***Arc 7 One Who Bare Their Fang on Reason, Chapter 156 Dragon’s Blood***

The seventeenth civil war in Christand began when Bery woke up the next day.

Krische immediately tried to hug her, but because Bery's own body was frozen in time, only two days had passed since she was stabbed.

Even with the blessings of the great Dragon, the wound in her abdomen was naturally still not closed.

Her movements were stopped by Selene Christand, the head of the Christand house, and Krische’s attempt to get into bed and hug Berry had to be abandoned.

Then, what should be done——the one who came forward here was Queen Alberan, an honorary Christand, Kreschenta Alberan.

She indicated a chair, saying that Onee-sama should sit over there, and planned to create a position for herself above her sister's lap.

However, it was Selene Christand who rebelled against this.

Using the pretense that Krische was also injured, she declared that Krische deserves to be on her lap.

The situation becomes extremely chaotic, and in the end, Krische sat on top of Selene, who was sitting next to Bery on her bedside, and Kreschenta hugged Krische from the front, constructing a strange object d’art on the bed.

"Did you understand most of it?"

Bery nodded as Selene patted Krische's head while hugging her.

What happened while Berry was sleeping——although the content was relatively serious, the gap with the composition of what Bery saw was intense.

"I'm sorry", Bery said as she lay there with a vague, troubled smile on her face.

"...Because of my carelessness——"

"Really. Because of your carelessness the Kingdom almost faced destruction. It's not a problem that can be settled just by apologizing——uuu..."

"Kreschenta, the next time you say something like that, I will be angry, okay."

Krische pinched Kreschenta’s lips with her fingers.

Selene reached over and lightly tapped Bery on the forehead.

"Don't be so sullen. You're simply a victim, and if there’s anyone that will hold you responsible for being stabbed in the stomach and nearly dying, bring them to me. Rejoice with confidence that your life was saved, and give thanks to this idiot and the Holy Spirit."

Bery held her slapped forehead and looked at the exasperated Selene.

She laughed like a little girl and deliberately folded her hands.

"... Oh, dear, to think even Ojou-sama would say something like Nee-sama."

"You……"

With Krische on her lap, Selene pinched Berry's soft cheeks and brought her face closer.

"You look quite energetic huh. I wonder, did I make a mistake in being considerate?"

"Fufu, my stomach hurts a bit... but my physical condition itself isn't that bad."

"That's so. Well, I wasn't worried though. ...I mean, you woke up and boldly kissed Krische in public."

"Eh, uh..."

Her face turned bright red in an instant and Bery let her gaze swim.

And then she looked at Selene.

"Ah, you see, uh, that memory is vague…"

"You don’t remember? Krische, Bery forgot about kissing you――"

"U-it’s a lie, I remember... but I thought it was a dream..."

Bery looked embarrassed and her eyes watered.

Selene smiled wryly and patted her on the head.

"Really. So, are you really okay?"

"Yes, um… I’m a little hot. …Could I have some water, please?"

"Ah yes"

Krische reached for the jug and poured the water into the glass.

Bery frowned as she tried to get up, and Selene helped her up.

Slightly feverish and flushed skin.

The line of her breasts and hips peeking out through the thin negligee had an indescribable sex appeal, and Selene stared at her in amazement.

"You, it's really a waste, isn't it, in various meaning"

"...?"

The way she tilted her head is also very sexy.

Selene sighed and shook her head from side to side as she sighed that she must be really overwhelmed.

"No, it's fine. You've been drinking a lot of water, how are you feeling? How about eating some?"

"Um... Yes, I've calmed down a lot."

Krische stirred the honey in a cup and handed it to Bery.

Bery, who received it, looked at it for a while and slowly put it to her mouth.

She lowered her eyes as if to savor it slowly.

Then smiled at Krische.

"Thank you, Krische-sama."

"Ehehe, then it might be better to prepare a meal early――"

It was then that there was a knock at the door and Anne entered.

