Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 58.1

“….”

It was morning.

The fever… it was gone. Although I hadn’t checked my temperature, I was certain I had a severe fever.

The one who took it in…

The face of Enfrise, blurry in my hazy vision, comes to mind. He always seemed so cute to me, yet in that moment, his face appeared so fierce and rugged that it made me look around without realizing it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Enfrise was not beside me.

I felt a bit let down, but I guessed it was for the best. It would have been really awkward to see his face right now.

“…Huh?”

As I tried to sit up, something bothered me.

Something was pressing on my neck—something long and warm. Thinking it couldn’t be, I felt around my neck with my hand.

“Frii…?”

It was so sound asleep that it didn’t wake up even as I touched it. I carefully lift it and place it next to the pillow, then turn it over. The tiny creature snored softly as it slept soundly.

So adorable.

I poked it a couple of times, but it still didn’t stir. It seemed almost knocked out. However, I’ve seen it wake up fine so many times after this that I didn’t worry about it much anymore. It did like to play around.

“….!”

Flutter.

His long body moved. Tiny fingers stretch out, then curl up. It was difficult to believe such small fingers could do that, each perfectly formed.

Hands smaller than a joint of my finger.

“Friii.”

“….!”

Another flutter. Was it in light sleep now?

Worried I woke it, I stroked its head and neck gently, massaging it softly a few more times. After that, there was no more movement. Then, careful not to wake it again, I gently sit up on the edge of the bed.

“….”

What could Enfrise be doing right now?

After falling asleep like that yesterday… Well, in the original story, Chaperyl would always pass out after those scenes. How intense must he be to make her faint every time! I thought.

I quietly get up and look out the window. The mansion looks as peaceful as ever.

Peace… at the lake…

Recalling yesterday automatically brings up dreadful scenes, so I desperately try to think of something else. Now that I think about it, I didn’t even get to make a sandwich. What ingredients were there? Enfrise mentioned there were fruits, cheese, and ham, among other things.

Would that make it heavy?

“… Let’s go to the kitchen first.”

I was thirsty as well.

I could call Tambor, but I don’t want to wake Frii. It usually slept for hours once it was out, and I didn’t know when it fell asleep…

Carefully, I stepped out of the room and closed the door behind me.

The corridor was also quiet. Was Tambor in the kitchen? Or perhaps cleaning somewhere?

I moved slowly.

When I was chained, I was barefoot, but now I naturally put on slippers. Unlike the rubber slippers I used to drag around when I was Suhee, these were made of leather, yet surprisingly, the soles were thin. I didn’t feel uncomfortable with anything else but the slippers…

Maybe flip-flops were really the best.

Following the plush carpet, I reached a place with a delicious smell. Were we having rice and vegetable porridge this morning? It seemed they made something easy to digest since I had a fever yesterday.

‘Sounds delicious.’

I used to hate porridge. I couldn’t stand its nearly tasteless flavor.

However, when Tambor cooked it, it somehow tasted wonderful. The seasoning was just right, and the rice and vegetables released an incredible umami. The rice even burst with a surprising sweetness, supported by the sweetness and freshness of the vegetables.

Oh no. I’m really hungry now.

The unpleasant sights from before are overwhelmed by the smell, leaving only a growling stomach. I should go in and drink some water first.

“Oh my, miss!”

Startled, Tambor hurried over from adjusting the stove where he had been watching the pot. It was my first time entering the kitchen…

It was surprisingly similar to the kitchens I know.

Was that a gas stove? Did they have gas in this era? Still, I didn’t see any gas lines.

That must mean it was a magic tool.

Suddenly, I felt fortunate to have been transplanted into this novel. Thanks to the presence of magic, I can live a life not so different from modern times. Nowadays, there are many romance fantasy novels without a magic setting.

“Tambor, could I have some water, please?”

“You should have called me… Why did you come all the way here?”

“Frii was sleeping on my neck. I was afraid I might wake it.”

I responded with a laugh, and Tambor’s face, previously clouded with worry, cleared up. She spoke with a faint smile.

“I checked on Miss earlier and saw Frii sleeping next to you… Somehow, it ended up on your neck.”

“It was so light that I didn’t notice it until I woke up.”

“Isn’t it curious? That little one is so good at catching mice.”

I remembered reading once that a single weasel could kill thousands of mice. I hadn’t believed it at the time, but seeing Frii, it seemed a bit more plausible now. How such a small creature could eat so much was beyond me.

Still, there was something endearingly cute about the fierce little beast crunching on meat with its sharp fangs. Despite its fierce and wild nature, it’s surprisingly adorable.

“Ah, look at me getting distracted. Miss, would you like to rest in the drawing room while I fetch some water for you? Do you need anything else?”