Chapter 62: sharing a pie

once I walked back into my room, I laid there to stop myself from thinking so much... No, everything was just a deception. I won't fall dor it ever again.

"You should continue to wear your mask, lady Elizabeth." I asked the girl, once she gave her hand to me.

She bit her lip but nodded. Wearing her mask, she gave her hand again and we walked towards the centre.

Charles gave me an amused smile, which I ignored as we danced.

Though it was only my second dance, my feet matched hers perfectly, as we waltzed on the tune.

There was a subtle smile on my face, but her eyes were looking around, which made me curious.

"Are you looking for something my lady?" I asked as her eyes were not settled.

She bit her lip and shook her head, but it was clear that she was lying. But I didn't press the matter.

Just then waiters started serving snacks, and the thick smell of food wafted in the air, that sweet smell of freshly baked cakes and other sweet stuff, which made me cringe, brought a sweet smile on her face.

Her eyes twinkled again, as she looked at the tables where food was served. So that's what keeping her mind occupied,

"Are you hungry, my lady?" I asked though I knew the answer.

"No" she denied, passing a glare and I chuckled.

"Oh, too bad, because I am. Care to join me?" I asked with a kind smile, she bit her lip and looked back at the delicious food and nodded.

As we walked towards the table, her eyes sparkled looking at all the food. But when it was time to eat, she stopped the waiter from serving more, when her plate was not even half-filled.

"You should try this pie, my lady" I offered as I passed a pumpkin pie to her.

She bit her lip again and nodded, but when she looked at the plate of other ladies, she shook her head.

That's when I noticed, most ladies around us have very little food on their plate.

So I nodded my head, it was not something I should interfere in. Once we finished the meal, I decided to find Charles again, but he was crowded with all the noble teenagers.

I silently tiptoed back, if they saw me, they would definitely drag me in there. I hated politics, why could we just not live happily and let others do that too.

It's not like you would be able to spend that much wealth anyway. But they still fight for it and try to covet it.

As I walked back, I saw the girl was sneakily going out. I raised a brow and followed her.

She walked towards the rose garden, which was completely deserted except for the regular guards. They bowed to me, as I passed by, but when they tried to wish me, I put my finger on their lips to keep them silent.

Once the girl was away from the winter ball, she took out a fruit pie from god knows where and started eating it, humming a song.

Her eyes followed the stars as she enjoyed the stolen food. I was amused to see how a noble girl had to steal food for eating to her heart's content.

I chuckled as she wiped her face from her sleeves, she was looking just like a kid there.

She jumped from her seat once she heard me chuckling and looked back with a pale face. But once she found that it was me, she took a breath of relief. But then she glared at me,

"What are you doing here?" she asked with an accusing look.

'It was like the thief was blaming the guard'

"Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that, why are you eating food sneakily?"

"Hmph, what do you know. You boys munch all day, yet if we eat one extra spoon, the other ladies would frown on us. Is it my mistake that I am more hungry." her words were filled with the grievance, as she bored holes into me.

"Oh my, that's strict. You did right then, do you want anything else. I promise I will bring it for you.'' I proposed and she looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

"Why are you trying to help?" She asked me, narrowing her eyes.

"Because I am a kind man,'' I said with pride, adjusting my bow tie.

"Pfft hahaha" she burst out laughing, and it was my turn to glare at her.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You! kind man, you're just a small boy," she replied, still holding her stomach while laughing.

"I am still older than you, and I already had my coming of age ceremony last week." I notified her and finally, her laughter died down.

"Hmph, so what! I will have my coming of age ceremony next month?" she replied, raising her chin.

"Alright. I don't fight with small girls, tell me do you need anything or I am going.'' I added once she did not speak. But she was still silent. I raised a brow but said nothing.

I turned back to go, when she spoke, "wait"

There was a smug smile on my face, but my face turned calm when I faced her again.

"I-i was wondering, what that pumpkin pie tasted like, you were offering me before," she asked with hesitation rubbing her palms on her hands.

"Oh, we can share another, if you want" I offered, biting my lips to stifle a laugh.

"Why would I share my pie with you," she asked me glaringly again.

I was speechless. Was she serious? If I was the one bringing the pie, then how did it turn out to be hers?

"Fine then, I am not bringing it anymore." I replied shrugging my shoulders.

"Wait. alright, I will let you taste a bit," she added biting her lips. "But only taste, alright?" she confirmed that she would not negotiate more than that.

I was trying my best to not laugh at her, so I nodded and she smiled brightly again.

"Then go... What are you waiting for?" she urged me and I nodded, as I slipped back to the party.