Chapter 6 - Eat to my hearts content.

Chapter 6 - Eat to my hearts content.

I wanted to desperately hide in a hole somewhere out of embarrassment! I was so scared everyone would laugh but instead my father piled lots of food on to my plate, My uncle and Brother smiled at me as I stared at the food, "I-I can't p-possibly eat all this…" Tybalt laughed, "Don't worry, that's barely anything." I was surprised at his words that there was a mountain of food in front of me and he says it's barely anything! Uncle Arthur spoke. "He's not wrong. These two brutes could eat everything on this table." My mouth dropped open in shock. "Don't worry and eat what you can, my brother is a bit dense and doesn't realize that a young child can't possibly eat so much." uncle glared at father as he said this and Tybalt laughed.

My father scratched the back of his head awkwardly. I felt bad as he was only trying to be nice. "I-it's okay, I can e-eat-Ouch!" I picked up a piece of meat but it was too hot so I dropped it. "Iridesa!" Everyone was startled, my father held my hands panicking and began examining my fingers. When I spilled food back at the inn I was punished horribly and I trembled at the memories that resurfaced. "I-I…I'm s-sorry…"

My father shook his head and spoke in a gentle voice. "Don't be sorry, Iridesa. It's okay." He then cut a piece of meat with a fork and blew on it, then he held it out to me. "Here you are…" everyone around us including the servants stilled in shock. I wasn't sure what to do and hesitated, my father looked a bit sad. "Sorry, I overstepped." Before he put down the fork I stopped him as I don't want him to feel bad. "N-No. It's o-okay…T-Thank you." He smiled at my words and held the fork next to my lips. I ate the piece of meat. I was completely speechless at the taste, I had never tasted anything so juicy and tender. My eyes slightly watered. "Is it not to your liking?" My father asked, worried. I wiped my tears and shook my head "I-Its the most d-delicious food I e-ever tasted! '' Everyone looked at me and smiled. "The cook at Crescent castle, chef Jacque made everything especially for you today, he made meals that are light yet full of nutrients so your body can recover. You must eat loads" Uncle Arthur said, I nodded my head, my father then held out some potatoes and I ate them. They were so soft and yummy. "I want to feed her too! Here Iridesa try some of this!" Brother Tybalt held out a piece of roast duck and I took a bite. "It's s-so good!" Brother smiled brightly at my excitement, "Have some of this too." Uncle Arthur then picked up a slice of mango and I bit into it forgetting my nervousness as my stomach relished all the delicious food. "So s-sweet!" I exclaimed happily. I then realized I had been the only one eating as they all fed me "I-I shouldn't be t-the only one e-eating…" I said and everyone smiled at me as though it wasn't a big deal. "She's right." My father said "All of you mind your own meals I can feed her myself." I was surprised at his words. "That's not fair!, father" Brother Tybalt replied. "You just want to keep Iridesa all to yourself.I shook my head "I-I can eat myself. R-really." Everyone looked at me pouting but gave in. "I'll cool down the food for you first." Before I could protest, Father cut up the food in small pieces and cooled them down. He seemed to have noticed I really liked the roast duck as he piled most of it on the plate along with all the mango slices. I ate to my heart's content, until my stomach was much too full, everyone wanted me to eat more but I thought I would burst. Uncle Arthur wasn't wrong about brother and father; they could eat a lot! My eyelids suddenly felt very heavy. "Iridesa, are you sleepy…?" My uncle asked, but I couldn't focus on his words at all as my fatigue took over me. Soon I was lifted into the air, it felt so warm and safe that I gave in and fell asleep.

Paris carried his precious daughter up to her room. He placed her on his lap as he sat on her bed and gently removed her hair pins and undid her braids. He then laid her down on the bed and pulled the covers over her. He remembered her excited face as she ate with her cheeks stuffed like a little chipmunk and he smiled. He has to ask the cook to make her a variety of amazing dishes and especially desserts, as he couldn't help but notice she had a sweet tooth.

She breathed softly as she clutched the covers and slept. He stroked her silver hair that resembled his. He had noticed how she inherited Opal's eyes and they were beautiful like sapphire and emeralds. "Sleep tight my treasure." He pecked her on the forehead and then on her eyelids. He slowly got off her bed and walked away carefully so as to not wake her he shut the door behind him as he left.

He went down and heard all the servants gushing over Iridesa as they passed by him. They all seemed very excited about her arrival and all put in the effort to make her feel welcomed. He smiled happily to see everyone care so much. Jacque the cook walked up to him and greeted him. "How was the food My Lord, did Lady Iridesa enjoy her meal." Paris remembered her bright face as she ate and smiled. "She loved them, I will leave you in charge of her meals, as she needs to restore her health." Jacque smiled "Leave it to me my lord, I will create the most delicious and exquisite dishes that also adhere to the lady's health." Mia the butler approached. "The healer and tutor for Lady Iridesa have been arranged, my lord." Paris had made sure to find only the best and most trustworthy people for his daughter. "I will have the entire west wing redecorated and adjusted for my daughter, bring me the merchants tomorrow" they all bowed their heads and left.

