Gabe's eyes widened as he took in the lavish spread of food before him. Silver trays and crystal bowls gleamed under the soft morning light filtering through the infirmary windows, each dish arranged with an almost artistic precision. Plates overflowed with golden pastries, glistening fruits, and delicacies that smelled rich and warm.
He looked up at Deroki, who had arrived just moments ago, the kitchen staff trailing behind him, carefully positioning the feast on the side table.
"Have you invited someone to my ward, Your Majesty?" Gabe asked, bewildered. Surely, all of this couldn't be for him alone.
Deroki chuckled, the deep, velvety sound making Gabe's skin warm. "No, love, this is all for you."
Gabe swallowed. "I can't possibly eat all this," he murmured, his voice laced with hesitation.
"I know," Deroki said matter-of-factly as he strode towards him, his regal presence filling the room. "I brought it so you can choose whatever you feel like eating."
Gabe glanced over the abundant selection, a pang of guilt tightening his chest. "But... Your Majesty, what about the rest of the food?"
Deroki raised a brow, already lifting a plate with a stack of thick, golden pancakes drizzled with syrup. "What about it?" he asked, standing beside Gabe's bed.
"I don't want to waste it," Gabe admitted, his gaze flicking up to meet Deroki's. His stomach twisted at the thought of so much food being discarded when so many maids barely had enough to survive.
The King, however, merely shrugged, completely unfazed. "Food goes to waste in the palace every day, my love. Don't worry too much about it. Pancakes?"
Gabe's heart clenched at the casual response. Did he not know, or simply not care, that hunger plagued the palace's lesser quarters? But before Gabe could protest further, Deroki was already holding out a forkful of pancake, his expression expectant.
"I'm waiting, sweet," the King prompted, voice teasing yet firm.
Gabe jerked slightly before hesitantly parting his lips. The moment the soft, syrupy pancake touched his tongue, his protest died. The taste was unlike anything he had ever experienced in the enclave, warm, buttery, and so sweet it felt sinful. He barely had time to savor it before another forkful was lifted to his lips, and this time, he took it eagerly. Before he knew it, he had eaten half the pancake, only stopping when Deroki offered him another dish, quail eggs garnished with golden pearls.
Gabe hesitated for only a moment before taking the first bite. If he had thought the pancake was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted, he was sorely mistaken. The eggs were even better, their rich, savory taste melting into his mouth in perfect contrast to the previous sweetness. He hummed softly, closing his eyes as the flavor spread across his tongue.
Deroki said nothing, only watched him intently before moving on to the next dish. Gabe's gaze flickered downward, mesmerized as the King's strong hands expertly handled a croissant. With deliberate precision, Deroki sliced it in half, spreading a thin layer of butter across the flaky interior before adding a generous dollop of mascarpone cheese. The final touch was a glossy layer of berry jam, thick with small chunks of fresh fruit glistening under the light.
The sight alone made Gabe's mouth water. And when Deroki lifted a piece toward his lips, Gabe was practically salivating. It looked too tempting to resist. He took a generous bite, and the moment the flavors burst across his tongue, a soft moan escaped him. His cheeks immediately burned when he heard the King chuckle.
"You like it?" Deroki asked, amusement dancing in his voice.
Gabe nodded eagerly, still chewing, his embarrassment forgotten in the face of such deliciousness.
"Here, have one more bite," the King offered, holding up another piece.
Gabe didn't refuse. He tasted almost everything on the table, each dish bringing new and overwhelming flavors he had never experienced before. By the time they were done, he leaned back against the pillows, utterly stuffed.
"No more, Your Majesty," he groaned when Deroki lifted a glass of fresh juice to his lips.
"That's it?" Deroki asked, one brow raised as if genuinely surprised.
"Yes," Gabe mumbled, resting a hand over his stomach. "I don't think I can eat anymore."
Deroki gave a short nod before gesturing for the servers to take the food away. Gabe's eyes lingered on the untouched plates, a quiet sadness settling in his chest. He knew all of it would likely be discarded. Because it was royal food, commoners weren't allowed to have it. The wastefulness made his stomach churn, not with fullness but with guilt.
