Chapter 50: A Little Box and an Unexpected Guest
Kethra returned to the dining hall carrying something small and carefully wrapped, and for once it wasn't a steaming tureen or a platter that could double as a shield. She set it on the table between us with the gentleness of someone presenting a keepsake—her fingers lingering for a heartbeat before she withdrew.
I straightened. "What's that?" I asked.
She smiled. "It's a snack box."
"A snack box?" I asked her with a frown on my face.
"Yes."
"But I'm confused. Why would you be giving me a snack box?" I asked her.
"It's actually not something I did myself. The kitchen staff made this for you. We were all glad at the way you seem to appreciate our food unlike the King, who always pushes it away. You enjoy eating and your eyes light up. You appreciate the effort we put into it, so we all... I shouldn't be saying we because I only made the snack along with a few others, but um... yes, this is a gift."
