Will you have a taste?

"What...?" Azel raised an eyebrow incredulously. "I handle alcohol just fine."

"So why don't you request it?" Adelia questioned, her eyes taking on a glint of interest that he hadn't noticed before.

"Because I'm not craving it."

She tilted her head inquisitively. "Is there really such a thing as craving alcohol?"

"Of course," Azel affirmed, her childish curiosity amused him. "Just like you get hungry for food, the desire for liquor is quite the same… what did you think?"

Adelia shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't know," she said and it truly looked like she didn't. Then, lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, "The Knights at the castle drink alcohol every single day, it's like they're addicted to it. I don't think they experience any kind of craving... or maybe they do. Just on a different level."

Azel offered her a showy grin. "Can't say I blame them," he remarked. "Alcohol can be quite addictive."

"Can it, really?" Adelia asked, her curiosity piqued. "I heard it's quite bitter."

"Some of them are, while others are a bit sweet," Azel responded then his eyes locked with hers. "But... heard? Have you never tasted liquor, milady?"

Adelia's cheeks flushed, her embarrassment evident. "No, I haven't," she admitted. "My father never allowed me to try alcohol."

"Not even a sip?" Azel inquired, dumbfounded, causing her face to redden even more.

Did he really have to emphasize it? "No," she answered in a small voice, lowering her gaze.

Was Count Donvark really that overprotective? Was he really so strict that he wouldn't let his children even taste alcohol, or was it just his youngest daughter?

Surely it was the latter.

He studied the flustered lady seated across from him, and a mischievous idea began to take form in his mind.

"Would you like to have a taste?" He blurted without taking the time to consider it.

Adelia lifted her head slowly to meet his eyes, trying to process what he had just asked. "...what?"

"Would you like to know what liquor tastes like, milady?" he inquired more firmly.

Adelia's eyes widened, and anticipation seemed to gleam momentarily in them before they suddenly returned to normal. "Is... will that be alright?" she asked uncertainly.

Azel shrugged. "Why are you asking me? I'm not your father; what you decide to drink does not concern me."

The gleam slowly returned to her eyes and she laughed, a short, beautiful sound of mirth that put him in a daze.

"That's true, you're not my father… and we're not in the castle..." she echoed mischievously, a playful glint lighted her emerald eyes and the beast within him stirred. "Yes," she finally answered. "I would very much like to try liquor."

Azel quickly broke out of his daze and a smile curved his lips, despite the nagging voice at the back of his head warning him not to get too close. "Very well, we will order a pitcher once our server gets back."

"A... a pitcher?!"

"Yes," he agreed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You've managed to put me in the mood for liquor tonight."

Adelia huffed a laugh. "I'm... honored, I suppose…"

A few minutes later, the young server returned to their table with a large tray carrying their orders. Carefully arranging the items, he placed an extra loaf of bread on Azel's side.

"Is there perhaps anything else you need, sir?" the young man asked.

Azel carefully examined the spread of food before meeting the server's gaze. "Yes," he answered. "Could you get us a pitcher of march beer?"

The young man's face lit up instantly. "Of course," he responded promptly and took his leave.

Adelia watched him go, then her eyes fell to the extra bread right beside Azel's plate. "Will you be able to eat all that?"

Azel followed her line of sight down to the spot in front of him and then smiled. "I don't own the other loaf."

"Who does?"

"You."

Adelia appeared taken aback. "Me?" she inquired. "But I never asked for it."

Azel huffed. "Your Knight will need something to eat when he wakes up, won't he?"

Adelia's eyes widened, and she mouthed an almost inaudible "oh," then smiled. "You're... surprisingly considerate."

Azel raised a brow. "What do you mean, 'surprisingly?'" he asked. "All I've done since I brought you to the room I paid for was be considerate."

Adelia pursed her lips, suppressing a laugh at the way he emphasized that he had paid for his room.

"It didn't seem that way to me," she told him. "It appeared as if you saved me and took care of me to earn my pardon."

"Hardly." Azel smirked, and she huffed a laugh.

"Very well," she relented. "I suppose you're considerate then."

"Thank you," he said, taking a loaf of bread and biting into it. After swallowing, he looked at her. "You'd better eat before the food gets cold."

Adelia nodded, her gaze fleeting to the meal in front of her, taking a critical look at it for the first time.

The bread was fairly warm, and the pottage looked rich; she was sure she could see bits of meat scattered around it.

It appeared surprisingly rich for a meal prepared and meant to be eaten by commoners.

Still, she somehow felt that the man in front of her had ordered the more expensive option. Was it for her sake? If it was, then she was grateful.

But did he truly have the money to pay for all of this?

Well, that was a problem for later. For now, all she had to do was eat.

She was hungry, so hungry, that she worried her stomach might growl as loudly as it did just moments ago. She would rather prevent that from happening.

Although the inn's dining hall was quite noisy and it was unlikely for anyone to hear her stomach, except for him. The thought that he might still hear it embarrassed her.

She lifted the spoon to take a cautious sip of the pottage, and Azel watched her closely. Her expression showed that she found it to her taste, as she gave a small smile of approval before she began to truly eat in essence.

Several more minutes passed, and they were left with only their cups of cider, with Adelia finishing the last gulp.

"You seem to have enjoyed it," Azel voiced suddenly and he caught her trying to suppress a smile.

"Maybe," she responded softly. "It was… good."

"Just 'good'?"

Adelia nodded once. "Yes," she told him simply. "It's not quite as excellent as the meals I'm used to at home."

Azel smirked. "I'm sure."

Almost as soon as he spoke, their server arrived with a fairly large pitcher of the liquor he had requested for.

"I'm sorry it took so long, sir," the young man said. "We were attending to so many orders."

"It's fine," Azel replied and promptly waved a hand to dismiss him, together with their dirty utensils. He then poured a large amount of the alcohol into his mug and a smaller portion into hers.

Adelia pursed her lips. "How come mine is so small?"

"Because drinking liquor is not an easy feat, milady," he explained. "Especially for someone who's never tried it before."

"Hmph," Adelia scoffed. "You never know, it might be easier for me. I could have a good tolerance for it."

Azel smirked. "We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"Of course," Adelia agreed, taking the mug with both hands and raising it to her lips. "How else would we find out?"

She then tilted the mug over and took a large gulp.