Delilah folded and packed away the gown Ophelia was purchasing. She secured it with some tissue paper to hide what was beneath the gown. With a second bag, she put the trousers for Katya inside and rang up Kaillas separately for the gift. She added up Ophelia's total and took the payment from Ophelia. She caught the happy look on Kaillas face as the exchange was made. He had always liked giving.
Kaillas smiled as Ophelia purchased the gown. He had a small feeling that the gown was not that much but who was he to question the amounts of clothing. It might have very well been that much. But he decided on the smart choice of keeping his mouth shut. He did the smart thing and only grabbed the bags off the counter and held them in one hand and reach for his wife with the other.
"Thank you Delilah. It's been a pleasure to see you again." Kaillas smiled at the shopkeeper before turning and leading then out of the dress shop.
Delilah waved her hand at him. "Goodbye, Your Majesties. It was wonderful to see you." She winked at Ophelia discretly.
Ophelia hands over the gold coins, feeling rather pleased with her purchases. She didn’t expect to spend this much in one shop but she’s glad that she did. Though still uncomfortable with spending money, she feels like she can relax a little more now. It’s not as awful as she thought it would be.
She thanks Delilah once again before bidding her farewell. If they ever come to this town again, she’s going to want to visit the shop. It’s a charming little store but she mostly enjoys the dressmaker’s quick wit and friendly demeanor. Her shopping experience was only successful because of her.
She returns Delilah's wink with a subtle smile, appreciating the shopkeeper's playful demeanor. She knows that the dressmaker had gone above and beyond to make their visit memorable and enjoyable. As she and Kaillas walk away from the shop, she lets out a happy hum.
What makes her nervous is that Kaillas is carrying the bag. Though she doubts that he would peak, she doesn’t want him to spot what she’s got in there. She glances anxiously at the bag before forcing herself to look forward so she doesn’t seem suspicious.
As they walk hand in hand, Ophelia leans closer to Kaillas. “Where to now?” She asks curiously, wondering what more he’s got planned for them today. She doesn’t doubt that it’s something wonderful.
Kaillas didn't peak inside the bag. Whatever she was hiding, and he could tell she was hiding something, he would let her keep a secret. He squeezed her hand and looked down at her.
"I'm glad you like Delilah. We don't get to see her often but she's a good friend." One of the only true friends he's ever had. She's never been after his money or status. She had her own money and job and she was happy with it. Other than their very brief fling when they first met, they had been nothing more than good friends.
He looked around the square. "Well, we still need to find Elora some fabrics. Luckily, I still remember the shop she adored last time we were here." Granted, it was a couple years ago but they would still carry more mature fabrics than what she had preferred then.
The store was just a little ways down the street. It gave them a chance to look at the town, even if there were heads poking out if every window watching them. The adults were more subtle but the children were not, their head hanging out and waving enthusiastically. He only smiled at their antics and kept walking.
He soon came to the fabric shop and stepped in after Ophelia. "She's looking for soemthung more mature, more adult. You know fabrics better than I, what do you think would fit?"
Ophelia smiles as Kaillas mentions being friends with Delilah. She appreciates that he has genuine connection with her and how she is a true friend to him, unaffected by his status or wealth. It was a rare and precious thing to find such a friendship.
As they continues walking towards the fabric shop, she observes the townspeople's reactions to their presence. The curiosity and excitement of the children is endearing, and she can’t help but wave back with a gentle smile. She would feel bad just ignoring them when they’re so happy and excited.
Upon entering the fabric shop, her eyes scan the array of fabrics displayed. She considers Kaillas's question, her fingers lightly brushing against different materials as she assesses their texture and appearance.
"For a more mature and adult look, I believe fabrics with rich colors and subtle patterns would be fitting," She suggests, her gaze focuses on a deep purple fabric with a delicate floral design. "Something like this," she continues, holding it up for Kaillas to see. "It has an elegant appeal and would suit Elora's evolving taste."
She continues to browse the fabrics, looking for other options that might align with Elora's desired style. Her fingers graze over a navy blue fabric with a subtle sheen. "Or perhaps something like this. It exudes sophistication and can be paired with a variety of colors for versatility."
