Chapter 954: Sharing Meals

Unaware of what transpired in her mind, Raphael's footsteps echoed quietly outside while he brought over the tray of dinner and knocked on Rowena's door. "May I come in?"

"Uh, changed my mind, I'm coming out!" Rowena quickly spun around and opened the door. She saw Raphael, looked up to him in surprise, and then coughed lightly. 

The Seventh Prince raised a brow. "What's the matter, Rowena?"

"I just want to eat at the table instead of on my bed."

"Oh."

He wondered if the reason she changed her mind was that it was awkward for a man like him to enter her room—and if that was the case, then it was fine with him.

It made him relieved that he didn't reveal that as Lucent, he stayed with her for a couple of years. Surely, that would have made her more uneasy with him than she already was.

"Is that truly the case?" Raphael suddenly asked. "I mean, if you're presuming that I'll enter your chambers, I only need to bring you the food and collect it later—"

"I mean, what about you?" Rowena asked.

"Huh?"

"You've prepared me food, but you're the one who spent the past days taking care of me. Are you eating well? Let's just eat at the dinner table." Rowena added. "It's not because I'm uncomfortable or anything with you being inside of my room."

Before Raphael could make a response, Rowena walked past him and headed down the hallway. She soon arrived at the familiar dining area and couldn't help the slight sting in her eyes, a blurry vision taking over.

She saw a vision of Julian seated in his chair, his own bowl and signature cup rested on the table.

And then he would—

"Rowena?"

"Ah, I see you haven't set up your own plate yet…" Rowena lied as she glanced over at Raphael.

The utensils and woodenware that Raphael used belonged to Rowena. However, he didn't dare touch what belonged to Julian.

"You know, I'm not really famished…"

'Because you're a god?' Rowena wanted to ask but bit back from asking the question. She would have moved to grab the plate that belonged to Julian, but then, she hesitated.

It was Julian's.

And yet this man, suspicious or not, chose to remain at Rowena's side so he deserved common courtesy.

"You know I don't have much of an appetite myself…" 

"I still recommend you eat even a little bit, Rowena." 

"Of course, but you'll have to eat the other portion on my plate, alright?" Rowena said. "We'll just share if that's fine with you?"

This way, she could still give him some hospitality but also still adhere to that emotional part of her that refused to see what belonged to Julian be in the hands of Raphael.

"That's fine with me." 

It was actually more than fine to the Seventh Prince, although he wouldn't dare admit it aloud.     

Despite the current lack of actual hunger, the idea of sharing a meal with Rowena seemed quite intimate in a way.  The memory of a much younger Rowena mischievously feeding Lucent blueberries, seeds, and other treats while they were in their room rekindled itself in his mind.

It didn't take too long for the two of them to take their places and sat down. He placed the tray in between them and smiled gently.

"Please eat up first."

"Well… can I ask what exactly is this first?" Rowena tilted her head and looked at the slightly charred meat on a stick.

She saw the thick broth soup, the scent of herbs and even vegetables within them and there were sliced fruits from the garden but it was the meat that caught her eye.

"O-oh, that's a rabbit." Raphael sheepishly averted his gaze. "It's more than edible but the appearance is slightly—"

"That's fine with me." Rowena broke off a piece of the crispy skin along with its lean meat and popped one in her mouth. "Can't judge a food without tasting it yourself, you know?"

Raphael wore a relieved smile and nodded. "Truly, but apologies, I would have done a better presentation but I am not so—"

"Used to cooking?" Rowena asked.

"Yes."

"You must come from a rich family then," Rowena commented and then looked down at her plate quietly. "Julian was the one who initially cooked more between the two of us back then… so I presume you must have servants and such."

"...I suppose you could say that."

"You did know my uncle, Prince Jadeith, didn't you? So it's not much of a "suppose" but more of a yes if you were to be more frank."

Raphael coughed but smiled. "I suppose you caught me red-handed there." 

"You know, it's not pretty easy to lie to me." Rowena shrugged offhandedly and eyed him. "So if there's anything you might have to confess, best go on ahead with it now while I'm still forgiving."

Raphael blinked and stared at her. "A-ah… you really do have a way with words do you, Rowena?"

"Is there a problem with it?" Rowena smiled. "Did you prefer it better when I was asleep?"

"Of course not, silly." Raphael looked at her sincerely. "I'm genuinely relieved to see you awake and with enough wit back into your tongue."

"O-oh…" Rowena's eyes widened and she averted her gaze. 

Instead of being able to make him confess, she found herself slightly flustered with how genuine Raphael sounded whenever it concerned her.

Rowena and Raphael both continued to eat afterward. It was a little silent, but not unbearable at all.  Instead, one could even call it pleasant.

The two didn't have to speak up much, there were a few exchanges of pleasantries but it was mostly Rowena gauging Raphael's words and the latter getting distracted with her appearance.

She probably didn't mean to, but Rowena looked quite adorable as she ate.  And before the two of them knew

it, the meal was finally over, the two of them bade each other goodnight.

"I'll take care of dishes," Raphael said as he reached for the tray filled with the empty plates and bowls. 

"No, I should—"

"Don't worry, I know my way around this area now. You don't stay in a valley for several days without familiarizing yourself with the surroundings."

"O-of course," Rowena bowed a little. "Thank you."

Raphael made his way towards the main door, he lingered there a brief moment, but a shadow caught Rowena's eyes.

Instead of seeing Raphael's silhouette—she saw Julian's.