Loss of Ignorance (Yandere male x female reader)

Ch. Seventeen: Inner Secrets

Truthfully, she felt like a child, learning how to eat on their own for the first time. She was seated on the ground per her request since she wanted to cross her legs, being mindful of her dress so as not to show anything. (F/n) didn't sit too close to the fire, being mindful that her arms and legs could heat up quite a bit now from the flames and still burn the connecting skin to them. And, she didn't need that to convince her either to distance herself some given what had happened even if her mind was becoming more accustomed to the warmth from fire again albeit steadily.

But, her mind now wasn't focused on the fireplace. Rather, it fixated on the fact that she could lift the spoon carrying her dinner of rabbit stew to her mouth. She didn't have to be fed anymore. (F/n) was even able to help Keiran prepare the meal. Edwin didn't assist, but they both figured he had gone through enough in a day. Keiran also wanted to be the one handling (F/n)'s food.

Sure, the man had his daggers back and hadn't attacked them, but he still didn't want to give control of what his queen ate over to the newcomer. Plus, he enjoyed working side by side with (F/n), and he admired how his magic made her adapt to her new limbs so quickly. Of course, her having her limbs back did bring other things into question, like their sleeping arrangements. She no longer needed him watching over her all the time to help her with everything, and he knew that she was probably happy to gain her full privacy back. It hadn't come up yet in conversation, but he did hope that he could remain in the same room as her at night.

Now, though, the two males each sat on one of the chairs by the fire, and they ate as well. Keiran had a small smile on his lips as he noted the enthusiasm and happiness on (F/n)'s countenance. Edwin was smiling too. It was as though all of the darkness that existed outside of the forge vanished for a moment in time because she was radiating with so much merriment.

When she finished eating, she set the bowl aside and stretched. "That was a good meal!" she practically exclaimed, satisfied. She leaned back on her hands and looked up to the two. Perhaps, she was displaying behavior from that of a queen, but they were a small group so far, and she couldn't contain her excitement at being able to do everything she was able to in the past again. Not to mention that neither of them seemed to mind or think less of her for it.

"I'm glad you liked it, (F/n)," Keiran answered, finishing his stew soon after. "But, I hope that you don't mind me ruining the mood, but since we've now filled our stomachs, Edwin, I'd like to ask you some questions." Edwin too had finished a little after Keiran and nodded slowly. "How did you escape? And, why didn't your fellow magic users in the castle escape with you?"

(F/n) remained silent, wanting to know as well. It must've been some feat to pull it off. The royal family wouldn't have just let him go. "I figured that one or both of you would ask me that." He released a sigh and set his bowl on the ground for now. "Thank you for the food by the way." (F/n) and Keiran both nodded. "Anyway, an opportune moment presented itself, and I took it. The others, well ..." He frowned deeply. "I left them behind. I didn't have time to get them, and I didn't even know where they stayed."

He leaned back and crossed his arms, his eyes showing that he was remembering something. "I rarely saw them, only in brief passing in the halls of the castle. We weren't kept near to each other, and we weren't allowed to talk to each other. They didn't want all three of us to gang up on anyone. It wasn't safe for them to keep us together." Edwin glanced down to his lap. "So, I had to leave them, or I would've gotten caught before even getting out of the castle."

His thumbs rubbed over each other as he recounted the events of that day. "But, I thankfully managed to get out. I didn't even think I'd make it, but I kept running, using what I could along the way." He intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on top of them. "Each day, I was guarded. I was told what I needed to mold from metal, ate, slept and the other usual activities everyone does. I had multiple guards on me so that I wouldn't try anything."