Before he could dwell on it too much, Deroki spoke again. "Let's take a stroll in the infirmary garden. It'll help with your digestion."
Gabe's breath hitched when the King took his hand, his touch warm and steady, and placed his other hand gently against his back, guiding him up from the bed. The contact was firm yet careful, as if he were something fragile. Something precious. Gabe's heart fluttered despite himself. There was something intoxicating about having the King's full, undivided attention. It made him nervous. Excited. And for a moment, he completely forgot about the dull ache in his injured shoulder.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Deroki asked as they walked, his voice softer than before. "Is the pain better than yesterday?"
"The healer gave me strong pain medicine, so I'm not feeling much unless I move this arm."
"Then don't move it," Deroki said simply. "Keep it in the sling, and if you need anything, let me know."
Gabe shook his head. "You don't have to do all this, Your Majesty."
"But I want to," Deroki replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Gabe paused mid-step and turned to face him fully. "You shouldn't."
Deroki's golden eyes narrowed slightly, studying him with an intensity that made Gabe's stomach tighten. "Why?"
"You are the King," Gabe murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't see the problem with that," Deroki said, his hand rising to cup Gabe's cheek. His fingers were warm, his touch surprisingly gentle. The moment his thumb brushed against Gabe's skin, an unexpected rush of warmth bloomed in his chest, and lower. It was dangerous. It was confusing.
There were so many questions swirling in Gabe's mind, so many things he wanted to say but couldn't find the words for. Deroki made him feel things he was never meant to feel, things a vaisa should never feel. But Gabe wasn't a vaisa anymore. And he wasn't even sure what he was now.
"You don't have to feel obligated to help me just because I took a dagger for you," Gabe finally said, his voice quieter, more uncertain.
Deroki smirked, his thumb tracing over Gabe's bottom lip, sending an uninvited shiver down his spine.
"Soldiers take daggers for me all the time to protect me from assassination attempts," he murmured. "That's not why I'm taking care of you, sweet."
"Then why?" Gabe asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His heart pounded so violently that it drowned out everything else, the rustling leaves, the chirping birds, the distant murmurs of guards standing at the edges of the garden. The world shrank, leaving only the two of them, locked in an invisible pull that sent shivers down Gabe's spine.
Deroki's gaze softened, something raw flashing in his golden eyes, something Gabe wasn't sure he had ever seen before, vulnerability? But it was gone in a blink, replaced with a teasing smirk.
"Because I care for you," the King said, his voice laced with amusement yet carrying an undeniable weight of truth. "You are beautiful, you do realise that, right?" the King asked.
"You care for me... because I'm beautiful?"
Deroki chuckled, shaking his head. "That's what first caught my attention, I won't lie. You are stunning," He reached up, brushing a stray lock of Gabe's hair away from his face, fingers lingering against his temple. "But that's not why I like you."
Gabe swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "Then why?"
The King tilted his head, studying him like he was something delicate, something precious. "Because you have this quiet strength, Gabe. You fight for others when no one fights for you. You put yourself last every time, and yet, you don't complain. You don't break. I've never met anyone like you."
Gabe looked away, his face flushing, unsure how to handle such praise. He wasn't used to it. Wasn't used to being seen.
"You scare me, Your Majesty," Gabe murmured. Gabe wasn't stupid, he knew the King found him appealing but then who wasn't appealing in the enclave. There were far beautiful people in the enclave.
Deroki caught his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze again. "Your scare me more, sweetheart." His thumb traced along Gabe's jaw, then down to his throat, resting just above his collarbone, where his pulse raced. "I can't remember the last time I wanted someone this much."
Gabe inhaled sharply. Every inch of him aware of their close proximity. He wasn't sure if he wanted to step away or fall into the warmth of the man standing before him.
"You're blushing," Deroki said, rubbing his cheeks.
For a long moment, they stood there, tension thick in the air, neither of them moving. Gabe licked his suddenly dry lips and the King's eyes darkened at the sight.
Deroki stepped back, breaking the spell.
"I should let you rest," he said, though the look in his eyes suggested he was anything but done with this conversation.
Gabe could only nod, watching as the King turned and strode away, leaving him breathless, confused... and longing for something he knew he shouldn't.