Orihime looked at the demon, then beamed, jerking her head in a sharp bob of agreement. "It's way better than that. Thank you very much!" This time she did sit, her eyes still darting from dish to dish. Where was she supposed to start? She wanted to try all of it, but even if she ate just one bite from each, it was unlikely she'd be able to make it all fit.
It didn't stop her from loading up a plate, though. Steamed vegetables, bread that steamed when she tore it, juicy chunks of grilled meat... She ate with enormous appetite for someone who had been so quiet and resigned just hours before, thinking she would surely die.
The questions she'd been allowed to ask had brightened her mood significantly. It seemed the demon lord truly was good on his word, and those who served him did so without a trace of resentment.
She did a fairly decent job of putting away her fair share of the meal, even managing to polish off a piece of cake and a slice of souffle at the end. She sat back with a happy sigh, folding her hands over her full stomach. It felt as if she would never need to eat again. "It was so good...!" she sighed in happy contentment. "You have amazing cooks working for you!"
"I see. I am glad to hear that. I'm sure the Master Chef would be most pleased to hear that that as well," And he says this in a cool tone as he calmly and more politely finishes his meal in a more elegant manner than his partner, but he was not even offended yet. By this moment, he has already figured two and two together and assumed that the town decided to not give away their more 'classy' women for his favor and send someone from the lesser caste. Not that he particularly cares where or what she has done before coming here, such things didn't really matter, but it was obvious that she is a bit... foreign to this kind of place in life.
"Now then. Am I right to assume that you have placed some thoughts in your decision since we had last met?" And he figured it was at least polite to ask although his face was more solemn given how he is already predicting on how one way or another that it will end up like. There's really no need to get attached at all, is there? Well, not yet anyway.
Orihime paused to consider the demon. She looked down at her plate, blinked, and replied with a nod. "Some."
She looked back up at him again. A lot of her questions had been answered, but she could have all the data in the world and still not know if they would be able to get along. While Orihime did have a knack for making friends easily, it wasn't necessarily a sure thing. There was also no guarantee that he would like her, either.
"I guess it's too soon to decide. All three would be wonderful, I think. So really...I guess it depends on how well we get along and like each other." She smiled, folding her hands in her lap. "I think we might be friends at least. I could be wrong! If I am, I'll go away. But if I'm right, I'd be really happy to work here for you, Master Howard."
She hesitated a moment. "As for the third...I don't know yet. You shouldn't marry somebody you don't love, and there's no way to tell yet, is there? We know nothing about each other. But you should be with someone you really want to be with, I know that much."
"I see." And that was the only response he could give. He has heard that excuse a lot of times before, and most of them he did agree on. It didn't really feel right to marry someone you don't exactly have feelings for and if it is forced and all, but this is still an age where forced and arranged marriages are still out there and one his father will get involved with the longer he waits to find a bride.
But there was something that she had said that made him a bit curious to figure out. "You said all three would be wonderful... would you care to elaborate for me on that? I'm afraid I would like a lot more explanations to understand what you mean."
"Er...well...how to begin?" Orihime leaned back in her chair, tapping a finger against her elbow. It was curious that he would show interest in her reasons, since she was under the impression that he really couldn't care less one way or the other. But maybe she'd been reading him wrong.
"I've always wanted to travel! And I really like horses, though I've never really had a chance to ride one before. It would be nice to see more of what the world is like, you know?" She smiled, her shoulders shrugging slightly. "Riddleport is the only place I've ever known. I think it's starting to get to me. On the other hand, I'm not much of a fighter, and it's pretty dangerous out there sometimes, so I'd have to think about it some more."
She rubbed the back of her neck with a sheepish grin. "I guess it would be weird to say that I would really like having a job as a servant, ha ha! I would, though. I'd like to find something I was really good at, and could do well. And to live in a place like this, even if it was just in the corner over there!" she turned to point, "would be a thousand times nicer than where I lived before! The food is really good too. But...truth be told, my only real skill is sewing, and it seems like your clothes are already nicer than what I can do. So I might not really earn my keep, and I'd feel bad about that."
Which brought her to the third choice she'd been given. At this, the color in her face grew a little more intense. "I haven't really thought much about being a mother before. Or even a wife. There was someone I liked once, but he..." Orihime trailed off, looking at the darkened window for a moment. "It might be nice...to care for someone like that. To be cared for again." Her expression was quiet, and somber. Then her crooked smile returned in full force. "Ah ha ha ha, but you can't predict that sort of thing! It either happens or it doesn't, so I can't decide on that!"