Kaillas stepped closer to Ophelia as she looked through the fabrics. He reached hand out, thumbing the material before dropping his hand. As long as the fabric wasn't itchy there wasn't much input he could give.
He listened as Ophelia spoke, pulling a couple of fabrics. But instead of looking at it, he looked at Ophelia instead with a gentle smile. "And this is why I brought you along, dear wife," he said with a teasing smile. There was certianly more reason to bringing her than just this.
"Pick whatever fabric she might like. Pick two if you can't choose. Elora will be happy with whatever we bring her." At least this time, he'd bring her back soemthunf she would use.
"And if you see anything you'd like for yourself, don't hesitate to grab it for yourself." All he woukd do was throw it out there. He wouldn't push her to buy something like he had at the first store. She had done good. And he only wanted to push her outside of her comfort zone so much.
Ophelia shakes her head in amusement at his teasing. “You are very lucky to have me,” She informs him playfully, giving his shoulder a light nudge with her own. She enjoys playing around with him like this.
“Let’s get the purple fabric and the blue fabric. That way she has another option if she doesn’t like one.” She has only known Elora for a little over a week so she isn’t too confident about her tastes. She’s just trying to pick out something that’s mature and feminine. These two fabrics ought to do the trick.
“I’m perfectly happy with the gown I bought. I don’t need anything else,” She assures him lightly. Between the gown, the nightgowns, and those lacey undergarments, she’s already purchased more than enough for herself.
Having made the decision on the fabrics quickly, she sets up to the counter to purchase them. “We still need to find a gift for Catalina,” She reminds him, worried that they won’t find anything if they wait until they last minute. It needs to be something special.
Kaillas grinned down at her at their jesting. He placed his hand on her waist briefly, squeezing, before taking a step back. "Or she'll just have two new fabrics to make gowns out of." He was confident she woukd like them both.
He signaled to the shopkeeper to pull both of the fabrics and ring them up. He was pleased that this shop went fairly quickly. The sun was rising in the sky and he was starting to get an appetite for lunch. And he has the perfect place picked out for them.
The shopkeeper rang then up and he paid and they were on their way. "Don't worry, darling, we have all day. We'll find soemthung before the day's end. But for now, how does lunch sound. Something light and easy." They had a heavy breakfast with those stacks of pancakes and their dinner out be heavier as well.
Ophelia smiles when he squeezes her waist. She knows that he doesn’t like being affectionate in public so that little display means a lot to her. “I certainly hope so.” The fabrics are beautiful in her opinion but that doesn’t mean that Elora will agree with her. She just hopes that she will.
The shopkeeper appears very quickly to ring them up. She makes sure to thank him, appreciating how quickly they’re able to get out of this shop. Once they pay the man, she leads the way back out into the midst of the market. “I know that we have time but I prefer to have everything sorted at the beginning so we don’t have to stress later.”
“Lunch sounds nice. What did you have in mind?” She has no doubt in her mind that Kaillas has something planned. So far everything he’s set up has been great so she’s happy to go along with everything that he suggests.
"She'll love it. Both of my sisters will. Try not to fret." If Kaillas knew one thing about his sisters, it's that they were grateful for the things given to them. He had raised them to be humble and not to take things for granted. The death of their family had helped to instill that in them.
He hadn't known how to raise girls, he still didn't, but he knew how to keep them from being spoiled brats. And he knew how to do that without using what he'd learned in the army. It had taken time but they had worked out their kinks and dynamics. It most flowed now but they still had their bumps.
Kaillas took her hand again as they walked outside. "Something easy on the stomach," was all he said. They walked a few blocks in silence. Kaillas was enjoying the quiet. Well, as quiet as it could be with the few people shouting from their homes. It was a sunny day, warm and comfortable, and he had a beauotful woman by his sjde. He couldn't ask for more.
They came upon a white building with lavender accents. There was a sign that read The Lavender House. They had specialty teas and soups and sandwiches. It was a popular luncheon spot. He knew his sisters quite enjoyed visiting here. He only hoped that Ophelia would.
He held the door open for her, following after her. Having known this was his next spit, a few guards were already inside, taking up position. The owner was at the front to greet them. "Your Majestsies, welcome. We have your table ready for you."