I woke up the next day feeling much better. I had forgotten for a second where I was. I sat up and saw Miss Delphine tidying up and she smiled at me. "Good morning Lady Iridesa, did you sleep well?" I greeted her back "G-good morning Miss D-delphine." She came over and smiled "My lady you really don't need to be so formal, I am your handmaiden after all." I shook my head "I-I wouldn't f-feel right." After all she is older than me, so I didn't want to sound rude. She replied "Well, if you say so my lady. Shall we get you dressed? You must be uncomfortable as you fell asleep in your day clothes." Iridesa then remembered how she fell asleep at the dinner table, (oh no! I was so tired and had never eaten so well that I fell asleep! How rude!)

"I-I must have o-offended everyone! I sh-should apologize!" I panicked to get out of bed, Miss Delphine calmed me down "It's ok no one is offended, you're only a child it's normal. Lord Orion had carried you up here himself and he wasn't miffed in the slightest." I relaxed at her words a little. "Now let's get you washed up and dressed."

Today I wore a short sky blue dress that was silky and flowy. I wore white knee high stockings and blue shoes to match. Since I felt too hesitant to choose such expensive jewelry and accessories, Miss Delphine told me to leave it to her and she beautifully braided my hair into a braided crown and added a pearl comb at the back with a vibrant blue silk ribbon to match. She touched my ears. "What do you think of having them pierced so you can wear your earrings?" I always wanted to pierce them but couldn't afford to at the time. "I w-would like that…" she smiled "I'll arrange that for you soon then."

I left my room and since Miss Delphine wanted me to feel more independent and comfortable at home she only walked me to the dining hall for breakfast and asked me to try and look around myself after I'm done and to go wherever I would like and that I didn't have to worry as all the knights would protect me and were stationed all over the castle.

I still felt a little scared but I really wanted to try and explore by myself at some point so I agreed. I sat at the dining table alone today. "Good morning my lady." I look back to see butler Mia. "G-good morning B-butler Mia." She approached me. I noticed no one else is here yet. "W-where is e-everyone?" I asked, and she answered. "Lord Orion is attending a meeting, Master Arthur is out on an errand and Young master Tybalt is at the training grounds, My lady." I was kinda looking forward to having breakfast with them. "What would you like for breakfast today?" I wasn't sure what to ask for as I normally take what is thrown at me back at the inn. Noticing my hesitation, Butler Mia makes a suggestion. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and see what chef Jacque is making today, he would also be very excited to meet you." I thought about it and I was curious to meet the person who created all those wonderful dishes. She nodded her head and butler Mia led me to the kitchen. "Jacque, what's on the menu this morning?" Butler Mia asked as they entered. Mia saw a man who seemed to be in his late thirties in a chef's uniform. He turned around delightfully as he carried a tray with freshly baked bread. "Well today we have-!? Is that the famous Lady Iridesa I have yet to meet?" I tried not to hide behind Butler Mia as I didn't want to seem childish or rude and smiled slightly. He approached me and bowed his head. "It's an honor to finally meet you, my lady. I am Jacque the chef of Crescent Castle at your service."

I replied back "N-Nice to M-eet you too, I-I really Enjoyed the food L-last night…" I felt a little silly with my stutters but it's something I couldn't get rid off yet I developed it during a young age after growing up at the Inn, but thankfully nobody seemed to mind it at all. He smiled at me "I'm happy to hear that, now what would you like for breakfast? We have some freshly baked bread, pancakes, cinnamon rolls…" the chef went on about all the exquisite foods he had made and my mouth watered. "Come take a seat, my lady." He led me to the small table and pulled out a chair for me and I sat down and once I was comfortable he pushed the chair in for me. "I believe you will be looking after Lady Iridesa then, as I have to be off to my duties now." Butler Mia said.

The Chef replied, "Ofcourse, leave her to me." Butler Mia bowed and left. "Now what would you like then?" I thought about the options and I really wanted to try a cinnamon roll. "C-could I have t-the cinn-cinnamon roll, p-please?" He nodded his head and picked up a fresh large cinnamon roll, and placed it onto a plate. He added some delicious icing and fruits and placed it in front of me. "Here we are, enjoy." I took my fork and ate a piece, it was so delicious and heartwarming. I smiled brightly at the chef. "I-incredible!" he seemed content with my reaction "What would you like to drink, I would suggest maybe some milk tea, my lady?" I nodded at his suggestion "T-that sounds W-wonderful, Yes please." He immediately bought me a warm cup of milk tea. It was yummy and sweet. I finished my breakfast and thanked Chef Jacque and left the kitchen so as to not disturb the rest of his work.

I wandered around the main halls, for a while, "W-where should I g-go now…?" The castle was so huge that I wasn't sure where to begin exploring, I was also still nervous of running into someone I didn't know. I made the decision of going out and seeing the gardens as I never got to go out on such a lovely sunny day back at the inn. I stepped outside feeling the lovely glow of the sun touch my skin. I walked outside exploring the vast gardens. I saw some beautiful flowers and fountains as I explored, I was completely lost in my own world as I walked around and I didn't hear the footsteps behind me and was completely taken by surprise when I was lifted high into the air from behind. "A-Ahhhhh!"