"So when did you start cooking?" Straw said while Berryanna fed her.
Her voice was light, almost casual, but her eyes followed every movement of Berryanna's hands. The spoon lifted. The pause. The way Berryanna angled it just right, careful not to spill a single drop.
"Since I was 6 or maybe 5. I don't remember, but the moment I stepped into the kitchen, I started cooking," Berryanna said as she wiped Straw's mouth with a napkin.
The motion was practiced. Natural. Like something she had done a thousand times before. Straw barely noticed the food anymore. What she noticed was the calm. The control. The way Berryanna never rushed, never hesitated.
"You are really good at taking care of people."
The words slipped out before Straw could stop herself.
"I took care of my brother when he was sick. He didn't let anyone come close to him but me."
Berryanna did not look up when she said it. Her focus stayed on the bowl, on the steady rhythm of feeding. But something in her tone changed. It went flatter. Guarded.
"Do you…"
"Can you stop talking while eating? It's not good manners, and your moving mouth is distracting, so eat quietly," Berryanna said.
Her voice was not harsh, but it was firm enough to close the subject. Straw huffed softly but obeyed, chewing slower, eyes still fixed on Berryanna.
"You are always like this," Straw said, ignoring Berryanna's complaint. "I noticed it. You do it quite often, or maybe always. During discussions, when you don't want to answer or continue, you either stop talking, make excuses, or find another topic."
Berryanna did not respond immediately. She placed another spoonful carefully, waited until Straw swallowed.
"Looks like you are full, my lady. I have to tidy up and continue my day," Berryanna said as she began to tidy up the tray.
The shift was immediate. Plates gathered. Spoon placed down. The quiet dismissal stung more than Straw expected.
"No, no, stay with me. I promise I will be quiet. Please don't go," Straw said in a pleading, childish voice.
She shifted closer, settling herself again, knees drawing in. Then she pointed to her mouth, a silent request, eyes wide and hopeful. Berryanna paused. Just for a second. Then she lifted the spoon again.
Berryanna did. The silence returned, but it was softer now. Straw relaxed into the rhythm, letting Berryanna feed her slowly. Time stretched, comfortable and warm.
At some point, Straw carried the fork from Berryanna's hand, grabbed some noodles, and placed them near Berryanna's mouth.
"I want to share my food with my wifey," Straw said.
The word wifey came easily. Playful. Familiar. Berryanna kept her mouth closed. She looked at the noodles, then back at Straw. Her expression did not soften. It sharpened, just a little.
"Open up, baby. You should eat too. I hardly see you eat. Come on," Straw said.
The moment the word left her mouth, the air shifted.
"Baby? Do I look like one to you?" Berryanna said as she took the spoon from Straw's hand. The fork clattered softly as Berryanna dropped it back onto the plate.
"Don't ever call me baby. I am not a child. Don't do that."
The warmth was gone.
"Of course you are not a child, and neither am I. But calling your partner baby is a romantic way to make them feel special, like how you sometimes call me my lady, which is romantic."
Berryanna's jaw tightened.
"I was just addressing you. There is nothing romantic there."
"Really? What about my princess, or you're mine? They are all pet names, so calling you baby...."
"I said don't you ever call me baby."
Berryanna's voice cut through the room, clean and sharp.
"I am not a child. I know how to handle myself and my matters. I am a grown woman now, so don't you ever say that again in your life."
Silence followed. Berryanna paused.
"Lady Fayrouza, I think I am done here. When you are finished, you can leave the tray outside the door. A passing maid will return it to the kitchen. Have a good rest."
Berryanna stood up and left the room.
The door closed with a soft click, but it felt louder than it should have. Straw remained on the bed, staring at the untouched food.
She spent all day thinking about why Berryanna didn't like being called baby.
The word replayed in her mind, over and over. She didn't have any problems when Straw called her wifey, so why baby? Why that word. Her cramps had reduced because of the herbs Berryanna had brought earlier, so she took a walk around the mansion.
Her steps were slow at first, testing her strength. Then steadier.
She could feel Berryanna watching her, because Apple had told her that Berryanna noticed when she was outside and watched her like a stalker. It was not obvious. No guards hovering. No shadow at her side. But Straw had begun to notice the pattern. The way Berryanna always seemed to know where she was.
Then she noticed Apple wearing a different kind of clothing. She stopped walking.
It was the first time she had seen him with the crown. It sat heavy on his head, unfamiliar yet fitting. He stood at the entrance of the big gate along with some Lords, Apple had already told her about. Maids and guards were present Everyone was arranged. Waiting.
"What is happening here, Mr. King? Is there something important going on?" Straw said, ignoring the hungry wolves of Lords staring at her. Apple smiled at her before speaking.
"I am waiting for the Queen of Hale. She will be here any moment now."
"Queen of what now?" Straw muttered.
"Hale," Apple said.
"I thought there was only one nation."
"We are not the only nation. There are many, and this is the first time since I became king that one is visiting. I have always wanted another nation to visit mine. I like to see their culture and hear their wisdom," he said happily. Straw studied his face. The excitement was real. Almost childlike.
"My king, I request that the princess consort should leave before our guests arrive," the Lord of Faith muttered, clearly displeased seeing Straw around.
The words were polite. The intent was not.
"Please let me stay. I am bored, and I really want to see how the queen looks," Straw said, pleading as the Lords looked at her.
Her hands clasped together unconsciously.
"Wow, now I see why the princess got married to this one. She is the same as the king. Too easy, same nature," the Lord of Media, Kyon Perez, muttered to the Lord of Finance beside him. His voice was low, but not low enough. Levi stiffened.
"Shut up Kyon. If the princess hears you saying that, she will not just kill you but your entire newspaper industry," Levi shot back as he drifted away from Kyon. He did not want trouble with a loud mouth like him.
"Please let me stay, King," Straw pleaded.
Apple sighed.
"Okay, okay. Just do as I do, alright? And if Berry asks who told you to be here, don't call my name," Apple said.
Some Lords were unhappy. Not because of the closeness between Apple and Straw. But because Straw was a Fayrouza. Everyone in the nation knew what the Fayrouza family was after.