Chapter 71

It was almost comical when the three sat on Alexis' dinner table. Glaring at each other.

The aroma of fresh bread and pepperoni taunted the serious expressions on their faces. They deeply inhaled it, unable to stop their hands from inching towards the box.

It was only a matter of seconds before Alexis couldn't take it. Her tears welled at the melting cheese she could only dream of having, not that there wasn't cheese in the Kaedmen Empire. There was. It just wasn't up to standard.

"I can't take it anymore! You guys can continue this staring contest!" She yelled, but before her hand could reach the box, Alastair pulled it anyway.

"Yes you can. This man almost killed you Alexis! He literally stabbed you! How could you only think of food when I want to strangle his neck!" In between his glaring he would throw a long longing glance at the box.

His stomach betrayed him. Growling despite his words.

"Oh come on. You're hungry too. Let's just call it a truce for like 10 minutes!" Alexis pressed.

"I have to say, that thing does smell really good. Mind if I?"- Shane was cut off by both of them shouting simultaneously.

"No!"

"F-Fine…"

"Come on Alastair. You're starving. And this box has the most delicious meal you'll ever eat. Who knows when we'll head back? At least let me have a bite of the pizza!" She grabbed Alastair arm, deciding to resort to the one thing she wished she didn't have to do.

She pouted her lips, scrunching up her brows in a doe eyed puppy stare. She wasn't spoiled rotten for no reason. But, will it work on Alastair? Of course not.

He glanced at her in confusion and he pulled his arm away in a rather sudden movement. But, it wasn't sudden enough for Alexis to miss the redness of his face.

"Damn it!" He cursed.

He had almost given in.

'What sorcery was that?' His heart beat uncontrollably, beating against his rib cage. His face flushed as he looked to the girl who gave him a triumphed smile.

"Pizza", she expectantly held out her hand.

Alastair sighed. Holding his head as he handed her the box. 'Why is it so hard to reject her?'

She opened the box, swimming in its sweet scent, "Ah. Glorious…" she ripped off a piece in a trance, opening her watering mouth to take a large bite. A smile spread across her face as she dreamily sighed.

Alastair followed her example. Finding the lack of eating utensils a bit off putting. The smell was delicious, but couldn't it be eaten in a more… refined manner? He rolled his eyes and took a bite.

"Mmmm?!"

The flavours came to live in his mouth. The fresh bread and cheese blending together perfectly with a beautiful explosion of pepperoni.

'I don't know what this pepperoni thing is, but we must bring this back home' he declared as he finished the piece and reached for another.

Shane watched the two in irritation. Both of them were so blissfully eating that they hadn't bothered to offer him any.

'How rude… is this how people treat guests?' He decided to just take a piece.

"What is this? Why does it taste so good?" His eyes widened at the exquisite taste that erupted in his mouth.

"Pizza". Replied Alastair.

"Hmm".

Peaceful silence hung above the three. They didn't glare or snap rude remarks at one another and instead enjoyed the food they ate.

Alexis was first to break this silence.

"I'm planning on returning back to the Empire with Alastair", she said suddenly to Shane.

"I already figured as much", he replied, holding back his pizza for a moment before he continued to gobble it down.

"Can you give me three days to come up with a solution. If I can't get anything in three days you can invade the Kaedmen Empire".

"Alexis!" Protested Alastair.

"Deal" Shane smirked. He believed he was at an advantage for this bargain. "If you can't find a solution then I'll invade the Empire with your help".

"Fine…" Alexis bit her lip.

It was risky, very risky.

"Then you should get going soon", Shane stood up, munching the last of his pizza.

"Wait". Alastair demanded.

Shane waiter with a raised brow.

"If we do find a solution, which we will. Let me beat you up. I'm really holding back right now", he didn't glance at Shane once, even when Shane laughed dismissively.

"Sure".

The moment the door shut Alexis knew she was in trouble. When she saw Alastair holding his forehead and turning to her. His towering body suddenly seemed huge.

"You really can't sit still can you?" He leaned down towards her. Strangely enough he didn't look angry or exhausted, but amused, maybe even excited.

"I- I- Aren't you mad?" She frowned, she felt scared when he was mad but this was scaring her in a different way.

"Of course I am. I didn't get to punch that guy. Not even once." He clenched his fist, biting his lip in a way that was probably supposed to look intimidating but just came of as attractive.

"Ah… well… should we head back home now?" It seemed like Alastair wasn't mad and she didn't want to put him in a foul mood.

"Home?" Alastair turned to her with a grin. Realising what he meant she blushed.

"Ah- well- yes. Home."

Alastair patted her head suddenly. Then lifted it towards his own as his lips claimed hers in a quick chaste kiss, that left Alexis wanting more.

But he ended it there. Purposefully of course.

'If I continue on I won't be able to stop' he felt the heat on his face just as he noticed Alexis' red cheeks and her eyes that zero'd in on his lips. He leaned forward mindlessly and then snapping out of it he grabbed her shoulder.

"We need to go, now!" He shouted, scaring her out of her imagination.

"R-Right! Let's go!"

"Right…" Alastair dropped a magic scroll on the ground and it warped into a black hole immediately.

Alexis stared down the familiar thing, knowing the headache that was to come. She grabbed Alastair's hand, he held it tightly as they jumped into the darkness.

Somewhere along Alexis' screaming she had clung on to Alastair for her dear life. Alastair stood calmly amidst the fall, enjoying the reaction more than he would ever admit.