Calista was guided to a rather huge dining hall and sat on the right side of the chair before she was left alone.

She waited nervously, occasionally glancing at the entrance of the dining hall.

When she heard the door of the dining hall open, she immediately snapped her eyes on it and saw the familiar midnight black hair and those piercing steel-blue eyes that were staring at her as the newcomer walked in.

Calista pressed her lips in a thin line as she held her breath and watched as the man strode his way to the chair near her.

She unconsciously lowered her gaze and stared at her lap as she heard the man's steps halt just beside her.

She reluctantly lifted her gaze a few seconds later and immediately met a pair of steel-blue eyes that were staring at her with so much curiosity and warmth.

Calista blinks her eyes at the sight and is reminded about the content of the story.

In the novel, although Calista Vermilion was branded as an illegitimate child, she was treated kindly and was a favorite child among the children of the duke. Maybe it was because she was known as his child between him and his first love; he favored her more among his children, especially given the fact that his children from his wife were made out of political reasons. However, later in the story, it was revealed that she's not his child.

She can't remember the exact reaction of the Duke when he heard that revelation, as the story focused on the heroine and hero of the story, but one thing that she knows.

The kindness that the Duke shows is not something that can be easily fabricated. It's genuine.

"Is the food not aligned with your palate?"

Calista snapped out of her revery and lifted her eyes to the duke, who was sitting on the chair, then to her hands, which were awkwardly holding the dinner knife and the fork.

"Ah, n-no, it's not that... it's just... I, uh... I-I'm not used to, um, this kind of f-food, that's all," Calista stammered, her grip on the dinner knife tightening as she nervously glanced between the duke and her utensils. "I-I didn't mean to, uh, cause any... any trouble."

There's a brief moment of silence before a gentle voice speaks, "There's no need to apologize. It's only natural to feel out of place in unfamiliar settings. If you would prefer, we can always request something more familiar to you."

Calista's eyes widen as she lifts her eyes and looks at the duke, who was looking at her with those kind eyes.

"T-there's no need to do that!" Calista covered her mouth when her tone seemed rude and defensive as she spoke.

She glanced at the duke and saw how the duke patiently waited for her to finish. She reluctantly opened her mouth again and thought before speaking this time.

Calista gave a small smile, her voice quiet but sincere. "The food is nice, truly. I just...I'm not used to it, that's all," she said.

"Our body usually rejects foods that are unfamiliar to our body, so don't push yourself, Calista. If you're thinking that it would be a waste to not taste such a delicacy now, don't worry. We can always ask the chefs to cook that for us," the duke said in a reassuring tone.

"I'm the head of the Vermilion family, one of the powerful families in our country. You, as my daughter, have many resources at your disposal, so don't overthink things and enjoy, okay?"

The duke pushed his plate that contained his sliced steak to her.

"Eat that for now," he gently said.

Calista glanced at him before stabbing the sliced meat with her fork and placing it in her mouth.

She carefully chewed the steak, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked up at the duke.

"It's...it's really good," she said quietly, her voice tinged with surprise.

"That's good." The duke patted her head as he watched her place more steaks in her mouth.

...

When they finished eating their dinner, Calista was expecting to be guided back to the room she was using when he suddenly lifted her up just like he did in the orphanage.

She was flustered at the embarrassing situation she was in and struggled to get away, but alas, the duke was strong, and she was getting comfortable in his arms, so she let him be.

He carried her back to her room and was expecting him to just drop her off and leave, but the duke walked into her room and called Emmy to wash her off and change her clothes into her nightgown.

Calista expected the duke had already left when they got back from the bath, but when she saw the duke sitting on the edge of the bed with him also changed into his pajamas, she was confused.

The duke watched her as Emmy gently dried her damp hair and was about to comb her hair when the duke gestured for Emmy to step aside.

Calista was not sure what to do at the duke's unexpected actions. She could feel her heart was full of warmth as she watched the duke combing her hair gently, his eyes completely focused on her hair.

After making sure that her hair was neat, the duke placed her on the bed gently and lay down next to her.

Now Calista lay down on the bed beside the duke and stared at the ceiling. The lights are now off, and only a small, dim light from the lamp illuminated the room.

The events happened so fast that Calista didn't have the chance to process them.

She glanced at the person next to him and immediately saw the duke's face, who was facing her body.

His midnight black hair, which is usually pushed back, was now down and was covering his forehead. His steel-blue eyes that always watch her every move are now shut behind his eyelids.

Calista stared at the appearance of the duke's sleeping face, mesmerized. When she got content, she moved her gaze away from his face and yawned.

It didn't take her a few minutes before her eyes fully shut and she was engulfed by sleep.

When her breathing became deep and calm, the duke, who was lying beside her, fluttered his eyes, and his steel-blue eyes stared at Calista's peaceful face.

His gaze softened, almost distant. It looks misty, almost glassy, as his lashes trembled slightly and the corner of his lips twitched.

He heaves a sigh before rubbing his head against Calista's small shoulder and placing his hand on top of the blanket over her and patting it a few times.