"I can understand a reason to travel. Broaden your horizons and see what the world can offer... I was like that once before and made no regrets in doing what I did. Sure, I've made mistakes along the way, but it was the only way for me to learn more." He then pauses for a moment right when she mentions sewing and glances over at the very robes he had worn. Without missing a beat, he raises his arm up and stabs the cloth hanging with his knife, giving it a large tear. "And if that is truly what you wish to do, then show me sometime before you make your decision your talents as a tailor before committing yourself to that specific thing only."
He then pauses for a moment. That was the main thing he wanted to learn. That alone... and he just lowers his head and narrows his eyes. "To be a wife and mother... it does not bother you that it could be a demon that you would commit your life spending with? To raise a child with? The gods can be pretty unforgiving when you spread a cursed seed to this world, and much less the devils would welcome you to a more fiery abyss when your time comes. Even so, would it be worth it?"
Orihime drew silent, ceasing her flailing over the sudden damage inflicted upon his fine robe. "Heh...?"
She looked at him quietly, her dark eyes wide. To hear him speak that way, being a demon himself...! It made her wonder if he was asking the question to her, or to himself.
"Is that what you believe, Master Howard?" she asked quietly, folding her hands in her lap. "Because...because I don't know if I can agree with that. This town was a dangerous place before you came here. I never ran into anyone bad before, but now, I know I don't have to be afraid to walk home at night if I need to." Or, well, she used to. She wouldn't be returning to that place any longer no matter which decision she made. "You've been kind to the people who live here. And you've been kind to me. I guess maybe I just haven't known you personally all that long, but I keep rejecting the idea that you might be evil." She looked at him unflinchingly.
((Ffff sorry for the late tag. I got caught up with stuff.))
He pauses for a moment, letting all the words sink in before passing much thoughts of the matter at all. It was a bit assuring, in a way, but still... "Perhaps you don't, but there are those who refuse to even think of it as such. Just one word already passes judgment that would rather see me gone from this lands from further tainting it.", he then glances up from his plate to her. "Demon. When that word comes through your mind, what is the first thing you think of?"
He raises up from his seat and places his dinnerware down on the table. "Forgive me. That is not a concern you should think about. It's better off if you forget about it. At any case, it seems you wish to take all the time necessary before making a decision, so I'll leave you to your business. Feel free to explore about in the castle as much as your wish, save for the forbidden areas which the guards and your escort will inform you." He picks up a napkin to wipe around his mouth. "You are free to ask for dessert as well. I've had my fill for the night, so I will be off. Good night."
Orihime started to answer, but stopped when he stood to his feet. She rose as well, knowing at least that one was supposed to stand when nobility did, and bowed slightly. "Thank you very much."
She did want dessert, even if she was nearly stuffed, but she had a request that mattered just a little more.
"If you get some free time...would you spend it with me? Otherwise I don't think I'll be able to decide. I need to know as much about you as possible, Master Howard." She looked at him directly as she bobbed slightly in apology, just in case she was being too forward. It was true, though. If they were unable to get along, then marriage certainly shouldn't be what she chose!
It didn't stop her from loading up a plate, though. Steamed vegetables, bread that steamed when she tore it, juicy chunks of grilled meat... She ate with enormous appetite for someone who had been so quiet and resigned just hours before, thinking she would surely die.
The questions she'd been allowed to ask had brightened her mood significantly. It seemed the demon lord truly was good on his word, and those who served him did so without a trace of resentment.
She did a fairly decent job of putting away her fair share of the meal, even managing to polish off a piece of cake and a slice of souffle at the end. She sat back with a happy sigh, folding her hands over her full stomach. It felt as if she would never need to eat again. "It was so good...!" she sighed in happy contentment. "You have amazing cooks working for you!"
Reply
"Now then. Am I right to assume that you have placed some thoughts in your decision since we had last met?" And he figured it was at least polite to ask although his face was more solemn given how he is already predicting on how one way or another that it will end up like. There's really no need to get attached at all, is there? Well, not yet anyway.
Reply
She looked back up at him again. A lot of her questions had been answered, but she could have all the data in the world and still not know if they would be able to get along. While Orihime did have a knack for making friends easily, it wasn't necessarily a sure thing. There was also no guarantee that he would like her, either.
