I will sin

Hugo and I watched the bustling street of the little town of Clayburn of Althea, an eastern region of the small kingdom. It surprised me how this place looked so lovely when a neighboring kingdom just fell into ruins. Well, it would fall into ruin if the royal family were all dead, right?

After watching everyone prepare for the town's annual festival, food arrived. I turned around to see a huge man, lowering his head to enter the door that was too small for him. He was carrying a tray and the food's aroma immediately wafted through my nostrils.

My stomach let out another growl, making me flustered as I gaze down.

"Oh, Tito. Just put that one there."

I gazed up at Hugo and saw him scratch the back of his head. He was motioning to the robust guy to put the tray on the bedside table. I instinctively looked at Tito and could not help but notice how his shirt was trying to hold on without ripping.

Tito didn't speak and only nodded. I flinched when he glanced at him, but he proceeded to place the food down where he was told. Hugo thanked him, and to my surprise, Tito blushed before he rushed outside in a hurry. The floor I was standing on slightly tremor with his gigantic steps.

'What was that...?' I wondered, staring at the door blankly. 'Did he really blush just now?'

I blinked a couple of times before shaking my head. I must've seen it wrong. I even denied how Tito sprinted away as if suppressing his desire to squeal.

"Hay... that guy. He should be careful. Else this place will turn into rubbles," Hugo murmured before he turned to me. "What? You should eat now. Your stomach had already proved how famished you are."

"Ah, yes. Thank you." I nodded and marched towards the bed.

There wasn't any other table inside, aside from the bedside table. So, I automatically sat down on the edge of the mattress and dragged the tray to my side. I licked my lips, watching my manners so as not to embarrass myself even further.

Just as I picked up the cutlery, I lifted my head while Hugo dragged the chair close to me. He sat down with the back of the chair on the front, resting his arms on the backrest and his chin on his arms.

"Won't you eat...?" I asked while he just stared at me, blinking ever so slowly.

"I already had a bite earlier. Don't mind me."

I looked at him momentarily and nodded. I don't think he was the person who would refuse to eat if he was famished. So, despite the awkwardness of having Hugo watch me eat, I ignored it.

My mouth watered as I scooped the soup. The steam that was ascending from it wafted my nose, teasing my stomach even more. I didn't hesitate to have a bite, and I nearly moan at my first meal after that nightmare. Another followed that one bite and many more, breaking the bread and eating it along.

I closed my eyes as I chewed, feeling the beast in my stomach gradually calm down. I had always taken food for granted — even refused to have meals during my tantrums. The food I was eating right now wasn't as lavish as it was back home, but I would never forget this meal and how precious it was.

"Is it good?" I popped my eyes open when Hugo's voice caressed my ears. I looked at him and nodded, still chewing the food in my mouth.

"Mhmm," he crooned, narrowing his eyes while staring at me.

My chewing grew slower. When I swallowed it down, I asked. "Is there something on my face?"

"Nothing."

"Really?" I touched my face to check if I enjoyed eating too much that it smeared on my cheek. There was none, so I looked back at him once again.

"Then why are you looking at me suspiciously?"

Hugo didn't answer immediately as the space between his brows creased. "I was reminding myself..." I waited for his next words, but nothing came.

"Reminding yourself about...?" I repeated, urging him to continue and not leave me hanging.

"About... you." My brows rose while his brows relaxed, letting out a deep sigh. "I need to remind myself why I shouldn't flirt with you."

"Pardon?"

"Should I flirt with you?" this time, he raised his head and inquired. His firm tone told me that if I said yes, he would surely do that.

I tried to grasp what he said just now and chuckled awkwardly. "Are you hungry? You should eat."

"Bambi, I like you... really." Hugo looked at me straight in the eye with his brows furrowing and eyes narrowing. He couldn't seriously mean it that way, right? I studied his expression that was literally saying, 'I'm serious!', but it was hard to take his words to the heart!

"Heh... I don't dislike you," I murmured, convincing myself he liked me as a person; even though he just asked me if he could flirt.

Hugo frowned, tilting his head until his cheek squished against his arm. "I guess it's still too early for you."

My lips parted as I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but I closed my mouth again. I should just eat and wash my clothes... my thoughts trailed off when I noticed that the dirty dress I was wearing initially was now replaced by a clean nightdress.

"Oh. I changed your clothes since you can't possibly sleep on that dirty dress." I raised my eyes at him, my expression was aghast.

"Yo — you..? What?"

"Gosh... she doesn't like me," he murmured, withdrawing his hand and cupping his cheek. "I'm kidding. I asked the old madam of this inn to change you."

I looked at him with doubt in my eyes, clutching my chest. "Are you... sure?"

"Bambi." Hugo looked at me dead in the eye, batting his eyes lazily. "If I'm the one who changed you, I will sin. Although I do not mind committing a hundred, the least I want is you hating me."