"A master shall not have dinner with his servant," Riven reminded him.
"But you're different," Azerin stated, standing up. He took a step closer to him. "You saved my life and I saved yours. In fact, I saved you twice. The warriors are still looking for you. Do you know you're a notorious criminal in everyone's eyes?"
Riven rolled his eyes, taking a step back. "Master, my intention was never to kill them. I was given the wrong drug in the same amount of a sleeping aphrodisiac," he muttered.
"Who cares about your intentions, Riven? Whether you give it or not, you are involved in their murders. If I want I can throw you outside to get caught. However, I want you to find out who develops this drug," Azerin offered a deal to him.
"How can I even do that? I bought this drug almost ten years ago," Riven stated.
"Well, you've a month, Riven. You must bring me the origin of this drug," Azerin replied.
"And if I succeed in bringing that drug, what will you do?" Riven asked. "I hope you will grant my wish too, Master."
Azerin chuckled, smiling at him. "You ask for too much," he asserted.
"I may've to risk my life in this quest. So, I must ask something more for myself," Riven clarified.
"Fine. I'll grant your one wish," Azrein said.
"Keep your words, Master," Riven told him.
"I never go back on my word," Azerin stated calmly. "Now bring the dinner here. Since you're my personal attendant, you should handle the task. And don't forget, you're supposed to have supper with me."
"I understand," Riven replied curtly before turning on his heels and exiting the room.
As he walked down the corridor, he was contemplating.
'I will buy my freedom from you. That's the only promise I've made to myself. Alphas… I want nothing to do with them. But your pheromones, they're dangerous. They are addictive. The more time I spend near you, the more I feel my mind slipping.'
He entered the kitchen where the staff was already bustling with activity.
"The master wants his dinner served upstairs in his chambers," Riven informed them.
The kitchen staff immediately began arranging the meal, transferring the prepared dishes into serving trays.
"I'll take it," Riven added, stepping forward. He placed each item meticulously: the cutlery, bowls, the wine decanter, and plates. One of the maids told him he would not be able to take both trays and helped him.
"Thank you," Riven said, walking out of the kitchen with the maid. A short while later, they reached the hallway outside Azerin's bedroom.
Riven took the first tray inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. He carefully set the tray on the low table and returned to retrieve the second one.
The maid gave him a brief nod before leaving while Riven closed the door behind him.
When he returned to the room, he found Azerin already beginning to serve the food.
"I'll do it, Master," Riven spoke quickly, striding over. He lowered himself to the plush rug, his knees gently touching it as he reached for the dishes.
Taking one of the bowls, he ladled a generous portion of chicken soup and placed it in front of Azerin. Then, he opened the wine bottle and poured a glass for himself.
When Azerin made no move to eat, Riven looked up from his place on the rug.
"Why isn't the Master eating?" he asked softly.
Azerin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the spoon and looked at Riven with a calm, unreadable expression. "Open your mouth," he said.
Riven blinked. "Huh?"
"I said, open your mouth."
Still confused, Riven hesitated for a second before slowly parting his lips. Without warning, Azerin leaned forward and gently fed him a spoonful of soup.
"Have a taste first," he murmured, his voice low.
Riven swallowed, his gaze fixed on the Alpha, unsure of what just happened or why his heart was beating so fast.
"The food must be tasted by the servant before it reaches their master," Azerin said, leaning back with a faint, almost teasing smirk.
Riven lowered his eyes, the warmth of the soup still lingering in his mouth, but it was nothing compared to the heat crawling up his neck.
"Now, taste the other dishes as well," Azerin instructed, his gaze unwavering.
Riven gave a small nod and silently obeyed. One by one, he took a small portion of each dish: grilled meat, seasoned vegetables, rice, and even wine. After testing everything thoroughly, he looked up.
"Master may begin eating," he said.
Azerin picked up his utensils and began to eat without a word. Riven, still on the rug, stayed in a kneeling position, quietly holding the bowl in his hands.
After a while, Azerin glanced sideways at him. "Sit on the couch."
"I'm fine here, Master," Riven replied without looking up. He brought the bowl to his lips and took a long sip of the soup.
Azerin didn't press further. But his eyes remained on Riven.
'He seems like someone who's been through a lot… but is it really safe to trust him?' Azerin's thoughts stirred as he quietly observed Riven from the corner of his eye. 'Even now, his pheromones cling to me. They are strong enough to stir things I've buried deep. I can't let desire cloud my judgment.'
His grip on the wine glass tightened slightly.
'Riven could be the perfect pawn. A spy sent by the Queen… someone crafted to slip past my defenses. The most innocent faces often hide the sharpest daggers.'
He raised the glass to his lips and took a long sip of the wine.
After they finished eating, Riven put everything on the trays and carried them up.
"Wake up early in the morning. You'd be helping me with a lot of things," Azerin instructed him.
"Yes, Master. Good night," Riven said and walked out of the room. Taking a deep sigh of relief, he murmured, "His gaze was scrutinizing me. He still doesn't trust me."