When we reached the dining hall, I carried Toki over to the one step higher pedestal and sat cross-legged on top of the cotton cloths that were layered over it repeatedly.
I sat with Toki between my legs, his smooth black hair swayed as he looked up at me with red-rimmed black eyes as though he had something to say.
This appearance would be even more adorable if he smiled, a shy smile directed at me while embarra.s.sed. An abundant amount of delicious-looking food was brought out into view.
"Thank you for today"s food."
Laham offered a prayer before the meal and we would recite it afterwards. Laham and Yarra ate together. While Tsugura ate separately as a servant.
"""Thank you for today"s food."""
"Thank you for today"s food?"
My facial expression relaxed when I heard Toki"s sweet voice mix in with ours. A bucket was set near Toki and Tsugura stood aside.
"Toki, which one do you want to eat?"
"This?"
For some reason, it was responded with a question. It was a skewer of Wol cooked with Magira that was previously split in two, carrying it to Toki"s mouth he opened it in bewilderment.
The expression was like feeding an animal. He should be able to eat Wol with no problems. Magira is a sweet seasoning that children often prefer.
Toki"s white teeth and red tongue entered my sight, I recalled the desire to have it entwine with my tongue rather than the skewer. But, such sweet thinking was quickly blown away.
"N! Spicy! Hurts!"
Tsugura held out the bucket right away. It was in order for Toki to spit it out quickly, but for some reason his body was turned away from the direction of the person holding the bucket.
"Toki? Spit it out quickly! Go get water!"
Tsugura handed it over to Toki, like before he turned toward the direction where n.o.body was and rinsed his mouth. Why would you not quickly spit it out when your eyes are filled with tears.
"I"m, sorry. Dirty."
As Toki wiped his wet mouth with a cloth, he conveyed the reason for his teary eyes along with an apology.
"You don"t have to worry about that. n.o.body will scold you. Don"t hold back and get it out. What if something happened."
Toki is always worried for others, putting himself behind. Just like how he cares for others, I want him to worry about himself.
Well, it would be good if he were worried. His despondent expression is also very charming, it"s pitiful but I can"t help it.
"Toki, I"m sorry. I said a little too much. But I"m worried. Some ingredients in this world can even be poisonous to you. Everyone around understands. Therefore, I want you to act as soon as you feel something is wrong. n.o.body will blame you. Understand?"
Toki obediently nodded. I felt a little relieved that he agreed to it.
"Spicy, flavour."
He explained as he pointed to the remaining food from earlier. It was supposed to be sweet, but for Toki it felt extremely spicy.
"Is the sauce spicy?"
He nodded to affirm the question I asked.
"The spices, it was forgotten. Tsugura, here are the condiments. Toki, try and see which ones are okay."
Toki was already burdened from earlier, but rather than voicing even one complaint, he had on an apologetic expression.
I don"t understand why he feels so indebted, I want him to quickly realize that there"s no need for him to feel such a thing.
Shortly after the spice from earlier, Toki tries again. I wouldn"t mind how many times his hand extends for the bucket.
And then, the moment he licked the Kakara from the wooden spoon, Toki"s appearance changed. His skin turned black and he had a painful expression.
"Toki!! Ts! Laham, you have my permission! Toki!"
Breaking the tradition of staying seated when having a meal, Laham came close with approval.
"Your Highness! The detoxification magic! Hurry!"
This is poison? For this to be a truly powerful poison. I quickly recited the detoxification and grand recovery magic.
""Detoxify the Body" "Grand Healing""
The blackened skin returned to its original colour, his ragged breathing returned to normal. Truly, I could feel my insides freeze.
"Omit Kakara and other similar ones. Please wait for a while."
Laham sorted out the remaining spices. I supported Toki by leaning his exhausted body down in my arms.
"Toki, are you alright?"
"Alright."
Although he says he"s fine, it doesn"t seem that way at all. I want him to eat delicious things, but I don"t want to force him. But, I also can"t let him go hungry, I won"t.
"We"ll save the rest for later. You"re still pale. These spices have never been a problem before."
Tsugura quickly placed three on a different tray, then Laham checked it over.
"[Surl], [Nyar], and [Churil] there are three kinds. Toki-sama, please lend me your arm."
When Laham spoke, Toki questioningly glanced my way. He looked afraid. In order to relieve him as much as possible, I smiled and said.
"It will be fine."
Toki nodded and nervously extended his forearm. The slight tremble in his arm seemed to be from fear. From dying, of course. I was also terrified of losing Toki.
Laham coated Toki"s arm with the three spices, rinsed it with water and wiped it off with a cloth. There were no abnormalities with the washed skin, Laham nodded while inspecting. There were no problems after checking again just in case.
"Tsugura, bring me the baked and boiled ingredients from today without seasoning. And bring along the favoured condiments. Hurry."
"Yes."
When Tsugura bowed and withdrew, I dropped my gaze down to Toki.
"Toki, I can"t allow you to eat anything until its safety has been checked over."
There should never be a chance where Toki might die from food. But, one might not be satisfied with this sort of hospitality.
My beloved is from another world. One of life"s happiest moments is having a meal. As soon as I can, I promise to provide you delicious meals.
"It"s fine, thank you."
I drank in order to drown out the miserable feeling welling up from his words of grat.i.tude.