Chapter 168

Chapter 168
Chapter 168: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

When I focus on one, I see ten.

Mounted upon the wall, a massive greatsword hung as if it were mere ornamentation, while a concealed dagger lay tucked just beneath the sofa.

Beyond those, even hidden armaments rested at levels completely imperceptible to ordinary onlookers.

At this stage, describing the space as an armory would hardly be an exaggeration.

“I certainly wouldn’t want Bean Sprout Soup to serve as my final meal.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Pay it no mind.”

Lion bypassed the Second Prince, who remained momentarily speechless, and crossed the threshold into the interior.

He understood well enough that the array of weapons was not meant as a direct threat against his person.

‘They serve as preparations for a potential ambush.’

That single realization alone offered a strange glimpse into Kyle’s daily reality, evoking an oddly surreal sensation.

He proved to be a harsh master who relentlessly drove his subordinate, yet encountering such defensive measures left one entirely at a loss for words.

‘Ah, the sigh escapes me!’

Lion drew in a quiet, heavy breath internally.

Fortunately, the Second Prince, whose expression remained hidden beneath his mask, proceeded to guide Lion toward the table.

“……”

Even amidst his uncertainty, offering a seat seemed the most sensible initial course of action.

‘Besides…….’

A quick glance was cast.

The Second Prince fixed his gaze on whatever item Lion happened to be carrying and inquired.

“What is that you have there?”

“It is simply provisions.”

“……”

That much was obvious. A set of tableware rested upon a tray, suggesting a rather substantial amount of food had been brought along.

‘Does he truly have no intention of addressing the curse today?’

Though he had previously mentioned that the exact timing for lifting the curse rested entirely in his own hands, his presence here today raised questions.

Especially accompanied by provisions packed in this manner.

‘He appeared quite eager to conclude the matter last night.’

That very impression was why he had generously provided the room number where he was lodging.

The Second Prince congratulated himself on possessing such keen intuition.

Yet his intuition appeared to have missed the mark today.

‘……Is this the reason he warned me against trying to second-guess his actions?’

His behavior defied all predictable patterns.

Even so, one specific detail remained indisputable.

That individual held a distinct curiosity regarding him.

Otherwise, approaching him in this fashion would make little sense.

‘……Or perhaps this is simply his nature?’

While uncommon, certain personalities derived satisfaction from steering others simply to fulfill a craving for control.

Had Lion overheard these silent musings, he would have reacted with utter shock and an adamant denial, yet the Second Prince merely nodded to himself.

‘If that is the case, I have no alternative but to participate in his game.’

Only a single strategy existed to appease individuals of that temperament.

To turn the tables and engage with them on their own terms.

Since the man showed no sign of possessing a truly malicious nature, adapting accordingly would pave the way toward achieving his ultimate objective.

It was a tactic that might seem somewhat lacking in imperial dignity, but for Kyle, such pride held no true significance.

His singular focus remained unwavering.

To validate his continued existence within the empire.

And to direct the edge of vengeance toward those who had sought his demise.

“Have you partaken of any meals yet?”

“Not as of yet.”

“That works out well. Let us eat first.”

“Understood.”

The Second Prince acquiesced without hesitation to the other’s suggestion.

Though the current dynamic left him dissatisfied, Kyle had endured circumstances far more grueling and hellish than this.

Truthfully, at this juncture……

‘It feels utterly baffling, yet it is far from unpleasant.’

Countless avenues lay open for deeper exploration, and above all else, the presence of that man by his side once again today had successfully eased his physical suffering.

It served as clear proof that his abilities were entirely dependable.

‘The food itself holds little appeal, but appropriate reactions remain necessary.’

Unaware of the Second Prince’s internal monologue, Lion immediately set about removing lids and arranging the dishes.

He positioned the steaming Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork directly in the center, flanked by bowls of Bean Sprout Soup and rice for each of them.

Finally, he laid out the wooden chopsticks and spoons he had readied beforehand……!

‘Ah, splendid. Truly splendid.’

The table was now fully laden with rice, soup, and appetizing accompaniments.

‘It would have been even more ideal had a wider variety of side dishes been available here…….’

Seasoned chili peppers tossed in doenjang, along with seasoned greens, alongside the sweet and fiery gochujang-glazed dried squid.

And then…….

The item every Korean naturally craves.

Napa Cabbage Kimchi!

While similar raw ingredients remained stocked away, the absence of proper seasoning presented a significant hurdle.