Their table was in a private room in the back if the restaurant. There were no windows and two exit points should they need to make a quick get away. No one was counting on trouble bit they jad to be prepared. They were the king and queen.
Ophelia hums quietly to herself as Kaillas holds her hand and leads her towards their next destination. She appreciates the peaceful walk and the warmth of the sun on her skin. It is a welcome respite from all of life’s worries.
As they approach the restaurant, she notices the guards already inside, discreetly taking up their positions. It is a painful reminder of the constant need for security that comes with their positions. She understands the necessity but cant help but feel a twinge of sadness at the loss of normalcy.
Entering The Lavender House, She takes in the cozy atmosphere and the delightful aroma of teas and food. The restaurant is adorable and charming. She already loves it. When the owner comes over to greet them, she happily greets them in response and compliments how lovely this place is.
Following the owner to the private room, she settles into her seat and glances around the enclosed space. It feels intimate and safe, allowing her to relax a little. The guards are posted just outside of the room so it’s just them in here. She does enjoy that.
Kaillas pulled out the chair for Ophelia to sit before sitting across from her. He had his back to the wall and was facing the door. And old habit from the army he never could quite lose. He always had to have the door in his sight.
There were two guards posted in the room and the rest were outside and scattered in the rest of the restaurant. It was irritating but something Kaillas had come to ignore. After so many years, he had begun to get used to it. And it was still elss than what he would have if he were back at the palace.
There were two menus in front of them but Kaillas already knew what he was going to order. There two glasses of water in front of them and two empty teacups should they wish for tea. It wasn't his favorite but should Ophelia wish for some he would gladly indulge.
They were guevn a minute before their waitress approached them. "Good afternoon," she said, almost squeaking. She was young. This must be her first time working here since he had come to visit. "What can I get you both started with to drink, Your Magesties?" She had dipped into a small curtsy, looking at the table rather than either of them.
Thanking Kaillas, she takes her seat. She takes a moment to lean back and relax a little in her seat. She offers a small smile, watching as he joins her at the table. The reasoning of where he's sitting is lost on her. She's lived a pretty sheltered life so she wouldn't even think about needing to face the door for safety measures.
She's admittedly annoyed that the guards have to stay in the room with them but she won't say anything. Their presence is necessary to keep them safe but it means that they rarely get a chance alone. She turns her attention to the menu, not wanting to think about that right now. There's no need to ruin the good mood by getting all up in her head about the guards when they're just doing their job.
Turning her attention to the waitress, she offers a light smile. The poor girl looks nervous. It seems like she's pretty new to the job. "I'd love a cup of peppermint tea, please," She requests lightly before looking over to Kaillas to see what he wants. As for food, she'll likely get a cucumber sandiwich. It'll be light and refreshing, the perfect meal after such a heavy breakfast.
Wanting to make things easy for the girl, Kaillas said, "I'll have the same." She offered them a small smile before scurrying off. He shook his head, waiting until the door clicked shut.
"I cannot fathom who thought it would be a good idea to have young and inexperienced waitress care of us." He wasn't irritated because someone so young was taking care of them. He was upset at how nervous she seemed. He didn't want to make the poor girl uncomfortable and ultimately mess up because of how nervous she was. He made a mental note to tip her well.
He had handed the bags all off to a guard vefore they had entered who, in turn, had hurried to take it back to their vacation home. This way he wouldn't be carrying around a bunch if bags all day. This freed up his hands for more things.
He reached across the table to take Ophelia's hand. He smiled gently as he squeezed ut. "Have you decided what you like to have for lunch, darling?"
"I have no idea why they would do this to that poor girl," Ophelia says with a light frown. She has no doubt that the waitress is doing her best but it just isn't fair that they expect her to do this. Hopefully they won't prove to be challenging customers for her. She wants to make this as easy as possible for the waitress so she doesn't get too stressed out or overwhelmed.
When the guards approach to take the bags, she's offers a nod of thanks. It'll be easier for them to walk around and enjoy themselves if they don't have to worry about keeping up with their purchases.
She intertwines her fingers with his, smiling softly at him. "I think I'm going to get the cucumber sandwich. It sounds light and refreshing. What are you going to get?"
