Day 39

Lunch

Kace and I entered a quaint little restaurant. It wasn't too packed and had a refreshing feel to it. We took one of the vacant tables meant for just two people, and the waitress came by to hand us the menu.

This kind of feels like a date.

"What would you like to eat, Miss Astor? Feel free to order anything."

"Uhmm well... I'll order steak." Meat! "And apple juice."

"Ok."

Kace calls over the waitress and places our orders. After, we are left to silence.

I'm not the greatest fan of awkward silences, and it would be a good time to ask Kace about the things I've always felt like asking him. About when we were kids, or simply about his past.

"May I ask you something Kace?"

"Of course."

"You've been in the castle since you were a child right...? I hope I'm not prying but I've always been a little curious about your parents or history."

"Ah." He pauses. "I am the king's illegitimate child."

My jaw drops. Not literally. But I am

Very, extremely, utterly, insanely shocked. Is the king really as cruel as they say he is? Turning his child into a butler just because he is the illegitimate child?!

"Before the king had taken a queen. He had his many concubines, and one of them was my mother. I stayed with her since I was a baby, until a few years later when she suddenly disappeared and I was taken to the castle.

I believe my mother was more than just a concubine in the eyes of the king. You could say, I am my mom's spitting image. And for that, the king disliked me, but did not hate me. I am greatful he still allowed me into the castle." Kace said with his head lowered.

"Your last name though..."

"Yes, it's my mother's. The king refused to let my existence as his son be known to the public, and made me keep her last name."

I didn't think he'd have such a backstory, ahh heck. Now it just feels more awkward and I don't know what to say in this kind of situation.

"Are you satisfied with my response to your query?"

"No need to sound so formal Kace, and yes. T-that was a bit shocking to find out." I give him a gawky smile. "Oh and speaking of formalities, I just thought you should start calling me Riselle instead of miss Astor."

"Do you dislike being called miss Astor?"

"No, no! It's just that we're pretty close now I guess. And I'd really appreciate you calling me by my name."

"Riselle."

"Yes!" My gawky smile turns into an enthusiastic one.

"I used to call you by your first name when we were kids too."

"Oooh, really?"

"Yes. You meant a lot to us."

"Pfft aww. Now I feel bad again for not being able to remember."

"My apologies."

The waitress soon came with our food. Yes, my beloved steak. You are soon to end up where you belong- my stomach. I will cherish every bite!

I take the fork and knife and cut into the tender steak and take the first bite of the heavenly food.

Hmm it's not as good as what Kace cooks, but it's alright.

"You look disappointed." Kace points out.

"I was just thinking about how good your cooking is. Nothing can compare!"

"Oh... Thanks." He responds sheepishly.

Back at the castle, I find Luca outside studying the plants just as I step out of the carriage.

"I see you went out with Kace." The mage says after noticing my presence.

"Yeah. I accompanied him on his endeavour to buy stuff!" Though the only thing he really bought was this necklace and my lunch-

"I don't see any of you carrying bags though." Luca's eyes shifted to where my necklace sat around my neck.

"Does that bother you?" Kace came over to us. "I bought that necklace for her."

"Cool."

The tension between the two felt like I was in a peaceful meadow where a raging storm took place at a distance. Luca was visibly upset for some reason, and Kace just isn't having it with the man.

"I-i'm just going to head inside." I tell the two and rush into the castle's interior, where I find Adria talking with one of the maids.

"Riselle!" The brunette ran towards me. "How was the date?"

"Date?"

"You know what I mean." She winks.

"Yeah, no. I'm not sure you can call that a date?"

"Oh pfft, yes it was! He bought you a pretty necklace!" This love obsessed woman beamed at the sight of it. "Then he took you to eat! Right? Right???"

"Just how do you know that?" I think back to earlier. Could she have been spying? And then it hits me. The checklist. The checklist!

The checklist he was holding earlier might have been Adria's instructions on how this 'date' is supposed to flow. "Oh."

"Mhmmm! Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. Anyways why would Kace want to go on a date with me? Did you force him?"

"Dense!" Adria shrieked.

"I am not dense!"

"You're so dense you don't even realize you're dense!" She shrieked once more.

"Then what! He took me on a date because he likes me?!"

"Duh!" The brunette throws her hands into the air. "It took you that long to figure it out?!"

"Adria." There was a voice coming from behind me. It sounded like the embodiment of death. Oh how foreboding.

"K-kace!" The mentioned girl responded in a very startled matter then began walking backwards, very slowly. And Kace walked forward with matching pace. "I'll see you in hell!" She waved at me and dashed off, the brown eyed male ran after her with the speed of a raging cheetah.

Now just what am I going to do about Kace? I can't say something like 'i'll give you a chance.' I already told that to the prince!

Guess I only have the option of rejecting him. Aaah the guilt! Though, I should probably wait till he tells me his feelings himself.