In Sickness And In Health (Yandere M. Genius x F. Reader x Yandere M. Prince)

Chapter 52: T.U.T., T.U.T.

Though the rest of the expedition carried on for the next few days, Cadmus took Orion and everyone else back to the palace. (Y/n) and Presley did their best to try and get the two to talk, but, everytime, it ended in failure. Even as they landed, heading back into the palace, they said not a single word. In fact, Cadmus even took a completely separate carriage back. For the time being, they let it go, but the younger girl was still glaring at him for his decision. Under her gaze, he sunk a bit, making her lift her eyebrow.

"How was the trip?" Satoru hummed, darting his eyes between the father and son.

Cadmus gave a dejected look, tugging on the man's sleeve like a child. He then murmured something to the older man which caused his smile to fall. Still, the orange-haired man was given a pat on the back for his efforts before everyone went back inside for a meal. Mica and Verona were already waiting, and Meridian, apparently, chose not to show up at all, a point Mica all but scoffed at. Satoru took his seat, followed shortly by Cadmus, who practically clung to his side, eyes on the ground.

The lunch consisted of many different courses, everything presented perfectly. That was the thing that the (h/c) haired girl learned about the palace. Above all else, they made sure not a single thing was out of place - plants, meals, people, etc. She would admit it was pleasing to look at, especially since food always tasted better if it looked fancy. Suffice to say, she greatly enjoyed the meal, savoring every last bit of it.

"Please, eat a little more," Verona sighed, watching her son sitting there motionlessly, "You must have been running around all over yesterday."

"I'm fine."

Cadmus glanced up at the boy, opening his mouth to encourage him to eat as well, but, in the end, like always, nothing came out. Embarrassed, he covered his mouth with his hand and caved his shoulders in. Satoru gave him a look, unintentionally only making him feel worse. Regardless, if not him, someone else would step in to help the prince. He firmly believed that, and he wasn't wrong.

(Y/n) was the one that placed food in his mouth. Though Orion didn't eat much at all, when she was feeding him, somehow, it tricked him into eating more. He was flustered, of course, knowing everyone was watching him, but, still, it was (Y/n). Thus, of course he would do anything she wanted. In that situation, she wanted him to eat. She even went so far as to hand feed him, so, obviously, he played along, ears pink. Even when she stopped, he tried his best to eat as much as he could. All the while, everyone stared at him in shock.

"Is he really...eating that much?" Mica trembled, on the verge of tears.

"That's more than he used to eat in a week," Verona chuckled, clasping her hands together in gratitude.

"Atta boy," Satoru snickered.

Cadmus stared in awe. He couldn't believe that the tiny thing he held in his arms so long ago was able to do something like that. Shocked, memories flooded through his head about all the times he had stayed up so late just to make sure his baby wasn't choking to death. The fevers, the coughs, the flatlines - it just seemed so distant compared to the child in front of him then. That child was eating all by himself, even smiling. He could walk, he could talk, and he could, above all else, live.

Again, Cadmus was the only one that said nothing. He remained silent and withdrawn, even putting his own utensil down and ceasing to continue his meal. Orion glanced at him constantly, very obviously wanting - maybe even needing - his praise more than everyone else's. But, throughout the course of the meal, he said nothing and didn't continue his participation. Even as dessert came, he did not eat.

"Cucumbers!" the prince beamed, picking up one of the slices and instinctively moving to show his father.

(Y/n) didn't know why he wanted to show him. Maybe Cadmus, too, loved the vegetable like Orion, or, maybe he just wanted his enthusiasm to be matched. But the man wasn't looking at him. He was looking at the floor, as he always was in the presence of the royals. The girl had to watch as a flash of immense shame washed over Orion's face, the male slowly lowering the treat. No longer did he have the spark of joy over the vegetable. Instead, he didn't even attempt to eat it. He just placed it back down on the plate, remaining silent until the end of the meal before running off, Presley behind him. Cadmus, similarly, darted away in the opposite direction.