216 The Raspberries

AUTHOR'S POV

Stellan made Radovid help him whip the entire kitchen to prepare a nice meal for Helena. The servants went frenzy as they prepare the bath as well. Quickly, they searched for a fine dress for the lady who moved the mountains and made Stellan finally crack a smile. Ecstatic, the butler was so careful in choosing the right ingredients in so little time. For a long while, he have never seen his master get more anxious in what meals to prepare, and what drinks to serve. And so, the butler can't help but wonder who the lady rattled the world of the paladin knight.

Deluged with his overwhelming happiness, Stellan made sure everything is in place. He waited so long for this time to come, and from this day forward, he doesn't want to make a mistake. Helena who could smell the mouth-watering aroma of food as she wait in the dining room. Eventually, she couldn't help but take a peek in the kitchen.

"Whoa! Aren't these too many? Are we having a feast?", Helena bowled over the excessive food Radovid and Stellan were preparing… By looks of it, they still aren't done cooking.

"I think it's just enough… for you", Stellan made a side eye at Radovid who's flipping more meat in the grill. 

"Freya isn't joining us, so I don't think I'll finish them all. Unless you'll join me?", Helena smiled at the two.

Radovid was all prepared to grant Helena's invitation, when he met Stellan's blazing eyes glaring at him. "I'm on a very special diet. Besides, these are all for you my lady", he said.

"It's Princess Helena, Radovid", Stellan scoffed as he corrected the butler.

"I apologize, your Highness. Forgive me for my ignorance", Radovid humbly lowered his head as he apologize.

"No, it's fine! I am not offended at all. It's not like I grew up a princess anyway.", Helena cheered up Radovid, who's instantly seemed low in spirits for making an honest mistake. With the twinkles in Helena's gray eyes, the butler felt the genuineness of the princess' warmth.

"Shall we eat? I'll have the food served outside. Radovid, on your feet, Quickly", Stellan commanded as the butler hurriedly picked up the warm plates of food that were garnished beautifully.

"Oh no! We can eat here, it's not like this is a formal dinner anyway", Helena took the plates in Radovid's hands and placed it back down on the center table.

"In the kitchen?", Stellan creased his brows in confusion. He always eat his meals in proper venues, but never in the kitchen.

"Why not?! It's just me", Helena thought.

"There's a high chair there. Do you mind getting it, so we can taste all the goodness you and Radovid prepared?", she pointed on the pair of chairs by the entryway to the pantry.

Radovid was surprised how Helena casually speaks with Stellan. She even orders the paladin knight around who follows her like a puppy. However, he is more astounded with how Stellan patiently answers to her command with a spark in his eyes. It was something that he haven't seen in Stellan before.

"Thank you, come on! Let's eat!", she happily invited Radovid and Stellan to a sumptuous meal.

"I shall leave the two of you by yourselves. Please call me when you need anything", Radovid left the two with eyes locked on each other, with warm smiles filling the kitchen.

"So you and Freya have been together all these time?", Stellan asked as he watch Helena stuff herself with the sweet raspberry tarts first as expected.

"After the avalanche, Freya pulled me out of the ice and saved my life. We've been hiding in Caluso ever since, thinking Celeste won't track us there", Helena took a spoonful of the tarts and reached to Stellan. "Try it, it's really good", she said, as Stellan shyly took a bite. "How's your friends? Freya told me they're fine", she asked as she put the spoon down to drink water. For Stellan, seeing Helena like this felt unreal. Despite wearing some old chemise and trousers under a velvet coat, she still look captivating that even drinking water appear to be splendidly appealing to him.

"Strong as a horse", Stellan said, realizing that the bird who's been hovering around was actually Freya. Then, he watched Helena took every bite of the raspberries. He suddenly felt aroused as he imagine things while Helena slide a raspberry into her mouth. He swallowed a lump in his throat when she licked her pink lips with her small tongue. In Stellan's wild imagination, he have already pushed Helena down the table and licked her entire body. 

"We're trying to figure out how to get Atrius and the others out. Maybe the portal Freya's working on would work", Helena told Stellan in a more serious tone. Stellan took a deep sigh as he drink a glass of water, simmering the heat that has been growing. "Are you alright?", Helena worriedly asked as she sees Stellan's cheeks look flustered.

"I'm fine", he said as he curve his lips up.

"So… let's not ignore the obvious, what's with the new look?", Helena finally asked. Apart from the beard and moustache, Stellan's body grew bigger and more brawny. His shoulders were like mountains of muscles, and his waist looked more slender than the last time she saw him. As she gaze on his face, the dark circles under his eyes were more evident. Sleep hasn't been so friendly to him, she thought. 

"I uh… I thought you were never coming back.", Stellan blatantly said. "When I lost you in the avalanche, I blamed myself for not holding your hand.. I looked for you and patiently waited for you in the mountains. It doesn't matter now. What's important is… you're here. And you found your way back to me". Stellan wanted to count all the difficult nights and dreary mornings he have had, but he refused to go back to the miserable days now that Helena is back to him.

"I'm here now. I'm not here to stay, but I'm here now", Helena reached for Stellan's hand on the table. She felt more callouses on his palms, thinking he might have overdone himself while thinking she's dead. Noticing the wounds on his knuckles, Helena couldn't imagine what he had to go through during those difficult times. 

"Don't go", Stellan protested anxiously. "I can protect you here", he strongly said as he squeeze her hand tightly. Smiling, Helena radiated her healing magic on Stellan's hand healing the wounds on his knuckles.