Marcellus tore a chunk of meat free and held it out toward Luna.
She blinked, hesitating. The flesh was raw, glistening with dark blood.
"..." She didn't know how to start.
His crimson eyes narrowed. "Not satisfied?" he said coolly. "Is the prey of a rogue serpent beneath your refined tastes?" He mocked. His stereotype of females further added to his disdain.
Luna shook her head quickly, her tone soft but firm. "No, that's not it at all." She folded her hands in her lap. "I can't eat raw meat. I'll get sick."
Marcellus's expression faltered slightly, the mockery in his eyes dimming into something unreadable. He didn't reply, but she could tell he was listening.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze lowering. Maybe the other females of this world can eat raw meat. Maybe that's normal here. She pressed her lips together and smiled faintly.
"I'm sorry if that troubles you."
For a moment, silence filled the cave. The Marcellus moved, exiting the cave. Luna watched as he left. She gazed down at her hands, her expression troubled.
In a couple of minutes, Marcellus returned, carrying branches and thin sticks. He gathered loose stones from the corner, striking them together until sparks caught on the dry moss. Soon, a small fire flickered to life.
Luna watched in quiet awe. The orange light cast soft warmth across his pale skin, and for the first time, she noticed the subtle tension in his shoulders. He sat just far enough from the flames to avoid their reach.
With a few flicks of his fingers, the boar was stripped clean and cut into perfect, bite-sized pieces.
Marcellus moved with quiet precision, skewering the meat and setting it close to the flames, his every motion confident, efficient, almost regal.
There was something graceful even in the way he cooked, though he'd probably sneer if she said so.
He felt her gaze and tilted his chin up in smug arrogance.
"Enjoying the view?"
"Marcellus."
Marcellus paused. The orange warmth of the fire concealed his reddened ears. The sound of her voice calling his name, he felt that he could become addicted to it.
He glanced at her without turning fully, a silent What now?
"I can roast the meat instead," she offered in a gentle tone.
His brow twitched. The humor vanished from his face, replaced by a cool stare and a mocking smile. "Am I incompetent?"
Luna blinked at the edge in his voice but didn't flinch. "No," she said softly. "I'm just worried you'll get burned. Snakes don't like fire, right?"
The air went still. His hand froze mid-turn. For a long moment, Marcellus said nothing. Crimson eyes locking onto hers, searching, suspicious.
Luna hesitated, a faint blush warming her cheeks. Maybe she'd said too much. She lowered her gaze, ready to retreat into silence.
But his voice cut through the quiet, low and gruff.
"You worry about the strangest things, woman."
He turned back to the fire.
"You don't need to worry about such things in the future."
He wasn't incompetent.
Luna had a smile, understanding his meaning. She didn't say anything further and watched as he roasted the meat.
When the aroma began to fill the air, Luna's stomach rumbled softly. She covered her stomach, embarrassed.
Marcellus gave a low huff that could have been a laugh. "Fragile creature." He muttered under his breath.
Luna pretended not to hear, but the corner of her mouth curved upward.
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Luna gently pats her full stomach. The meat was surprisingly tender, smoky, and rich. But without salt or seasoning, it was obviously bland. But she didn't dare to complain. She was already very grateful.
When she set the skewer aside, Marcellus's gaze snapped toward her. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's all you're eating?" he asked, his tone mocking with disbelief.
Luna blinked. "Yes. I'm full."
He tilted his head, tongue clicking faintly. "Tch. No wonder you're so small. A single gust of wind could carry you off."
The females he's seen could devour five times what she ate.
Luna softly laughed, "Then I suppose I'll rely on you to catch me if that happens."
His expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of bashfulness quickly replaced by annoyance.
"You're getting bolder."
He reached for the remaining meat and began to eat, devouring what she had left behind. When he was done, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You'll have to eat more if you expect to last in this world," he said without looking at her. "Weak things don't survive long."
Luna lowered her gaze, her fingers brushing against the fur she sat upon. She knew he was right. In this unknown world, if she weren't strong, she wouldn't last. She felt no shame, only quiet sincerity.
Seeing the sun set, Luna worried about her daily hygiene. What was she going to do? What did they have here?
She couldn't stand being unclean.
"Marcellus," she began, her voice careful, "is there somewhere I can wash up?"
"Wash up?"
She nodded, tucking a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear. "And something to freshen my mouth if possible."
Marcellus exhaled through his nose, somewhere between a sigh and a scoff. "You mean Mint Pine and the Shalla flower."
Luna could go along with his words, acting like she knew what he was talking about. But she knew that even without being direct, he would understand that she was unfamiliar with this place. She didn't want there to be future misunderstandings. And she knew that he wouldn't cause her any harm.
Luna tilted her head. "Mint Pine... Shalla flower?"
Marcellus gazed at her in silence for a moment. " The first is a herb with bristles, used to clean the teeth and freshen the mouth," he explained curtly. "The second, when crushed, releases a fragrant liquid used to wash the body."
Females rarely cared for cleaning themselves. The thought made his lip curl slightly. Filthy, careless females, flaunting themselves without grace or restraint.
But this one was different.
His eyes drifted briefly to the soft white fabric clinging to her figure. It was delicate, foreign, unlike anything made in Gryphon. There was refinement in her even when she sat on the floor. The contrast unsettled him.
He wouldn't dwell on this thought for now.
Luna's eyes brightened. "I only need you to show me once. I can find it myself after that."
Marcellus was amused. "Independent, aren't you?" His tone was dry, almost mocking. "Planning ahead so you can wander off and survive without me when you escape?"
Her brows lifted slightly, but she didn't rise to the bait. "If I wanted to escape, I wouldn't have waited for your permission to wash up."
Marcellus broke into a low, rough laugh that echoed off the cave walls. Which startled Luna a bit.
When his laughter finally faded, his crimson eyes gleamed with amusement, "You'd be bold enough to even think that you'd get that far."
Luna smiled faintly, her expression unreadable. "Maybe not far," she admitted, "but at least I'd be clean." The hint of a pout softened her words, making her look more endearing than defiant.
Macellus's next laugh came gentler, deeper, more genuine. "Troublesome woman."
He turned away to hide the faint warmth creeping up his face.