The King's Lover
Chapter 81: Lessons Over Lunch

Chapter 81: Lessons Over Lunch

Rose only knocked once before she heard a voice telling her to come in. She opened the door to see Kali leaning over a dining table as she dished out Lady Delphine’s lunch. It wasn’t a very big table, and it didn’t look like it could hold more than two seats at once. On top of the table were different lunch dishes that Lady Delphine couldn’t possibly finish on her own.

Kali turned her head towards Rose but only for a brief moment and without saying a word to her. She quickly turned to Lady Delphine to ask, "Is there anything else you need, my lady?"

"No, thank you," Lady Delphine said with a lazy smile, her pipe to her lips. She let out a puff of smoke and softly said, "You may leave us be, Kali. I will call for you if the need arises."

"Yes, Lady Delphine." Kali bowed slowly and retreated out of the room, but not before nodding at Rose.

"’Ello," Rose said just as Kali shut the door.

Lady Delphine turned her attention to Rose. "Come, I was waiting for you." free.w e bn.ov(e)l(.)com

Rose walked further into the room. It wasn’t as big as the crown prince’s room, but it was a very lush space. The room smelled like fresh spring flowers even though it was fall, and the smoke from the pipe didn’t tamper with the scent in the room.

There was a bed with a frame, a sitting area by the fireplace, and the dining table. Rose noticed there weren’t any shelves, just a ridiculous number of wardrobes—more than a single room needed. She wondered if they were all filled with clothes. However, she couldn’t know, as they were all closed.

"Don’t just stand there," Lady Delphine said with a laugh. "Have a seat, the meal is for you and me."

"Are ye sure about lettin’ me eat wit’ ye?" Rose asked.

"I wouldn’t have called you now if I didn’t." Lady Delphine pulled the pipe from her lips and scrutinized it. The smoke had burnt out, and her face showed displeasure at this discovery. She didn’t try to light it, just placed it to the side.

"Go on then," Lady Delphine added when she saw Rose had only moved closer but wasn’t sitting.

Rose nodded and pulled out the only other chair. She dropped into it and placed her palms on her legs. "I am really grateful to ye for helpin’ me—"

"You should eat first," Lady Delphine smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Esme told me you helped clean up, thank you. We can discuss after we enjoy this lovely cooking. Kali’s meals are best eaten hot."

Lady Delphine picked up the fork and knife. She sliced into the meat and stabbed it with her fork before bringing it to her mouth. She chewed slowly and made satisfied noises.

"Lamb tenderloin braised in a spiced broth, hmm. No one does it like Kali."

She turned to Rose, noticing that the young woman hadn’t moved an inch. Lady Delphine quietly placed her cutlery on the silverware without making a single sound, then proceeded to scoop some of the food onto the extra plate on the table for Rose.

"Ye don’t ’ave to do that," Rose replied.

"Well, it looks like it’s the only way I can get you to eat," Lady Delphine said and sat back in her seat. "Now eat, don’t let my efforts go to waste."

"Thank ye," Rose simply said while staring at the cutlery that lay on each side of the plate as though they were strange objects.

"Your fork to your left hand and the knife to your right," Lady Delphine said without looking at her.

Rose jerked her head upward but did exactly as Lady Delphine ordered, picking up the knife and fork.

"Don’t hold it like that," Lady Delphine said while holding back a laugh. "You’re trying to eat, not stab someone. Flip it and hold it lightly. You saw what I did. When you try to cut the lamb, don’t exert too much force, else you might send your lunch flying to the other side of the room. We don’t want that." There was a stern tone to her voice, but her face showed her amusement.

Rose nodded and slowly brought the knife to the lamb. It was a little hard to cut, but she tried to mimic Lady Delphine as best she could.

"Yes, beautiful," Lady Delphine praised as Rose followed instructions. "You just need practice, and you’ll be just fine."

Rose nodded. "Thank—"

"No, no, no," Lady Delphine shook her head. "No eating with food in your mouth, and don’t overfill your mouth. That way, when someone speaks to you, you won’t need to take too long to answer. Also, you won’t look like a hamster." Lady Delphine laughed at this, shaking her head lightly.

Rose nodded and slowly chewed her food. free we\bnove(l).com

"Keep your mouth closed at all times. Nobody wants to see how you chew your food. Keep your back straight and your elbows off the table."

Rose adjusted immediately, raising her head as she straightened her shoulders.

Lady Delphine laughed. "I didn’t say you should sit like a plank, just don’t slouch."

Rose nodded again and tried to eat in the manner Lady Delphine directed. It was pretty difficult, and it didn’t take long for her back to start hurting, but she didn’t want to disappoint Lady Delphine, so she kept at it. Her fingers also hurt from holding the cutlery in such an unusual way.

However, though she ate slowly, she quickly found it wasn’t an impossible way to eat. When she was done, she wiped the corners of her lips just like Lady Delphine had done, and Lady Delphine looked at her with delight all over her face.

"You’re such a good student," she grinned with pride. "I wish we had more time."

"Time?" Rose asked as she dropped her napkin to the side. .com

"Yes," Lady Delphine said with a serious face.

"Are ye sendin’ me away?" Rose asked.

"Well, I can’t exactly keep you, even as much as I want to. Besides, I doubt you’d choose here," Lady Delphine smiled sadly.