The breakfast Paul had prepared was perfect. The food, while some looked strange and inedible, was delectable and exquisite, especially to Sophia's tongue which had never tasted more than what most penniless commoners had. In between bites, she wondered how often she'll get to taste these kinds of food if she spent more time with the noble. Of course, it went without saying that she [i]has[/i] to spend a lot of time with him. It was what she was being paid for. She wondered if she would ever get the chance to let her sisters taste food like what she was having now. What would be their reactions? Would they like it? Would they want to eat is as often and as much as she did? As she ate, she promptly told him about herself when he asked, leaving out the recent business proposal that she had accepted. He was pleasant company and he treated her well. She was glad as it wouldn't be so difficult to spend time with him. She just hoped that he was as pleasant in bed as well. At that thought, her mind wandered off to more selfish things. Would Paul actually treat her more if she gave him what he obviously wanted from her? Even as he acted every bit of a gentleman and treated her more than how a noble would treat a peasant, she noticed how his eyes would often stray down to her breasts, making her wonder hungry he was for a soft, warm female body to tend to his bodily needs. [color=lightgreen][i]A little bit more and you'll get what you want from me...[/i][/color] She ate more and drank more and found herself feeling a little giddy than she should be. She looked at the breakfast wine, drank a little bit more, and then at glanced at the noble. Her mind inadvertently strayed to how he had looked half naked last night and she wondered idly how he'll look with [i]all[/i] of his clothes off. When the meal finally came to an end, Sophia watched as Chloe packed up the remaining food, hoping she could ask for it to bring to her sisters. But apparently, she didn't even have to ask. "It would be a shame for this to go to waste. Shall we have Chloe deliver it to your home ... to your sisters?" She blinked and stared at Paul, not fully believing how generous he was. When his words finally sank into her, she smiled widely and nodded. [color=lightgreen]"Thank you, my Lord. My sisters would most definitely enjoy tasting what I myself have only been able to taste because of your good graces."[/color] She took his arm and let him lead her to the water's edge. With the strict instructions to listen to [i]every single thing[/i] that Paul had to say, she listened with an attentive ear as he recounted his story about leaving the castle, embarking on a futile quest to locate his father and brother and finally coming back home. She noticed how he glanced towards the castle where her employer was probably pacing the floor, wondering how he'll get rid of the man who would take him out of the seat he coveted. She blushed genuinely when he stared at her and reached out to pluck a leaf from her hair. For a noble, he sure was acting terribly nice to her. "Why are you here, Sophia...? Why are you here ... with me? Without sounding as if I do not appreciate and honor your company ... please tell me ... what do you want from me?" [color=lightgreen][i]What do I want from you? No, it is what Count Barker wants from you. I am merely here for the money,[/i][/color] was the real answer in her head. But of course, she couldn't tell him that. So instead, she gave him a smile and answered him with a partial truth. [color=lightgreen]"I have heard that a nobleman has come into town, my Lord. I looked through the window, saw you and heard some of the men in the tavern speak quite highly of you. I thought that I would come in and meet you,"[/color] she chuckled at the memory of what she did. [color=lightgreen]"I apologize for spilling ale on you. I did not believe you would spare me a glance if I had not done it... particularly in the company of Lady Olivia."[/color] She gestured towards the picnic area where they were in. [color=lightgreen]"I had not expected that you would go out of your way to treat me to something like this. I am not of the same standing as you are, my Lord and I greatly appreciate the food and your company. I-if I may repay this kindness, would you allow me to visit your room at a later time?"[/color] she asked. --- The commotion in the tavern was escalating and Darma's hand worked faster, finally tying the knot of the cloth used to wrap the bread in. She glanced towards the men and sighed. They sure walked into trouble. Olivia, on the other hand, was staring straight at what was happening, taking in the hatred in Winston's voice and focusing on the word [i]murdered.[/i] Did her father really do those horrible things? Did he poison Richard and sent her grandmother away to be incarcerated in some lonely monastery? She cringed and took a step backward when she saw Yules' head snap to the side. She was sure he was the dead when he fell to the floor. She turned her gaze towards the tavernkeep. [color=tan]"Do you have any other way out of the tavern we can use?"[/color] she asked in a hurried whisper as she handed the man payment for the food. The tavernkeep was used to brawls breaking out in his place but this was a completely different thing. Fear shined in his eyes as he looked at the Lady of Ryrstone. "Yes, milady, this way," he gestured discreetly to the door leading to the kitchen behind him. Olivia nodded and made a move towards where the man had gestured. But before she could take a step, a very familiar voice addressed her. Darma, herself, froze in place. "Lady Olivia, if I may have the honor of your momentary company, I have a message from your father." Slowly, the blonde noblewoman faced her father's most trusted knight...or if he could be called that. For as long as she could remember, Olivia didn't like the man. While he seemed to serve her father loyally and showed nothing but respect towards her, there was something in his eyes that frightened her. But she never showed him that she was. She looked at him and nodded. [color=tan]"What is it, Sir Crone? We have just procured food to take back with us to the castle when...[/color] her voice trembled a little and trailed off as she flicked her eyes towards the men behind Crone. It gave anyone listening the notion that she was troubled by the commotion and had no inkling about what was happening. [color=tan]"...when this commotion began. I-I thought that taking a trip into town was perfectly safe but now..."[/color] On a normal day, Darma would have laughed and scoffed at Olivia's acting. But this was not the time for it and the superb and very convincing acting capabilities of her mistress was something that was handy in situations like the one they were in now. All she really needed to do was play along. And by playing along, it meant staying quiet and looking around them in a scared manner.