All attention on Cherry Lips

Xion was unaware of the heavy sight on his back. He was solely focused on mashing the roots with Golden Umami Glaze and a drizzle of pepper oil. It created a velvety base with a faint, enticing glow.

He tasted it and was very satisfied with the flavorful taste. Its sweet and spicy scent even seduced Ray, who had been looking back and forth between Xion and his master.

Xion picked a plate Lady Nazia had set aside. He spread the glowroot mash evenly, topped it with the golden crystal fungi, and nestled the sautéed silverleaf greens beside it.

Finally, he drizzled the emberberry glaze over the top. The vibrant red sauce contrasted beautifully against the orange and green color beneath.

"Perfect," he whispered, stepping back to admire his creation.

He stood aside as the red-haired lady stepped forward and ate a spoonful first. She halted for a moment before taking another spoonful and nodding toward him.

It was her duty to bring the food to Darius, and without any extra word, she did exactly that.

No gasp of amazement? No lavish praise? Xion was a bit disappointed that she did not give him the reaction he was hoping for. Lady, At least widen your eyes a little, alright!

The little narcissistic chef had no idea about the strict training methods used to teach anyone serving in the Arch-duchy.

Nazia had always been a proper lady, showing just enough emotions on her impressive face.

After living such a long life, she had long since perfected her fake mask. No one could guess if she genuinely liked someone or was just treating them with simple courtesy.

Her taking another spoonful had nearly made Ray's mouth fall open let alone all those servants peeking at young master Xion with curiosity.

They all knew he had made some special delicacy, only the silly chef was oblivious, and was now pouting slightly.

He filled his own plate and went to sit on the side of the big tree. It was the perfect place to sit and eat his food in comfortable silence.

He had no idea what Darius' reaction would be. So, if he was going to die, it was better to do it with a full stomach. He did not want to become a hungry ghost.

The moment he ate the hot dish, its flavours burst on the tip of his tongue. Before he could enjoy the taste to the fullest, his throat moved and his mouth went empty.

The rich umami taste with a hint of smoky spice left his mouth craving for more. And that was exactly what he did. Spoonful after spoonful, he slowly chewed the mash before swallowing it.

After eating his fill, Xion slowly peaked behind the tree. Everyone seemed busy. Rail was eating while sitting under the shade as Ray stood near him.

Xion was too far to hear what they were saying, though he could see their lips moving. Suddenly Darius looked in his direction. The scared little Xion got startled and instantly ducked behind the tree trunk.

Patting his chest, Xion leaned against the tree. Why am I getting so afraid? It wasn't like I was trying to do something bad!

Though he said so, the chill he felt from those eyes was too oppressive. Like a little rabbit afraid of a big snake, it made him subconsciously look for a hiding place.

"I knew it. This is the end. Should I run? But I just ate... Running on a full stomach could kill me faster than he would!"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he clicked on the system panel. In an instant, a bamboo tube, the size of his hand fell on his lap.

Twisting the tiny wooden piece away from the hole, he took a drink of the cold liquid. The refreshing taste of Coke filled his mouth. He gulped down a few more sips and sighed.

"Now, it's perfect!" A good way to treat his taste buds before, maybe, his possible death.

"What are you drinking?"

A low voice rumbled near his ear, startling Xion so badly that he choked on his next gulp.

Xion coughed violently, patting his chest as the fizzy drink burned his throat, and also his nose. His startled gaze shot upward, meeting the intense stare of his "patient".

Darius's cold eyes flicked to the bamboo tube in Xion's hand and then to the faint sheen left on his lips.

Xion shifted uncomfortably, clutching the bamboo tube closer. "Just... a drink," he muttered.

Darius arched a brow. "Let me try-"

"No."

The refusal slipped out without hesitation, and the world around them seemed to freeze. Almost every servant paused as their breaths caught in collective disbelief.

The silence was much more deafening than the noisy camp from before.

Ray silently rotated his wrist as if preparing to drag a lifeless body away from this impending disaster. How could someone dare to refuse his Master?

But Xion was not finished.

"You shouldn't drink it anyway," the healer, too used to his habit as a doctor, said despite his trembling hands. "It's not good for your health, Rail."

His simple call fell on the entire camping sight like a thunderclap.

Gasps echoed faintly from the people. All movement stopped again as every pair of eyes turned toward the Archduke.

The sheer audacity of addressing him by his name, and a mispronounced one at that, had them bracing for the explosion of wrath they were certain would follow.

It certainly was not the first time.

Ray's jaw dropped for the umpteenth time before snapping shut. His steps fell heavily on the ground, "Young master Xion," he began, his tone as sharp as the blade of his sword, "that is his grace, Arch-"

"Enough."

Darius's low voice cut through the air, and Ray froze mid-step. His master's tone wasn't loud, but that single word had the authority to halt him.

Ray clenched his fists before reluctantly stepping back to a respectful distance. However, his sharp blue eyes lingered on Xion's hidden face as he silently vowed to deal with this insolence later.

Meanwhile, Xion blinked in confusion. The blatant threatening glare of the muscular knight scared Xion into hiding behind the legs of the kid who was even shorter than him.

"What?"Xion peeked at Ray before tilting his head to look at Rail, "Did I say something wrong?"

Darius didn't answer. Instead, he lowered himself gracefully beside Xion. His thin shoulders brushed lightly against the stupified healer's.

"You called me 'Rail,'"

Xion's brows pinched to form a slight frown. He took another sip of the drink before asking, "Isn't that your name? Darius Rail?"

"It's Rael. Ra-el. Not 'Rail,'" Darius's lips twitched ever so slightly.

This might be the first time in his entire life, that the Archduke himself had to correct someone on his name, and that too, so the said person could say his name without butchering it.

"Oh! Got it. Rael," Xion grinned at the young boy who did not have a speck of smile on his face.

To others, Darius's face was synonymous with fear, but to Xion, this young child was very much like those anime side characters with pretty faces and no facial expressions.

Xion secretly felt relieved that there was no talk about his food. It only meant he passed his first hurdle. In a good mood, he glanced at Rael.

The way those green eyes lingered on the bamboo tube in his hand without saying another word, a word popped inside his head.

Cute. Xion mused as he deliberately sighed after taking a few more sips from the bamboo can.

"You can't have it," Xion waved the now empty tube in front of Darius' eyes. "It's not good for your health."

Darius hummed lightly. His eyes narrowed in annoyance as he felt his gaze wandering toward those glistening pink lips.

"Why?" Why am I looking at those cherry-like lips again?

Xion licked the residue sweetness away from his mouth and nonchalantly, threw the empty can in his bag.

"You've got that kind of face, you know? The 'I don't sleep enough' face. Or ''I'm one glare away from burying someone' face. You should stick with tea, instead."

Ray choked on air. The poor knight almost dropped his sword at the sheer audacity of the statement.

It was not just him. Nearby, one servant dropped a tray of plates with a loud crash. Another looked as if he was praying under his breath. 

They looked at each other in horror before pretending to focus on their tasks. Though their ears remained strained in one direction.

Darius, however, surprised everyone by letting out a low hum. His face was still as unreadable as ever, yet the faintest flicker of something danced in his eyes.

He waved Ray off with a subtle flick of his hand. With that, the knight went away, leaving behind his master and the stupid healer resting against the tree trunk.