As she gazed at the three-tiered beautiful girl objet d’art in puzzlement, what Anne brought on the silver tray was Rakula in honey.

‘Ooh’, Krische looked at Arne with a little admiration.

It was as if the timing was deliberate――in fact, Anne was standing in front of the door with the tray in her hand, waiting for the right timing.

"Anne, it’s as if Anne is a normal servant."

"T-thank you very much……"

That word also indicated that she was usually not a normal servant.

Anne was slightly hurt but,

"Don't say it like that. She's been working hard while you are gone after all."

"Hg!"

She looked at Selene with tears in her eyes as if moved by her words.

Kreschenta looked at Anne with suspiciously filled eyes, but showed interest in the honey-dipped Rakula on the tray.

Kreschenta has a sweet tooth.

"Y-yes! I made the honey-pickled Rakula that Argan-sama taught me before...how is it? Even if you don't have an appetite, I think it will be easy to eat."

Anne was there when Bery woke up.

She naturally tried to take care of her, but when Krische did it, she was kicked out of the room――but Anne is also strong.

That didn't stop her, and she had her secret plan.

These Rakula, which she had been soaking since last night, in honey.

The white peach-colored fruit was covered in amber honey, giving it a beautiful glow.

It was a simple dish that could not even be called a dish, just dipping the sweet Rakula in honey after peeling the skin, but the result was not bad.

Krische stared at the honeydew and looked back at Bery.

"Bery, can you eat?"

"Yes, I'd like to try it."

"Good … fufu, I’m quite proud of today’s result, I made it just as was taught by Argan-sama."

"Fufu, thank you."

Krische took a plate from Anne, picked up some Rakula in honey and stared at it.

The fruit was cut with an incision, which was Bery's way of doing things.

Putting aside if they are soaked for several days, usually the sweetness of the honey will not permeate all the way through to the inside if they were just soaked overnight.

So cut a slit with a kitchen knife and let the honey permeate the entire fruit――Krische nodded and looked at Anne.

"It's quite good for Anne. It seems that Anne remembered what Bery taught."

"Hg, yes! I've tasted it, and I think it's the best I’ve ever made but...I'm sure everyone will be satisfied with it."

Selene laughed wryly at the appearance of Krische who acted all big and the happy Anne.

It was an extremely simple meal for the sick.

It was something that even a child, let alone the clumsy Selene, could make, but it made her wonder what kind of reputation did Anne have in Krische’s mind.

Except for the fact that she was extremely clumsy, Anne was a servant who can do everything reasonably well, but Krische and Kreschenta’s evaluation of her was extremely harsh.

Krische smiles contentedly, cuts a piece with a spoon, and brings it to Bery's mouth.

"Here, open wide"

"Ah, haha..."

Bery opens her mouth a little embarrassed, tastes the Rakula――and freezes just a little.

When Krische tilted her head, Bery shook her head, smiled and said to Anne.

"It's very delicious, Anne-sama."

"Ts!"

"Ehehe... Then Krische too"

Krische said and brought the Rakula to her mouth and her cheeks loosened.

"The Rakula has a slightly sour taste. It’s delicious, though."

"Um, umm, I thought Argan-sama would prefer it, so it’s not overly ripe…it’s already sweet enough pickled in honey after all."

"Thank you. It's a little crunchy and has a nice texture."

"...to think Anne could even properly select the ingredients..."

Krische looked at Anne in surprise, and Anne smiled embarrassedly.

"Fufu, please leave the cooking to me while you two are resting. While the two of you were away from the kitchen, I was secretly training."

"...How surprising. Anne was able to make a proper effort."

"Eh......?"

Anne stiffened, and Bery reprimanded her with a bitter smile, saying that is no good.

Kreschenta, who was watching the exchange with some envy, looked up at Krische and opened her mouth.

"Kreschenta sure is a spoiled child, isn’t she?