Doenjang, gochujang, and ganjang were nowhere to be found.

At the very least, salted carrots and chili powder were accessible, making this modest spread possible.

‘Upon my return, preparing those pastes will be my absolute priority.’

Lion took his seat while forming a resolute mental vow.

A brief pause interrupted him just as he prepared to offer instructions on how the meal should be consumed.

‘Wait, such an explanation might lead to misunderstandings.’

Even within Hotel Easter, renowned for its impenetrable security, the Second Prince kept armaments concealed at every turn.

That reality implied a history filled with numerous assassination attempts.

‘Were physical assassins the only threats deployed against him?’

Poisoning plots undoubtedly played a role as well.

Under such circumstances, wouldn’t demonstrating the safety of the food through action prove far more effective than verbal assurances?

Furthermore…….

‘The temptation is simply irresistible!’

Had he not sampled the dishes moments ago?

Both the Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork and the Bean Sprout Soup were unforgettable!

A familiar flavor profile carried an even greater allure.

Abandoning his intention to explain, Lion instead scooped a generous portion of rice into his mouth, grasped a handful of the Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork with his chopsticks, and ate with evident relish.

The savory, sweet grains of rice became enveloped by the spicy, savory meat, while the thinly sliced pork yielded tenderly to the bite.

And then…….

Crunch!

The thoroughly seasoned bean sprouts provided a delightful, crisp texture…….

Followed by a smooth swallow.

The entire mouthful vanished in an instant.

It disappeared before he could even register the exact moment of swallowing.

‘Incredible…….’

Even though he had prepared it himself, the dish exceeded expectations.

Or perhaps, because he crafted it personally, it matched his exact preferences.

Having completely forgotten his intention to instruct the Second Prince on dining etiquette, Lion surrendered entirely to the meal.

He tempered the lingering heat in his mouth with sips of the warm yet refreshing Bean Sprout Soup before returning eagerly to the rice.

“…Is it truly that palatable?”

“It is exceptionally delicious.”

Observing the scene, the Second Prince felt his initial resolve falter.

His intuition whispered that his earlier hypotheses were entirely mistaken.

The man seated across from him was simply… relishing a good meal.

In fact, he had picked up his spoon even before the Second Prince made a move.

‘If this display is merely meant to prove the absence of poison…….’

It looked far more like someone eating purely out of hunger.

Moreover, he utilized chopsticks with practiced ease rather than a fork.

Regardless, encountering such a dining style was a first for him.

It felt as though this priest hailed from an entirely foreign continent.

Witnessing such genuine enjoyment managed to rouse curiosity even within the Second Prince, whose appetite had long since vanished.

‘Can it truly be that remarkable?’

After a moment of hesitation, the Second Prince scooped a portion of the clear broth with his spoon.

The translucent liquid carried a distinct fragrance reminiscent of blended spices, yet…….

‘Even during my days of starvation, broth of such watery consistency never crossed my lips.’

Despite the various ingredients floating within, closer inspection revealed components resembling mere field greens.

Its transparent, slightly viscous appearance made it difficult to imagine any substantive flavor emerging from it.

Yet the man consumed it with such evident satisfaction…….

Swish.

Still harboring a degree of suspicion, the Second Prince cautiously raised the spoon to his lips, sipped the liquid, allowed the flavors to register, and swallowed.

Astonishment followed immediately.

The reaction stemmed from no poison-induced ailment.

Rather…….

“…This is remarkable.”

The flavor possessed a peculiar, captivating depth.

A pleasant saltiness mingled with a rich undertone and subtle hints of garlic and pepper.

Above all else, those unusual greens stood out.

“They are known as bean sprouts.”

Lion offered a smile, resolving the Second Prince’s unspoken query.

“Bean sprouts.”

This unfamiliar vegetable, unseen anywhere in these realms, formed the foundation of the broth.

The taste proved remarkably clean and revitalizing.

The chronic ache that usually accompanied his curse vanished entirely.

Furthermore, the contrasting textures of the bean cap and the tender stem offered a fascinating sensation, while the gentle, lingering kick of spice proved surprisingly addictive.

It constituted a genuinely intriguing culinary creation.

‘……Intriguing?’

The Second Prince experienced a flicker of surprise at his own internal reaction.

In truth, an inherent indifference toward food had never been his natural state.

If anything, the hardships of his early life had fostered a hearty appetite.

However, entering the royal court brought a complete cessation of such pleasures.