She doesn't think she's ever going to get tired of hearing him call her such sweet and affectionate names. It's something simple but it means a lot to her. She strokes the top of his hand lightly as she lets her mind wander. Things have been so perfect lately. It's all felt like a wonderful dream. She doesn't want it to end.
Kaillas smiled as he felt her fingers stroking the top of his skin on his hand. It was a small gesture that he would be comfortable with. Even with only guards in their presence he didn't feel quite comfortable showing much affections. He viewed it as something that should be done only in privacy.
He nodded his head at her choice. "I think I'll get the bisque soup. I had it last time and I quite enjoyed it." And he liked to eat things he knew he already liked. He didn't like trying new things if it wasn't necessary. He was a simple man and like simple things. And it had been very good last time.
The waitress entered the room once more and he pulled his hand back, placing it in his lap. She poured the peppermint tea into both of their teacups and placed a sugar caddy and honey on the table should they so desire it.
She cleared her throat. "Were you both ready to order did you need just a few more minutes?" Though she was still timid, she sounded more steady. There was no quiver in her voice this time.
Kaillas looked at Ophelia before smiling up at the waitress. "I think we are ready. Darling, would you like to start?"
Ophelia knows that her husband isn't fond of public displays of affection so she tries to keep them small and to a minimum. It's just a slight challenge for her since she's is a very affectionate person. Regardless of her own wants, she respects Kaillas' boundaries and won't push them.
"That sounds good," She comments with a smile, nodding her head at his choice of soup. It's a little too hot out in her opinion for soup but she certainly won't stop him from getting it. She may steal a small bite of it, though, just to test it out. Of course, she's happy to let him try out her food as well. She's sure that it'll be amazing.
Her smile widens as she notices the subtle change in the waitress's demeanor upon her return. It seems that she is growing more comfortable with their presence, and Ophelia is glad for that. She understands that it must be nerve-wracking to serve royalty. Glancing over to the sugar and honey, she perks up a bit. With her sweet-tooth, she'll certainly be adding a spoonful or two of sugar to her tea.
She glances at the menu one last time before looking up at the young woman. "I'll have the cucumber sandwich, thank you," She says politely. With her order placed, she turns to look at Kaillas so he can put in his request.
Kaillas took the menus and handed them to the waitress. He didn't need it to order. He had known what he was going to order when he had planned this trip. Helped, plan was the better word for it. He took a sip of his tea, trying not to grimace at the taste, as Ophelia ordered.
"I'll have the bisque soup, please." The waitress nodded her head, writing down their orders before taking the menus. She dipped into a small curtsy for then again. Kailass had half a mind to tell her she didn't need to do that but decided otherwise.
"I'll get that right in for you both." She dipped into one last curtsy before scurrying off. She was not prepared for this. He didn't like she hadn't been prepared. If he felt comfortable causing a scene he'd say something to the owner. But he wouldn't. She was still doing a good job and he wouldn't embarrass her.
He really he'd back across the table to take her hand once she had left. It shouldn't take too long for their food to be prepared. They were the only patrons in building.
Ophelia makes sure to thank the waitress again before she leaves. Although the girl's confidence seems to be building, it's still not fair of the owners of this place to put her in this position to begin with. "She doesn't need to curtsy so much….." She comments softly after they're alone in the room once again. "I know she's trying to be polite but I feel bad for being so inconveniencing."
She scoops some sugar out of the bowl and adds it to her cup. Picking up the spoon, she stirs the sugar into the tea, enjoying the minty smell. Once satisfied that it's mixed up properly, she takes a sip of the drink. It tastes just as wonderful as it smells.
"What are we doing after we eat?" She asks him curiously, wanting to know what the plan is. Everything so far has been a lot of fun but she's curious to know what the next few activities are. She likes to stick to a schedule so as fun as surprises are, she'd like to have an idea of what to expect.
She knows that they're the only two customers in the building so the service will be quick and efficient. The food should be arriving at any minute so she's mindful to keep the conversation basic so it's nothing important that's getting interrupted.
Kaillas debated for half a second on whether or not to add sugar to his tea. But he was a man and he would take it as was. He let his grimace show the next time he took a sip of his tea. Nope, it wasn't better the second time. He should not have gotten tea and just stuck with the water. It was too late now. He was going to finish it.
