0&1 Ch 2.4

I sat down in the chair I’d pulled out and stared at his bony arm. The people in this family seemed to be thin-boned. Edward looked like the  King, who was tall and thin.

The King must’ve been skinny when he was young. But Edward didn’t just look skinny. He looked sick.

The cookies from yesterday were brought out on a plate. The cookies with large chunks of chocolate weren’t as tasty as they were when they were freshly baked yesterday.

In this castle, you could eat everything fresh out of the oven. There were a lot of perks to being Joffrey, but having access to delicious food was one of the best. The Queen had even hired a pastry chef just for him.

“Eat as much as you want. It’s not much, but help yourself.” That was one line I’d always wanted to say. It really only shines when the table is overflowing with food.

Edward was a guest worth inviting. He looked around the table as if unsure where to start, then cautiously picked up a cookie and took a bite.

His expression melted away.

He started stuffing cookies into his mouth like someone was about to steal them.

“Wait. Are you going to eat all of that, Edward?”

He could definitely hear me, but his hand didn’t stop shoving cookies into his mouth. He glanced up at me mid-chew, as if afraid I’d snatch them away.

“No, They’ll be bringing sandwiches soon… I don’t think it’s good to fill up on cookies… Do you want to eat them all?”
Edward nodded.
“Should I bring more?”
He nodded even more eagerly.

I stepped into the hallway. Dot was just coming with a tray piled high with sandwiches and snacks.

“Do you have any more of those cookies you just brought out?”
“No, would you like some more?”

I sat down in the chair I’d pulled out and stared at his bony arm. The people in this family seemed to be thin-boned. Edward looked like the  King, who was tall and thin.

The King must’ve been skinny when he was young. But Edward didn’t just look skinny. He looked sick.

The cookies from yesterday were brought out on a plate. The cookies with large chunks of chocolate weren’t as tasty as they were when they were freshly baked yesterday.

In this castle, you could eat everything fresh out of the oven. There were a lot of perks to being Joffrey, but having access to delicious food was one of the best. The Queen had even hired a pastry chef just for him.

“Eat as much as you want. It’s not much, but help yourself.” That was one line I’d always wanted to say. It really only shines when the table is overflowing with food.

Edward was a guest worth inviting. He looked around the table as if unsure where to start, then cautiously picked up a cookie and took a bite.

His expression melted away.

He started stuffing cookies into his mouth like someone was about to steal them.

“Wait. Are you going to eat all of that, Edward?”

He could definitely hear me, but his hand didn’t stop shoving cookies into his mouth. He glanced up at me mid-chew, as if afraid I’d snatch them away.

“No, They’ll be bringing sandwiches soon… I don’t think it’s good to fill up on cookies… Do you want to eat them all?”

Edward nodded.
“Should I bring more?”
He nodded even more eagerly.

I stepped into the hallway. Dot was just coming with a tray piled high with sandwiches and snacks.

“Do you have any more of those cookies you just brought out?”
“No, would you like some more?”

You really shouldn’t. You need to eat a proper meal! That’s what Dot’s disapproving face said.

“Not me. Edward. Feed them him instead.”
“Oh, right. I’ll tell the kitchen.”
“Uh… but leave that tray with me.”
“Of course!”

Dot handed over the tray and ran off toward the kitchen without even watching his step. There wasn’t anything in his way, of course, but he still managed to trip spectacularly while running at full speed.

“… Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!”

Dot got up energetically. With his face bright red, he shouted, “Don’t worry!” and ran around the corner again. No, I’m not worried, so stop running around. It was clear that Dot was invincible in this game.

I put the tray on the table. Edward looked at the sandwich and couldn’t take his eyes off it. It was a gorgeous sandwich with layers of ham, cheese, fresh lettuce, and tomatoes.

It was the kind of sandwich that seemed too good to eat right away after finishing the cookies.

“Are you going to eat it?”

Edward stared longingly at the sandwich, then reluctantly looked away. “No.”

No, I didn’t mean don’t eat it…

“Do you want to eat it?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you finish it?”
“Yeah.”

I gave him mine too and watched him eat. His cheeks puffed out like a rodent’s.

Just looking at him made me feel full.

“Drink your juice, too.” I poured grape juice into a cup.

Edward stared at the juice as if it were an unknown creature and held the glass with both hands. He closed his eyes and gulped it down.

Gulp. His Adam’s apple moved. His eyes went wide. “It’s delicious!”

“It is?”
“Yeah. I’ve never had anything like this before.”

No way.

Edward drained the whole cup without pausing.

