The Reward for Saving The World is a Husband - Chapter 5
While Elias alone would be better than all the people here, he wasn’t a match for a dragon.
The fact that the poisonous frog-like creature was surprised he was unharmed suggests it knew this too.
Essentially, he had been thrown into a death trap.
He was the kind I detested most.
Those who trivialize the sacrifices of others, taking for granted the comfortable lives they lead as if it were their own doing.
Like those in the laboratory who laughed as young subjects suffered in hellish agony, pushing me into deadly predicaments.
Only after the frog-like creature and its leading group had left did the armed individuals standing behind hurriedly approach.
“Your Highness, are you injured?”
“There’s no need for concern. I didn’t even see a single dragon’s scale.”
“I’m truly sorry. We were helpless…”
“Enough with this useless chatter. Go and clear out a carriage. We’ve acquired an additional ‘piece of luggage.'”
‘Luggage’, surely he’s not talking about me?
I was about to tap the earring again but decided against it. Perhaps it wasn’t the translator malfunctioning; maybe this man’s way of speaking was just unpleasant.
* * *
Due to my physical state rather than sleepiness, I continued waking up and falling back asleep, until I found myself on a plush mattress.
“……”
I couldn’t remember the last time I lay in bed, staring at a decent ceiling without any tension.
Thinking about it, this seemed like the first time. Even though the laboratory building was relatively sturdy, I was always curled up inside a cage made from special materials.
“You’ve been sleeping for quite a while.”
Turning my head towards the sweet voice tickling my ears, I saw Elias standing by the door.
His attire was neat yet conveyed a sense of gravity, suiting him very well, but this time my attention was drawn not to his good looks, but elsewhere.
A savory smell wafted from what Elias was holding in his hand.
‘Is that… food?’
There was no other explanation for why my mouth would fill with saliva at the sight of something whose identity I didn’t even know.
As I stared intently at it, he pulled a chair up beside the bed where I lay and sat down.
“I’ve brought something to satisfy your hunger.”
“You’re going to share your food with me?”
I asked, wide-eyed, and his brow furrowed slightly before he helped me sit up.
“…Thank you.”
I asked cautiously as he began to stir the food slowly with a spoon, appearing ready to feed me.
“Do you have something to eat? If not, you can eat first and just leave me a little.”
Elias chuckled and gestured with his chin.
“Just open your mouth. I’ll feed you.”
I opened my mouth wide without protest. I couldn’t identify what the food was made of, but the smell alone was overly stimulating my appetite.
‘Let’s just eat.’
That was when I took a bite.
“What is… what is this?”
The flavors… the taste was incredible! It sent shivers through my body. Indeed, goosebumps arose on the skin exposed between the tightly wrapped bandages.
“Is this your first time having potage?”
“Potage? Is that what this is called?”
Unable to wait for Elias to feed me, I snatched the bowl from him and began to devour it greedily.
“Wait, it’s still hot—be careful…!”
I wasn’t sure if it was because it was too hot or too delicious, but tears welled up in my eyes. He stopped trying to dissuade me as I sobbed and ate.
He simply watched quietly until I had cleaned the bowl completely, then he spoke.
“Don’t lick the bowl. I’ll give you more.”
“More of this exists? That’s unbelievable…”
Naturally, I was in shock.
“If I die now, I will die without any regrets.”
It was a sincere sentiment. Just tasting such delicious food made me feel like my existence was worth something. It felt like all the pain and torment I had endured were being compensated.
It wasn’t just talk; Elias had someone bring three more servings of the potage.
I could have easily managed five bowls, but out of a sense of guilt for consuming so much, I pretended to be full after that.
“They didn’t feed you at all…”
His expression darkened gradually as he took out a handkerchief to wipe my mouth, murmuring softly.
Though I understood the misunderstanding in his words, I chose not to show any reaction and just licked the spoon clean before setting it down.
“I have a few questions. Even if it’s painful to recall, can you answer them honestly?”
I nodded eagerly.