In Which Food Is The Most Important

John was taken aback by what he had heard. In fact, it took a while for him to really respond. 

"What?!" John clarified with restrained anger. He thought to himself, 'Was she even trying to joke?' 

"Mistress!" Mona yelled in the surprised, same time as John. She was so worried and shocked that it caused Mona to lose her balance and fall off of Lisa's shoulder.

John was adamant and replied once more, "No." Regardless of the reason, there was no way he would agree to her. 

At that moment, he was controlling his patience as best he could. The woman standing in front of him was merely a mortal being, and the intensity of his rage had the potential to hasten her demise.

"Well, that was not surprising. John, do you ever accept offers or agree to things?" Lisa's question was followed by a chuckle from her.

John frowned, but before he could speak, Hennessy did first. 

At that moment, he was staring at Lisa with a hostile expression and said, "You will address Master John as Sir, Sire, or Master." 

"I'm sorry, Hennessy, but I don't call individuals by any other name than their given one. It doesn't matter to me if you're having issues. Because that is his name, I'll refer to him as John."

John motioned with his hand and said, "Leave it be, Hennessy."

Hearing him not refusing, Lisa was slightly amused. She was not sure if it was him really agreeing or him trying to prove that he did agree to something. 

Hennessy gave a small nod and took a few steps back.

"You didn't answer my inquiry, John?" Lisa said. 

It dawned on her that she enjoyed uttering his name. John. John. John, as if it were something that belonged to her.

'Okay... This is very strange...' Lisa realized in astonishment.

John responded with a tone that suggested he lacked patience by saying, "I do, occasionally. Just like what you heard earlier." 

'What a nuisance.' He thought to himself. The woman was just causing trouble, it seems, and that made John somewhat regretful for bringing her to the ship. 

Still, a part of him found the circumstance to be quite comical. 

Lisa did not exhibit the slightest bit of anxiety in his presence at that point.

"Ah," Lisa claimed as she hummed with joy that it sounded like the balance had just tipped in her favor. "Well, are we able to talk about it some more?"

John responded to her in a chilly tone, "I have made up my mind, and you are not going to be my bride." 

Lisa made a sulky expression. She made the observation, "That really stings to just be rejected, you know what I mean? Why not give some thought to it."

"No! Either you get off this ship right now or accept my terms," John said, reaching his limit of tolerance. "Explain yourself. When I still have time to deal with you, I still have time."

Lisa shrugged her shoulders and responded, "Fine." She then asked, "Why do it this way? If you were prepared to lend me your pendant on occasion, I would be happy to grant your wish." 

John wrinkled his brow thoughtfully and asked, "Wish? Do you believe that I could have a wish, Miss Lisa?" 

"Of course!" Affirming what we already knew, Lisa suddenly pointed at his covered legs and exclaimed, "Cure. I'll help you acquire it."

John laughed in a condescending manner. "I'm sure you'll try your best."

"You don't trust me. It makes no difference. I'm sorry," Lisa remarked as she made a show of bowing and then turned away from them.

John gave a slight nod in response. He intended to chase them away, but Lisa already did first. Aside from that, he was wondering why such beings were just forming on the street, yet he was having second thoughts about them. 

In fact, the way Lisa talked to him was already way more than what was permitted for his own soldiers to do. 

In spite of this, he continued to show some measure of tolerance toward her.

John was really annoyed with Lisa at this particular time. As a result, he was not willing to request that she be allowed to stay on the ship and perform there.

If he did, and his enemies learned of it, they would think he had become weak and in return, he would be susceptible to attack. Enemies tend to zero in on that weakness and continue to pick at it. 

John had the impression that everyone in this area was aware of his quest to find treatment and that regular people like her were employing the deviant tactics of manipulation and deception.

After turning around, Lisa began making her way out of the ship. 

Suddenly, she came to a stop just as the pixie was anxiously coming closer and closer to the tip of her palm, which tickled Lisa. 

Mona anxiously said, "Mistress Lisa, this is an invitation that we simply cannot refuse!"