The Doll and The Prince - v3 Chapter 68, v3 Chapter 69, v3 Chapter 70

Naruhito (70)
"Hiiro, goldfish."

The escort had arrived, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the goldfish. Ah, something string-like was coming out from the goldfish’s bottom.
Huh? What is that? Could it be... poop?
It floated, swaying, with it still hanging.
Why is it just hanging there?
Ha, hahaha.
I can’t stop laughing.
Shizuku tightened the arms holding me close. Ah, would it be heavy if I moved?
I turned to look at her.
She was smiling kindly, looking at me.

"Shizuku. Am I heavy?"
"Not at all. Little Naruhito, are you having fun?"

I looked at the goldfish again. It was still attached to its bottom.

"Hehe. You know, it’s hanging from its bottom. Hehehe."
"Oh my, really. It’s stuck there, isn’t it?"
"It’s opening its mouth. Is it going to eat more?"
"It’s always opening its mouth. It’ll keep eating as long as you feed it."
"That’s amazing."
"It’s not amazing at all. The goldfish can’t tell if it’s eaten too much, so its stomach can swell too much, and it might die."
"Really?"
"That’s why you can’t give them too much food."
"I see."
"Do you like it that much? Should we get some at home?"

At some point, Hiiro, who was right next to me, spoke.

"There’s no need to get them, since you can see them here."

Shizuku replied to Hiiro.

"You can always come here to see it, Little Naruhito."

I’d be happy to have one at home, but if I watched it all the time, I might not be able to get any work done. It might be better to come here and see it.
As I nodded, Shizuku hugged me tightly again.

"Mother, shouldn’t you return Naruhito soon?"
"If Little Naruhito still wants to look at the goldfish, there’s no rush. No need to worry. There’s juice and snacks, so it’s fine to leave him here."
"I’m done with all the work here, so I planned on heading home."
"Little Naruhito, would you like a snack? We have ice cream."
"Ice cream?"
"It’s cold and delicious. Do you want to try it?"

A cold treat! I’d like to try it.
But, is it okay?
While I was hesitating, the woman who had been in the room all this time went to the next room and brought back four glass dishes filled with something white. She lined them up on the low table and then quietly stepped back to the corner of the room.
Shizuku and I got down from the rocking chair and sat on the floor together.

"Hiiro, you too, and Dear, you as well, take a seat."

"Dear"? I looked and saw a man standing by the entrance of the room.

"I was debating whether to come in."

The man who entered after saying that looked just like Sekitora.

"Hello. I’m Akashi."
"I’m Naruhito. Hello."

I wonder if I should call Akashi "Dear"...

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Naruhito (71)
I wondered if it was okay to eat, and as I glanced at Hiiro, Shizuku scooped up some ice cream with a spoon and placed it in my mouth.
Cold!
As I shut my mouth, the sweetness melted gently.
It was cool, subtly sweet, and melted smoothly.
Yummy! So tasty! This is amazing!
The smoothness lingered in my mouth, and even as it warmed, it felt like a waste to swallow it.
I wanted to keep it in my mouth forever!

"Little Naruhito, is the ice cream good?"

When Shizuku asked, I nodded my head vigorously.
It’s delicious. It’s my number one right now.
I couldn’t open my mouth to say it, but it’s really good.

"I see, I’m glad."

With that, Shizuku placed the spoon in my hand.

"You have to eat it quickly, or it’ll melt away."

Noticing I hadn’t swallowed yet, Shizuku chuckled as she said that. Is it like ice? Does it melt?
That would be bad. Something this delicious disappearing would be a disaster.
I hurriedly swallowed. Ah, it’s so good.
I scooped some myself. She’s right. It’s starting to melt.
I took another bite. Ah, cold. Cold and yummy. This must be food of gods. Is it okay for me to be eating it?
Though I wanted to savor it slowly, I swallowed a little quicker this time, worried it might melt away.
Shizuku's room is amazing! The futon is the comfiest I’ve ever slept on, there’s a goldfish, and there’s ice cream.
While I was enjoying myself, Hiiro stood up with his ice cream and walked out through the door.

