This princess cooked four dishes and a soup overnight (Part 3)

Ugh! Not a moment’s respite for me. It seemed my worst fears were always quick to materialize!

Maple looked at me, blocking the tent entrance with my arms spread wide, and couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly are you doing?”

I offered a weak smile. “Uh… I’m not hungry yet, so you’re not allowed to eat either.”

He placed his hands on his hips, an expression on his face that clearly conveyed, ‘I can’t believe I have to deal with this.’

“Then I’ll just eat an apple.”

No sooner had he spoken than I watched, horrified, as his hand reached for the fruit bowl! Oh no, this was bad!

That apple had likely passed through countless hands, only to end up in Maple’s tent. The waxy coating on its skin probably got its sheen from layer upon layer of poison!

“Don’t eat it—!” I instinctively cried out.

He had almost taken a casual bite, but my shout stopped him just as it reached his lips.

He looked perplexed. “What is it now?”

“Put that apple down, quickly!”

Maple’s face was a picture of bewilderment. “Why?”

“Because—” I stammered, “Because I don’t like apples! And I don’t want my other half eating them either!”

He retorted indignantly, “Hey! Aren’t you being a bit too overbearing? I don’t like green peppers, so does that mean you won’t eat them from now on either?”

“Oh? So you don’t like green peppers?” I said, a knowing look in my eyes. “I understand now~”

“What are you doing? Are you trying to force me to eat green peppers? I just saw a fried calamari stall that looked pretty good when I passed by, and I really want to try it.”

His face was alight with anticipation as he spoke the latter half of his sentence, completely exposing his foodie nature.

“Fried calamari? Are you a three-year-old? How can something coated entirely in flour possibly taste good?”

“Hmph, if you don’t like it, fine! We’re already incompatible, so I don’t expect our tastes to align anyway. The more you say that, the more I’m determined to try it!”

Why is he acting so tsundere?

Alas, I refused to yield an inch.

“Will you die if you miss one meal?”

‘Actually, what I really hoped was that he wouldn’t eat anything until the martial arts competition began tomorrow~’

“If you don’t move, do you believe I’ll starve myself to death right here in front of you?”

‘Starve himself to death? Hahahaha, how ridiculous! How was I supposed to imagine that scene? Despite his bluster, was he merely threatening me with “self-harm”? Only resorting to non-violent non-cooperation, he was clearly the submissive one in this dynamic.’

Let me show you how a dominant one responds!

I declared resolutely, “I won’t move! Unless you step over my dead body!”

See? Look at his helpless expression; I had clearly infuriated him into submission.

Maple stared at me with a resentful gaze, then bit his lip. “Do you believe I’d eat you if I got hungry enough?” he said.

……………………

My face, against my will, flushed crimson. I stammered, “W-what kind of thing are you saying in broad daylight?”

‘Maple’s combat prowess was so formidable; couldn’t he easily subdue me with just one hand? And then use the other to… well, “carve me up”?’

‘To think, even a Princess like me could feel so flustered…’

‘No, I absolutely couldn’t let him see my hesitation. As long as I maintained a façade of bravado, I could stand my ground, and he wouldn’t dare make a move!’

This was—a game of wits!

We stood facing each other in a standoff for a long time. Then, Maple’s body leaned slightly towards me—

“Wait!” ‘Hold on a minute!’ I thought, my mind racing.

I quickly raised my hand, intending to stop him!

At this point… I could only sheepishly utter those words!

“Actually… the reason I don’t want you to go out and eat is… hmph~ because this Princess wants to cook for you personally!”