Chapter 20: Chapter 20

“Not there!” Sara exclaimed, unable to hold her loud giggle, the kitchen was already a mess and they were still far from succeeding in making anything edible, at her request, Eren asked the maids to not come as she wanted to be the one cooking, it was the least she could do, after all, her good friend had been sheltering her, feeding her, and providing her with everything she needed without asking for anything in return, Sara always hated that feeling of liability, of depending on others, but unlike her father, her friend didn’t have any obligations towards her, he was giving her everything without asking for anything back and she didn’t like it, she didn’t like using him that way although he had assured her that she was giving him everything by being around and making the quite house alive with her presence, she did suggest that she goes back to the shack only to be met with absolute refusal as he felt better that way with her being under his careful watch.

Offering the only thing she had to offer which was taking care of the house, Eren insisted on helping her on everything, it was his only condition for him to let her handle some of the chores, however, the young duke didn’t have any knowledge about such matters and ended up putting the apple slices which were meant for desert in the pan that contained the steaks, looking at her with lost eyes, he tried to quickly remove the slices.

Seeing her friend struggle, Sara stepped in to help him, at first Eren tried to stop her but quickly stopped to stare at her…

“How come you are not afraid of getting your hands burned, my fair lady, that oil is not only hot, it bites.” At his words, Sara couldn’t help but laugh more, she knew he was trying to make her laugh by acting like that, he had his ways of looking too adorable when he wanted to, it balanced the times when he acted all charming and confident, the duke really knew how to play with her feelings, from making her laugh until she loses her breath to making her guts steer with his sweet words and gestures, she couldn’t count the times when she was left red like a tomato with her heart beating loudly or when she was caught sneaking glances at him, he was a blessing for her eyes and a tornado to her heart, each time he gave her that smile of his was another portion he stole of her entire being.

“I think I just have high tolerance for the heat, and I am used to cooking, unlike you.”

“Are you mocking me, my fair lady?” he said with a fake wronged expression, his wide smile betraying him.

“No, all I am saying is that you should stay away from the kitchen, it is not your field of experience.”

“Ah, and here I thought my good friend would be supportive, how disappointing.”

“I am just trying to keep you away from trouble, your cooking skills could be easily considered lethal.”, at her words they both started laughing again, deciding to skip the desert, they started arranging the plates before Eren suggested they have their meal in the garden.

“Don’t you have work to do though?” Sara asked, a bit worried that she had been keeping him from his duties, however, her friend shook his head and quickly answered.

“Don’t tell me you are already bored of me, my fair lady, but to answer your question, I’d say work can wait, it is not every day when I am blessed with such a wonderful an beautiful company, besides, I have people under me, and my brother as well, it is about time he starts shouldering some responsibility, I have been too lenient with him.”

Sara was both flattered and relieved by his words, she hated to keep her friend from his duties especially since she knew how hard he was working to reestablish his family’s name, she smiled warmly at him before looking back at her food, hoping that the duke didn’t notice her blush, a desperate wish with her porcelain skin.

“How come you never asked to go out though, My fair lady?”

“I didn’t want to trouble you.”, Eren almost scoffed, ready to tell her to stop holding herself back with what she desired, but Sara wasn’t done talking just yet.

“I…well, there is the thing about fearing to be recognized by the ones who are trying to kill me, and I am also not so good around people, not that I had a lot of practice about the matter...”

“I see, I have to admit, I expected you to be running everywhere like a lost but cute puppy…” Sara laughed, not taking an offense in her friend’s words as he mentioned before that he loved puppies, however, what he said next really surprised her..

“Don’t run away from me, Sara…” Eren said while taking her hand in his, for a moment he seemed too focused on her delicate fingers before he looked up at her, his smile was gone and was replaced by a serious expression, his eyes however where clouded with something, as if he was having an inside battle.

“I will run to you.” She said reassuringly, not even knowing how did the words come out of her mouth, she just said what she felt, and in that moment she couldn’t think of a safer place then by his side, nor a happier place, she felt so alive and free with him, so protected and cherished, the duke had given her all the care she was deprived of in her whole life, and she couldn’t help but feel a very weird way towards him.

“So, are you ready for tomorrow?”, Eren asked, pulling back with his smile back on his face, Sara couldn’t help but miss his warm hand.

“No.” Sara answered honestly, she was far from ready, she didn’t know if she was prepared to see her family and learn the truth about her father’s disappearance, she didn’t even know if this was a good idea in the first place, now that it was so close she started to have some doubts, wondering if she can handle any truths she was going to find.

“I know you are scared, My fair lady, and it is perfectly understandable, know that I will support you with any decision you take, I will not push you to do anything as it is totally up to you, However, it is always better to seek the answers we need regardless of the fact that we might like them or not, at least that way, you can leave behind what is bothering you and move on with peace…”

“And then what, Eren? What would happen to me if the things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to?”, Sara asked the question she had been avoiding to think about all this time, if anything happened to her father and her family, whom she knew were suspects with the attempts on her life, rejected her, what will she do with her life, she had absolutely nowhere to go and no one to rely on but her dear friend, and even though he had been very welcoming, she doubted it would be alright for her to keep on depending on him permanently.

“Then you will have me, always, please, my fair lady, don’t ever stop considering me as your ally as I will never stop thinking of myself as yours.”

“Don’t be so nice to me…”, Sara’s eyes were already filled with warm tears, her heart was overwhelmed by his words, as if a warm cloak was wrapped around it.

“And why is that?”

“I fear things might change and won’t be the same anymore, I don’t think I will be able to handle that…”, Eren stared at her for few seconds, not knowing what to say, things were indeed about to change, and for a moment, he wished they wouldn’t, the dream they were both living was so addictive and peaceful, and even though he knew it was merely a dream, he wished it would last, however, there was too much at stake, and living in a dream while ignoring the reality until it fell on their heads with all it consequences wasn’t even an option.

“Even if they do, I will still be around.” He said, but his smile wasn’t there, not the bright one at least as the shadow of a much sadder one replaced it.

“Your dress would be here tonight, my fair lady, please have enough sleep as it would be a long night tomorrow...”

He said while getting up, and two maids appeared quickly to arrange the table, Sara frowned at his words, wondering if she understood the right meaning.

“You won’t sleep here tonight?”

“I am afraid I have some things to take care of before the coronation, so I can be fully free tomorrow, don’t worry though, Geraldine would come and help you get ready, and I will come and pick up before dusk, until then, stay safe, my fair lady.” , taking her hand, he placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.