Unaware of the events in the Uranos Principality, Eleni was having her hair washed by Thanasios in the bathhouse.
“Well, your hair is starting to shine a little. Take it easy and get all the nutrients you need.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“If you want something to eat, don’t hesitate to tell the maids. Although you’re currently on a doctor’s prescribed diet, no one will complain if you eat something sweet or to your liking.”
“Something sweet.”
I thought for a moment. Even the orange juice I had the other day was very sweet for me. I rarely ate fruit, and even when I did, it was just a few berries mixed in with wild grass. Normally, I only ate coarse bread made from rough wheat flour and buckwheat flour, leafy vegetables grown on poor soil.
So, even when he said something sweet, I didn’t really know what he meant. Thanasios must have sensed my hesitation as he rinsed my hair and said:
“Oh, right… You’ve hardly eaten anything sweet before.”
“Embarrassingly, I don’t have any memories of eating sweet things when I was young.”
“No, don’t worry about it. I’ll make as many sweets as you want. So, what do you like?”
“That’s.”
I was getting more and more embarrassed.
I couldn’t answer either one of his questions about sweets or my preferences. The things I had eaten so far were all so poor that I was hesitant to tell Thanasios about them. In the royal castle, they might even call it garbage. Looking at the luxurious meals of the past few days—all of which were gentle on my stomach under the supervision of a physician—I wondered what I had been eating all this time and felt a sense of shame.
As a young woman, I wish I could have shown off a little more, but it was beyond my capabilities. I felt dejected and downcast.
Still, Thanasios bathed me every day, shampooed and conditioned my hair until it was shiny, and my skin had become a little smoother. I was happy about that and would poke at my skin after getting out of the bath. Even the little bit of plump flesh I had was born that way, and Thanasios praised me for it.
“Okay, little by little. Every day, I’ll give you something that you might like. The chefs will also show off their skills, trying to make the princess’s favorite dishes.”
It was a relief to hear him say that. It’s not a bad thing to express your preferences, but I was worried that he might think it’s shameful to eat everything on your plate. However, I felt that Thanasios could solve all of my worries.
I realized that I shouldn’t just think about myself and asked Thanasios about his food preferences.
“What is your favorite food, Thanasios-sama?”
“Well, I usually like fish. Egg dishes are also good, and I can make them myself.”
“Is that so?”
“Surprised? My father, the king, strictly ordered me to increase my skills in doing things alone, just in case something happens. Well, I’m not that good at cooking, though.”
That was probably just modesty. Thanasios could do anything, I was sure of it.
As I looked at him with admiration, Thanasios suddenly smiled mischievously.
“I have a good idea. After we take a bath, I’ll make something nice for you. Look forward to it.”
And so, I was spun around again and scrubbed all over my body with a lot of foam and a sponge. Even though I said I could do it myself, I was rejected because I didn’t have enough strength.
I wonder what Thanasios came up with. I’m excited and looking forward to it. I was incredibly happy.