By the time dinner arrived, the table had been cobbled back into existence by books and other household items including a sturdy log that Silver used to help chop wood. Conall saw the new construction as he dropped off the food, but for once wisely said nothing.
Rose had been able to change from her torn gown as well, thanks to a generous donation form Lily. After seeing the princess's ragged state as she walked down the street, the motherly blonde had come knocking with a parcel in hand.
No matter how much Silver insisted that he pay her, Lily left with only a smile on her face for compensation. That was just her way.
Because of the gentle lady's generosity, Rose was now wearing a streamlined navy blue frock which cinched tightly around her slim frame. Her fairy pendant, which had spent the day tucked beneath her dress, was displayed proudly, making even the simple gown look truly elegant. Rose's bright blue eyes only added to the mesmerizing effect.
As Rose entered the main room in her new attire, the two men at the table abruptly stopped speaking. It was obvious they had been having a furtive conversation about her.
They stood quickly out of respect for their female guest, Ethyn nearly knocking the table with his enthusiasm. Silver pressed his eyes shut for a moment, pretending he hadn't seen so he would not need to comment. He shook his head slightly and grinned at his sister.
For his part, Ethyn had not even registered his nearly catastrophic move. He froze, staring silently, unable to speak.
The princess smiled brightly at them. Her brother seemed genuinely pleased to see her. The lighting that streaked across his irises was even brighter than usual.
As fascinating as this development was, it was the other man that caught her attention. Ethyn wore a light grey tunic and trousers, which were his spare clothes from being at the palace.
Rose gazed into his emerald eyes. How has she never noticed the way they sparkled before? A blush formed on her delicate cheeks.
"Don't everyone speak at once." Rose muttered quickly to cover up her own embarrassment.
"Forgive us. We are being rude. We are just not used to be in the presence of such amiable company." Silver gave a slight bow of apology. "You look lovely Haven, doesn't she, buddy?" Covertly, he elbowed the other man.
The nudge brought Ethyn out of his stupor. He opened his mouth to respond, then shook his finger at his mentor. "Oh no you don't! Is there an answer I can give to that question that won't end with you mad at me?"
Silver contemplated for a moment. "No."
The knight looked wounded. "Quite a brother you have here…" he sighed wearily.
Rose stifled her grin and frowned seriously. "He is quite special."
Ethyn dipped his head solemnly. "On that, we can agree."
With that, Silver pulled out the young woman's chair and helped her be seated. As the host of the meal, the Guardian made sure all the plates were adequately portioned and and all the cups were full.
They dug into the food, which was part of the delicious delicacies that Katherine had been preparing since that morning.
"This is heavenly!" Rose refrained from licking her fork though no one would have blamed her.
"I agree, Your Highness." Ethyn gently scooped up some gravy from his plate with a spoon. "Truly food fit for an angel."
The two locked eyes and Rose knew there was a hidden compliment in there. She wanted to accuse him of breaking his promise, but that would let the third member of the party in on the some of the more shameless things the knight had said to her.
"I am sure true angels deserve things we cannot comprehend," she answered to dissuade him.
"How would you know?" Ethyn retorted with a hidden wink.
"I suppose I don't, but I shall ask Hanna next time I see her." Rose verbally stuck out her tongue at the man for his cheekiness.
Silver cleared his throat and redirected them. "You know, I think I saw that Conall also brought a special something for dessert."
The Guardian's chair scraped against the ground as he went to fetch the promised treats. Removing the cloth from the plate, a tantalizing smell filled the air.
"I know they are nothing like the palace…" Silver said humbly as he returned with the small, floury cakes. Part of him felt lacking for not being able to give Rose the finery which she was accustomed to.
"You are right," Rose pursed her lips, "In many ways, they are far superior because they were made by someone I love!"
The princess had no doubt that what the treats lacked in flair, they would more than make up for in taste. And even if they didn't, knowing that Katherine made them enhanced their value automatically.
Silver was genuinely moved. He held out the platter. "Honey cake?"
The princess happily added one to her plate. "I do like honey."
"I am not surprised. It is sweet." Ethyn innocently took a bite, but the rest of the sentence 'just like you' flashed through Rose's mind just the same. His persistence in teasing her made her roll her eyes.
"Ethyn prefers sour things." The Guardian nudged the other man with his foot.
"I'm not surprised," Rose giggled.
Arching his brow, Ethyn took offense. "I'll have you know I had a mountain of sweets at the palace after being knighted."
It was Rose's turn to be mischievous. "And how did that work out for you?" She cooed.
Silver spit his drink. "Haven!"
"Did I say something wrong?" The princess feigned ignorance.
Silver tapped his chin as his eyes flicked between his two dinner partners. "I see what is happening here."
The princess and knight exchanged a guilty glance. "What do you mean?" They asked in unison.
"Honestly I'm disappointed in you both. I gave you one task today: to get along. And even going through a life or death experience you weren't able to make peace!" Silver puffed out his cheeks.
"I think there has been a misunderstanding." Ethyn raised one hand to interrupt the lecture.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I can see behind your polite sounding words. You both are trying to take little digs at each other as often as you can!" Silver crossed his arms. "If you cannot get along here, how will you ever get along for your upcoming dinner at the palace?"
"Silver…" Rose also tried to speak her peace, but even her soft tone was not enough to quell the fire of the Guardian.
"Do not say Ethyn has agreed not to go. He is not going to defy the king like that! What I am asking you both to do is not hard. Yet here you are fighting me like I am forcing you to get married!"
It was Ethyn's turn to choke. "Married! Who said anything about being married?"
"I sure didn't!" The princess jumped in quickly touching her finger to her chest.
"Goodness! You both are touchy! It was just an example. No one in their right mind would want you two to get married, least of all me!" Silver laughed heartily and the other two joined in awkwardly without making eye contact.
Finally Silver wiped his eyes and grew serious once more.
"Now that we have the absurd out of the way. Let us try for something more attainable, shall we?"
"We weren't fighting before like you think." The young knight began his explanation. "We were teasing out of camaraderie not anger."
There was much more that Ethyn wanted to say, but Silver was already shaking his head in disbelief.
"It's true," Rose agreed. "We have no ill will between us."
Silver studied them both closely. "You mean it? You both are not just trying to rile each other up?"
"No, no." They both agreed. "We are friends now. Truly."
Silver leaned back in his chair and heaved a sigh. "Well, that's a relief. I was afraid I would have to take more drastic measures..." Before the others could contemplate his meaning, the Guardian raised his glass. "To getting along."
"To getting along," Rose and Ethyn echoed eagerly. The three cups clunked together before being tipped to their respective mouths.
The silver-eyed man wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "I am only a little sorry I misunderstood. That marriage joke I made was probably the funniest thing I have ever said."
"It isn't that crazy," the princess chimed in. "Sir Ethyn is a knight, and by your own account he is both noble of character and brave in deed."
"Any man would consider himself most blessed to be paired with Haven for life," Ethyn said. "Not that I am any man, but still," he added to prevent things from being misconstrued.
"Both of you are correct, but together? Pure disaster. I am glad you both have more sense then that." Silver laughed again and lifted the plate of cakes back into the center of the table. "Who wants another?"
The princess and knight both declined. Suddenly they had lost their appetites.