However, Oriana was not that naive to completely believe him. Maybe Arlan merely said that as an excuse because he didn’t like the taste of the food.
"He didn’t eat much. Is that food really not good, or is he just a picky eater?" She walked closer to the table. "Will it really be fine to eat this food?"
With much consideration, she finally decided to eat.
"He said it’s my punishment so I have to accept it." She sat on the chair nearest her. "Anyways, let’s not waste it. Grandpa says wasting food is a bad thing. If I eat all these, I won’t be hungry for an entire day."
She started to dig in. With just one bite of the crispy skin of that roasted fowl, it made her stomach ascend to the heavens. She could not help but make a satisfying ’mmm’ sound. She immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from moaning, worried the people outside would hear her.
"Mmm," she mumbled with food stuffed in her mouth. "Since that brat left, no one else should be waiting outside."
She had a bite from another dish and continued to talk to herself in glee.
"This is way too delicious! Bland? He finds this bland? Is that brat’s taste buds dead just like his brain?" She gorged herself with food from another dish. "How can he say it’s not tasty and he even dared to blame my presence? In fact, I feel like the presence of a beautiful person like myself should make food tastier."
Oriana continued to eat, and in no time, all the plates and bowls were empty.
"That was really satisfying. I have never eaten such tasty food in my entire life. I really pity that brat if he finds this food not tasty at all. Maybe he had attended way too many fancy tea parties that he scalded his tongue with boiling hot drinks and ruined his ability to taste—burp!"
Laughing, she caressed her slightly bloated stomach which accommodated all the food on the table.
"Heh, if I can eat like this every morning, I don’t mind slaving away for the rest of the day."
—--
Though Arlan left the dining room, he did not leave the area. Instead, he silently gestured for the mansion servants waiting outside to disperse before heading towards the drawing room adjacent to the dining room .
The entire time, he didn’t hear a single sound from the dining room.
’Is she not eating? I gave that idiot a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to eat food befitting a royal palate, yet she is going to waste my generosity?’
The prince sat in an armchair. One of Lucas’ subordinates came in, bringing a scroll sent from the palace. Arlan leisurely stretched his legs, before gesturing for the man to hand him the scroll.
While Arlan read the missive sent by his trusted aide, he finally heard movement from the room next door.
He heard her mumble, "He didn’t eat much. Is that food really not good, or is he just a picky eater?"
’Of course, it’s good,’ Arlan replied in his mind. ’Nothing at the level of the royal chefs, but I believe the main mansion sent their best cooks over in order to show hospitality.’
There was a short pause on her side before she asked herself, "Will it really be fine to eat this food?"
Arlan sighed at her wariness. It was indeed considered highly improper for a servant to eat on the same table as her master. Though her reaction was commendable, Arlan even took painstaking care to leave her by herself and dismiss the servants outside. She should just follow his orders at this point.
"He said it’s my punishment so I have to accept it."
’Smart choice, or else, I have other ways to punish those who don’t obey me.’
"Anyways, let’s not waste it. Grandpa says wasting food is a bad thing. If I eat all these, I won’t be hungry for an entire day."
’Your Grandpa taught you well.’
"Mmm!"
’Seems like she is enjoying food.’
A small smile tugged at his lips, and he continued to pretend to read the report Lucas made. However, he entertained himself by listening to her ramblings until he heard something that made him almost choke.
"...Is that brat’s taste buds dead just like his brain?"
Arlan scoffed. ’This ungrateful village girl. You dare insult the Crown Prince of this kingdom?’
As his mind planned a befitting punishment for Oriana, a devilish smirk formed on his face.
’Shall I have you personally check whether my taste buds really work or not?’
Oriana’s ramblings continued, "How can he say it’s not tasty and he even dared to blame my presence? In fact, I feel like the presence of a beautiful person like myself should make food tastier."
Arlan rolled back the scroll in his hand and gestured for Lucas’ subordinate to leave. As soon as the man departed, the prince burst into laughter.
’What narcissist! Hah, well, at least Shortie is self-aware that her looks aren’t bad...but to think she would praise herself like this...even Dray won’t be this shameless...’
Arlan tried to stifle his laughter once more, shaking his head as he covered his eyes with one hand.
As Oriana continued to hurl insults his way, something about his ruined ability to taste, a mischievous glint flashed across his blue eyes. Arlan was the kind who held grudges. The next few days were bound to be spectacular for his foul-mouthed attendant.
Burp!
He then heard a loud sound of her burping. ’Not ladylike at all...truly not ladylike at all...’
If any of Arlan’s closest confidantes were inside the room, they would have been surprised by the gentle look on his face, one they had never seen before.
He heard her again, "Heh, if I can eat like this every morning, I don’t mind slaving away for the rest of the day."
’Don’t worry, Shortie, you won’t be leaving my side anytime soon.’