Chapter 110: Mischievous.
Rosaline remained on the bed, her back resting against the pillows as she watched Xandros from the corner of her eye.
He had somehow produced a parchment from somewhere within the room and was now seated in the chair beside the window, reading it with the same maddening concentration he seemed to reserve for everything except her.
Rosaline frowned.
She was bored.
Terribly bored.
The kind of boredom that made every second feel longer than the last.
Her gaze wandered around the chamber before eventually returning to him.
He didn’t even look at her. She shifted beneath the blankets.
Nothing.
She cleared her throat softly.
Still nothing.
She shifted again, deliberately enough that the mattress creaked.
Still nothing.
Rosaline narrowed her eyes.
How could someone be so irritatingly peaceful?
She finally turned toward him.
"Xandros."
His eyes remained on the parchment.
"Hm?"
"I’m hungry."
That finally earned her his attention.
His grey eyes lifted from the parchment and settled upon her.
"Alright."
Rosaline blinked.
That was it?
"Alright?" She asked him.
He nodded.
"The food will be here shortly." He told her when he still felt her doubt and gaze.
She stared at him.
She had expected him to stand immediately, perhaps summon a servant himself, or at the very least ask what she wanted to eat.
Instead, he simply returned his attention to the parchment.
Rosaline’s brow slowly rose.
"...You’re not going to do anything?" She questioned and Xandros looked at her again.
"What would you like me to do?" He asked her quietly.
"Get me food."She mused.
His expression remained completely calm.
"I’ve already sent for it."
Rosaline’s lips parted.
"Oh."
She hadn’t expected that.
She sank farther into the pillows, though she continued staring at him suspiciously.
He really was going to sit there and do nothing.
She opened her mouth to complain anyway, but before she could, a knock sounded at the door.
Xandros immediately folded the parchment.
"Come in."
The door opened, and the butler entered with a large serving cart.
Rosaline’s eyes widened.
"What’s all that?"
The cart was practically overflowing.
There were bowls of steaming soup, plates of rice, roasted meat, vegetables, fresh fruits, warm bread, pastries, and several other dishes arranged so neatly that the sight alone made the small table beside her bed appear inadequate.
Rosaline stared.
"I only said I was hungry."
Xandros glanced at the cart.
"You said you needed food."
"I didn’t say I needed to feed an army."
The butler lowered his head, clearly struggling not to smile.
Xandros merely gestured toward the table.
"Leave it there."
The butler did as instructed, arranging the dishes before giving a respectful bow.
"Is there anything else, Your Grace?"
"No."
The butler bowed again and left.
Rosaline watched the door close behind him before looking back at the feast.
She wasn’t actually that hungry anymore.
Her original intention had been to get Xandros to pay attention to her.
Now that the food was here, she found herself more interested in bothering him than eating.
She picked up a spoon and poked at the porridge.
Then she glanced toward him.
"Let’s eat together."
Xandros looked up.
There was a brief silence.
"Together?" Rosaline nodded.
"Yes."
He studied her face.
She tried her best to look innocent. "I don’t want to eat alone." She pleaded with him.
"You were perfectly willing to eat alone this morning."
"That was this morning."
"And now?" Rosaline pulled the blanket slightly higher around herself.
"Now I’m sick." Xandros’ brow lifted.
"That is precisely why you should eat."
"I know." She paused. "But I’m not going to eat alone."
He stared at her.
Rosaline stared back.
Neither spoke.
Eventually, a faint suspicion settled into Xandros’ eyes, She was planning something but He didn’t know what.
But he knew his wife well enough by now to recognize that innocent expression.
Still, he said nothing.
Instead, he rose from the chair and walked toward the table.
Rosaline’s eyes brightened.
He pulled out the chair and sat opposite her.
"There."
He picked up his spoon.
"Eat."
Rosaline smiled.
"You’re eating too."
"I am."
She nodded approvingly.
"Good."
She picked up her spoon and took a small bite.
Xandros did the same.
For several moments, the room settled into an unexpected quietness.
Rosaline ate slowly, occasionally glancing at him.
He seemed completely absorbed in his meal.
She frowned.
This wasn’t going according to plan.
She wanted to disturb him, wanted him to talk.
She wanted to know where Lily was.
And, perhaps most importantly, she wanted to find out why Xandros had been so harsh with her.
She took another bite.
Then another.
Xandros glanced at her.
"You’re staring."
"I’m not."
"You are."
Rosaline lowered her eyes toward her plate. "I was only looking."
"At me."
"You’re sitting directly in front of me."
A faint amusement flickered across his face.
"Then eat."
She pouted slightly.
"I am eating."
"Good."
She continued.
Then suddenly—
A knock sounded. The door opened before either of them could respond, and the butler stepped inside and bowed.
"Your Grace."
Xandros looked up.
"What is it?"
The butler hesitated.
"Seth is asking for you."
The moment the name left his lips, Xandros’ hand stopped.
His spoon remained suspended above his plate for a brief second before he lowered it.
"Seth?"
"Yes, Your Grace. He said the matter is urgent."
Rosaline watched the exchange carefully.
Xandros immediately rose.
"I’ll be there."
He turned toward Rosaline, "Finish your food."
She blinked.
"Already?"
"I’ll return."
"But—"
"Eat."
His tone left little room for argument.
Rosaline sighed. "Fine."
Xandros gave her one final look before following the butler toward the door.
Just before leaving, he paused.
"Don’t leave this room."
Rosaline smiled sweetly. "I won’t."
He narrowed his eyes slightly while she widened hers innocently and after another moment, he finally stepped out.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Rosaline stared at it for several seconds.
Then the corners of her lips slowly lifted.
A mischievous glimmer appeared in her eyes.
"Perfect."
She looked down at the untouched portion of food before her.
If Xandros had to leave...
Then perhaps she could finally find out where Lily was.