A “Feeding” Play?

“Why?”

After a long silence, those were the first words the young lady managed to squeeze out.

“…?”

“Why did Big Brother call you Ailena? And why did you call him by his name?”

She looked up at me with puffed cheeks and a fierce glare, like an angry little pufferfish.

“Uh…”

Wait, is she really mad over something as small as how we addressed each other?

“I haven’t even called you by your name yet! And you’ve never called me by mine either!”

…Yep. She really is mad about it.

“That’s because Young Master Claude insisted—”

“Mmmph!!”

The moment I mentioned Claude’s name again, her cheeks puffed up even more. I was seriously worried they might burst.

“Alright, alright…”

I knelt down so that our eyes were at the same level.

“Lady Katarina, my dearest lady.”

As I spoke, I gently patted her puffy cheeks.

“You’re free to call me Ailena, however you like. After all, I’m your personal maid. You can call me whatever makes you happy.”

Her face instantly flushed bright red, and her eyes darted around in panic. A thin layer of mist seemed to cover her eyes as she tried hard to look away.

…Isn’t she tired of switching moods so fast?

But well, it seems she’s no longer angry—on both emotional and literal levels.

“Then… Ailena?”

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

So different from the volume she had when yelling at me earlier.

Still, even that whisper was unbearably cute.

“I’m here, Lady Katarina.”

“Ailena… Ailena…”

“I’m always here, Lady Katarina.”

No matter how many times she calls, I’ll answer.
That’s the job of a maid.

“Hehe~”

She smiled—the kind of warm, sunny smile you see after a long rain.

…Ugh, I wanna hug her and ruffle her hair until she melts!!

“You two are so close it’s making me jealous.”

A third voice suddenly interrupted our heartwarming moment.

…Right. There was a third person in the room.

Way to ruin the atmosphere, seriously. Can’t he read the room?

Still, it was probably thanks to that voice that my brain, which had overheated from the young lady’s cuteness, cooled down a little.

“Ahem… Since the food’s all served, I’ll be taking my leave. Please enjoy your meal at your leisure. Ring if you need anything.”

I bowed and was about to excuse myself—

“Wait.”

Claude’s voice stopped me.

“You must be hungry too, right? Why not stay and eat with us?”

He smiled as he spoke.

“…A servant shouldn’t eat alongside their masters. I’m sorry, but I must decline.”

…Not to mention, this meal was only prepared for two people. If I ate, they wouldn’t have enough.

“But you had a really intense training session today, didn’t you? Skipping meals is bad for your health.”

His words were directed at me, but his eyes weren’t.

“Training…?”

Hooked.

He got her attention.

“That’s right. She’s been working hard in the knight corps these past two days,” Claude said cheerfully, resting his chin on his hands.

“All so she can protect you better, dear sister.”

At that, Lady Katarina turned to look at me.

“Is that true, Ailena?”

I didn’t want her to find out… but now that it’s come up, I had no choice.

I gave a small nod.

“…Yes.”

No room to lie. And no reason to either.

“No wonder… you were all sweaty these past two days…”

I had nothing to say in response.

“…Idiot.”

“…What?”

Her voice was too soft for me to hear clearly.

“It’s nothing!”

Suddenly she raised her voice.

“Anyway! You’re my maid! You just need to stay by my side! No need to do any of that extra stuff!

And I don’t need your protection either!”

“Even a personal maid should know some basic self-defense.”

Claude had a point. And Katarina seemed to know it too—she lowered her head in thought.

After a moment, she crossed her arms and pouted.

“Fine… I’ll allow it. But! You’re not allowed to spend less time with me!”

“…Understood.”

Looks like my training schedule is about to get trimmed.

…Was that Claude’s plan all along?

He did promise not to interfere, but here he is using soft tactics to force it through anyway.

I really can’t read that guy…

“Now then… Ailena, come here.”

Still pondering Claude’s intentions, I was suddenly summoned by the young lady.

Pushing all other thoughts aside, I walked over.

“Bend down a little.”

“Yes, milady.”

“A little more. So we’re at the same height.”

“Alright.”

Since she was sitting, I bent my knees slightly to meet her eye level.

That’s when I saw her twirl some spaghetti around a fork and bring it toward me.

“Come on, Ailena. Open up. Ah~”

“…?”

Wait, is she… feeding me?

“You’ve worked so hard today! You need to replenish your energy! So come on, open wide! Ah~!”

That’s what she said…

But having a child feed me like this—like I’m the child—

Which adult could withstand such a shame attack?!

“Ailena!”

She was getting impatient. Her cheeks were puffed again.

Looks like I wasn’t getting out of this.

I gulped, shoved down my shame, tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, and leaned in toward the fork.

“Ah… mmf.”

AAAAHHHHH!!!

I actually ate it!!

I actually let a child feed me!!

What kind of shame play is this?!

It’s torture!!

My face was burning—I swear you could fry an egg on it.

In this dazed state, I couldn’t even taste the food. I just chewed and swallowed mechanically.

After gulping it down, I snuck a glance at Lady Katarina—

And saw her frozen in place, still holding the fork midair, mouth slightly agape.

Claude was also completely dumbfounded.

What… just happened?

I don’t know how long they stayed like that, but eventually they both snapped out of it.

Lady Katarina quickly twirled up more spaghetti and presented it again.

“Come on! Haaah… Ailena! Haaah… One more! Ah~!”

Was it just me, or did she seem even more enthusiastic this time?

No—more like… fervent?

But please, I beg you, spare me from this shame play!!

Knock knock.

Just as I was about to lose all hope, there was a knock at the door.

“Lady Katarina, it’s me—Butler Josson.”

Nice timing!!

Lady Katarina looked visibly displeased that her feeding session had been interrupted, but she still gave permission.

“Come in.”

With her approval, Josson entered—and dropped a bombshell.

“Forgive me for interrupting your meal, but Lady Katarina,

Tomorrow is your first meeting with your fiancé—His Highness, Prince Edwin Wilhelm.

Please make sure you are well prepared.”

“The Duke said that this time, there must be no incidents. Everything must go perfectly.”

…He was looking directly at me when he said that.

Talk about pressure.

I’ve only been a maid for two days, you know!?