Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 16 - A Gift ⊰♦

This chapter is dedicated to akatsuki_tsukiyomi! Happy reading :)

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Ruka pov:

I was very careful while adding the spice and salt to the dish I was cooking. It was a very basic dish – nothing that could compare to the quality or presentation of what the royal chefs made – but I was confident that I could make it delicious. Lady Kana had taught me well and I intended to not let her efforts go to waste.

While the broth simmered over the medium flame, I chopped some vegetables. I popped a few raw slices of carrots into my mouth as I worked and added the rest to the broth. I then checked the rice that was getting cooked. It was almost done so I left it with the lid open.

I reached out for a fresh cabbage so I could make some seasoned side dish. As I was cutting it, some short, loose strands of my hair fell out of place to get in the way of my eyes. I pushed it back with the back of my hand but it didn't help. In fact, some more came loose and bothered me more.

"Ah, seriously, my hair's all over my face," I muttered and blew a few strands out of the way.

I nearly jumped out of my skin the next moment though when a hand gently brushed the nape of my neck. Turning around, I looked up into Kichiro sama's scarlet eyes. I gave a chaste bow in greeting. I tensed when he reached out to comb the loose strands of my hair with his fingers before gathering all of my hair together in his hands. He tied a ribbon to hold all of it in place, out of the way while I worked.

The shorter stands were pushed behind my ears and I couldn't resist leaning into his touch that was so tender. I blushed and averted my eyes at my reaction. After tucking my hair behind my ears, he surprised me more by touching my cheeks softly with the back of his fingers. I met his eyes shyly, my blush darkening.

When I softly thanked him for his help, he looked into my eyes. We maintained eye contact for several moments making my heart begin to race. Thankfully, we were interrupted by the messenger who walked into the kitchen and got down on one knee to report to Kichiro sama.

"Your Majesty, the ministers are waiting for you," he said.

Kichiro sama nodded at that and walked out of the kitchen after a brief glance at me. Clearing my throat to regain composure, I went back to cooking. I was done in about an hour following which I set up the table. I placed the hot pot, sweet buns and two side dishes on the table along with the crockery and cutlery. I served rice into the two bowls and had one of the attendants place a vase of flowers for decoration.

I had become the spotlight of attention for the attendants and chefs – it made me a little awkward but I had ignored it and concentrated on cooking in an attempt to impress Kichiro sama with whatever I had cooked, even if it wasn't as good as what he usually ate.

Just as I was done setting the table, the doors of the dining hall opened and Kichiro sama walked in. I smiled while I greeting him with a bow. He scrutinized the set table for a moment, obviously noticing how different it was compared to usual.

"I cooked and set the table today," I said, fiddling with my fingers. "I'm not as good a cook as the person who taught me but I think what I've made tastes good."

I noticed him nod slowly before taking his seat. Instead of sitting in his lap, I took a seat on his right. He didn't seem pleased about that and asked, "Why are you sitting there?"

"I'll be serving your meal today," I said with a small smile.

I pushed the bowl of rice towards him and then reached for the side dishes. I mixed two of them in a separate bowl and then scattered them over the rice. I picked up Kichiro sama's chopsticks and held them out for him to take. He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly but took the chopsticks from my hands. He hesitated a moment before taking the first bite of rice and side dishes.