Aridel saw how she was helped to the table by the maids and while she looked beautiful with the attire, he could not miss how uncomfortable she was as her whole body showed the signs.
He dismissed the maids after they helped her to her seat on his right.
-Is this the first time you use a dress?
She nodded and lifted the red veil, setting it carefuly over her simple but carefuly arranged hair.
-And a veil too-she said with a little smile- And before you say it, I know I will need to train in the use of complicated dresses, heavy jewelry and adornements because I must look the part, dont worry-
He worried, a lot. It was part of his character but very few people knew he kept an iron grip so his emotions would never be betrayed on his face. To most others, he looked aloof and even cold while Mei could look through the facade as if it was nothing. And that worried him even more because all his plans from before had been changed.
-We will need to talk over many things after all the ceremonies are done- he said while taking a cup and pouring hot water over leaves already prepared inside.
-I know-she diverted her attention to the pastries and food items displayed on the table, all seemed quite foreing to her so she decided asking was the best choice- which one do you like the most from these?
He signaled a small type of bun with an egg and chopped vegetable filling. She went straight for it and piled five on a small plate for herself. Since he was already at the task, he poured a cup with the steamy beverage for her and just as he was setting the cup in front of her, Aridel heard the most scandalous and loud moan of pleasure...
-ohhhh, this is so goooood- she exclaimed with a breathless voice and a starry eyed expression of pure happiness. When he caught sight of her delighted face, his became red instantly.
-For heavens sake, what can be so good about a breakfast bun...
She laughed when she understood why he was blushing. It was quite fun to see him flustered and her determination to tease him further was stoked.
-Dont be like that-she said- This is the first meal I am having in over 30 years...
-You had some broth yesterday and I did not hear about you going into rapture because of it.
She caught the underlying message, he kept tabs on her while she was not with him. Even over small matters like her meals.
-I could have liquids and simple broths in my old body but solid food was completely out of limits for me. Eating is one of the things I will now fully enjoy for a change-
Not eating for over 30 years was definitely a torture.
-I also could not sleep a full night. What remained of me felt pain and hurt almost all the time and even with medication, it was hard to endure some times-she said softly. Both became silent for a while after that.
-How much longer could you have lasted-he asked while looking at her eyes.
-There were plans to have me go through a more complicated procedure-she answered honestly- that would have presserved only my brain, with my whole body replaced. Since I was a military asset I just had the choice to accept or to be retired.
-To live off somewhere else?
-Retired as in killed- he stilled at that- I could not go back into society while carrying and advanced piece of artificial body around. Doing that had proven to make one into a fat bait for the wrong type of attention.
Aridel understood somewhat but he still found it unsettling that she would be discarded so easily.
-There were many things I could not enjoy in my past life. Eating, sleeping and getting laid are the ones I lacked the most. I am now healthy and able to sleep well, a rich princess who can eat all the good and delicious things there are to be had and I am even married to a handsome man like yourself, so... I think you can help me to satiate my other cravings quite well.