"I guess it's too soon to decide. All three would be wonderful, I think. So really...I guess it depends on how well we get along and like each other." She smiled, folding her hands in her lap. "I think we might be friends at least. I could be wrong! If I am, I'll go away. But if I'm right, I'd be really happy to work here for you, Master Howard."
She hesitated a moment. "As for the third...I don't know yet. You shouldn't marry somebody you don't love, and there's no way to tell yet, is there? We know nothing about each other. But you should be with someone you really want to be with, I know that much."
Reply
But there was something that she had said that made him a bit curious to figure out. "You said all three would be wonderful... would you care to elaborate for me on that? I'm afraid I would like a lot more explanations to understand what you mean."
Reply
"I've always wanted to travel! And I really like horses, though I've never really had a chance to ride one before. It would be nice to see more of what the world is like, you know?" She smiled, her shoulders shrugging slightly. "Riddleport is the only place I've ever known. I think it's starting to get to me. On the other hand, I'm not much of a fighter, and it's pretty dangerous out there sometimes, so I'd have to think about it some more."
She rubbed the back of her neck with a sheepish grin. "I guess it would be weird to say that I would really like having a job as a servant, ha ha! I would, though. I'd like to find something I was really good at, and could do well. And to live in a place like this, even if it was just in the corner over there!" she turned to point, "would be a thousand times nicer than where I lived before! The food is really good too. But...truth be told, my only real skill is sewing, and it seems like your clothes are already nicer than what I can do. So I might not really earn my keep, and I'd feel bad about that."
Which brought her to the third choice she'd been given. At this, the color in her face grew a little more intense. "I haven't really thought much about being a mother before. Or even a wife. There was someone I liked once, but he..." Orihime trailed off, looking at the darkened window for a moment. "It might be nice...to care for someone like that. To be cared for again." Her expression was quiet, and somber. Then her crooked smile returned in full force. "Ah ha ha ha, but you can't predict that sort of thing! It either happens or it doesn't, so I can't decide on that!"
Reply
He then pauses for a moment. That was the main thing he wanted to learn. That alone... and he just lowers his head and narrows his eyes. "To be a wife and mother... it does not bother you that it could be a demon that you would commit your life spending with? To raise a child with? The gods can be pretty unforgiving when you spread a cursed seed to this world, and much less the devils would welcome you to a more fiery abyss when your time comes. Even so, would it be worth it?"
Reply
She looked at him quietly, her dark eyes wide. To hear him speak that way, being a demon himself...! It made her wonder if he was asking the question to her, or to himself.
"Is that what you believe, Master Howard?" she asked quietly, folding her hands in her lap. "Because...because I don't know if I can agree with that. This town was a dangerous place before you came here. I never ran into anyone bad before, but now, I know I don't have to be afraid to walk home at night if I need to." Or, well, she used to. She wouldn't be returning to that place any longer no matter which decision she made. "You've been kind to the people who live here. And you've been kind to me. I guess maybe I just haven't known you personally all that long, but I keep rejecting the idea that you might be evil." She looked at him unflinchingly.
Reply
He pauses for a moment, letting all the words sink in before passing much thoughts of the matter at all. It was a bit assuring, in a way, but still... "Perhaps you don't, but there are those who refuse to even think of it as such. Just one word already passes judgment that would rather see me gone from this lands from further tainting it.", he then glances up from his plate to her. "Demon. When that word comes through your mind, what is the first thing you think of?"
He raises up from his seat and places his dinnerware down on the table. "Forgive me. That is not a concern you should think about. It's better off if you forget about it. At any case, it seems you wish to take all the time necessary before making a decision, so I'll leave you to your business. Feel free to explore about in the castle as much as your wish, save for the forbidden areas which the guards and your escort will inform you." He picks up a napkin to wipe around his mouth. "You are free to ask for dessert as well. I've had my fill for the night, so I will be off. Good night."
Reply
Orihime started to answer, but stopped when he stood to his feet. She rose as well, knowing at least that one was supposed to stand when nobility did, and bowed slightly. "Thank you very much."
She did want dessert, even if she was nearly stuffed, but she had a request that mattered just a little more.
"If you get some free time...would you spend it with me? Otherwise I don't think I'll be able to decide. I need to know as much about you as possible, Master Howard." She looked at him directly as she bobbed slightly in apology, just in case she was being too forward. It was true, though. If they were unable to get along, then marriage certainly shouldn't be what she chose!
Reply
Leave a comment