"We'll tip her well and everything will be alright. The restaurant has already been paid in advance for the inconvenience of shutting them down." He felt another stab of guilt as he thought about the whole town being shut down just for them. Even if he argued for them to be let to go about their day, ut wouks be ignored. When it came to his safety, everything was on the table.
He set the teacup down on the saucer. "Well, the theater is putting on a performance this evening so we'll be going to that. It's at seven, so we can decide on an early or late dinner instead. We still need to find a gift for Catalina so we'll do that first. Afterwards, we'll take your donations to the orphanage."
He had seen the way she perked up at donating to the orphanage and theater. He woukd have Catalina draw up a lost of charities for her to set up regular donations and perhaps visit should they be close to the palace. He didn't want her traveling far. At least not without him.
The look on his face as he drinks the tea nearly has her laughing. "I take it that you're not a fan?" She teases him lightly. She wasn't expecting to see such a sour look on his face over tea. Granted, tea can be a little bitter but that's why sugar and honey are offered when tea is served. "Add some sugar if you don't like it. You don't need to suffer." It's obvious that she finds this whole situation amusing.
She nods a bit, happy to hear him say that they'll be tipping well. It's deserved. "I do feel bad that everything has to be shut down for us. It must be frustrating for both the shop owners and the townspeople." While she wouldn't mind having everything be normal in town, she knows that they don't have an option. It would be much harder to keep them safe with so many people wandering around.
Listening to the plan, she considers it all. "I look forward to seeing the theater," She comments, genuinely excited. "Any ideas for Catalina's gift yet?" Right now she has no idea so she's hoping that Kaillas has something in mind. She perks up when the children are mentioned. "Oh, I can't wait to go."
Her love for children is strong so she's greatly looking forward to visiting the orphanage and seeing all of the children. "We should bring them some toys," She suggests, wanting to brighten their lives a little more. The money they donate will go to necessities which is wonderful but she also thinks it's important to let the children be children. They need to play and have fun.
Kaillas made a face at Ophelie. He knew he coukd add sugar to it but he woukd take it like this. He doubted sugar would make it taste any better for him anyways. He wasn't a big fan of tea. He only really drank it if he was having problems sleeping.
"It is frustrating. I promise the shops we do visit have been paid well. This restaurant included. Unfortunately, it's the way it has to be. But the theater will be packed tonight for the performance. It won't be just us." But they woukd be in a box secluded on a balcony.
Kaillas tilted his head as he thought. He still hadn't thought of the right thing for Catalina. She wouldn't want a new dress or shoes. She didn't want anything fancy. She had refused the diamond necklace he had bought her once. He ended up having to give it to his sister. It likely sat somewhere at the bottom of her jewelry box.
"Perhaps we could fund her a nice amulet or medallion necklace. She would appreciate something simple and thoughtful." Something that had meaning to it. She didn't want something that meant nothing but something pretty around her neck.
Kaillas was feeling wary about visiting the orphanage. Children never seemed to like him. His scar was too terrifying for most children. They would cry or scream or hide from him. Those that were old enough to know who he was would stare at him. He hated the staring. It might be worse than the crying.
"What kind of toys would you like to bring?" He didn't mention his displeasure of the kids. She would find out soon enough how much children did not like him.
Ophelia actually does laugh at his expression this time. "Why did you order tea if you don't like it? It's not as though anyone will force it down your throat," She teases him lightly. They're perfect opposites in this respective. While he doesn't seem to care for tea, she rather enjoys it. Peppermint is her favorite but she'll drink just about any flavor offered to her.
She's glad that the shops are being paid for today. She can only hope that it'll be enough to make up for any profits they may have lost out on because of their presence. It would be terrible if someone suffered because of them.
As he shares his thoughts on their plans for Catalina's gift, she nods in agreement. "An amulet or medallion necklace sounds perfect. Something meaningful and understated." She doubts that Catalina would appreciate anything flashy so they'll have to pick something simple if there's any hopes of getting the woman to actually wear it.
"We can bring a variety of toys that cater to different ages and interests," She suggests. "There are usually classic toys like dolls, stuffed animals, puzzles, and board games that children of all ages can enjoy. A few books for the older children would be nice as well. We can also inquire with the orphanage staff to see if there are any specific needs or requests."