"Hiiro doesn’t usually eat sweets, so he’s giving it to Hitachimaru. You can only eat this ice cream here. It’s a secret recipe from the palace’s chefs, reserved for special guests."

Was it really okay for me to eat something so special? As I hesitated, Shizuku gently guided my hand, and that wonderful taste spread in my mouth again.

"Such a special treat, and we can have it whenever we want. Isn’t that nice? Little Naruhito, you’re part of the family now, so it’s okay for you to eat it."

Part of the family?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Akashi patted me on the head.

"If you liked it that much, Father will give you his share too. Come on, eat before it melts."

He handed me his half-melted dish of ice cream, with just half remaining.
As I stared in surprise, Hiiro returned, handing Akashi back his empty dish.

"Who’s whose Father'? And don’t forget, Naruhito’s stomach is sensitive. Don’t give him too much food, especially cold things."

I felt a little disappointed. As I ate the rest of my portion, I glanced at Hiiro. Don’t give too much food... am I the same as the goldfish...?

"Is it good?"

I nodded at Hiiro, who smiled gently at me.
Both Shizuku and Akashi were staring at Hiiro with surprised expressions.

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Hirosue (4)
Finally, Naruhito returned. I had been waiting for him, concerned about his absence during snack time. If he hadn’t eaten, he might have a reduced meal today, and if he had, I needed to check what he ate to make sure his stomach wouldn’t suffer. I also had to check if he’d be able to manage dinner.
Lord Murashige had gone to fetch some mixed juice, so he should have had that. I don’t trust the food from the palace kitchens.

"Welcome back, Naruboy."

I immediately caught him and dragged him into the kitchen. We still had time before dinner preparation, so I sat him down and gave him a glass of cold water. Naruhito, who had walked back, gulped it down.

"Wait, you’re alone? Where’s His Highness?"

It was strange for him to return alone, since he’d left with a group. When I asked, he started giggling.

"Oh, you know, Prince Akemi got mad because Father was resting too much. He came to fetch him and found us eating ice cream, and then got mad again."

Hehehe, he laughed. I didn’t quite understand what he was saying, but he seemed healthy and in a good mood.

"And then, he said, 'This is punishment!' and took Hiiro with him. So—"
"Wait a minute."
"N?"
"What did you eat?"
"Ice cream."
"Ice cream… you say?"
“Yeah. You know, it was so yummy and tasty, with such a sweet flavor.”

Wait, ice cream? Could it be that legendary dessert I once heard about at the Nijou residence? The one that only appears at the palace banquets?
I don’t know much about its recipe or even what it looks like, but they say it’s impossible to take it out of the castle and that those who have tasted it only describe it as delicious.

"W-what color was the ice cream?"

I asked, my voice trembling.

"It was white with just a hint of yellow."
"So you could eat it... was it soft? Like... like p-pudding?"
"It’s harder than pudding, but when you put it in your mouth, it melts. It’s really cold, but it melts away."
"M-melts? Even though it’s harder than pudding? How cold is it?"
"As cold as ice."
"…!!"

Ice cream must be an ice-cold dessert! That’s why it can’t be taken outside. If someone tried to sneak it out, it would melt! Incredible! So, it’s frozen and then melts in your mouth. I see!

"A-and the taste, was it sweet? Did you like it?"
"I loved it. It’s my favorite."

Naruhito said dreamily. If Naruhito liked it, it must not be overly sweet, maybe just the right amount. And since it’s cold, it probably doesn’t taste too rich.
Ah, I want to try making it.
As I imagined ice cream in my mind and pondered how to create it, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I was so deep in thought that I jumped.

"Mr. Hiro, if you don’t start making dinner soon, you won’t make it in time."

Murakano had brought me back from my ice cream dreams. Thank goodness.

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