Two days passed, and she was healing fast. Her complexion was better, and with Gideon constantly hanging around, her spirits were lifted as well. For some odd reason, the child did not mind Caius hanging out with them at all. The three of them had found a way of co-existing, and the child and the man had found themselves cooperating for the sake of her safety.
"When you were unconscious, he took care of you very well."
Uttering this, Caius slurped his noodle soup and watched as the child gave him an obvious look before going back to eating his own lunch. Odette smiled, kissed Gideon on his forehead, muttered a 'thank you', and patted him on his head.
This alone was enough for the man, who sat there enjoying some peace and quiet.
"He did too." Gideon casually threw it out without sparing Caius a glance. "Every day."
She had already scooped up a piece of boiled egg from her noodles, but at the mention of this, her hand halted automatically. Slowly, as if she did not want to be noticed, she looked at Caius, quickly looking away.
Caius cleared his throat. "Just... so and so."
Daniel raised his eyebrows from the corner. "Yeah... if not even moving an inch away from her is considered 'so and so,' then of course, let's call it that."
"Go and tell the kitchen ladies to prepare some desserts, Daniel." When the guard muttered softly, Caius could only cough and send him off on a side quest. The room became silent once again.
Odette noticed he carefully picked out the eggs and ate them with a satisfied nod, but he did not touch the beef strips floating in his bowl at all. She licked her lips. Because of her sickness, she was not allowed to eat beef, but upon seeing her dejected face, Caius had specifically ordered her noodles to be made with beef seasoning so that the large chunks would not reduce her growth speed. It was surprising to see that he himself was not a beef lover.
"You don't like beef?" Odette pointed at his bowl.
Caius looked at her and smiled lightly. "Not a big fan... I mostly like pork."
She hummed, and suddenly, with a determined look, grabbed one boiled egg from her bowl and plopped it onto his.
"You—"
"I actually don't like boiled eggs," Odette said while picking up the other one and bringing it toward Caius's food. He quickly grabbed her hand, staring at her in wonder and with a hint of teasing.
"You don't have to do that." Her cheeks were stuffed with noodles, and a little bit of oil smeared her lips—too adorable to even look at.
His heart raced.
"I don't like them." Odette pulled her hand away and dropped the second egg into Caius's noodles. "It's not good to waste food, Caius." She tapped him with her chopsticks and went back to eating.
He knew that she was aware of how he still stared at her. What she did not realize was the intensity he felt deep within. It was completely adorable when she tried to act tough while also being helpful. Seeing this side of her made him regret telling her to leave. With a low chuckle, he began munching on the eggs and gave all the beef strips to Gideon.
She too...watched from the corner of her eye and was satisfied. It was good that every misunderstanding between them was resolved before she left, and it was best to leave with respect and happy memories rather than any conflict.
After Gideon returned to play with his friends, Caius walked with Odette to the library. He promised that he would see her off and then attend to something else. As they walked through the long hallways stretching up to the huge ceiling, only their breathing and footsteps filled the space. No one and nothing was there to bother them.
"Did you release Nathaniel?" Odette asked. She earned a nod and a smile from him.
Lying to her felt like burning himself. The matter was too complicated for her to understand, and she would not want it handled the way Caius intended. So he gulped hard and replied, "I sent him to recuperate from the fall that day."
"Ahh... that's good. Thank you, Caius." Odette smiled and patted his back. The sudden touch landed a blow of emotions spreading through his chest. He stopped and watched her walk slowly, unaware that he was gazing with eyes lost in love and wonder. By the time he caught up, they were already at the library entrance, and she turned to him...
"You walked me here, and I'm safe." She had her hands behind her back. "I won't bother you with any more tasks now."
Her eyes twinkled under the crystal jade chandeliers, big and full of hope. When she smiled, he could not help but let out a sigh of relief. With his hands in his pockets, he stepped closer.
"I... may have some free time right now." As he spoke, he instinctively gave her a gummy smile, knowing he just needed an excuse. Odette looked at him, who was waiting for her response while clearing his throat. She shrugged and walked in.
"You can come with me then."
* * * *
"So she didn't go back... but stayed in the place where her gay husband died?" Odette flipped through the pages, watching Caius react to the ending of her favourite novel. They sat on a couch, each on one end, facing each other.
"She found out about him... but back in those days, women didn't know how to handle having a secretly gay husband." She shrugged and laughed. "She could only open up to the poet who stayed in her mansion."
"And he was also gay..." Caius raised an eyebrow. "And also married. With a daughter."
She nodded while flipping the pages. "Men, those days couldn't come out easily. The way people reacted to them was very violent." She sighed and closed the book. "But what intrigues me the most is..."
Under the cool afternoon sun, Caius felt a fresh wave of happiness wash over him as she spoke about the things she loved, the parts of the novel they read together, or the things she would have added to the story. Anything in her voice, coming from those lips, expressed through her eyes and carried in her heart, was precious as diamonds to him. Sitting across from her, gazing intently, he could not help but lean a little closer.
"That's why this is my favourite novel," Odette finished with a proud, satisfied smile.
"I'll keep that in mind." Caius tilted his head. "I have something to give you, actually."
From his pocket, he pulled out a small envelope with his family crest. Casually, he took her hand and placed it on her palm, not letting go.
"I'm having a gathering the day after tomorrow." He smiled. "Would you do the honours of being part of it, young miss?"
His teasing eyes, that rare smile created dimples between his lips and cheeks. With his gaze so deep, all Odette could do was blink in confusion and look down at the invitation.
"I've been busy with Gideon, and I wanted to take a little break." She thought aloud, tilting her head and pouting a little. This earned a chuckle and a gentle tug on her hand. Caius leaned closer, smiling softly.
"You wouldn't bail on me, would you, Odette?"
She gasped and laughed out loud. "You're guilt-tripping me even before I said yes, you brat!"
"Haha..." That gummy smile again. "So... you were going to say yes, no?"
"Youuuu..." Odette shook her head and tapped his forehead lightly, not realizing how the small gesture made him go numb and stare even more. This type of light, casual talk with her was a dream for him.
"Odette..." He held her wrist and pulled her a little closer. "You'll come, right?"
Seeing his eager eyes and excitement, she sighed and nodded. "I think I have something to wear for it as well." She smiled and held up the invite.
"Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Constantine."
At her response and the beauty of her happy voice, he finally let out an internal sigh of relief, chuckling with her. Having her by his side at one of the most influential gatherings of his life was something he would have killed for.
Everything felt lighter.