With The Fifth Loop, The Third Prince Has Been Added To The Cast. - Chapter 3.2

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—just how much had Prince Camus overheard?

Even if things were different now, it was a fact that I had originally made the lunches for Lord Franz, and it was true that they were lunches that would otherwise be thrown away.

Even if he had said he wouldn’t call it disrespect, perhaps he had been offended.

“Um… Prince Camus, may I ask—how much of that did you hear…?”

Lost in thought, I hadn’t even noticed that we’d already arrived at the courtyard.

Sitting beside me, Prince Camus answered my timid question.

“Hmm? Oh, probably most of it, I think. But there’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Huh…?”

“You didn’t offend me at all. I’m just really happy you shared it with me.”

With that, Prince Camus encouraged me to hurry and start eating.

Flustered, I took the lunchbox out of my bag.

As I opened it, Prince Camus let out a voice of admiration.

“You really made all this yourself?”

“Yes.”

“All by yourself?”

“Yes.”

At first, I’d had help from the kitchen staff at home.

But now, I’d gotten used to it, and I could make most of it on my own.

Though, of course, they were all simple dishes made for packed lunches.

“It’s just easy-to-make lunch foods, nothing fancy… kind of embarrassing, really.”

“No way, it all looks delicious. Which one’s your favorite?”

“Hmm… let me think…”

It felt like he was asking me to recommend a book—but instead, it was about the lunch I’d made. And somehow, that made me nervous.

“I think I like this one the best…”

“Really? It does look good! I want to try it—so come on, you first!”

Oh, that’s right.

We had agreed that I’d try the food first, like a food taster, and only after confirming it was safe would he eat it.

Realizing that, I hurried to eat the item I’d recommended and swallowed it down quickly.

“All good? You’re okay?”

“Y-Yes, I’m fine.”

Maybe I rushed too much, or maybe it was the nerves, but I couldn’t taste much of anything. Still, there was no issue.

Once he saw I was fine, Prince Camus also took a bite.

“Wow, this is amazing! Just like when I had that cupcake—you’re really good at cooking, Sheryl. You’ll make a great wife someday!”

Sadly, I’m the kind of person who couldn’t even get my fiancé to notice me properly, let alone become a good wife.

But seeing how happily Prince Camus ate made me feel genuinely glad.

“Next, I want to try this one!”

“Ah, okay… mmf—”

Before I could eat it, he’d already popped it into my mouth.

“Is it good? Right? It’s tasty, isn’t it?”

Shouldn’t he wait to see if I’m okay first? I thought, but with my mouth full, I could only nod.

Seeing me nod, he happily took a bite as well.

I wanted to point out that poison testing only works after I’ve swallowed, but the way he smiled as he ate my food left me speechless.

“This one’s great too! Okay, next!”

“P-Prince Camus… I can do it myself—mmf!”

Again, he put the next item in my mouth before I could stop him.

This exchange continued for each and every dish.

Finally, once he’d eaten everything safely, I could start eating normally—and I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Ahh, that was delicious!”

The lunchbox was completely empty in no time.

Even though it was the same food I always made, sharing it with Prince Camus somehow made it taste better.

“Sorry, I think I ate too much. Didn’t you get enough, Sheryl?”

“No, not at all. I’m full. I expected you to eat more, and I’m happy you enjoyed it so much.”

True, he probably ate two-thirds of the lunch, but I didn’t feel lacking at all.

More than that, I was filled with happiness from seeing him eat so joyfully.

Franz-sama never showed such a happy face, even when he did eat with me.

I knew Prince Camus had only accepted my invitation to spare me embarrassment. He would’ve treated any noble lady with the same kindness.

Even so, I was happy in this moment—because this was the first time anyone had ever eaten my lunch like this.

And that alone made it enough.

“Oh, right—here, this!”

“As a thank-you for the delicious lunch, maybe this will be just right.”

What he handed me was a book.

Not a well-read recommendation like usual, but a brand new one, clearly never opened.

“This is…”

“I found it at the bookstore yesterday by chance. The author’s the same as one from the books you recommended before, so I thought you might like it.”

The beautiful cover illustration and the title alone were enough to pique my interest.

And knowing it was by an author I loved made my heart leap.

“Is this… a new release? They hadn’t published in so long…”

“It seems so. It looked like it just came out yesterday. I thought maybe you didn’t have it yet.”

I had no idea.

I’d assumed they’d stopped writing, so I hadn’t even bothered to check.

“B-But… haven’t you read it yet, Your Highness…?”

“Nope. I bought it just for you. If it turns out to be a good one, will you lend it to me afterward?”

“May I really… have this?”

“Of course. I bought it for you.”

“I’m so happy. Thank you.”

Of course, I was happy to receive a new novel from a favorite author.

But more than that, I was overjoyed knowing that Prince Camus had remembered me when he found the book and bought it thinking of me.

“I’ll treasure it.”

I hugged the book close, like it was something precious.