"Hamuu..."

Kreschenta savored the given Rakula and relaxed her cheeks, then glanced at Anne with a serious face as if suddenly realized something.

"It's okay. It's not bad."

"Y-yes, thank you very much."

Selene smiled wryly, received the plate from Anne and picked up a Rakula.

It's not without problems now――but she smiled, relieved that at least this everyday life would continue as before.

The Rakula fruit was sweet enough to please Selene's taste buds.

"Bery, what would you like for lunch? Is soup okay?"

"Yes. Can I leave it to you?"

"Yes, Bery to get well soon after all... I'll make a soup that is full of nutrition."

"……yes"

Krische grabbed Kreschenta by the waist and lowered her onto the bed, then stood up.

"Then Krische will prepare lunch. Krische is a little worried about whether Anne properly cleaned the kitchen..."

"I-I cleaned it..."

Arne's gaze swam, and Bery seemed somewhat troubled.

Kreschenta, who was put down on the bed, stood up,

"I'm going too――"

"You have a meeting, don't you? Are you keeping them waiting?"

and tried to follow Krische, but Selene grabbed her by the neck.

Kreschenta glared at Selene, pouting her lips.

"... the Queen being a little late is just right."

"Really, No. I also have a meeting later. Krische, we'll be back at noon, so please make some for us too."

"yes"

Krische climbed into bed, kissed Berry, said goodbye, and left the room.

Selene smiled wryly and stroked Bery while looking at Krische, who seemed to be in good spirits even though she was injured here and there.

"... I can't say that there aren't many problems, but for the time being we were able to avoid the worst. So don't worry, take it easy once in a while. I'm glad you're fine."

"... Yes, I’m sorry, making Ojou-sama worry."

"I'm the one who always makes you worry, so it’s even."

Selene smiled, and Berry nodded back at her smile.

"When you’re healed, will you let me eat your delicious food again?"

"...yes, of course."

Bery's gaze drifted slightly, and Selene tilted her head.

She smiled wryly, holding her sides, and then laughed quietly, as if troubled.

"No, I was trying to lie down, and my stomach is"

"...Geez"

Selene puts her hand on Bery's back and she lets her lie down.

"I'm sorry," Bery said shyly, and Serene glared at her exasperated.

"I'll call the doctor again later. should I get some painkillers?"

"Yes, I’m sorr——"

"That kind of thing is prohibited. Once in a while, please let me take care of you. …You stubbornly stick to your position as a servant, but before that, we are family."

Selene presses Bery's cheeks with both hands.

Berry stared at Selene and lowered her eyes.

"Um...Ojou-sama?"

"……what?"

"Geez, Selene-sama, how long are you going to keep me waiting?"

The voice came from the door.

Kreschenta puffed out her cheeks and glared at Selene and Berry.

"I'm going on now. ...Bery?"

"No, nothing. Please go."

"...tell me if you have something to tell me. I'm curious. now"

Selene raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips.

Bery shook her head and smiled.

"I'll talk again when things settle down. Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

"...Haa. Understood....Okay? Anything is fine, but you can't think about this and that alone, okay?"

"Yes. I'll be careful."

Then Selene also left her room, and Anne, who was left alone, tilted her head and looked at Bery to see what was wrong.

Bery shook her head and smiled.

"Anne-sama, I’m sorry, but...could you bring me some fruit?"

"Yes, of course. What would you like?"

"Something refreshing... fufu, maybe I'll get my appetite back after eating a little."

"I'm glad to hear that. ...Please wait a moment!"

Bery saw off Anne who was leaving the room in a hurry and smiled wryly.

Bery was alone in the room and she quietly got up.

She scooped a spoonful of honey from the side table, dropped it onto the back of her hand, and looked at it.

Feeling the faint fragrance, she sipped it.

She rolled the thick honey around on her tongue as if checking something for a while.

Then, she turned her eyes down.