CHAPTER FIVE
Contrary to my expectations, Ryan stood there like a wounded tiger, his face consumed by a burning rage as he glared at us.
"Did you need something, Sir?" I asked.
Ryan ignored me entirely and addressed Masih. "It's dark out. Take your food and go home."
"Yes, Khan Sahib," Masih replied respectfully. "I'll leave once I finish the rest of the dishes."
"That won't be necessary. You may go now!"
Masih looked at me questioningly, as if seeking my permission. I gave him a reassuring, gentle smile. "Wait, let me give you your food..."
I dried my hands and packed a small pot with rice and meat for him. I sealed the lid and handed it over. "I put Sophia's share in there too; it's not all for you!"
Masih seemed uncomfortable under Ryan's heavy gaze. He took the pot, gave a brief word of thanks, and hurried out of the kitchen. Once he was gone, I turned my attention back to Ryan and asked about Israr.
"Is Israr doing better?"
Ryan remained silent, his anger still simmering. He clearly had no intention of answering me so soon. My inner demon roared with the urge to smash a stone against his head—what right did he have to be angry with me now?
I looked away from his sharp gaze, rinsed the last of the dishes, and washed my hands. The soup was ready, so I turned off the gas and opened the pressure cooker.
"Mmm... what an incredible aroma!" I whispered.
"What was he doing here?" Ryan finally shattered the silence, bringing up the scene he couldn't stomach.
"He was helping."
"Where was Sophia?"
Did I really have to answer all these questions? Yet, strangely, I found myself enjoying his interrogation. "They had guests, so she went home early."
He didn't reply. I took the opportunity to ask again. "Is Israr asleep? Did he eat anything?"
"He's awake. No, he only had some juice."
"Very well. I've made him a nutritious soup." I ladled the soup into a bowl and arranged everything neatly on a tray. "Is he in his room?"
Ryan, who had been leaning against the door, stood up and walked toward me. "Give it to me, I'll take it to him. Also, I haven't eaten yet. Plate a large portion for me and bring it to my room."
I handed him the tray and set about warming his dinner. By the time I had the meal ready, fifteen minutes had passed. I carried the tray to Ryan's room and knocked several times. When no one answered, I entered without permission. The room was empty.
I placed the tray on the table and turned to leave. I hadn't even reached the door when it swung open, and Ryan appeared in the frame, blocking my path.
"Going somewhere?"
To hell—want to come along? I thought. "It's late. I want to sleep."
"It's early yet."
Before I could protest, he gripped my hand firmly and led me toward the bed. I followed, stunned. Where on the scales of justice did his actions even fall?
"Sir..."
The moment the word "Sir" left my lips, he erupted in a roar of frustration. But this time, I swear, it wasn't intentional. It had become a habit. I still held a grudge for his years of absence, but I wasn't the type to punish one person for another's sins. I accepted that while Ryan was the Khan's son, he wasn't the Khan himself. I didn't know why I was more sensitive to Ryan than to Israr or Isar. Perhaps I just expected more from him.
"Do you enjoy playing games with me, Yas?" he snapped. "I am exhausted today. You are going to sit down like a human being and eat with me. Understood?"
I stared at him, eyes wide. Eat with you? If anyone saw us, what rumors would they weave? "I've already eaten. Please let me go."
"Don't address me in the plural!" Ryan barked, tossing me onto the bed like a ball.
He had clearly hit his head today; otherwise, why would he be speaking so recklessly? Honestly, I was tempted to break this half-breed's arms and legs. Yas, dear, please stay calm, I told myself. This is a nobleman. You know the punishment for disrespecting them.
I sat up on the bed while Ryan placed his watch and silver ring on the table and sat directly across from me.
"Aren't you going to wash your hands?" I asked.
Ryan gave a mischievous, conciliatory laugh. "No. You feed me."
"Ex-cuuuuse me?" I asked, my face a mask of shock.
"You heard me. Besides, I'm starving."
I narrowed my eyes. "Have you turned into a child, or have you just lost your mind? You have hands; use them."
"Yaaaas!"
"The death of Yas!" I blurted out.
We both froze. My face was pale with fear, and his was frozen in shock. I swallowed hard and, trying to recover from my outburst, I very calmly—as if nothing had happened—held a spoonful of rice and meat up to his mouth.
He remained stunned, sitting like a motionless statue, eyes wide. A friendship within boundaries might have a different flavor, right? I thought. With a mischievous smile, I forced the bite into his mouth. He snapped back to reality, swallowed, and said playfully:
"Rude girl, Yas!"
"Oh, what did I even say, my dear Ryan?"
That was the second shock for the nobleman. I don't know why, but a sense of "Ryan-teasing" surged within me. I wanted to be free from the walls I had built around myself. For my soul's peace, I needed a friend, and who better than Ryan? I enjoyed the game, intending to once again trample the rules of this palace and its class system.
I took a bite for myself and chewed slowly. "Mmm... what flavor. My mother's hands are magic."
Ryan looked at me, bewildered. "Yas, are you okay? What caused a 180-degree change in just a few moments? Are you... afraid of me?"
Was I afraid? I didn't have an answer. Ryan had a dual personality: kind yet volatile. I feared his anger because he could become an uncontrollable, terrifying force in a second. I doubted anyone else had ever spoken to him as boldly as I had and been forgiven.
I didn't answer him. I held another bite to his mouth. He hesitated, then swallowed it. "How is the taste?"
"Excellent."
"Enjoy it then."
I watched him with a deep smile—a rarity for me. He looked so calm and innocent, though he was still looking at me with suspicion. "Did Israr eat?"
"Hmm. I fed him myself; that's why I was late."
How much they loved each other. Truly. I was hungry too, so I took two bites for myself and one for Ryan. As I swallowed the last bite, I caught Ryan smiling warmly at me.
"Ryan, did I eat too much? Are you full?"
Ryan tried to hold back a laugh but failed, letting out a loud, genuine guffaw.
I feigned offense. "Why are you laughing? You told me to eat with you, so I'm eating!"
He caught his breath. "I didn't say anything, Miss Yas! Why are you getting angry? Do you want to cry and tell the whole palace how unkind I am?"
Visualizing Ryan—with his massive frame—crying made me burst into laughter.
"Is the thought of me crying funny?"
I was turning red from laughing so hard. "You? With that huge body? You want to cry?"
Ryan pinched my nose between two fingers. "If you want me to, I'll cry for you."
"No," I said with a mock-sigh. "If the Big Khan—or worse, Isar—finds out I made Ryan Khan cry, they'll dig my grave."
"Am I dead?" he asked softly. "No one could say a word to you while I was around before, and I made sure of that."
"Well, I should go. it's very late, Mr. Ryan."
"Mr. Ryan again?" he asked with fake annoyance.
I gave him a toothy, sweet grin. "I'm just being charming. Besides, I've declared a ceasefire with you for now. You're safe."
"A ceasefire? You've tormented me plenty."
"You deserved it, for leaving and never coming back!"
"Yas, I had to. But I'm back now... isn't that enough?"
I stood up from the bed and rubbed my eyes. I was exhausted. "Fine, dear brother. Let me sleep now; we'll talk tomorrow."
"No. Not brother. Just Ryan. Goodnight, my dear Yas."
I reached for the tray, but he stopped me, standing up beside me. "I'll take it. You go to sleep."
"I can do it myself."
"I said I'll take it. Go."
I shrugged, gave him a smile, and said, "Goodnight!"
"Sweet dreams, my dear."
Hearing "my dear" from Ryan wasn't a surprise; he had always treated me with such affection. Only me. It was enough to make a girl feel proud, wasn't it?...
End of Part 5