While Kaillas may not be exactly looking forward to their visit to the orphanage, that will likely be her favorite part of the day. She loves children and they seem to love her in return. It just comes easy to her. Interacting with the little ones is such fun due to their wild imaginations and the older ones always have the most wonderful conversations with her.
Her laugh was addicting. Kaillas could do nothing to prevent himself from returning it. He let lose a quiet chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. "They're known for their tea here. I can't not have a cup." He braved one more sip, draining the cup before setting it down and pushing it away from him. "It just gets worse each sip I take."
He nodded his head as Ophelia agreed with him. He was glad that he could finally think of something. He felt ashamed that it had taken him so long to think of something. But she was just one of those people who was hard to shop for. He was happy the finally decided on a gift for her.
He nodded his head. "Alright. After we get Catalina her gift, we'll go to the toy store and pick up some toys before we go to the orphanage." He grabbed his water and took a large gulp of it, washing down the taste of tea.
The door opened and the waitress walked back in. She holding their dishes. She placed the sandwiches in front of Ophelia and the soup in front of Kaillas. There were two slices of toast that went with the soup.
"Do you need anything else at this time?" She was still looking at the table, refusing to make eye contact with the two royals.
“You are a strange man, husband,” Ophelia informs him, her tone playful. She thinks it’s hilarious that he picked a place known for their tea when he dislikes tea. While she’s certain that he did this for her, she would have been happy eating anywhere so his suffering was avoidable.
Now that they know what they’re getting Catalina, she feels much better. “I think I saw the perfect shop to find her gift in. It’s next to a cobbler, I believe.” The shop in question, from what she can tell, specializes in jewelry so they’re bound to find something for her there.
“The children will be so excited to have some toys to play with.” She can’t wait to go pick out some things for them. The looks on their sweet little faces will be wonderful. When they return from their honeymoon she wants to invest some time in a special project that will help the children out even more.
Turning to look at the waitress, she offers a friendly smile, hoping to ease her nerves some. “Everything looks wonderful,” She informs her to show that they won’t be giving her any problems. “This will be all for now, thank you.”
All of the food looks delicious and she has everything she needs at the table. There’s no need to hold the waitress hostage when she’s clearly not comfortable around them.
"Judge me all you want, wife, but they have good soup here." It had been the only reason Kaillas had chosen this place. Their food was delicious, as simple as it was. It was worth braving the tea if it meant he got to eat the food.
He nodded his head. "We'll go right after we're finished eating then. I'm sure we'll find the perfect necklace for her." He was excited to find soemthung for her now. It was about time he bought something to show his appreciation for her. From both of them now. And this would be something that she woukd finally accept.
He did not share the same enthusiasm for seeing the children as Ophelia did but he wouldn't damper her spirits. His smile never diminished even jf it no longer reached his eyes. "I know they'll love whatever you bring for them." Laillas was content being a faceless donator. It was easier than facing children who were terrified of the way he looked.
Thankfully the waitress cut off any more talk of the children. Kaillas nodded his head. "We're alright, thank you." The young girl beamed and quijcly scurried out, leaving them to their food.
Kaillas looked delighted as he looked down at his soup. He had been dreaming of eating here. Figuratively of course, not literally. He had the cooks try to remake the recipe but it was just never as good as it was here. Bit as much as he was salivating to eat his food, he would wait until Ophelia took the first bite.
Ophelia will take his word for it about the soup. It must be amazing if he’s willing to come to a restaurant specializing in tea, which he doesn’t like, just in order to get it. Now she’s almost wishing that she would have ordered the soup but those sandwiches still sound amazing.
“Wonderful! I’m sure we’ll find something perfect for her.” She knows that Catalina does a lot for them so she wants to find a magnificent gift in order to show proper appreciation. Finding a gift was harder than she expected but Kaillas’ suggestion is a good one. She just hopes that they’ll be able to find one that conveys their thoughts and appreciation properly.
Once the waitress has left, she turns her attention towards the food. However, she’s quickly distracted by Kaillas. The man is practically drooling over his food right now. She laughs quietly but doesn’t comment since she doesn’t want to embarrass him.
