Lucian got back up, dusted off his pants, and was about to return to his place when he felt something peck his leg. He looked down at the raven. It was glaring at him, and he glared back.
Celine snatched the bird, holding it protectively as if he would do something to harm it.
The raven was like a bearer of bad omens, and the last time he heard it, things didn't end well.
"My apologies," he said, his tone back to normal, "I forgot my manners for a second. I hope you won't hold it against me. I can't afford to get on Rochefort's bad side, can I?"
Celine was still glaring, not moving from her spot.
Lucian sighed and extended his arm, and she took it, pulling herself up. He dusted her skirt, and straightened her cloak, "There," he said, "You are presentable again. Now, shall we continue our walk?"
She was staring, and it was getting harder and harder to maintain eye contact with her.
"I know you are not a noble gentleman," she muttered and followed after him, "You are more than that, which is why I am trying to be civil. And a lot nicer, too. If you haven't noticed."
"You can say whatever you want, I have a thick skin," he said, stopping to allow her to catch up, and she did.
She was still holding the raven, and she put her chin on its head, looking incredibly cute.
It was a trap.
He was certain it was a trap.
A honey trap.
A honey, cute, trap.
"..." Lucian cleared his throat, "Are we heading back or are we going deeper into the woods?"
"I will follow you, since I am the lady," she said, and then added, "But you need to let me set the pace, because my legs are shorter."
She released the raven and it flew up, landing on a tree, watching the two of them.
Lucian matched her steps, "Is this acceptable?"
"Perfect." She took a deep breath, and her shoulders relaxed, "I almost misunderstood you, Lord Arclight. I was this close to throwing a fit, thinking you wanted to harm me. But thankfully, we are both reasonable adults and can have a mature conversation." She gestured for him to lean down, and when he did, she whispered, "I couldn't wait for our next encounter too, my beloved."
Lucian covered his mouth and looked at the distance, not letting her see his flushed face.
Celine turned her head in the opposite direction, her cheeks burning too.
"You really think I'll forget how you've treated me, don't you?" he asked.
Celine shuddered at the low, threatening tone, and she rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling cold. The constant switches in his personality were like a whiplash, bringing her back to reality and reminding her of her place.
She tried to ignore her growing sense of dread, but his next words only intensified it. Making her believe that he only acted nice to lower everyone's guard around him, so he could say these terrifying threats in her ears without anyone suspecting him.
"I want you on your knees, begging for my forgiveness," he whispered, his breath caressing the side of her face, "In front of everyone. And you will tell them that I am your beloved, and that you can't live without me. Then, we'll see what kind of mature conversation you will want to have with me afterwards."
Celine looked down, biting her lip in frustration. Of course he still felt a grudge against her, not that she expected anything else.
"Don't bite your lips," he took a piece of candy from his pocket, and popped it into her mouth, "They'll bleed. You're not a wild animal, you're a lady, remember? Ladies don't bite."
"..." Celine slapped his hand away.
"If you don't like the taste, I'll have it. Don't spit it on the ground. You're not a rogue either, are you? I don't like seeing people wasting food. If you can't finish it, then give it to me, I will eat it," he outstretched his hand before her mouth, waiting for her to make a decision.
Lucian could eat anything and everything, and Celine would throw a fit whenever she saw him eating scraps that fell on the floor like some wild dog instead of eating a full-course meal she had kept behind for him.
It was an after-party for the servants, where they were allowed to eat the leftovers. He used to join them, and it was the only time they could share a meal in public (she was forced to eat his share of the meal, or he would threaten to eat moldy bread and force kiss her with a rotten mouth).
Despite this dirty habit, he bathed more often than the nobles, and always made sure his mouth smelled and tasted inviting. His candies and mints were made with a special blend, and he was very picky with his flavors.
Celine puckered her lips as if ready to spit the candy on his face.
"Go ahead," he leaned in, daring her, "If you think you can handle me being mad at you."
She puffed her cheeks and sucked the candy into her mouth, rummaging through her shoulder bag.
"..." Lucian accepted the half-eaten baguette she couldn't finish this afternoon, and ate it as they walked back in silence.
Celine thought his favorite food was anything half-eaten, and he never corrected her.
At the beginning of their relationship, she would feed him like a stuffed turkey, and he ate whatever she gave him, never complaining, always thanking, and always eating.
Until he turned into a big fat, stuffed pillow.
That girl would feed him and rub his belly, and call him her sweet little pig, and then would proceed to squeeze his cheeks, calling him a round ham, too. She was an extremely picky eater, so while he was getting bigger, she was getting smaller.
This couldn't continue forever, so he began to ask for the food she liked, and instead of feeding himself, he began to feed her, only eating the leftovers she couldn't finish.