Becca and I were sitting outside at a table covered by a gazebo. It was a warm spring day and a light breeze made it the perfect weather for lunch outside.
I suggested eating outside so we could enjoy the fresh air. Now that we had agreed on the first big step for our plan to improve the Duchy, I thought it was a good time to relax and spend some quality time with Becca.
My plan for our lunch date was to get to know as much about Becca as possible. We have had some deep conversations and our bond as a couple has grown so much that it is easy to forget that we have only known each other for about a week.
There are so many basic things that I don't know about Becca. Today, I'll keep peppering her with questions so I can get to know her a little better.
For lunch, we were having some grilled chicken with rice and salad. Becca was sitting up with an elegant posture and slowly cutting her food. She looked like the textbook noble woman.
I, on the other hand, was using my fork to tear the chicken and taking big bites. I also preferred to stretch my legs out while sitting down in a relaxed position.
I will probably need to learn some etiquette, if I want to pass as a noble. Manners are a little overrated in my opinion. People should just do what makes them feel comfortable, as long as it isn't bothering anyone. But, if Becca is the one teaching me, then I will still have a good time.
"Becca, you look so graceful when you are eating. You must have worked hard to become a model noble woman. Just the action of eating a simple lunch makes you look unbelievably stunning."
When I said the word stunning, Becca's hand flinched and she got some sauce on the edge of her mouth.
"Nick! You don't have to sweet talk me! Especially when I'm eating!"
I grabbed a napkin from the table and reached over to gently wipe the sauce from her mouth.
"You better get used to it. I'm going to let you know how I feel and more often than not, I feel like you are captivating."
Becca was still blushing from my words and actions, but she was able to calm down a little bit.
"I think you only like to say those things because you like to see how I will react. But thank you for wiping my face for me."
"Hmmm…what can I do to prove to you that I sincerely find you beautiful? Maybe if I come over there and give you a passionate kiss, you will believe me?"
Becca quickly stuck her hands out in front of her face and waved them.
"No way! Don't tease me because you have some experience! For respectable people, kissing should only be done by married couples. And we are currently in the courtship phase according to you."
Dang it. It looks like I was right earlier when I predicted that she would not be ready to kiss yet because of the conservative society she was raised in.
I faked being insulted, "you think that I'm not a respectable person?!"
Becca quickly tried to explain herself, "no no no. Your society has different standards. I'm sure you were the most respectable man there was in your world."
I reached over again and ruffled her hair. "I've just been teasing you. You can go at your own pace, I won't rush you. But, I want you to know that I give you permission to kiss me whenever you want."
"Just wait until the 6 months are up. You can kiss me at the redo ceremony."
I pouted jokingly, "if that's what you want…
By the way, in those 6 months, I want to get to know you a lot better. Today, I want to ask you a ton of questions I have thought of.
For instance, what kind of food do you like? Is there any that is your all time favorite?"
Becca thought about it for a while. I was curious if anything she liked would be something I could cook again, but I couldn't make much more than pancakes and simple dishes.
"If I had to say, I prefer savory food and snacks. I enjoy snacking on peanuts. And my favorite food would probably be market stand meat skewers. I don't have them often since I usually stay home, but on festivals, where I can be in town, I really look forward to a couple of fresh skewers.
I like sweet things okay, but I can't have more than a few bites of something sweet before it becomes too sweet for me. Noble women will often have cakes at their tea parties, but I usually have to find a friend who is willing to share half of it with me."
"That's good to know. I actually have a sweet tooth myself, so I can always leave a few bites of my sweets for you in the future.
Actually, when I eat pancakes, I would use a sweet condiment called syrup in my world. I tried to ask for some when I made your pancakes, but apparently it doesn't exist here."
Becca frowned slightly, "ya, I have never heard of syrup…"
"Hmmm, maybe we should try making some ourselves. It was very popular in my world, so we could probably make a lot of money if we could create it. I think you make it out of tree sap."
Becca's eyes widened, "tree sap? You mean the weird gooey stuff that comes out of trees? You can eat that?"
"Oh, so people at least know about the sap. The straight up tree sap probably tastes gross, but once you boil it, it should be sweet."
"It shouldn't be too hard to get some tree sap to at least give it a try. I've seen a lot in my childhood."
I rubbed my hands together, "awesome, I have been missing my pancakes with syrup!
By the way, we have talked about savory and sweet, but how are you with spicy food? I absolutely can't take anything with spice myself."
Becca responded, "I can have an average amount of spice with no problem, but I don't like it enough to seek spicy food out very often. I'll make sure not to share any of my spicy food with you."