“Your Highness?” he says. “Is there something on my face?”
She shakes her head. “Forgive me. I was lost in thought.”
“Ah. Happens to the best of us.” He nods, waiting for her to speak again.
“Separate,” Cerian murmurs behind her. “We keep our food separate.”
Her eyes swing toward him, and he looks terrified, but he’s talking, and warmth fills her heart at the fact that he’s trying.
“Yes,” she says as she turns back to the hotel chef. “Elves don’t mix their food the way humans do.”
The man eyes the pot of stew. “Well, this won’t do, then.”
Arisanna cringes inside, but the man smiles. “We have so many extra guests that I needed to make more to feed everyone, anyway. Perhaps chicken with a side of potatoes, Your Highness?”
The relief in Cerian’s eyes is obvious, and he nods. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for letting me know before I get a reputation.” He winks again, and Arisanna can’t help but smile. “In the meantime,” the man continues, “I’m overflowing with apples. I don’t suppose you want to take some off my hands? You’d be doing me a favor.”
“I suppose...if you have more than you can use...” Cerian says softly.
“Have at it, Your Highness. I’d better get started on those potatoes. It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
Arisanna mouths a thank-you to the man. With a smile and nod, he goes back to his work, and Cerian tentatively gathers an armful of apples from the overflowing barrel.
Who knew cooks could be so kind? Perhaps she should learn from Cerian and spend more time in kitchens.
“There you two are.” Grandmera stands in the doorway behind them, and her eyes twinkle when she takes in Cerian’s haul, but she says nothing about the apples he’s clearly hoarding.
“Grandmera,” Cerian says. “Is Elowyn all right?”
“She’s holding steady. But I wish to get some air and see more of Feressa, and I have decided I would like company.” She speaks in careful Nunian, and Arisanna smiles at her effort not to alienate the kind cook by speaking in his presence in a language he doesn’t understand.
“A walk?” Cerian says, his brows drawing together. “Outdoors?”
“That is where one usually walks, Cerian.”
He looks down at his armful of fruit. “What about my apples?”
“What, indeed?”
Arisanna struggles not to smile at their conversation.
Behind her, the cook sets a pail on the table. “Bring it back to refill when you’re done with those, Your Highness.”
“Thank you,” Arisanna says as Cerian stows his stash.
Then her elven prince looks up at the man. “I am grateful.”
“You’re doing me a favor, remember, Your Highness? Have a nice walk.”
Grandmera nods to the man with that stately elegance she exudes so well. “Bring your apples and come, Cerian.”
With a graceful turn, Grandmera strides from the kitchen, and Arisanna follows as Cerian grabs his pail of apples and hurries after her.
Candy for Days
Episode 78
