The Doll and The Prince - v3 Chapter 59, v3 Chapter 60, v3 Chapter 61

Hiiro (53)
I look down at the pale Naruhito cradled in my arms. It's not good that his mouth is injured. He won’t eat at all.

Even when I try to coax him, telling him he can work if he eats, or threaten him with the IV he dislikes, he stops after just two bites, placing the spoon down. Maybe he dislikes the bland food meant to avoid aggravating his wounds, or perhaps it hurts just to move his mouth.

I sigh, gently patting his back.
A faint sound escapes his lips, "Mmm..."
Worried I may have woken him, I peer down, but his peaceful breathing reassures me that he’s still asleep.

What a troublesome situation.

After responding to a knock, Hirosue, who had come to clear the lunch dishes, squats down when he sees how much food Naruhito left uneaten.

"He’s not eating..."

Hirosue murmured with a troubled look, gently stroking Naruhito’s cheek.

"Shall we try piling up some dango?"

He’s talking to himself while eyeing Naruhito’s mouth.

"Dango?"
"Yeah. It should be easier to eat. Let’s pile them high on a plate, maybe it’ll spark his appetite."
"Okay. Sorry for leaving it to you."
"Not at all, it’s my own lack of skill."

With a broad smile, he reassured me, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly in response.

Since Sai had gone to his room for a nap, I carried Naruhito to the bed and laid him down. Once I confirmed he was sleeping peacefully, I too drifted off beside him.

"Wow!"

The excited voice startled me awake in an instant.

"What’s the matter?"
"The dango! The dango is...!"

It seemed he was too excited to finish his sentence. Curious about what could cause such a reaction, I followed his gaze and saw a sight that could indeed stir excitement.

On the table, there was a plate piled high with small dango. Since they were small, stacking them neatly must have been a challenge. Beside it were small bowls of mitarashi dango, kinako dango, oshiruko, and fruit shiratama. The fruit looked like finely chopped canned mandarins.

"H-Hiiro... This is amazing. Incredible!"

Naruhito stumbled out of bed, drawn toward the mountain of dango. Hirosue stood by the table, smiling smugly, while Murakano, who had clearly been recruited to help, watched with narrowed, pleased eyes.

As Naruhito stood by the table, full of excitement, he suddenly turned to me with a look of realization.

"Is it my birthday?!"

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Hiiro (54)
Birthday!"
I had completely forgotten. After deciding on Naruhito’s age, so many things had happened that his actual birthday hadn’t been set, and a lot of time had passed.

"Ah, um... birthday?"
"You said we’d have a dango party for my birthday."

One eye, half-open, sparkled with excitement. Well, considering we had no clue about when his actual birthday might be, it could be any day.
I sighed deeply and sat down, rushing to his side as he swayed from the excitement.
Calm down.

"That's right, we did say we'd pick a day for your birthday. Today could work."

I showed him the nearest calendar.

"If you have a favorite number, we can choose that day. We can always make dango again."

I lifted him onto my lap and patted his thin chest to help him settle down. He stared at the calendar curiously, as if it were something unfamiliar. After a moment, he pointed to the number 13.
Ah.
Of course.
That’s yet another sign of who you are.

"Alright. Your birthday will be March 13th. Still a bit of a ways off. But today’s dango, consider it a reward for working so hard."
"I... I...,"
"Yes?"
"I’m happy."
"Good."

Hirosue handed over a mixed juice with a gentle smile.
Naruhito hurriedly grabbed the straw and began drinking it.
Be careful not to drink too much, or there won't be room for the dango.

"Tasty."

His face lit up in a wide smile, and it seemed he had finally calmed down.
With a serious expression, he stared at the pile of dango on the table and gingerly picked up one.

"Can I eat it?"
"Of course. You can eat them all if you want.”

Hirosue said.
Naruhito put the dango in his mouth, but winced slightly as it seemed to hurt his injury. Still, he chewed diligently. Hirosue watched anxiously as Naruhito took his time. Finally, after a long while, he finished the first one.

"You did it."
"Looks like it'll take until sunset.”

Hirosue and I muttered, prompting Murakano to laugh softly.

"Hiiro, do you want one?"
"Sure."

I took one from the pile and swallowed it quickly. Since they were small and soft, it didn’t take long.

"Aren’t you going to eat any of these?"

Though Naruhito seemed interested in the different flavors in the small bowls, he wasn’t reaching for them. I wasn't much of a fan of sweets myself, but should I try one to encourage him?

"I’ll ask Rikimaru to join."
"Huh?"

My voice dropped lower without thinking.

"There’s a lot, so we should eat together."

He didn’t seem to remember yesterday’s incident with Rikimaru. With his innocent remark, I couldn’t help but wonder what to do.

"Why don’t we call everyone who’s free?"

Murakano suggested gently.
It seemed odd to call only Rikimaru, but I could agree to that compromise.
Reluctantly, I nodded. Hirosue and Murakano exchanged a glance, smiling at each other as they left to gather the others.

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Naruhito (66)
While I was finishing another dango, Hirosue and Murakano returned, bringing a wagon loaded with large dango and bowls filled with various sauces. Following behind them were Otoha, Yoshino, and Gramps. There were also four or five servants I recognized but hadn’t yet learned the names of, as well as Ikumatsu and Mutsumine. Grandpa and Muramasa had somehow slipped into the room without me noticing. Another mountain of dango had formed on the table.

"Naru, this is amazing.”

Otoha said with a joyful smile. Since I had a mouthful of dango, I could only nod in agreement.

"Which one do you like, Naru?"

Otoha asked, glancing between the small bowls. I wasn’t sure, so I tilted my head in confusion.

"I like mitarashi dango the most.”

She said, pointing to the one with the brown sauce. So that’s what mitarashi dango looks like. Hmm.
I stood up from Hiiro's lap and walked over to Gramps, who was about to eat a dango covered in yellow powder.

"I like kinako dango. It's not too sweet, which I prefer. Murashige-dono, you have quite the sweet tooth, I see."
"Indeed. I do enjoy sweets.”
"The richness of this oshiruko makes me feel truly satisfied."

Grandpa replied, while Yoshino, standing nearby, ate a dango in a dark broth. Oshiruko, huh. Is it good? It looks good.

Just then, Rikimaru entered the room, being pulled in by Hitachimaru. As I started to head toward them, Hiiro, who was suddenly by my side, gently held me back.
Both Rikimaru and Hitachimaru approached us, kneeling in front of Hiiro. They both had large white bandages on their cheeks. Were they injured?

They knelt down in front of Hiiro, placing their right hands on top of their left fists, and bowed their heads.

"Rikimaru of the Senmonin family humbly reports. I sincerely apologize for last night’s incident. We are prepared to accept any punishment you deem fit."

Huh? What happened? What did they do? Last night? I don’t remember anything from last night.
Neither Hiiro nor Hitachimaru spoke, and the room remained silent as everyone watched.

"Hiiro? I want to eat dango with Rikimaru.”

I whispered, growing impatient from waiting for Rikimaru. Even though I whispered, the quietness of the room made my voice carry.
Rikimaru raised his head in surprise and stared at me, his expression puzzled.

"There are so many flavors, I can’t tell which one I like the most.”

I whispered again.

"Rikimaru, which one’s your favorite?"

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