Chapter 12

"Lunch and dinner have similar etiquette, but lunch usually has fewer courses. And utensil wise, it's always used from the outside inwards based on their setting," Dryden explained, motioning to the forks, spoons, and knives in front of her on the palace's formal dining table.

"Isn't this table a bit long? How would you talk to someone at the other end?" Rika asked, too fixated on the other side of the table, several metres away.

"If everyone is being quiet and eating like they should be, then by talking normally. Please, no yelling in here or Celeste will have my head. You'd think it was a library," he mumbled the last part.

"It's just... this is ridiculously big to me."

"I imagine it is to most people until you have a dinner party here and the entire table is full, and some have to use a different one, or we have to have the party in the ballroom. It's difficult to move this beast around." He tapped on the table. "Oh, elbows off the table, and try not to slouch."

"Right, sorry."

"No need to apologize, little bunny; you're here to learn etiquette after all."

"We have table manners and whatnot in my world, but these days, most people don't seem to care about this kind of thing. Okay, some people will still complain about elbows on tables, but the people around me are more worried about what they say, how they say it, and sucking up to the bosses. Work culture there can get toxic." Rika sighed, thinking about work again as she gazed out the window nearby.

Oh, right, we're on the second floor and a different side of the palace. I can actually see the town from here. I wonder what it's like. A bit hard to see, but there are a lot of people.

Rika watched a carriage roll past in the distance.

"I imagine that might be true in most places." Dryden followed her gaze. "Am I boring you? Is there something more exciting outside?"

"Hmm?"

Dryden leaned in closer to her. "I'm hurt. You're so distracted, even though I'm right here with you." He lightly touched her chin to turn her gaze back to him.

Oh no, what is he trying? Rika swallowed hard. "I thought you said no elbows on the table."

"Oops." Dryden laughed. "You got me there." He thought for a moment and approached the window. "You know, I really expected there to be something going on, but it doesn't seem so. What's grabbing your attention away from me?"

"The fact that I haven't even been into town or out of the palace at all. I'm used to getting up every day and driving myself to work. When I have time, I like to go for walks, but I haven't been able to." Can't even think about walking around the garden when I don't know if Kael will pop up... and my guard would probably tell me to stay in my room. I should be called the 'Caged Saint' at this rate.

"I guess my dear bunny wants to live a more free-ranged life," Dryden hummed, tapping his chin as he thought. "You know, I think an outing would do you some good."

"Oh?"

"A nice breath of fresh air away from the palace, but not too far or you'll be caught in an unsavoury part of town."

"Slums?" Rika cringed.

"Essentially, yes. We've been making strides to help more people recently, but it takes time and money to do that, which most nobles want nothing to do with."

Rika sighed. "People are like that everywhere."

"So, what do you say to a quick stroll out in town?"

"Is that allowed? Isn't the palace my cage?"

"That's... one way to put it. For your safety, of course. And no, not technically allowed, but I'm your guard today, and His Highness is too busy to ask for permission first, so it's up to me. We can put some cloaks on to help hide us, even while close to the palace."

"Is that your way of saying too many people would recognize you?" Rika held back a smile.

"Naturally. I stand out wherever I go and have a bit of a reputation. We'll grab two from my room, or risk running into Celeste. She definitely wouldn't allow it." Dryden held his hand out to her. "What do you say? A secret afternoon date in town?"

"Date?" He had to call it that, didn't he?

"Of course. What else would you call it?"

Rika shook her head and took his hand. "I have a feeling we'll get into trouble for this. Well, more you than me, being the duke and all, versus the outsider."

Dryden's jaw tightened as he fought off a frown. "You're not an outsider, Rika; you belong here."

"Oh," she gasped.

"I believe them when they say you were destined to come here and save us, but I also believe you are a magnificent woman in your own right, and should be treated as such. Let's go before someone comes looking." Dryden locked his fingers with hers and took off out the back entrance to the dining room, through the kitchen, to head down a few halls to the guest bedrooms on the first floor. "This is my room."

"I'll wait here." She went to pull her hand away, and his grip tightened.

"If you're spotted out here, someone will report it, and we'll both be sent back to the dining room under supervision, or worse." He pulled her into his room with him and shut the door behind them.

Crap. Rika froze, her back against his bedroom door. I shouldn't be in here. Nothing good can come of it. Well, maybe that's not the right wording.

Dryden bent down a little to stare into her eyes and smirked. "Don't worry, my scared little bunny; I don't have any ulterior motives this time." He kissed her cheek and headed to his closet.

"H-hey... I'm not scared," she squeaked out her words and lightly touched her cheek. Her eyes landed on his silky red bed, and she shook her head. No. Nope. Keep your head out of the gutter. It's not happening.

"Want to try saying that again?" Dryden laughed as he searched through his closet. "This should only take a moment, but feel free to sit, or snoop, if you'd like. I have nothing to hide from you."

Rika swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to clear it. "I'm fine right here..." She trailed off and wandered over to his desk with a framed photo of his younger self and a young girl, his arm around her shoulders as they both smiled. I wonder who this is to be in the only picture he's keeping here. On that note, they have cameras, then?

"That's my little sister," Dryden said as he placed a brown cloak on her shoulders, spun her towards him, and gently tied it at the neck. "Wouldn't it look extra cute if we added bunny ears to the cloak's hood?" He chuckled.

"I think I'd stand out too much, and it'd defeat the purpose." She set the photo down.

"I guess so, but it's something my sister would do." Dryden gazed at the photo, eyes downturned. "I imagine if she were still around, she'd still alter her clothes like that."

"Still around?" Rika's heart sank.

"She died a few years ago of the plague."

"As in the one I was summoned here to stop?"

Dryden nodded and gave her a sad smile. "Even noble families aren't spared from it unless they hide in their houses all day. My sister loved helping people, especially those less fortunate, but it came with more risks."

"That's not right... It's not fair." Rika took a deep breath, holding back her tears.

"I know it isn't. She was better than most of us, and if she had lived long enough, I'm certain she would've made a difference, even if she had to use me and my position to do it."

"Are you sure we shouldn't be going to the slums then? I could try to use my powers on those with the plague."

He shook his head. "Not yet, and not randomly like that. You'd draw too much attention to yourself, and who knows what might happen?"

"But I'm supposed to help people—"

"In time."

"But time is always of the essence; more people will die while we wait."

Dryden plopped his hand down on her head. "And if something happens to you, the plague will spread even further. I appreciate your willingness to help, but we need to plan it all out."

Rika huffed and crossed her arms. I don't like waiting around when there are things to do.

Dryden chuckled. "You and my sister would've gotten along well, little bunny." He pulled both their hoods up and held his hand out to her. "Enough of this heaviness; let's have our date out in town."

'Special Quest: Date with Dryden.'

'Reward: Dryden's Affection Up.'

'Failure: Reputation Down.'

Wait, what's a failed date?