"It hasn't been five minutes since we got here and you are already stuffing yourself with food," Vinegario whispered to Straw, leaning slightly toward her so his voice did not carry over the noise of the feast. Music echoed through the hall, the clinking of glasses and low conversations filling the air, but his attention was fixed on her.
Straw barely reacted. She was busy eating roasted chicken, fingers slightly greasy, focus locked on the plate in front of her. The roasted chicken had been the first thing that caught her eyes the moment she entered the feast. Golden brown skin, still steaming, placed right where she could see it.
"Hey, I need energy to interrogate someone I have never met, and plus I didn't get to eat lunch or dinner all day, so let me eat," Straw said, her words slightly rushed as she took another bite. She did not even look at him as she spoke, clearly unwilling to slow down.
Vinegario watched her for a moment longer than necessary. He shook his head, unbelieving. Seeing someone like Straw like this felt strange. This was not the Straw he remembered. The woman who usually kept her guard up, eyes sharp, movements careful, was now openly enjoying food in the middle of a political gathering. It was unsettling and oddly Strawlita.
"When you are done with whatever this is, find Lady Diane and get information, and you better not mess this up, okay," he said. His eyes lifted briefly, scanning the crowd out of habit. Nobles stood in clusters, laughter rising and falling, silk and jewels catching the light. He picked up a glass of wine afterward, the deep red liquid steady in his hand.
Straw continued eating as if she had not just been given an order. On the other side of her, Apple was beside her, also eating. He held a plate filled with chocolate cake, the frosting thick and dark. He seemed to like pastries, mostly chocolate, and he ate with quiet satisfaction, completely at ease.
"Now that the hoodie prince is out, do you mind telling me how much I mean to your sister, and why does your uncle cover his face all the time?" Straw said once she finished chewing. She finally turned slightly toward Apple.
Apple still had food in his mouth, cheeks full. Straw paused and waited, watching him with patience. He gulped it down with orange juice, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then looked away, clearly avoiding her gaze.
"Seriously, I already apologized. Are you still angry at me?" Straw said. There was less teasing in her voice now, more curiosity.
Apple nodded his head quickly, almost too quickly.
"Fine. What do you want in exchange for the information?" Straw said, already resigned. She shifted her plate aside, giving him her full attention.
Apple turned to her, eyes brightening just a little.
"Breakfast at the dining room."
"What?" Straw blinked.
"I want to have breakfast with my sister and sister-in-law every day. I don't like being the only one who sits alone in the dining room every morning. It's lonely," Apple said. His voice was calm, but there was something fragile underneath it.
Straw paused. The noise of the hall faded for just a second as she imagined him sitting alone, long tables stretched out, servants moving around him while he ate in silence. The realization settled quietly in her chest.
"Is that all?" she asked.
"And also walk with you and Berry during the morning walk. Plus, don't ever touch my food meant for me."
"Okay. The morning walk is meant for me and the princess only, but I will allow two days in the week for that," Straw said after a moment. "And maybe next time a tag should be on or near the food stating who it belongs to. Now that I have agreed, tell me."
Apple did not hesitate this time.
"It's been so long since I last saw Berry smile so widely. One time, I walked into her office and caught her staring at you, and I saw a smile on her face."
Straw froze just a little.
"Wow. I make the princess smile just by staring at me. That's… stalking in a cute kind of way," Straw muttered, glancing away as if embarrassed by the thought.
"My little sister had a hard time growing up," Apple said quietly. "Please don't get mad at her if she's difficult sometimes. I pardon you because she likes you. She was even ready to take the blame for you."
He continued eating his cake, unaware of how heavy his words were.
Straw's mind went still. Hearing that Berryanna was willing to take the fall for her settled deep inside her. A slow smile spread across her face, one she did not try to hide, as memories of their moments together surfaced. Small conversations, shared silence, the way Berryanna watched her when she thought no one noticed.
"Wait, what about the prince?" Straw said suddenly, pulling herself back to the present.
"Uncle covers his face because he has a scar on his cheek," Apple replied. "He doesn't like it when people stare at him. They ask too many questions, and it freaks him out."
"Oh, thought as much," Straw said. She tore the chicken leg apart, dipped it into the red sauce beside her, and brought it to her mouth. The savory taste spread instantly, grounding her.
"My little sister has one too. It's on her back shoulder," Apple added.
"You mean the X sign. Wow. Is it a royal thing? Do you also have one?"
"No, I wasn't given one because…" Apple started, his voice lowering.
Before he could finish, a voice broke out across the hall. The old man who looked like a wizard rose from his chair. His movement alone commanded attention. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Glasses froze in hands. The noise in the hall died down completely until there was not a single sound left, only the echo of his voice.
"It gladdens me that you all honored our invitation," he said. "Since what has been happening in this nation, where none of us are safe, we entrust those meant to save us, but they ended up becoming our worst nightmares…"
His words carried weight. As he congratulated the couples sitting beside him, the resemblance became clear. He was their grandfather.
"So that old man is who again?" Straw whispered to Apple.
"That is Lord Jesse. He was my father's Lord of War… and a very bad man," Apple said quickly.
"Okay, that's bad or good?" Straw said under her breath. "His dressing says it all. At first, I thought he must be the Dumbledore of this nation, but when you say bad, I'm guessing Voldemort."
She reached for a glass of wine, fingers wrapping around it smoothly. As she lifted her gaze, she noticed Lady Diane leaving the hall, slipping away unnoticed.
"Looks like I am leaving you now, King. Bye-bye," Straw said lightly.
She stepped away, leaving Apple standing there, cake in hand, still trying to understand Straw's strange words.