"Would you like some bread?" Kent asked stretching out a buttered piece for Lilith.
"Oh, thank you." She said, stretching out a piece of bread for her.
"Do you have anything to do today?" He asked, looking at her.
"Yes. Beth agreed to teach me how to knit today and then we're going to try simple embroidery designs or I'll just decide to go to the library and pick a book."
"You have a full schedule." He said smiling.
"What about you?"
"I have some meetings with a few of the townsmen and after that, I'm going for a few drinks."
"Have a nice day." She said with a smile.
"It would be nicer if I were to spend it with you."
"I-" Lilith said, her face turning to a flaming red.
"What do you think about horses?"
"Horses? I think they're quite nice animals."
"Well, would you like to ride one?"
"Are you being serious?" She said her eyes were shining.
"Of course I am." He said with a laugh.
"But I don't have any riding clothes. Do I ride in my gown?"
"That'll all be taken care of. I'll ask a seamstress to make one just for the occasion."
"I'm so happy and I can barely wait. Thank you, Kent." She said to him, her eyes shining.
The steward walked in slowly, clearing his throat to indicate his presence in the dining room.
"Sir, you have a guest."
"A guest? Who's that?"
"It's me." A bubbly chirpy voice said outside of the dining room. Her riding boots clicked on the floor.
"Eleanor!" Kent said with a wide smile.
"My darling!" She said walking up to him.
They hugged for a long while, laughing and smiling.
Lilith sat, picking at her food.
"Who's this woman?" She thought to herself.
"She's so pretty. And she and Kent look so compatible." She mused silently, her shoulders drooping slowly.
"Oh Kent, I missed you so much!"
"I could say the same El."
"El? he even has a nickname just for her."
"Oh my goodness! Pardon me, young lady. I didn't see you there. My goodness, you're so pretty." Eleanor said, taking Lilith's hands into hers.
"And your fingers are so elegant and dainty. You look like a fairy."
"Oh thank you," Lilith said, flushing.
"Kent you didn't tell me you have a betrothed." She said, smiling at him.
"Lilith's not my betrothed."
"Then?"
"She's a guest at the house."
"Lilith? Good day Lilith. My name is Eleanor and I am Kent's truest friend. Kent's grandfather and my grandfather fought together."
"That's enough Eleanor. You're about to tell her your birth history."
"You're beautiful too," Lilith said, smiling at Eleanor.
"Aren't you the sweetest?"
"We're just rounding up breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
"Of course."
Kent motioned the steward to add an extra plate to the table.
"Thank you," Eleanor said, immediately biting into the bread.
"I have to ask." She said whilst chewing her food. "Why're you only eating vegetables and some wheat bread Lilith?"
"Oh, I don't eat meat."
"Oh, an earth fighter. Good choice Kent."
"So what are you exactly here for Eleanor?"
"Well. I came back from Scotland to pay you and a wonderful family a visit. Aren't you happy?"
"I'm happy to see you but we both know that's not why you're here, now spill."
"My parents are pushing me to slavery with a man." She said with a loud sigh.
"Slavery?"
"Yes, slavery."
Kent looked at her astounded for a few moments before laughing aloud.
"It's not funny!" She said her lips pursed.
"I deeply apologize but calling marriage slavery?" Kent said, clearing his mouth with a napkin.
"My mama said that's my goal or something. To serve a man."
"That'd be terrible."
"Right? It is. It truly sounds so disgusting."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I've already matched with some "eligible" bachelors and grandfathers. I'll wait a bit and see."
"I'll see what I can do."
"It's all right Kent. I can handle this myself." She said, flashing him a smile.
"Anyways Lilith tell me about yourself."
"I-"
"You know what?" She paused. "I'm hosting a tea party soon and I would very much like it if you would come so I can introduce you to some other ladies. They can be a bit snobby but you'll like it for sure."
"T-that'll be nice."
"So you're honoring my invitation."
"Of course."
They shared a smile.
"So how did you meet Kent Lilith?"
"Well um, he rescued me from a stranded island. I was shipwrecked." Lilith said, fiddling with her fingers.
"Still going with the lie I see." Kent thought.
"That sounds terrible. Were you traveling?" Eleanor said, her eyebrows scrunching.
"No, we were taken forcefully for sale."
"Oh, that's terrible! Were there other survivors too?"
"None."
"That's strange. You're truly lucky surviving out of all those people."
"Yes, I am lucky."
"I can't imagine what you must be going through."
"Eleanor is always so gullible," Kent said watching the interaction.
"I must say your story sounds just like a princess's dream. Princess is kidnapped and rescued by the Prince and they fall in love and live happily ever after. Are you two in love yet?"
Lilith began to choke on her drink. Her eyes brimming with tears and her face turning red.
"Oh my, Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"
Kent passed Lilith a cup of water looking at her worriedly.
"I mean you two look so good together. Your wedding would be so grand and then my God kids-"
"Eleanor, please! You're about to kill Lilith here."
Lilith's eyes were a bright color of red as she took big gulps of the water and looked at Eleanor wondering how someone could be so open and direct.
"Oopsie daisies. I guess I better head out now and see my mama and the others. They must be waiting for my arrival any moment now."
"Say hi to your mama for me."
"I'm sure she'd be very excited to hear that. Maybe even more excited hearing that than seeing me."
"I'll see you later then. Lilith, I hope you make it."
Eleanore left the room leaving just Kent and Lilith alone again.
"I…" They both said at the same time.
"No, you go first," Kent said.
"Why did you do that?" Lilith continued.
"Do what?"