Everyone was surprised to see Dante ok his feet. They expected he would at least take a week or two to recover. Even Dante couldn't explain the speedy recovery. Though his wounds were still fresh, they didn't hurt nearly as much as they should have.
Most people consider speedy recovery a good thing until Dante was involved, then it became sorcery. He kept his eyes on the ground, walking briskly to the kitchen.
"Ahhh! Here you are! I was almost sure you wouldn't survive yesterday's torture. Don't you get tired of proving us wrong?" Guirello asked with a sweet smile like his words were innocent.
Dante lowered his gaze, willing the ache in his heart to disappear. He had existed in this misery for twenty-one years. One would think he would have gotten used to hurtful words.
"Is there anything you want me to do today, sir?" He politely asked. Guirello took a look around the kitchen.
"Mmm.. nothing for now. How about you help yourself with some leftovers?".
Dante looked up, surprised by the offer.
"I can? Why? I have not done anything to earn it", he muttered. He regretted the words after he said them and prayed the man would ignore them. So many times he had worked for meals and got cheated, if he was offered a meal without work then he deserved it.
"You went through hell yesterday. Let's just say this is my recovery present", Guirello chuckled.
"Thank you, sir. You are very kind", Dante said with an appreciative tone. Guirello walked out of the kitchen and Dante quickly hurried to the leftover bin.
He opened it and took a sniff. A pleasant smile crossed his face. He heard footsteps and turned quickly to the door, afraid that Guirello had tricked him.
"Every time I meet you, you are either in trouble or by the refuse bin", Kitanna chuckled. Dante bit his lip, unsure if he was allowed to reply. "So what are you doing today?".
"Guirello gave me a treat", he responded quietly.
"Who's Guirello?" Kitanna asked. Before he could reply, another set of footsteps followed. "Princess?"
Dante looked up. Her seafoam eyes rested coldly on him. He quickly lowered his gaze.
"Don't you wear anything other than rags?" Almira asked. Dante didn't know how to respond. He didn't choose to wear rags, he had nothing else.
"Why don't you have a seat while I fix your food?" Kitanna tried to divert Almira's attention from Dante.
Dante, on the other hand, decided to grab his food quickly and leave. He didn't want to make the princess uncomfortable. He opened the lowest cabinet and took out a small bag, ready to pack his meal.
"Stale food? Again? I thought you said he gave you a treat", Kitanna said with a deep frown.
Dante felt embarrassed to be questioned before the princess. He glanced at her before he could stop himself. Almira simply stared at him.
"It's not stale. These are better than the last ones. I think they're from last night. There's a little change in quality, but overall, it's almost as good as yesterday. I think they just don't want me eating from their fancy plates so they trashed it", Dante defended Guirello with a smile.
"How about you wait a bit, I could make breakfast for all three of us'', Kitanna offered. Dante was shocked by the offer. He searched Kitanna's eyes thoughtfully, looking for the bait.
"You don't have to bother. I am quite fine with this", he declined, politely as he could manage.
"I insist. Join us, please".
Dante couldn't argue anymore. He simply nodded and found a perfect spot on the floor to sit.
Kitanna turned to Almira who had been awfully quiet. "He's joining us for breakfast, princess", she said.
"So?" Almira asked, indifferently.
Kitanna smiled, relieved Almira had no problem with it.
"How about we try some seafood sauce today, princess?".
"Do whatever you want as long as it is delicious".
"I can help. I know some good recipes", Dante offered. Almira arched her brow.
"Really?" Kitanna asked enthusiastically. Almira rolled her eyes at the maid's excitement.
"What would someone who has eaten nothing but stale food all his life know about good food?" Almira asked, killing the excitement in a second. Kitanna glanced at Dante who quickly lowered his gaze.
"With all due respect, your highness, that was an insensitive thing to say" Kitanna chastened.
"The truth hurts, doesn't it?" Almira shot back. Dante looked between them, afraid they would argue because of him.
"I understand your point, my princess. Please permit me to say I have studied so many recipe books. I also watch Guirello cook when I'm not running errands," Dante explained. Almira said nothing.
Dante got off the floor, meeting Kitanna at the counter. Almira watched them as they talked about random things, laughing and even playing. Just watching them brought this warm feeling in her chest.
Then a small curious part of her mind wondered what he would look like without the mask.
The meal took longer to be ready, but Almira almost didn't notice until Kitanna served the bowl of sauce and white rice.
"You're twenty minutes late", She stated. Dante glanced worriedly at Kitanna.
"I apologize, your highness. We'll work with time next time", Dante apologized.
"I think you're just being grumpy, princess", Kitanna said at the same time.
"He's intelligent, you should learn from him", Almira spoke to Kitanna, who rolled her eyes with a smile. They watched eagerly as she picked the spoon.
She tasted the prawns first. When she said nothing, Dante and Kitanna exchanged glances. Her face was expressionless so it was difficult to tell if she liked it or not.
"How is it?" Kitanna took the initiative to ask.
"Good", Almira shrugged.
"Just good?" Kitanna couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Do you like it, your highness?" Dante quietly asked. He flinched when Almira's eyes snapped to him. "I'm sorry", he apologized quickly.
"I like it. I've never had something this delicious. You should cook more instead of depending on the bin".
Dante blinked. Then Kitanna blinked. Did she just….
"When I asked you, you gave me a plain one-word answer. He asks and you've already given three sentences of praise", Kitanna complained. Dante smiled secretly.
"You merely assisted. Surely, you don't think you deserve more praise than the cook, do you?" Almira stated.
Kitanna grumbled but didn't argue. She dished out so much food that Almira became worried. Just as she was about to question Kitanna, the girl handed the plate to Dante.
Dante stared skeptically at it. "For me?"
"Yes. I promised you breakfast, didn't I? Don't be afraid, the kitchen is all ours for now. Feel free to eat," Kitanna said with a grin.
"Thank you. I deeply appreciate your kind gesture," Dante bowed, repeatedly until Kitanna laughed.
"It's alright, just take it".
He accepted the plate and moved to a corner.
"Where are you going?" Kitanna asked.
"Nowhere," Dante replied, sitting comfortably on the floor.
"Why not join us here?" Kitanna asked.
"I'm fine here, ma'am".
"I've never seen anyone choose suffering over comfort. You are treated like an animal because you see yourself as an animal. You need to stop picking the safe option and start living," Kitanna frankly said.
"The kid doesn't need motivation, Anna, he wants to be ordered " Almira chipped in.
"Huh?" Both Dante and Kitanna reacted.
"Get up here now" Almira ordered. Dante scampered off the floor immediately, taking the seat opposite them. He started digging in immediately, shoving as much as he could into his mouth.
Kitanna chuckled, focusing on her food. Almira continued to watch him as he ate like it would be his last. He froze when he noticed her staring and began to chew slowly, heavily embarrassed.
He was only grateful that the mask concealed his flustered face, leaving just his mouth and eyes. When he realized that his plate was almost cleared, while others were still full, despite being offered the biggest share, his embarrassment grew.
Almira pushed her plate to him, shocking both Dante and Kitanna.
"I'm full, have it".
Dante felt horrible. His bad eating habits must have made the princess lose her appetite.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…." Almira dished a spoonful and shoved it into his mouth.
"Stop talking and eat".
He took the spoon from her shyly, cheeks burning beneath the head mask.