Volume 1 Chapter 38 The Healing Effect Of Octopus Full Course
I carried the octopus full course on a tray to Sir Rail's room.
Sir Roxas offered to carry it a few times, but I decided to politely decline because I thought he might trip in the hallway or accidentally drop the tray.
I can't trust him...! I'm sorry...!
When I entered Sir Rail's room, he was just like the last time I saw him, buried in cushions, sitting up and staring out the window.
"Brother, Lydia made us dinner. It's an octopus full course."
When Sir Roxas called out, Sir Rail turned his gaze toward us.
His eyes looked empty, as if he might float away to the white moon at any moment.
Sir Roxas brought over a small table that could fit by the bed.
I placed the tray with the full course on it, laid a white lunch mat as a tablecloth, and arranged the plates and cutlery on top.
"...octopus...?"
"It's octopus, Sir Rail, octopus. Just... about an hour ago, it was clinging to me and wouldn't let go. I made it so tender that you can eat it without chewing."
"The octopus that was clinging to Lydia..."
Sir Rail compared the various octopus dishes to my face, repeating "octopus, octopus..." as if it were a word he had never heard before.
"Um, I think it's delicious, so... I would be happy if you could at least take a bite."
"...Until now, I've been told to eat porridge and fruit many times, but... this is the first time for octopus."
"Uh, do you dislike octopus...?"
"I don't dislike it. ...Before this happened, I ate everything. I had no likes or dislikes..."
Sir Rail took a deep breath and sighed heavily.
The maid came in with a greeting, bringing a water pitcher and a glass. She poured lemon water into the glass and placed it on the table before bowing and stepping back.
"Brother. Just a little bit, please eat. Lydia worked hard to make this for you."
"...You're right. ...It would be rude not to try anything."
At Sir Roxas's words, Sir Rail nodded and tried to sit up from the bed where he was deeply lying down.
But he wobbled immediately, almost falling, and Sir Roxas hurriedly supported him.
"I'm sorry. ...I want to eat, but I have no strength left in my body or hands."
"Lydia. I'm supporting my brother. Can you help a little?"
"Y-yes..."
By the bedside, Sir Roxas sat down next to Sir Rail, holding him up.
He really wanted to let him lie down, but since Sir Rail was finally willing to eat, we couldn't miss this moment.
I went to Sir Rail's side and took a spoon in my hand.
Thinking his lips were dry, I scooped up a spoonful of octopus and egg soup and brought it to Sir Rail's mouth.
My heart raced.
"──Goddess Alexandria, please heal Sir Rail's illness... at least let him eat something."
Naturally, I found myself saying a prayer.
It is said that after fulfilling their divine duties, Goddess Alexandria and God Ancestor Theobart ascended to the White Moon.
So surely, they must be watching over Sir Rail and us from high above.
But I don't want them to take Sir Rail away from Sir Roxas now.
Because he has nothing and no one.
It might be foolish to think that I resemble Sir Roxas, who is trying to carve a path with his own strength, but...
I understand his feelings. He wants his only important family member, Sir Rail, to get better.
"...hm."
As the spoon touched his lips, Sir Rail slightly opened his mouth and took a sip of the soup.
It was just enough to moisten his lips and tongue, but if he could taste even a little, I would be happy.
"...delicious."
I felt like a bit of life returned to Sir Rail's eyes.
His dull golden eyes looked up at me.
"Lydia... delicious. When was the last time I thought something was delicious...?"
"Brother... it's been a few days since you ate something with flavor. ...I'm glad."
Sir Roxas said in a quiet tone, but his voice was slightly shaky with deep joy.
"Can you eat a little more? Are you feeling sick or is your stomach hurting?"
"I'm fine, brother... Lydia. Can you let me eat a little more?"
"Y-yes...!"
This time, I scooped up the soft octopus risotto with a spoon.
I put just a small bite into Sir Rail's open mouth.
Sir Rail took the risotto in, chewed it lightly a few times, and then swallowed.
"...It's soft and delicious. I can really taste the octopus. I wonder how long it's been since I saw the sea. It's so close, yet... it tastes like the sea. It has a salty flavor, and then it's sweet and gentle."
"I'm glad if it's delicious..."
He took 2 more bites.
I felt so happy that my mouth couldn't help but smile.
It was nice to see Sir Rail, who looked like he had made up his mind about everything, enjoying the food.
"It's strange... I find myself wanting to eat more."
"Please eat, brother. If you can, then as much as you want."
"There's plenty, Sir Rail. Just eat as much as you can."
As Sir Rail nodded, I brought the risotto to his mouth.
With each slow chew and swallow, his pale cheeks began to take on a rosy color, as if blood was returning to them.
By the time he finished all the risotto, Sir Rail's eyes had changed from a dull gold to a beautiful, bright gold, like the clear light of the moon.
His pupils, which seemed to be looking far away, were now looking up at me intently.
"...It feels like a miracle. ...The more I eat, the more strength comes back to my body. My head, which felt foggy, my vision, and my body that was weighed down by a tiredness that felt like someone else's... it all feels like it's returning to me."
"Brother...!"
"Sir Rail..."
I don't really understand about his illness, but anyway, I'm so happy that Sir Rail ate almost all of the octopus risotto that I made with Sir Roxas so much care.
Tears started to well up in the corners of my eyes.
They weren't tears of anger or sadness.
...Even when I'm happy, I feel like crying.
I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
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