If You Have the Guts, Don’t Eat

"..." The Ice Queen felt her lungs almost burst with anger and finally shouted, "It's me! It's my stomach growling! I'm hungry! It's almost dark! Don't you people eat?!"

"Eat? Of course, we eat," Freyr lazily stretched. "If there's food to eat, I'd love to have some too."

Lilith, beside them, rummaged through her belongings. Under the watchful eyes of the Ice Queen, she pulled out a handful of blackened, suspicious-looking plant roots and said softly, "Sis-sister... if you're hun-hungry, eat this for now."

"What is this?" The Ice Queen frowned, then suddenly became furious, jumping up and glaring at Freyr. "You let my sister eat this?! These roots?!"

Freyr responded coldly, "If you don't want to eat, then starve."

The Ice Queen's anger intensified. "You bastard! Can't you catch a few wild animals?"

Freyr laughed. "Wild animals? Go ahead, catch them! If you do, I'll sing praises to the almighty god for your greatness! Go on!"

Lilith gently tugged at the Ice Queen and whispered, "Sis-sister... there's nothing on this island..."

Freyr had already turned away, his voice indifferent. "It's your choice: eat this, or starve. Tomorrow, if you're too weak from hunger, maybe I'll take the chance to kick you into the sea."

This worked better than anything else.

The Ice Queen immediately grabbed the roots from Lilith and stuffed them into her mouth, gnawing them fiercely. As she ate, she frowned... she probably had never eaten anything so disgusting in her life! Heavens! To think I, a noble, am eating grass? Am I a horse or a cow?!

The more she ate, the angrier she got, and thus, the faster she ate. Her stomach couldn't bear the hunger anymore, and soon, she finished the roots. Despite the awful taste, her stomach felt slightly fuller. She couldn't help but glance at Lilith. "Is there more?"

"...No." Lilith looked helpless.

"...No more?" The Ice Queen was taken aback.

What kind of situation is this? No fish or meat, fine! But to be forced to eat roots and still not be full?

"Listen up," Freyr turned around, his gaze cold as he stared at the Ice Queen. "You need to understand our current situation! We're on a deserted island with no food or water! Do you know the stuff you just ate was Lilith's saved portion for today? Do you know I spent almost the entire morning getting this little food? And you? You just sat down and ate it all. After eating your sister's portion, you felt no guilt, no gratitude, only complaints... So, let me tell you, if you're not full, find your own food! Tomorrow, don't take someone else's portion! Here, no one is a noble. You, me, Lilith, none of us! No one will serve you!"

Despite Freyr's harsh tone making the Ice Queen furious and feeling humiliated, she found herself unable to argue back. This scrawny boy, whom she could easily kick down, made her feel a sense of guilt with his stern rebuke... Yes, guilt! So much so that she didn't dare to meet his eyes.

For the first time in her life, the Ice Queen found herself unable to muster any rebellious thoughts against such unkind reprimands. This scrawny boy's gaze was so steady and cold, his thin frame in the night seemed like a towering tree!

"I... I understand. I didn't mean to eat Lilith's portion, I..." The Ice Queen started, but then realized her tone was so weak... unlike herself!

Why should I bow down to this kid?!

Freyr smiled lightly, then turned his gaze back to the sky.

The mist had not yet dispersed; not a single star was visible...

Freyr sighed. "Sleep. We have much to do tomorrow."

He added a few more twigs to the fire, then glanced at Lilith, who sat silently, and couldn't help but soften. He reached out and patted her head gently, his tone also softening. "Silly girl, are you hungry?"

Lilith hesitated, first shaking her head, but then shyly nodding.

"Sorry, as the only man here, I should be taking care of you," Freyr smiled wryly. "But I let you go hungry. Well, just sleep. Imagine this island as a big cake, with the surrounding trees as candles on it. You're lying on a large, fragrant, sweet cake... Sleep and you can feast in your dreams."

Cake? Lilith's eyes lit up.

Freyr had already turned away, but Lilith continued to quietly watch his back.

...

Freyr woke up early in the morning.

To be precise, he woke up from hunger. The little bit of unpleasant fruit he ate yesterday left his stomach almost empty. Combined with the stomach acid, he had a hard time sleeping.

When he woke, he saw the Ice Queen already awake, clutching her stomach and staring blankly.

"Awake? Hungry?" Freyr, feeling that his words last night might have been too harsh, softened his tone a bit. After all, she was unaware of the island's situation.

"Not hungry!" The Ice Queen shook her head, clearly lying. "Where's the water? I want to wash my face."

"Walk a bit, and you'll see the sea."

"...You want me to use seawater to wash my face?" The Ice Queen's eyes widened.

"Sorry, our fresh water is very scarce, just enough for drinking."

This time, the Ice Queen didn't argue. She sighed, stood up, and walked towards the seaside.