Cecil's Special Compensation
Aah~ How long had I been lying there, buried in the cool bed with my eyes closed? The savory aroma hit me just as the door creaked open. Cracking my eyes, I saw Claudia was gone—Cecil alone, carrying a tray in both hands, padding over steadily. Our gazes met, and she beamed.
“Asha-nim! Cecil made food!”
The dishes on the tray looked decent this time. Steaming white soup, bite-sized torn bread, salad dressed evenly, and eggs. My stomach, empty since last night, growled hungrily.
...Simple stuff, nothing fancy, but she'd clearly put my instructions to good use. Compared to that sandwich earlier, this was a huge leap.
I smiled at Cecil, her eyes sparkling expectantly. “You did great.”
“Thank you!”
She grinned wide, propped me up, then set the tray on my lap for easy eating.
“Ahk...”
...The weight made my muscles scream. Cecil startled at my voice, snatching the tray back.
“A-Asha-nim! Are you okay?”
“Yeah... just sore muscles. Where's Claudia?”
“The beastkin went to fetch potion ingredients.”
Off for materials, huh. Probably had some naughty thoughts, but her concern for me felt genuine. Even a saying like the academy dog's verse after three years seemed to fit—Cecil knew her stuff without being told.
...Wouldn't say that to her face, though. Adventurers like Claudia probably all knew basics. Side gigs, even if not main income. Their supplied materials were often damaged, tough for proper potions—wait, not the time for that.
“Put the tray aside for now? Can't eat with it on top.”
“Yes!”
Cecil, who'd been watching me eagerly if a bit downcast, obeyed faithfully. It felt wrong to skip food she'd made for me, especially on an empty stomach. I swallowed hard, grabbed a spoon.
Scooping a big ladle of the thin soup... my hand trembled. Splashes flew, spotting the bed. As I marveled at the soup soaking in and vanishing clean, I apologized to the dazed Cecil staring at it.
“...Sorry, Cecil. You worked hard on it.”
Unlike the sandwich, one-handed spooning was tricky. I'd never struggled before, no matter how beat. My weakened body hit hard—bitter. I missed my thick, muscled frame, even if not ripped.
Cecil shook her head vigorously, gently took my hand and the spoon.
“Cecil will feed you!”
“Huh?”
“If holding the spoon is hard, Cecil can do it instead!”
“Well... yeah, that's true.”
Perked up, she scooped soup, topping it with finely torn bread.
“Asha-nim! Say ahh~!”
“...”
Heat rushed to my face. A pretty girl offering to spoon-feed me—embarrassing? Or acting like a baby? Couldn't tell, but definitely shy.
“N-No, I...”
“Did Cecil... fail to make it right...?”
“No, it's not that...”
...I'm the patient here. No need to be embarrassed. I fidgeted, then opened wide—small as it was.
“Ahh...”
Cecil giggled, slipped the spoon in. The warm metal touched my tongue, soup steaming hot.
“Hahp...”
I licked it clean, sucking slowly like leaves in a bowl. No rushing—wouldn't want indigestion. Delicious. The milk flavor especially rich. Must've dumped in tons—
She pulled it out clean. I smacked my lips, then voiced my thought.
“...Cecil, did you put milk in the soup?”
“Yes! The beastkin said it'd be good!”
...No big deal, one or two bottles. Virility potions sold well lately; she'd drink more anyway. Surely.
“...Got it. Tastes great.”
“Really? Good!”
She offered another spoonful. I took it like a baby bird, sucking eagerly. Silver threads trailed each pull—embarrassing, but tasty. Waste not the milk. No choice.
Soup vanished fast. Shared a bite with Cecil—who'd never tasted thanks to Claudia—then devoured salad. Belly full, satisfying meal. Claudia still absent.
Cecil cleared the tray, returned fidgeting fingers, hesitant expression.
“Cecil?”
“Asha-nim...”
Twisting her index fingers, she spoke.
“Cecil wants... compensation from Asha-nim.”
“Huh?”
“The beastkin said... not everything, but all things have a price. Cecil didn't make food for that... but... Cecil wants it...”
Her shy glance was adorable—like a kid post-massage asking pocket money for snacks. I chuckled.
“Okay, what does our Cecil want as payment?”
Probably headpats or more milk. Half-right.
“First... headpats. For the cooking!”
“Sure, good.”
She scooted close. I stroked her warm scalp repeatedly. She giggled throatily. So cute, extra pats.
But if cooking's headpats, feeding's next? Her scent lingered on my fingers as she spoke again.
“Next... for feeding you.”
“Knew it.”
“Yes... is it no good...?”
“N-No, fine.”
Weak to her face, apparently. Whatever—headpats don't cost.
But her next words veered off-script.
“Then Cecil wants... milk. For feeding you...!”
Adorable. Drank her daily ration while I slept? Suppressed a grin, patted her head.
Such modest demands.
...Without virility potions, no way. But okay.
“Go ahead.”
“Really!?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you!”
Unlike before, pure joy radiated. Watching warmly, she pressed close—her thick body scent flooding my nose.
“C-Cecil?”
“Cecil... loved yesterday's milk.”
Yesterday's... milk?
“Asha-nim said it hasn't all gone... so this helps Asha-nim too, right?”
She buried her face in my chest. Realization dawned: she meant my breast milk.
Face burned.
“W-Wait, Cecil!”
“Yes?”
She looked up from my ample chest, then realization hit her.
“D-Does it hurt? Cecil didn't think that far...”
No, not painful—her softness was gentle.
“Not hurt, but... the milk you want... is from... my body...?”
Couldn't say breasts or breast milk.
“Yes! Tastier than farm milk—Asha-nim's is best!”
Should I be flattered? She beamed, reminiscing happily.
...Ugh, fine—not wearing them out. Wanted them smaller anyway. Just don't touch her this time. Bed absorbed soup fine; worst case, let it soak there.
Quick mental math, sigh, pat her head.
“Go on... you can have some.”
“Really!?”
Her overjoyed reaction felt odd. That good? I preferred farm milk.
I yielded my chest. She latched with a hahp, soft tongue immediate.
Stroking her suckling head—chup chup—I continued.
“Demanding payment's fine, but... not everything has a price... remember that... uht, okay? Special this time.”
She nodded, mumbling agreement. Weird... feeling.
...Eat lots now, Cecil—no more chances once smaller. Business for reversal, I brainwashed myself, listening to chup chup.
Then, a voice that shouldn't be there.
“...What the hell is this?”
Claudia's voice. Golden eyes met mine—baffled, demanding explanation.
“Ahht...”
My sudden moan chilled the room. Chest stayed warm, though. Cecil's chup chup echoed.