a frequent thing, I was shocked by his painful expression.

When I touched his forehead with back of my hand, I was surprised that his forehead was very hot.

(Nokto...)

His cheeks were flaming red, and he was dripping with sweat. As I pressed my lips together, I took a dry towel and gently wiped away his sweats.

After seeing him like this, I was reminded that Nokto was constantly sick as a result of the maids poor treatment. They'd rather ignore him and keep their distance than taking care of him since he's a nuisance.

In the end, Nokto would just wait for his body to recover without treatment, despite the fact that this would weaken his body and make him sick frequently.

"I'm fine..."

His feeble, quiet voice sought to reassure me, and I gently smiled.

"Please, young master, don't lie about something so obvious. Because you have a fever, it's obvious that you're not feeling well."

A playful smile appeared on my lips, and a frown formed on his face.

"Ugh, that's not what I'm talking about..."

He averted his gaze away from me but I placed my hand on his eyes delicately.

"W-what are you doing...?!"

"It's best if you close your eyes, young master. I'm sure you're hurting from a headache right now."

"How did you figure that out?"

(Because I read it over and over how you felt the headache was killing you.)

When I took my hands away from his eyes, I noticed that they were already closed. Seeing how quickly he obeyed indicates that he is in excruciating discomfort.

"I will make porridge right away."

"It's alright..."

"Hm?"

"... sorry... for bothering you."

My eyes widened slightly when he apologized pathetically, as if he was implying that I was disturbed because he was sick.

(What the hell...)

In frustration, my hands trembled and I pressed my lips together. The reason why Nokto said that because he's not used of other person treating him like this when he was sick.

Because they were annoyed by it, that was their reasoning. Why would they care about an illegitimate, abandoned child? No one would care whether he lived or died.

Because of that kind of treatment, Nokto believed that everyone would be bothered by it.

Thinking about it further will only make me cry here and now, and I might be embarrassed because Nokto is present.

"Why would you think I'm bothered, young master?"

As I laid the dry towel on the table, I questioned softly.

"That's... um.."

(He can't even explain it. That's because he believed it was a normal thing, thus there were no logical reasons.)

"Young master, even though taking care of you is my job as your maid, however, I'm not bothered by it. Instead, I'm grateful to the young master for allowing me to look after you."

"Why?"

I chuckled at his question, which he asked in such a childlike manner. At the same time, I was saddened because he didn't know the answer to such simple question.

"That's because I care for young master."

As I answered his query, my lips curved into a genuine smile when I looked into his enlarging violet eyes.

"O-oh..."

I kept smiling and nodding at him. I need to let him know that something sincere can be derived from something so simple.

"However young master, allow me to be honest. I'm disappointed you interpreted my actions over me being bothered. However, I am genuinely concerned about the well-being of the young master. So please don't think about me being bothered about it...!"

He looked at me in bewilderment and weakly nodded his head to my words.

***

"Say ahh young master~"

"Geez, I can eat with my own hands!"

I giggled at his tsundere demeanor, which always made me squeal on the inside.

"Young master, you're still sick, and it upset me to see you struggle to eat with both hands~"

After blowing on the spoon, I brought it up to his lips to make sure it wasn't too hot for his tongue.

"It's only because I'm sick that I'm letting you feed me!"

Despite what he stated, he ate a lot of the porridge that I made. Even though getting the ingredients was difficult and the other maids tried to obstruct me, it was all worth it.

"... I'm sure it's difficult for you."

He murmured under his breath while he silently chewed his meal. His melancholy emotion was obvious in his eyes.

"Hm? What's difficult for me?"

I questioned him with curious gaze, tilting my head to the side. He averted his gaze away from me, a somber expression on his face.

"... It must be hard for you to get the ingredients. Are you... still harassed by the maids?"

He returned his attention to me with a sad expression on his face. He expressed his genuine concern for my well-being to the point where I felt accomplished of something indescribable.

I nodded my head with a sincere smile in response to his question.

"Then it's true you're still harassed...?!"

"But young master, I just wanted you to know that I don't mind at all. As long as you can stay healthy and eat good food, that kind of treatment is nothing at all."

I chuckled, looking at him reassuringly.

"It's them who's still childish."

(Though I'm also childish, since I've been dying to smack their faces and rip their heads apart for what they've done to me—)

(—but I will get myself, and Nokto in trouble. After all, holding back like this is one of my specialties.)

***

In the original novel, there was a small festival held in one of the towns.

It was there when one of the main characters mentioned that he attended the event.

Isaac von Sol, the Crown Prince of this Sol Empire and Nokto's soon-to-be best friend.

Isaac disguised himself in order to track down a nobleman who was operating an illegal casino near that town that caused a significant loss and disadvantage to the townspeople.

Isaac, on the other hand, simply mentioned that he went to the festival. Since this scene never occurred, I'm not sure when he will appear, given that the festival will last for a week.

Isaac just told Nokto about his experience about  because Nokto was curious.

(I can't believe one of Isaac's stories about his mission experience will benefit me in this way.)

As I began to prepare for the festival, which would begin today, I narrowed my eyes.

(The only way I can talk to the Emperor is to meet Isaac, the crown prince first. I'm sure it'll be difficult to persuade Isaac, who has a personality that suspects everyone.)

(However, considering Isaac is a huge softie on the inside, it'll all work out in the end, and I can take advantage of that.)

(It's a good thing Isaac told Nokto who owned the casino. If he hadn't, things wouldn't have gone as planned.)

I walked out of my room after packing everything I needed, but Alma and her followers were waiting for me in front of my door.

(Really? Now of all days?!)

(I had no idea when Isaac was going to be at the festival! It could be at this moment!)

Veins appeared on my forehead. All this time, all I did was obeying them and let them harassed me until they're satisfied.

Today, though, will be a little more challenging because I have to match my timing with the crown prince.

He could show up right now, tomorrow, or even the next day.

(Since this is for Nokto's happiness...)

"Alma, stop being childish. I have to go."

My face was void of any emotions, and my voice was low and threatening. They were completely taken aback by my response to their presence.

Alma, on the other hand, is different. Even though she appears reluctant, she continues to open her mouth.

"You're going to the festival, right?"

(How did she figure that out? Well, it's also a well-known festival, she'll probably be going as well.)

"Listen, do me a favour. Finish all of my work for today, since I'll be going to the festival."

She placed her hand on her chest and tilted her head down, her nasty glare directed at me.

I clenched my hands to fists seeing as I worked hard yesterday so I could take a day off today to go to the festival.

(This bitch is really irritating-)

"Why should I do that?"

My eyes sharpened as I glared at her, barely holding back my anger.

"What?"

She looked at me, quite taken aback. She must think I'm an idiot because I've been quiet all this time.

"I ask, why should I do that?"