Saros felt his lips twitch into a smile at the way Caspian shook his head. "Curiosity is always welcome. But yes, I know how to cook. It's something I've picked up in the hours of solitude and a few cookbooks with ingredients and how to cook them." He chopped a few more ingredients before carefully placing them in the stew. He moved over to Caspian's side and chuckled faintly when he saw the prince struggling slightly before he stood behind Caspian. His thin hands carefully move to take Caspian's and guides the other's hands. "Like so." He allowed Caspian most of the control, only using his hand to guide the other occasionally. "It isn't incompetence. It is simply something you have not learned yet. Think of it this way. One is not instantly good at playing an instrument, talking politics, or learning how to wield a sword. It does not come to one instantly but comes through practice and patience. Some can instantly be good with such things, but everyone has their own skill sets and strengths. This is simply a skill you are now learning." He chuckles softly.
He was graceful now, but when he was just a fangling… that was a completely different story. Through the witch's help, he had managed to get where he was, but he was less concerned for that. Once he was sure that Caspian had gotten a steady rhythm, he moved away and set his attention back to the stew before him. Food had always been comforting, even if it did nothing to sate the hunger in his stomach. He found food warm, and comforting. He glanced back at Caspian, "Once you're done kneading the dough, place it to the side so I can bake it. The aim is to have it in a circle." He offers a polite smile to Caspian and went to work on cleaning up the mess he had made while he let the stew cook. "When the sun sets, I'll need to head out to hunt. I've made enough food that it will last you until morning. There are some other options that you can eat, just feel free to go through the kitchen to see what you want. I'll be back by morning. Before I leave though, I'll make sure to give you a rundown of the charms and whatnot on the cabin and how to safe since I won't be here to protect you. But the house is safe enough."
Caspian couldn't help the soft blush that made its way to his cheeks when Saros guided his hands. Touch wasn't something he had often, especially in this sense. Almost ridiculous considering he was a prince but then again, with no time for anything other than preparing for his coronation, it wasn't all that far-fetched. Either way, he ignored it and focused on kneading out the dough and listening to the vampire speak. He was finding he quite liked just listening to the other, hearing what he had to say and how Saros had lived his life thus far. He had always been told he was a good listener, but maybe that was just because he enjoyed it more than he enjoyed talking, so it was easy. Regardless, the vampire wasn't wrong and he did nod and hum his agreement in response when the other spoke about forming new skills. It had taken a while for him to learn the ropes when it came to kingly duties. As Saros had said, it was something new that he was learning, and the prince figured that he was going to be doing a lot of that over the course of his time in the forest.
When the vampire spoke of leaving for the evening, of giving him a rundown of the charms, he couldn't help but frown softly, "You can talk about the charms but I will not understand them," He said, finishing off the last of the dough and placing them to one side, "I know nothing of magic or charms or spells. You could lie about them straight to my face and I wouldn't know the difference, it isn't worth the hassle." Humans couldn't do magic. At least that was what he had been told. What everyone in his kingdom had been led to believe. As a result, none of them knew magic of any kind, "Just as long as you come back then there shouldn't be an issue." Caspian didn't know what he would do if Saros didn't end up returning for some reason or another. He would die instantly, no doubt, if the other didn't.
If Saros noticed the blush, he did not comment on it. He looked so calm, so at ease. He guided Caspian's hands so easily, making sure that the prince followed the ways that he was kneading the dough. He wondered faintly what life was like for this prince. It was clear he knew little about the world outside his kingdom. Saros wondered if he should leave out a few books while he went out to hunt. Let the prince discover history that was not written by his people. When Caspian was finished with the dough, he nodded in approval, taking them and gently setting them to proof for the time being. He listened to Caspian's worries before chuckling faintly and glancing at the prince. "Even though you know little about spells, charms, and witchcraft, it is important to at least know where the charms are, so you do not risk accidently breaking one. It is also good to know a few spells so that if something goes wrong, I can come to you." He chuckles when Caspian told him to come back. "Of course I will come back. I always manage to do so. I know this forest better than most." He hummed as he carefully placed some spices into the soup. Once satisfied, he returned his attention back to Caspian. "Come with me."
Saros moved easily to the front door, grabbing a parasol that sat beside the door. "I shall show you the charms, as well as where we keep items that protect the home. I'll also give you some items so that they protect you while I am gone. You are a human- and believe it or not, humans are commonly hunted in this forest. Your blood… especially royal blood? Will fetch a handsome price." His tone was serious, warning of the potential dangers that Caspian might run into. "And, believe it or not. Humans can do magic. It's an old art. One from many centuries ago. Many humans that could not understand the art of magic feared it, prosecuting anyone that dared to learn it. Some were born with it naturally, some learned to use it from the earth below our feet." He glanced at Caspian. "Considering you're of royal descent… it could be a possibility that your family had magical roots." He shrugged, "Of course, that's only a possibility."
The prince was more than aware that Saros had been living in the forest for quite some time. That the vampire redoubtable knew the place like the back of his own hand. But that wasn't going to stop him from worrying. He always worried. Worried about his family. Worried about his kingdom. Now, that worry was turned towards the vampire that was helping him survive in the world. The real world, if this could be counted as such. Of course, it was, but the forest was slightly different to that of the 'real world' that he knew. The one of royals and nobles, trade routes and permissions to leave the palace for more than a few hours. His world was far different. Far safer.
He couldn't help the small frown when the vampire spoke of humans being able to conduct magic, and then that of royals having the possibility to do so. Surely if his family had been able to partake in such activities and abilities of such wonder he would know. His father would have told him. But there was much that his father hadn't told Caspian about his place in the world, in life, about who he was, for a very long time, and he wouldn't put it past him if he had kept something as major as magic away from his life, too.
He followed, tilting his head to one side as Saros opened the door and stepped into the light. The sun warmed his already tanned skin and green eyes scanned the world around them before settling back on his new companion, "I doubt any of my family would have had the ability to conduct such things," He said, slipping his hands into his pockets, "I never even considered it a possibility."
