Chapter 40: Underestimated
Zylan shook his head, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "No, you eat. My food will be here in a few minutes," he said, pressing the button beside her to confirm his order discreetly.
Not that he needed food, but for her sake, he just needed to take something. Zylan hadn’t left the special inn since Naomi passed out, and for a moment, he had forgotten how long it had been since he’d eaten. Not that he couldn’t stay without eating—his focus had always been sharp—but the worry on Naomi’s face had even made him want to eat.
The thought sharpened his focus, his sharp gaze growing more intense as he continued in his usual calm but firm tone. "Don’t worry about me. Eat." He spoke, noticing her concerned look.
Naomi hesitated, the weight of his words pressing on her. She had grown used to him, in all his unspoken ways—his enigmatic presence, his detached aura—but there was something different now. His voice, though calm, carried an undeniable layer of urgency. Still, after a moment of hesitation, she nodded and began to eat slowly, taking small bites as though the simple act of chewing could somehow distract her from the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.
Zylan, on the other hand, found himself silent as he watched her. His gaze lingered on her every movement, captivated by the quiet way she savored each bite. She ate as if there were nothing else in the world, her focus entirely on the task at hand, and yet, Zylan’s mind was a world away. He had meant to say something—anything—but the quiet, almost serene way she was absorbed in her meal stopped him. It was a rare sight for him, one that pulled him in more than any battle or fight ever could.
Then, to his surprise, she took a spoonful of food and offered it to him, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
Zylan’s pupils dilated as he stared at her, momentarily speechless. Why was she offering him a bite? He hadn’t expected that, especially not after the tension that had thickened the air between them just moments before. Her gesture, so innocent and unexpected, made his mind spin with confusion. His thoughts collided, but before he could form a response, Naomi spoke up with a small smile.
"It seems you’re really hungry, from the way you’re looking at me."
Her voice was light, playful even, but there was a flicker of something deeper behind her words, something that Zylan couldn’t quite decipher, though his expression remained impassive.