Chapter 50 Chapter 50
Chapter 50
\- Jason -
Aria led me to the dining room, and there was no one there but the two of us
I looked at the trays and bowls of food aesthetically arranged on the table and wondered where all the maids were
She led me to sit and began serving it
"You don't have to," I tried to stop her. "Where are all the maids?"
"What maids?" She asked back with a smile. "I cooked and fished this myself."
"You did?" I was genuinely surprised.
"Yeah," she nodded. The aroma of the food hit my nose and even though I thought I did not care for food at the moment, my stomach churned
The food smelled and looked good
She sat beside me after serving the food and waited with anticipation, her hands clasped together
"Eat," she urged.
I looked at her and back at the food
"You said you cooked this food," I said and she nodded
"Yeah, why?"
"The last experience I had with your food was not funny," I said and she frowned lightly
"Seriously? Are you really doing that now? Using my past against me?"
"That's not..." I laughed, finding it funny.
"I'm a changed person now," she said and I smiled
"Alright, I believe you. The food actually looks and smells good. Let's see if it will taste the same."
I took the spoon and scooped some, biting into the food while she watched me
"Mmm," I hummed as the food got to my taste buds and went for another scoop
"You like it?" She asked with eyes wide in anticipation.
"This is good," I gave her a thumbs up and she clapped
"I'm glad you like it," she smiled. "What will you rate it? Over ten?"
"Over ten?" I cocked my head in a direction
"Over ten."
"I'll say a good nine and a half," I said after a mouthful
"Aww come on, why not ten?"
"Can I keep something for myself? You want me to give you everything?" I asked playfully and she laughed
"I never knew you could cook this well," I commented. "I mean, I did not expect that a Luna would be this good seeing that you must have had servants who do the cooking for you."
"I mostly do my cooking," she told me and I nodded.
We spoke about a lot of casual things, laughing heartily
It's been a long while since I laughed that much and I was amused at how she made me feel so effortlessly.
I have never felt this relaxed and light on a day like this when I have always fully mourned Elena's death
After eating, Aria made another request
"Ever since I came to this palace, and you marked me, you've left the room and bed for me, preferring to remain at your study. This night, I need you to sleep well. Come to bed."
I looked at her
"There is room enough for me at my study. There's a bed there too," I told her
"Yes, I know. But I know too that the bed there is not as good as the one in the master bedroom. You don't have to sleep here again after today. Just take this as a special treatment for you to feel better. I am not going to make you such offers in the future."
"Are you threatening me, the King?" I placed my hands akimbo.
"I'm just making you know this is not a request but a privilege," she smiled.
I shook my head at her. Unbelievable.
And even if I did not want to sleep on the bed, I did enjoy her company the most this night, and I did not mind. So I agreed
We got to the room and she made a few arrangements on the already arranged bed.
"Feel at home," she pointed to the bed as if that was not the same bed I had so generously given her.
She picked a pillow and moved aside
"Wait what are you doing?" I raised a brow at her
"Making room for you," she replied without looking at me and heading for the couch. "You don't want us to sleep on the same bed and I respect that."
"You've got to be kidding me. You are pregnant," I pointed at her belly.
"So if I wasn't pregnant you would have let me sleep on the couch?" She sounded teasing.
"I thought you wanted us to share the bed?" I asked before I could stop myself
She paused to look at me
"You don't mind that?"
"I mean, it's not like we are doing anything," I had to say. "We've made it clear. There's nothing intimate happening between us, so?"
"Yeah," her voice suddenly sounded flat. But it must have been just my imagination. "You are right."
She returned to the bed and made a barricade with the pillows
I watched her like I was watching a show
"There," she rubbed her hands together like she had done some hard labour. "Good thing the bed is spacious enough. You on that side and me on the other. No one should cross the boundaries."
I sat on the edge that was lined on my side and she lay on the other side
"Why are we even doing this?" I found myself asking even though I did not mind it at all
"You shouldn't be all by yourself at a time like this," she said and yawned lightly. "Left alone, you'll think of painful memories, and that hurts. You need someone by your side. Sleep well, Alpha."
"You are truly amazing, Aria," I muttered. "You've managed to make me forget this burden and you did it so well. I've never had this much rest after thinking about my loss. I am truly grateful to you."
There was no response from her.
"Aria?" I called and turned to look at her. It seemed she was deeply asleep. I wanted to touch her, but the barricade reminded me of the boundaries.
I lay back, feeling peaceful
"Good night, Aria," I muttered, even though she was not hearing me.
For the first time in years since Elena died, on her anniversaries, I closed my eyes and was able to find sleep.