At Emilia's signal, Alice prepares a bowl and sets it before Robert, placing food down with careful grace.
"I know you work for the King," Emilia said, raising her glass slightly,
"But if you're going to stay here, then you don't have to follow very rules so strictly."
She clinks her glass gently against his. Robert gives a shy smile, his cheeks tinged with pink.
He kept his gaze low and started eating slowly, almost nervously.
Emilia watched him curiously.
"You haven't changed at all, you still love spicy meals," she said.
Robert nodded, not lifting his head.
The interaction is followed by a quiet stretch. Emilia focuses on her own food.
Her dark hair shifted across her shoulders like silk, and Robert watched her in silence, entranced by the way she tucked it behind her ear repeatedly, struggling to keep it out of her bowl.
His fingers twitch.
He wants to help. Brushed it aside for her so she could eat freely, but he didn't dare.
