He was really thankful for this moment they were going to defy him and act unlike him, otherwise would the girl have really starved for the few days he'd mentioned?
Whatever anger he'd contained formerly was gone after the day's unfortunate event, thus he couldn't bring himself to punish her anymore.
And hopefully, since his guards were kindhearted enough to rebell against him today for a good reason, neither his cowardice nor their disobedience would be implicated.
It had only just occurred to Derek few hours ago after he went wandering heedlessly to seek inner peace_ which he never found by the way_ that his order to starve Rain still held.
He'd long forgotten about it, for he'd been preoccupied with other pressing matters, but when it suddenly crossed his mind, he readily returned to the castle.