Chapter 18

There was a boy. He leaned back against the hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages after a horrific accident. After all, he had 364 stings, bites, and marks all over his body. But it wasn't something ridiculous like 364 love bites from women. No—these marks came from yellow jacket wasps.

That boy was me. What? I'm trying to elaborate my situation.

Back then, I had no choice. There's no nearby water like river. And Teresa was fell and freeze, so I covering her with my jacket as hundreds of wasps attacked me. Yeah, the hole wasn't a rabbit hole—it was a yellow jacket wasp underground nest. But still, it makes sense since the school is that big and maybe no one who find it before. I've a thought, should I filed a lawsuit?

 I was unlucky. I lost my consciousness for one day after the incident happen.

"Sniff! I-I'm s-so sorry! I'm sorry..." Teresa cried, her sobs filling the room.

Teresa had been crying for... I don't even know how long.

"There, there... you're not hurt, right?" I asked softly.

"Hick! No. I'm not, thanks to you," Teresa said, wiping her tears away.

Just then, the door to my hospital room slid open. In came Rita and Mashiro—

"H-Hold on, Mashi—" I screamed, freaking out as Mashiro ran toward my bed and jumped on me. She was smaller than me, but in that moment from my point of view, it felt like The Rock was leaping straight at me.

---

Recently, Rita always come to visit me. She seems to be regretting what she said to back than. But, I was never bothered by it. Teresa too. She's always come when visiting hour just like Rita. Also, this accident make them getting along together.

For the information, after Mashiro jump at me. She was banned from visiting me. That kid didn't hold back slightly after seeing me awake.

"You know, Rita, it might be better for you to stop making that face."

Rita visited me again at the hospital where I was being treated.

"But... I said those horrible things to you. I'm the worst," Rita muttered, her voice fading. Judging by the dark circles under her eyes, it was obvious she hadn't been sleeping well.

"Well, I really don't think much about what happened in the past. The important thing is, did you make up with the others too?"

She nodded weakly, "I did..."

"Good, then stop making that face. You know, it'll affect my recovery speed if someone as gloomy as you is nearby."

"Then, I'll just go home."

"No, no, no, just stay there."

Rita sat back down when I said that. Then, I suddenly hummed aloud.

"Feed me that grape over there."

"Okay, please wait."

"I changed my mind. Peel that apple for me."

"Okay, it'll take time, but I'll do it right away."

"No, the grape is fine."

"Um... right... here, open your mouth—aaa..."

What the heck? This prideful kid... who the hell is she? She didn't complain whatever I was playing with her or anything.

Knock. Knock.

"Excuse me, Masamune. I brought some fresh fruit..."

The voice belonged to Teresa. She stopped in the doorway when she saw Rita.

"Ahaha... I'll just drop off the fruit, then."

Suddenly, Rita stood up from the chair beside me and walked over to Teresa.

"Please help feed him the grapes so I can peel the apple."

"Grapes? Um, okay. Leave it to me," Teresa said with a confident look on her face.

I just lay down my back as I watch them seems really corporate in this matter. So, my unfortunate fate has become a peace treaty between these Princess. Call me a peace maker from now on.

"Oh, that's right, Masamune. My parents sent this letter for you. They say they're sorry and won't be able to visit you again. B-but... if you're okay with it, they'd like to invite you to Larsenburg when you recover someday."

Oh, right. This morning, I got a call from Teresa's father, thanking me for saving his daughter. He also wanted to make up for what I've done in the past and, in the future, invited me to his palace. Yeah, Teresa is a real princess in the modern age.

"I see. Well, I understand their situation. Don't worry about it."

"Really? Thank you..." she said, smiling warmly.

"Did you want the apple now?" Rita asked, making Teresa flinch in surprise.

"Sure," I replied, and she took a seat on my right, feeding me apple slices while Teresa, sitting on my left, fed me grapes. This situation... At first, I was joking about it, but Rita took it seriously and actually started feeding me the fruit.

Knock. Knock.

"I'll get the door. Please wait," Teresa said as she walked over. Hm, she's really handy. Besides, her personality suggests she'll become a decent person in the future.

"It's me, Teresa."

"Ah, Alec. You're just in time."

Oh, it's Alexandra.

"How are you feeling, Masamune? Feeling better?" she asked with a smile.

"Um. Yeah, thanks for... asking."

Yes. She's smiling at me. At first, she was really wary and vigilant around me. But after I saved Teresa from the Yellow Jacket Army, she started treating me differently. I'd say she's looking at me with... respect? Just look at how her eyes sparkle when she looks at me.

"Alec."

"Right, Your Highness..."

It's the first time she's behaved that way in front of Teresa. Hold on.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?"

It was so sudden. Alexandra just dropped her head to the floor in a perfect dogeza.

"Forgive me, Masamune, for my inappropriate behavior. I locked you inside the men's toilet and threatened you. But I realize now that you're a truly noble person. It should have been me who got stung, but you protected Teresa without hesitation. I regret it. You can rough me up if you want."

What was that last part about? I glanced at Teresa. Did this weeb teach her that?

"Uh... she confessed to me about what happened, so I'm furious. Hmph!" Teresa said, her face twisted in anger.

"First, stop with the dogeza thing," I said. That dogeza... Teresa must have told her to do that.

"What? You locked him in the men's toilet?" Rita asked, looking at Alexandra in disbelief. "For what reason?"

When she asked, Alexandra straightened up and nervously replied, "Uh... actually, I—I went inside the restroom when I knew he was there."

"I see..." Rita said, then stabbed a slice of apple with a fork rather aggressively. "So, you followed him into the boys' toilet?"

I sighed. "Hey, don't make a scene here. She already apologized."

"Ah? I guess you're right... I'm sorry."

What the heck is going on with Rita? She's now listening to whatever I say. Anyway, my days in the hospital continue with the girls feeding me like this. Is this okay? I mean, Rita and Teresa are technically princesses, and I'm making them do chores...

Clack.

"How is your condition bra— ow! What a sight to behold," I look at the person who came inside my room without knocking first, it was my grandpa, he came back with the milk and a smirk on his face, "You bastard. You let them feed you like a baby now?"