"Quite mysterious, if you ask me..." the princess smirked and retorted under her breath, only just loud enough for him to hear, though she popped the piece of bread into her mouth and chewed it surprisingly slowly, more focused on what the man had to say than the food in front of her. Her eyes held his as he continued about his childhood, and his working in the fields. Dipping some of the bread in the hearty meat stew served alongside the bread, her eyebrow quirked only when he crossed his arms, a gesture she took to be defensive, though she credited that to his more reserved personality than anything else. She nodded as he continued, only trying to imagine the difficulties and hardships of living in a little village as opposed to the life of royalty she had always known. Though she couldn't exactly pinpoint just how much they had to work on a daily basis, she could conjure up a vague idea, and that made her shudder.
Perhaps she was a little spoilt after all.

"...yes. Of late, the taxation my father has set in place seems outrageous, even to me." she affirmed when he looked away from her, the details of the former classes still fresh in the forefront of her mind and making her wince at the thought that they would have to, at this rate, increase the amount even more. It was obvious the commoners were struggling to keep afloat in a situation like this. It was much more heartbreaking to see someone genuinely admit to it, though, face-to-face. She could not help but feel sorry for the young gentleman, and even more so when he mentioned his father's waning health.
She continued listening to him for the most part, having finished off the bread and quietly still downing the last spoonfuls of stew. She spoke again only when the last of it had disappeared down her throat and the empty plate and bowl were left on the platter, though there was still a bowl of fresh, sweetened cream and a tiny plate of cut fruits remaining on the platter.

Her eyes widened at the mention of his true intentions, and she was simultaneously relieved and disappointed. Relieved because she knew that this man had intentions beyond genuinely wanting the best for her, which she could have sworn on any other day came off as beyond just a tiny bit odd, dare she say 'creepy'. Disappointed because although she knew this was creepy indeed, it was almost a bit flattering to have someone so devoted to her - and the kingdom - but mostly her wellbeing, so much that they would take up the job just to be at her side. She shook her head and directed her thoughts to whether she should tell her father or not, weighing the pros and cons against each other. There seemed to be nothing particularly compelling about telling her father that, and she presumed he would already have arranged for the payment with Rivalen so everything was settled anyway, so after a rather dramatic sigh, she spoke again, "I [i]suppose[/i] I won't tell father, then. Though something tells me I will not have to, as it stands. It does not particularly benefit my situation, or yours. All that will end up happening is you getting sent back, and me not benefitting in the slightest, apart from acquiring a personal attendant I'm more naturally [i]comfortable[/i] with. After all..."
She smirked as she said her next words, eyes glittering with curiosity and wonder as she held his gaze, "It's not everyday you meet a [i]witch slayer[/i], mm? Dare I say, I'm quite curious to see just what this trick of yours to killing them is."

"Though I do feel for you, and your father, Rivalen." she nodded, "It must have been a hard life, especially with your mother passing away when she did."
Her suspicions of this man's hard-work ethic confirmed by his former occupation made clear to her, she couldn't help but feel satisfied with herself and her deduction that he was indeed a hard worker. The ridges and overall hardness of his hands were still an exciting, lingering feeling in the back of her mind. For a fleeting moment, she lingered on the thought of a younger him working out on the fields, in the warm spring sunlight...
[i]What do you think you're doing?![/i]
She scolded herself internally.

"If it is an ailment that cannot be cured by the people of the village..." she pondered on the thought, wondering if such a thing would even be advisable or proper for someone in her status and standing to do, "...perhaps once you are more settled in, and have proven you can hold your place as my personal attendant...err. Perhaps we can arrange for a doctor higher up to tend to your father, here at the castle perhaps - I'm sure we can find a spare room for the doctor to see him - and see if they could so much as restore some vigour to him, as to continue living a more normal life, if not tending to the fields as he used to."
She tucked into the fruits and sweet cream now, relishing the taste as it travelled down her tongue. It was these people, these workers in the fields, that made farming of such quality produce possible. In a way, she couldn't help but respect them.
"If you are gone, is there someone there to take care of your father? I recall you mentioning you had no siblings, so...you must worry about him, hm? You'll notice in your chambers, if you haven't already of course, there is a pot of ink and a quill present. You should find some paper in one of the drawers, as well. I'm sure you wish to write to your father frequently."
And she couldn't help but laugh a little here, "He must be so proud, his son getting a position like this, after all..."

Finally finishing whatever was on the platter, save a cup of tea that was getting the slightest bit cold, she took that up in the very end, green eyes curious as ever as they looked back over him, "Did you enjoy tending to the fields? I've told you of my interests, but I have no idea of your own. Perhaps...hm. Once I finish this tea, I wish to go to the castle library. If you are a man of literature, I'm sure you would like to escort me there. I have to return some volumes, actually, and take out some more."
She shot a nervous glance at the romance novel sitting unsuspectingly on her desk and almost choked on the tea she was sipping. It was herbal and fresh and laced with ginger, the kind that stung when taken down the wrong way, and made her cough a tiny, quiet, suppressed cough, "...err. Though...yes. What would your interests be, Rivalen? I must say, I'd like to know how you'd be spending your free-time, when not tending to your princess, of course..."