Duke wanted to know why she would so quickly reject his gift. It was insulting to him to hear her request, yet he remained calm.
"I see. I did not expect you to be so sensitive."
Feeling its warmth against her cold skin brought a faded smile toher face… Gently touched the scarf.
"M..maybe in the night I will unfold them since the light, and the colors won't be so..." she mumbled as she held the lower part of the dress that she hated so much. It was unfittable for her bodyshabe. Maybe if she gained some weight, it would be a perfect match, but for now, it was not very flattering for her body.
"That sounds like a good idea. You can take things at your pace.".
"Am...I allowed asking favors...from you ...?"
"You can ask for anything, but after we eat."
He said, a bit impatient, and he took her hand.
"My staff cooked for us, and I will be upset if their effort gets spoiled. Come, Princess. We can talk after dinner."
He said invitingly to the table covered with the finest meats and vegetables, cooked together in a delicious symphony of flavors.
She reached for the seat and sat there. Slowly she sniffed then a tiny smile appeared on her face. It was as bright as the sun. Then she reached for the fork and the knife
She kindly warned him about her manners on the table. Slowly she opened her eyes behind the fabric that was a little thin so she could see; it was not clear, but it was enough for her. The whole food opened her appetite, which made her stomach to growl loudly, it almost seemed like it was begging for the food to arrive inside it. Duke sat close to her in case she needed help, he gave her sight back, but she still needed to use it again.
He spoke softly but casually as he started to put food on his plate. He got hungry as well and was more than eager to dig into the meals made by his staff
"pop appetite"
She wished the Duke before she started to pick the salad, and the fish and began to eat.
"If you need healing with eating, tell me. Bon Apetite." He send back the pleasantries and started to eat.
She started to try to use the fork and knife to cut a piece of fish but she couldn't use them properly, even if she did tried many times to use them like they supposed to, it seemed it only made her life hard, so without a second thought she started to eat by using her hands. Aravis cut a piece of fish and ate it along with some of the salad. Throught she her hunger was endless and she was using her hands, the young girl not eating fast, or inappropriate. A royal using their hands to eat was something that would never happened under other circumstances. This view for Richard was unsualy, but did not commented or even shown disgust on his face, as the girl ignored the basic rules of eating etiquette. He allowed her to enjoy a good meal, hoping the amount of food provided will be enough for her to satisfy the growling beast in her belly. He, as someone who had fully functional senses body, was eating properly. Holding a title of a Duke and being the last living member of his bloodline came with certain expectations. Even if his companion was a blind girl, he followed every single rule of the table, paying attention to his posture, the way he used his utensils and even the amount of food he placed in his mouth. After some time he took a sip of water and looked at the Princess.
"How do you find your food, Princess?"
He asked politely.
The princess swallowed the last piece of the fish and quickly wiped both her hands and there mouth trying not to be rude or anything, besides she could feel that she had some oil from the fish on the corners of her lips. Once she finished with wiping herself she cleared her voice and only a smile to him.
"It is delicious, better that the food I had in those years"
her voice seemed to be better as she had slowly regain the strength her body needed.
"I am pleased to her it. If you need more, just ask. I hope to satisfy your hunger and have a proper conversation about your future. I is long overdo."
He continued to eat his meal with upmost elegance, taking sips of water between.
She just nodded then continue to eat her fish. Once she finished with that one she picked a small chicken wing and started to devour it with by using her hands not caring much if she would be dirty from the sauce or not, she was just hungry and the manners for her at that moment meant nothing. At the same time, Richard would glance at her now and then, seeing how she managed to eat with limited vision. He was surprised when she boldly grabbed the chicken with her hands and devoured it. But he quickly understoon that the protocols and manners was a completely zero to her. She didn't care. All those years she never happened to use them so she thought it was pointless to even remember them. Plus, the food had a better taste by using the hands. Once she finished with her meal slowly wiped her hands and her mouth. She was clean like nothing had happened. After that she had a small sip of water and then smile softly as she touched her filled tummy
"hmm..."
The girl seemed satisfied, which made him happy. He was
nearly done with his meal, but still would eat a bit more. He used
magic for small complex taxes, which increased his appetite.
"Are you
satisfied, Princess?"
He asked her as he wiped his lips with a napkin. Aravis
just nodded, then took a deep breath and gently tapped her stomach.
"Y-you wa-wanted to ta-talk about my sta-staying at your ca-castle, right?"
She questioned him, kindled as she picked up the glass filled with fresh water. Once she had a sip, an emotion just happened to wake up... It made her taste clean, proper water. It brought tears to her eyes, but she somehow managed to hold them back
"Indeed. But let us finish dinner first. Do you want anything for dessert?"
He asked as he placed some chicken and potatoes on his plate. Duke ate nearly as much as her, but he remained distinguished and ate properly. Even when he was chewing, it beamed with dignity and elegance.
She just shook her head. Having one last sip of her water, she just took a deep breath to smell everything in the bedroom. Seeing through the thin fabric how much food the maids had made for them made her feel bad for not being able to eat them all... She knew very well that throwing them away would be a waste.
"My lo-lord... Why do-don't we sa-save the fo-food for the ni-night? I-it will be a wa-waste to th-throw it a-away...don't you th-think?"
She asked him kindly as she rested her body against the back of the brown, red, wooden chair.
Duke munched for a moment before swallowing lightly. " Do not worry. Nothing goes to waste even if we do not finish the meal." He replied after his throat was clear for speaking. "It was my mistake. I assumed you would eat much more. I overestimated your appetite, but I am pleased you are filled. I will be more careful next time." He explained as half his meal was gone. "I have prepared a room for you next to mine; you will have a maid accompanying you if you need anything." He added before taking another bite.
"It's not that I am not hungry... Just.." she chewed her lower lip as her stomach growled again, asking for food. "It's embarrassing for a lady to eat this much... In front of a man..." she said with her head facing the ground. Her cheeks were light red, making her more beautiful and healthier than she had been a couple of hours before. Her hand traveled to her hair and placed it behind her ear, which was also red. It was a cute view; on the other hand, she seemed confused about whether or not to eat more.
Richard looked at her and sighed hopelessly. "There is time for etiquette and time to take care of yourself. You need to grow stronger and heal. I told you that already." He said and cut a chicken piece and pierced it. He gently leaned it close to her lips. "Open wide."
He requested politely while holding the fork steadily. She got even redder. Being fed by a royal like Richard made her feel useless.
"You...don't have...to."
Even if she said that, her lips remained open, allowing him to feed her since he seemed to find an inner pleasure inside him; taking care of others. The rhythm of her heart started to beat faster than before, which was something unusual.
'why being good to me? To a murderer of a thousand lives.... I don't deserve that.'
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