The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet

Alaric stared at the dishes on the table, his voice tinged with disbelief, "We're having plain porridge for dinner?" Hertha paused mid-motion, pointing at the two dishes on the table with her chopsticks, "Isn't this enough for you?"

"One plate of herbal greens, and another of some nutrient-lacking vegetables. Is this what you serve to a sick person?" Alaric's appetite vanished at the sight.

Having not eaten for two days, he was famished, his stomach practically glued to his back.

But the sight of these dishes completely killed his hunger.

"You really do have the appetite of a prince, so hard to please! I cooked for you out of concern for your illness, and you dare to complain about my hard work!" Hertha was fuming.

She picked up a bite of the sautéed cress with pork and brought it close to Alaric's mouth, "Isn't this meat? How is it just 'greens'?" As the chopsticks neared, Alaric caught a whiff of the strong herbal scent, quickly leaning back and pinching his nose, "Get that away from me, it's making me nauseous."

Seeing him dodge like that, Hertha was truly puzzled. She withdrew the chopsticks and popped the sautéed cress with pork into her mouth, enjoying it thoroughly, "How can you not even taste such delicious food?"

Hertha loved the dish, considering it a delicacy.

There were no ingredients left at Alaric's place, so she had brought some from her own home. Her pantry wasn't well-stocked either, just some cress, a bit of lean meat, and greens.

She had brought everything over to cook for him, and he still wasn't grateful!

She really should have left him to his own devices!

But remembering how he had called out "Hertha" in his sleep, she softened, deciding not to hold it against him.

Alaric, watching Hertha enjoy what to him was an unappetizing dish, imagined the weird, bitter taste it would have and involuntarily frowned.

"Enjoying it?" Alaric raised an eyebrow at her.

Hertha nodded vigorously, "Of course, it's delicious. Want a taste?"

She picked up another bite and offered it to him.

Alaric hastily declined, "No, no, that's alright. You eat. I'll stick to my porridge."

Saying so, he bowed his head and started spooning the porridge into his mouth.

Starved for two days, having porridge was a blessing.

Seeing him finally eat something made Hertha feel a bit better, knowing he wouldn't starve to death even if he avoided the dishes.

So, she said nothing more.

Hertha stayed at Alaric's place for

the afternoon, skipping lunch herself, and ended up eating

dishes and the bowl of porridge.

After eating, she washed the dishes and left them in the sink, instructing Alaric, "You wash the dishes, I'm heading home."

Alaric panicked a little at the thought

of her leaving, "I, the prince who's

er touched dishwater, wash

never

dishes? Hertha, you can't leave a job half-done."

Hertha froze, then turned around glaring at him, fuming, "Can't you learn? You're not disabled; can't use your hands or what?"

"I could learn, but I'd need you to teach me," Alaric stood, walking towards her.

Hertha was livid, her anger reaching

its peak, "Stay right there! Staying to take care of you was the worst decision ever. I should've let you suffer, starve to death. Serves you right! Humph!"

With that, Hertha turned and stormed off, not looking back.

Alaric thought about following her, but the door slammed shut, nearly flattening his nose.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

He stopped, touching his nose regretfully, sighing. It seemed he had again botched his attempt to spend more time with Hertha.