Grumpy Naoki

"My Lord, I have prepared and served your food," Daisuke announced with a low bow immediately after stepping into the Rabo.

Hearing this, Naoki who was facing a block of shelves and staring at the latest set of potions before him, turned away.

Averting his gaze from the several porcelain bottles of different shapes and sizes, plus different intricate designs that were neatly arranged on the shelves, Daisuke brought his attention to his master.

Tilting his head to the side, Naoki raised a questioning brow as his thin lips parted slightly. "Who makes food at this time of the night?"

Not giving him a chance to respond, he took a step forward as his gaze narrowed to him and added, with a little threat lying underneath his tone, "Have you nothing better to do?"

From the words spoken, Daisuke noticed his gaze seemed to suggest his impatience towards the distraction caused.

Guessing his Master's slow-rising temper from his facial expression, Daisuke didn't dare to raise his head, instead, he dipped his head and lowered his waist more.

Choosing to ignore his question, he responded calmly, "My Lord, you are yet to fill your stomach with anything except for water since you opened your eyes. It is not good for your health if you starve for long."

Naoki's eyes squinted in the brightly lit room.

With the help of the lamps standing at different corners of the space, his facial expression could be seen clearly, even the small fluttering of his lower lashes could not be missed by normal human eyes if focused.

"Who taught you to concern yourself with my matters?" Naoki asked as he continued at a slow pace toward him.

"How many more times do I have to say, 'Daisuke, I am not interested in eating?' Perhaps, do you by any chance have problems with your ability to comprehend my words?"

It had been much to Daisuke's concern about his Master's inability to be interested in food.

So, he kept on disturbing him on a daily basis to eat after going to an extra length to cook something for him, but all was to no avail.

Naoki would always scold and send him away each time he came to make his usual announcement.

But it seemed as though he was fed up with it today as his hands were itching him so much to punish Daisuke.

Hearing his suggestive tone, Daisuke knew he was one step away from entering a trap and quickly apologized and at the same time not forgetting to add the benefits of having a meal on time.

Seeing how relentless his right-hand man was about him eating, a long sigh fell off Naoki's lips with his gaze resting on his head.

His hands unhurriedly crossed behind as his gaze turned thoughtful.

A moment later, he commanded calmly, "Raise your head."

Instantly, Daisuke straightened his back and raised his head.

Nevertheless, he didn't dare to meet his Master's gaze and could only stare at the space in front of his feet as if there was a small animal he was hunting.

He was afraid to catch something that would put fear in him from his Master's eyes, hence, he avoided staring at his face.

That singular act, however, ended up becoming a misleading gesture that would make people think his reverence was at another level.

"Since you want me to eat so badly, draw your sword," Naoki commanded as his eyeliners relaxed.

'What?' Immediately his words entered Daisuke's ears, his head shot up immediately, revealing the fright he had just felt.

"M-Master…" He called out, his lips almost quivering in the process.

At this point, Daisuke was afraid to draw his sword, not after his Master just gained more powerful abilities.

Although in the past he had never for once been halfway close to beating him in a duel, he was never afraid to engage in a fight with him.

He had always deemed himself worthy of having the privilege of dueling with a Master such as Naoki.

Also, he has always been keen to learn one or two things from those fights but this time around, things were different.

His Master was more powerful than before, coupled with the fact that he was unprepared plus the fact that he had annoyed him so much with the matter of food.

That singular fact was a probable indication that he may be planning on taking revenge on him in the process.

Naoki, his Master was not to be underestimated. He was one who bore grudges and was very petty.

Naoki who was standing five steps away from him, heard the clear sound of his heart pounding heavily in his chest as he listened to his thoughts.

Sensing and reading the strong fear emanating from Daisuke, he concluded that he had no motive or will to draw his sword.

"These days, your cowardice seems to be at another level. Get ready for a duel after I have met with the retainers tomorrow."

Spitting those words out, Naoki rolled his eyes at him before walking past him to leave his Rabo.

As soon as he turned his back, a deep sigh escaped Daisuke's lungs as a deep sense of relief washed over him.

Straightening his neck, he quickly turned to follow Naoki.

In this huge castle, it wasn't a surprise for there to be several sitting areas, but not all were frequented.

Given the number of rooms in this huge castle, it would still be a little difficult to tell where the food is served if not being told by the person that prepared the table.

But things were different with Naoki.

The man could perceive the aroma of the few dishes Daisuke had served in one of the rooms from where he was and just followed the traces in the air to that place without any help from the latter.

Regardless, all Daisuke did was follow behind him but not too closely until they got to one of the sitting rooms downstairs.

Standing at the door frame after moving the sliding door open, Naoki's gaze swept past the seven different ceramic wares covered with lids on the short-legged table as his brows knitted in irritation.

A negative word was already at the tip of his tongue, but he held it in at the last minute and walked in properly.

Settling on the small cushion in front of the table, he watched Daisuke come in and begin to take off the lids from the plates one after the other with gladness of heart.

'What's there to be happy about?' Naoki scoffed inwardly as he threw his gaze to the side with annoyance evident in his facial expression.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

To my Dearest Readers who have been hoping for more chapters, I apologize for the unstable updates.

This has been due to the fact that I have to wait for the chapters to be edited before posting.

Soon, I will be able to post regularly from the 1st of October, as I would be editing myself.

Thank you for your patience and support.