… Seriously? What have you been eating all your life?

“Try this too.”

I offered a piece of chocolate. Edward popped one in his mouth and blinked. Soon, a smile spread across his face.

I took a piece too. The taste of grape juice lingered on my tongue, and all I could taste was sweetness. As I rolled it around in my mouth, I could taste the chocolate.

Edward met my eyes and smiled brightly.

Well, brightly, for him. The smile only used about half his face, but it was the happiest expression I’d seen from him.

“You like it?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll pack you some to take. You can eat it later.”

Edward smiled again, but this time he looked uneasy. He glanced toward the door.

“No one’s coming today?”
“Why? No one ever comes at this time.”
“Really?”
“Why would I lie to you?”

Edward tilted his head. “I see. That’s a relief.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by relief, but I nodded like I understood. When I gave him a warm smile, Edward blinked. His golden eyelashes fluttered like feathers.

I signaled to Dot that chocolate was Edward’s favorite. He gave me an OK gesture and came back later with a nicely wrapped box.

I handed it to Edward.

The chocolate box, wrapped in wrapping paper and tied with a ribbon, looked like a Christmas present out of a cartoon. Any child would be delighted to receive it.

Edward didn’t look happy. He picked it up carefully, as if it were a bomb, and stared at it for a while.

Then he asked, “Are you that sorry?”

“Huh?”
“You don’t have to feel guilty. Just keep your promise. I don’t care what else you do.”

What was he talking about? Why should I be sorry?

My mind raced. Wait, I really should be sorry to Edward.

“What are you saying? Of course I should feel bad. That’s a bribe, so take it. If you’re still mad, you can hit me.”

Edward looked at me as if he couldn’t believe what I was saying. For someone who had been locked up for a month because of Joffrey, his reaction seemed weak.

“I mean, I haven’t exactly been social either. It’s not like I can avoid everyone, but I’ve only been in my room and the classroom this past month. Want me to do another month? Will that make you feel better? Or should I stop going to class altogether?”

Honestly, skipping lessons sounded kind of nice.

“Joffrey.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re weird.”

I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. No one had ever told me what the real eleven-year-old Joffrey was like.

All I know is the Joffrey in the game’s future. The second prince. Warm and easygoing, but plagued by inferiority.

Being kind is like that, right? Like Yoo Yeon-ho, giving gifts and taking care of others.

I think I’m acting like Joffrey should, but everyone says I’ve changed.

“Didn’t you hear? Rumor has it that Prince Joffrey became an idiot because of the aftereffects of a horseback riding accident. According to the rumor, I’m an idiot who can’t even write my own name.”
“Well… can you?”
“Is that a joke?”

Edward bristled. Finally acting his age.

“Let’s have lunch again.” I said it casually.
“… Okay.” Edward agreed.

Nice. This is going well.

“If there’s anything you want to eat, tell me in advance. I’ll pass it along to the chef.”
“Apple pie.”

I thought he’d say whatever’s fine, but his answer came fast.

“Apple pie? Got it.”
“The kind Mom bakes.”

The mood fell quiet.

“Ah… that might be tough.”
“I’m joking.” Edward smiled sweetly.

Don’t joke. That wasn’t a joke. I hated it when kids smiled like that.

There must be a way. Joffrey is rich. I could send a servant to contact Edward’s mother…

Then again, if it were that easy, Edward wouldn’t have to sneak out of the castle.

I walked Edward to the hallway and returned to my room. I needed to think this over.

That evening, the Queen came to see me. She held me in her arms and kissed my forehead.

“How was your day, my prince?”
“It was nice.”
“Did your studies go well?”
“Of course.”

The Queen stroked my hair and asked, “I heard you invited Edward to lunch.”

“Yes…”

I knew palace gossip was fast, but I didn’t expect that it was this fast. I blinked innocently.

“You seem to be getting close to Edward,” the Queen continues.
“No?” Not yet.

The Queen gazed at me quietly.

“Prince Joffrey, you know your mother loves you.”
“Yes, I do, Mother.”
“You know everything I do is for your sake, too?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Please keep your distance from Edward. It’s for your own safety. Can you promise me?”
“Why?”
“For your protection.”

Her eyes looked deep and sorrowful.

Joffrey was already as tall as the Queen, so he could look into her eyes at nearly the same level. What would the real Joffrey have said?

“Yes. I will.”
“I believe you, Prince Joffrey.”

The Queen received a kiss from me and left the bedroom.

But Your Majesty… if I don’t hang out with him, Joffrey’s going to be murdered!