From the day he crossed the palace gates up until just a few days prior, threats of poisoning had been an unceasing reality.

While the assistance of certain factions had granted him a degree of toxin resistance before his arrival here, voluntarily consuming potential poisons offered no advantages.

Consequently, he restricted his intake strictly to minimal quantities deemed safe from contamination.

Stews and broths, in particular, presented the highest risk for tampering, leading him to avoid them altogether.

Yet here he was…….

“Do not focus solely on the broth; partake of the rice and meat as well.”

Lion used his chopsticks to gather a substantial portion of the Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork, placing it directly atop the Second Prince’s rice bowl.

“Ah, if contamination remains a concern, trading bowls can be arranged, though…….”

Lion paused, glancing down at his own rice bowl.

Well over half of its contents were already gone.

Even so, offering food from his own portion felt somewhat excessive.

Yet the Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork demanded to be paired with rice.

“There is no need for that.”

The Second Prince retrieved the red-glazed meat resting atop his rice and brought it to his mouth.

Unlike the mild comfort of the earlier soup, an immediate, potent wave of heat struck his palate.

Just as a hint of excessive spice crossed his mind, the accompanying white rice enveloped the sensation, bringing a smooth balance.

Instinctively, the Second Prince scooped a generous portion of Bean Sprout Soup to complement the rice subduing the fiery kick.

A few milky sprouts accompanied the liquid, creating the ideal combination.

‘The lingering warmth is still quite pronounced.’

He introduced more rice into his emptied mouth, and finding plain grains insufficient, paired them with the Spicy Stir-fried Bean Sprouts and Pork, managed with slightly clumsy chopstick work.

As dryness set in from the spice, he refreshed his palate with the soup.

……And before long, every bowl had been scraped clean.

“……”

Only after lifting the dish to finish the final drops of broth did the Second Prince become fully aware of his actions.

Up to that precise moment… no sense of shame arose.

Surrendering to the allure of exceptional food was only natural for any human being.

However.

“You possess a healthy appetite.”

Reading the unmistakable look of satisfaction on the other’s masked face—where facial expressions remained largely obscured—instantly triggered a wave of embarrassment.

It felt precisely like being praised by an adult for clearing one’s plate!

The Second Prince abruptly lowered his chopsticks and raised a hand to shield his face.

“Was the meal to your liking?”

“…Indeed.”

His concession was finally spoken.

The proper meal, enjoyed after an extensive hiatus, tasted utterly fantastic despite its unfamiliarity.

So much so that a fleeting thought crossed his mind: *Perhaps survival is worth holding onto after all.*

A brief span of quiet settled over the interior.

The atmosphere felt tranquil rather than strained.

He exhaled a steady breath, feeling the pleasant weight of a full stomach.

The man seated before him no longer felt burdensome or annoying.

While discussions regarding the curse and future schedules still awaited them, such matters no longer felt pressing.

It was precisely at that juncture that an unexpected shift occurred for Kyle, who was savoring his brief respite.

“In that case, I shall take my leave.”

“Pardon?”

The individual sitting across from him abruptly stood up and announced his departure.

Kyle’s momentary relaxation shattered instantly, replaced by a sharpened wariness driven by sudden suspicion.

Just leaving like this?

“For what reason?”

“Excuse me?”

“You have finished the meal.”

“That is correct.”

“We have yet to address the matter of the curse.”

“Um…….”

Lion offered a faint scratch to his cheek as his gaze met Kyle’s.

Truth be told, Lion shared the desire to tackle the curse discussion without delay.

That inclination, however, evaporated the moment he stepped foot inside this chamber.

Numerous concealed armaments stood ready for an ambush.

Though the shared meal had eased the tension somewhat, absolute trust from the Second Prince remained out of reach.

Perhaps the room number was provided simply because no alternative meeting method existed.

In fact, the building’s layout ensured that unauthorized entry was impossible unless the occupant personally divulged the designation, confirming that theory.

‘And moreover… human lives cannot be mended by a single meal alone.’

Through what degree of constant vigilance had he been forced to survive?

And how many individuals had previously approached him with ulterior motives?

While the entirety of his existence remained hidden, certain fragments were undeniably visible.

‘Even if gentle words are offered…….’

The Second Prince was not the sort to accept verbal assurances at face value.

Consequently, Lion elected to subtly alter the tone of his reasoning.

“It is simply because I sense that your trust has not yet been fully earned.”