Chapter 7

After the man calmed down a bit, his throat itchy from the harsh coughing looked at him astonished.

"A girl?" he murmured when he saw long hair with unclear eyes.

Haru flushed with embarrassment at being referred to as a girl. He had been in this forest for 6 months now, his silver hair had grown long and silky. He didn't want to destroy it by cutting it with a knife.

Haru had, unfortunately, become dangerously skinny and his face had lost some of its baby fat. He looked more like a girl than a boy.

"I am not a girl. I am a boy!"

The man raised his elegant long eyebrow at him before bowing his head.

"My apologies, young master."

Haru blushed at being called Young Master.

"No! No! I am not any young master!" Haru refuted the young man.

"I see. Can I have some water to wash my face? I have some dust in my eyes preventing me to see clearly," the handsome man requested.

Haru nodded his head and brought another glass filled with water. He gently gave it to the man who shakily cleaned his face and eyes with his hands.

"Thank you," the man said when his vision cleared before turning his face to Haru.

His neutral face turned to shock and surprise at a dizzying speed before turning back to normal.

Haru was confused by the expressions of the man. Why would this man be so shocked to see him? He was a nobody. If he wasn't paying attention to the man so intently, he would entirely miss the expressions.

"Is something wrong?" Haru inquired as he inspected the man more closely.

"No. Are your parents home?" the man questioned looking around in the hut. There were no signs of a couple living here with a son.

"I live alone," Haru responded as he decided to make some food for the man. He had found some spices in the man's pocket. There were many small glass bottles with different spices. He wanted to use it the moment he found it but he couldn't bring himself to use it without the man's request.

"You live alone? Where is this place?" the man asked, his face was devoid of any expression but his voice contained some anger.

Haru hummed not noticing the anger in the man's voice and answered truthfully.

"In the middle of the forest in the empire of Aigle."

The man slowly started sitting up hearing the answer. Haru rushed forward to help the man sit up and pat his shoulder in comfort.

"You should lay down. It's not good for your injury," Haru said, filled with concern and worry.

The man gave him a small smile making him blush. This man was way too handsome!

"I have troubled such a young child. I can't continue to be a freeloader."

Haru immediately shook his head violently. "You haven't given me trouble at all!" Haru said trembling and looked at him with doe-eyes. "So please stay until you are well."

The man looked at him raising his eyebrow. "You want me to stay here so much?"

Haru nodded timidly. "Yes, please."

The handsome young man raised his hand and patted the boy's soft long hair. "May I ask why you want me to stay here?"

Haru's head involuntarily pressed against the man's pats. "You see, it's been a long time since I talked to anybody so I...just want to have a conversation with someone," Haru admitted and raised his head to find that the man was looking sharply at him. Was the man angry at him?

"I am sorry for being selfish!" Haru apologized at once. "I am sorry for bothering you and—"

"I am not angry," the man interrupted him gently, ruffling his silver hair and looking at him with soft and warm eyes.

Haru was stunned to have such warm eyes directed at him. How long has it's been since he was directed with such loving warm eyes? He can't recall. Maybe it was when he was a baby and hasn't destroyed his mother's happiness by using her money and just by existing.

Tears slowly started to drip from his eyes down his pale face. Two hands gently wiped away his tears.

"Why are you crying?" The silver-haired man asked gently, looking at him with visible concern.

"I am sorry. It's just, it's been such a long time so I got overwhelmed," Haru hiccuped, trying to stop crying. He was so embarrassed. It's not even an hour since the man woke up and here he is crying like a baby.

"I am sorry," the man said looking at him with saddened eyes.

"No! Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything. You should rest a bit more," Haru said hurriedly and walked to the pitch area. He wiped away his tears with a rag.

"Can I use the spices I found in your pocket?" Haru asked.

The man nodded his head slowly. "Are you going to cook?"

Haru nodded his head in confirmation. "Yeah. You have just woken up so some light food would be good."

"Do you need my help?" the man asked.

Haru shook his head. "No, I can do it myself. You should just concentrate on resting."

The man watched quietly as the boy slaughtered the fish with a tense face which turned to relief when it was done and cleaned the fish thoroughly. After that, he removed the bones and sliced the fish into small pieces.

He took a bowl and added the fish with salt, pepper, some duck eggs he had found, and flour.

He mixed it well and made small balls out of it. He put the pan on the low flame and added fish balls with water. He added fish bones and salt. He stirred the pan and let it wait for some time. After the fish soup was made, he put it carefully in 2 cups and put the spoon in each.

"Alright! I think it looks great," Haru said cheerfully and grinned widely.

The man looked carefully at the soup and nodded his head as well.

"Indeed," he responded.

Haru carefully handed him the bowl. "Eat slowly. It's hot."

The man nodded his head. "Thank you."

Haru carefully put the spoonful of soup in his mouth and almost cried in bliss.

"It's been such a long time since I have eaten any real food! It's all thanks to you that it was possible. Thank you for permitting me to use spices."

"From now on, you can ask for anything without hesitation, I will do my best to provide it for you."

Haru was shocked by the generosity. "You are generous," Haru commented, "but I can't take advantage of you just because I saved you."

The man was surprised at being denied. "You are not taking advantage of me. You are still a child and it's my duty as an adult to help you."

Harry was still unsure but he nodded his head when he saw how hopeful the man looked.

"Fine, I will ask you if I need anything."