"What have I done?" Islinda mumbled under her breath while staring at the ceiling. She still felt one hell of a hangover but it was slightly better than earlier when she woke.
The adrenaline running through her veins at Aldric’s provocation got her body running and while she still felt miserable, the nauseous feeling was gone and she had to deal with the headache.
Moreover, Islinda had to think about the decision she just made. Aldric has become her study partner, does that even make sense? She could barely stand his presence and now the one place she had thought would be her safe haven, she had to share it with him too.
Why was she so unlucky?
A knock on the door disrupted her train of thought and she turned in that direction, saying, "Come in."
The door opened and it was Aurelia coming in her entourage and Islinda had no choice but to sit up with a loud groan. Her head was about to split in two.
"Good morning my lady."
"Good morning Aurelia," Islinda answered, looking behind her to see who had come with her and was relieved to notice that Rosalind was not among. She still had not gotten over her words from last night and their interactions from now on would be awkward. Islinda was not ready to deal with her for now.
However, her sight fell on Lizy, and recalled the way she had dismissed her services last night, leaving the Fae confused and disappointed. Islinda refused to feel guilty. It’s not like they really liked her anyway and had done her a favor.
"Prince Aldric told me how you are hungover and there’s nothing better than a good onion soup to drive away the feeling after a night of drinking, especially with a thick slice of toasted bread loaded with melty cheese." Aurelia introduced the meal to her with loads of excitement which told Islinda that she had probably taken the recipe from the human realm and was eager for her to try it out.
"Wow," Islinda breathed as the tray was set before her, "That looks kind of delicious." Islinda picked up the spoon set beside the dish and stirred the soup, taking note to consume the toasted bread before it became soggy.
Islinda took a spoonful of the soup and brought it to her lips, blowing air to it as it was hot only to watch from the corner of her eyes as all the Fae’s in the room trained their gaze on her with great anticipation and that was uncomfortable.
If there was anything Islinda had to get used to since coming here was others watching her eat. Of course, she ate with her family back in the human realm, but it was nothing compared to outsiders who were Fae waiting to serve her during a meal and gauging her reaction as if their lives depended on it.
Islinda sipped the soup, then chewed slowly, no, tentatively as if she couldn’t quite understand the flavor. Her impassive expression as well seemed to heighten the tension in the room and Aurelia was the first to ask her,
"My lady, don’t you like the soup? If that’s the case, I’ll suggest we change it and make your favorite chicken soup. This would never be served again."
Islinda lowered her spoon and fixed her gaze cold on Aurelia, while Lizy, and the other Fae instinctively took a step back. This was the first time they saw Islinda being this way and guessed they truly provocated her this time. Not to mention, she has been distant since last night.
Just when the tension became unbearable and seemed to suffocate everyone in the room, Islinda burst into laughter, stunning everyone.
"By the gods...." She cupped her mouth, "The look on your faces is so funny. Of course, the food tastes good. It’s warm, cozy, and flavorful, and I like the fact the onions are properly caramelized." She said, stirring the soup and having another taste.
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