She picks up her sandwich and takes a bit. “Oh, this is delicious,” She praises, very happy with the choice she made. The cucumbers are fresh and crunchy. All of the seasonings and the cream cheese work together perfectly to create a very yummy sandwich.
Kaillas has no doubt that they'll be able to find aoemthung for Catalina. Ophelia had an eye for spitting beautiful things and Kaillas, well he knew Cat enough to know whether or not she would like it. And that was the most important part.
He felt like Ophelia was deliberately taking forever to take a bite out of her sandwich. It may be juvenile, but he was almost glaring at her as he told her to hurry with his eyes. He was ready to eat his soup but he couldn't do so until she had taken her first bite. But then it finally came and he practically shoved a spoonful of soup in his mouth. He almost moaned as the flavors exploded on his tongue. Almost.
He looked up at Oohelia, smiling as he used his napkin to clean his face. "And this is why I wanted us to come here." It had been Katya who had pointed out this restaurant on one if their first times here together. She had dragged them to this little restaurant and ever since then they'd been going here. He couldn't not stop here.
He ate a few more spoonfuls, alternating between dipping his bread. He paused for a sip if water, taking the moment to admire Ophelia.
Ophelia nearly chokes on her food from laughing so hard at Kaillas. The way he shovels the soup into his mouth like he’s been starving is killing her. She wasn’t expecting him to have such a strong reaction to the food. It takes her a good minute to compose herself from this.
“Is it good?” She teases him, not even trying to hide the amused grin on her face. Nothing could have prepared her for this but she’s so glad that she’s able to witness it. She has to admit that the food is rather delicious. She doesn’t know if she’s willing to shove it down her throat like he is though. Still as pleased as the cat that ate the canary, she takes another small bite of her sandwich. “I prefer to actually taste my food,” She informs him, clearly having fun with this.
They’ll have to come to this restaurant again the next time they’re in town. The food is delicious, the place is adorable, and their waitress has been very nice. She doesn’t have really any complaints
She contently eats her food and drinks her tea, alternating between the two and making sure to take sips of water so the flavors don’t overlap and get weird. “I am glad that you suggested coming here. Everything has been wonderful so far.”
Kaillas rolled his eyes playfully. He had slown down in eating his food, but, well, it was good. And he was hungry. Breakfast hadn't fully satisfied him. And he was hungry every few hours. All thanks to his vigours training he put himself through. It wasn't necessary anymore now that he was king. If he wanted to, he could get fat and lazy. But he refused to let that happen to himself. And he refused to let his guard down. He protect his family with his life. He needed to be prepared for that.
"It is good," he said as he finally gave himself a break from eating. "And I'm hungry." He said it almost like a whining child complaining there was nothing in the fridge when there certainly was. He gave Ophelia a wink before straightening his back. "I am hungry, though. It takes a lot to satisfy me. I burn through a lot of calories a day. I need to keep my energy up."
He had thought about making an inappropriate jest but he decided otherwise. He had teased her enough and there was the risk of the waitress walking in on them. He didn't want to risk that embarrament for either of them.
"I'm glad you like it," he said sincerely. He had been a little nervous to bring her here. Not only because he worried she wouldn't like the sand jf the beach, but because this was his sanctuary. Somewhere to escape from to get away from the palace life. Somewhere he could breathe. He had taken a leap of faith bringing her and he wasn't disappointed.
Ophelia smiles at Kaillas, finding his playful eye roll endearing. She enjoys watching him enjoy his meal, appreciating his voracious appetite. She knows that he is very dedicated to his training, even if it isn’t exactly necessary for his role as king. She doubts that the kingdom would expect him to actually fight if something went down.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it," she replies, pleased that he’s liking the meal. "You work so hard, it's only fair that you indulge yourself." She’s seen him work out so she doesn’t doubt that he would be absolutely starving afterwards. It seems like he burns a lot of energy doing so.
"It means a lot to me that you brought me here," She says lightly, her voice filled with sincerity. "I can understand why this place is special to you and your family. It's beautiful, serene, and a perfect escape from the demands of palace life. Thank you for sharing it with me."
As she speaks, she reaches across the table and gently places her hand on top of his, giving it a light squeeze. She’ll keep the touching to a minimum so she doesn’t make him uncomfortable.
