EMERALD'S BREAKING POINT

Blushing, Emerald hurried out of the kitchen with a quick farewell. Alaric chuckled as she sped off. Once she was out of sight, he quickly handled the fish, preparing it neatly within half an hour, sparing Emerald from the gory process.

When she returned, the fish was already steaming.

"Well…" she hesitated, then admitted, "I'm actually good at cooking… I'm just not great with handling fish."

"I know," Alaric said, taking her hand. Under the warm kitchen light, her fingers looked as delicate as porcelain.

"What beautiful hands," he murmured softly, his tone sincere. "These hands were made to play the violin or create art."

Emerald blinked in surprise, looking up at Alaric. His eyes were filled with tenderness, like sunlight dancing over a still lake, stirred by a breeze, releasing delicate peach blossoms to drift on gentle ripples.

She bit her lip. "Do you think I'm useless?"