Reva wasn't used to such close contact and tried to make sense of the inexplicable emotions brewing in her heart.
Soon, Damien released her hands and taught her how to set the fire's heat and cook the meat slices while adding an adequate amount of ingredients.
Since there were many slices to cook, Damien planned to do a trial and error by making her taste each cooked piece and see whether she would be satisfied with it.
Damien took a small knife for slicing meat, made Reva grill the slice, and put the necessary spices.
When she finished grilling a slice, Damien took it out using his knife, cooled it down a bit by blowing over it, and gestured to Reva to take a bite.
"Go on, give it a taste and see if it's less or spicier or saltier than you expected."
Reva saw Damien holding the meat slice near her mouth with a knife. She could see that the smell was good enough to make one's mouth water.
She took a small bite as she moved her mouth towards the slice.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})As she ate it, she felt that it was tasty enough to make one gobble the whole slice in a single go. And surprisingly, its taste was close to the one her mother used to make.
She remembered her mother's beautiful smile, who would happily cook for her and pamper her despite the struggles and pain she was undergoing.
Her mother never once showed any sad expressions before her but always had a happy smile which was as beautiful as the bright moon.
Only after her death, she learned that her mother was not at all happy as she seemed but was feigning it for her sake. And that she died trying to protect her from any misfortune that may befall her and make sure she lives a long and happy life.
Her mother used to tell her that no matter what happens, she should never be by herself and have someone to confide in, a friend. Her mother had told her that she wouldn't be happy to see her be all alone by herself.
Reva didn't understand at that time why her mother said all those things to her. But after her mother died, she learned some disheartening truths. And because of that, she focused on making things right and kept all her true emotions sealed.
The only reason she even reached this far was that she always thought about her mother in her heart, the sacrifices she made, which only motivated her further.
Her eyes became soft and wet as she remembered some evocative memories while eating a dish her mother used to cook for her. But she quickly controlled her disorderly emotions as she didn't want to lose control over her emotions before Damien.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})However, Damien didn't fail to observe them and asked gently, "Hey...were you thinking about your mother?"
"Reva quickly turned away her head and focused on grilling the next meat slice as she said in a restrained tone, "No...it doesn't concern you."
But Damien knitted his brows and said fervently, "Of course it does. You are my friend. Whatever it is you are carrying on your shoulders, you don't have to carry them alone. I will always be there for you whether you need me or not."
However, Reva shook her head with a doubtful expression, "But why are you going so far for me? You don't even know me much, and nor do you owe anything to me. How can I take your word for it? Even now, I still do not understand why you wanted to be my friend. I—"
"Reva, look at me." Damien interrupted in a stern tone.
Reva slowly moved her beautiful azure eyes towards Damien and saw his serious expression as he looked into her eyes.
Damien said in a solemn tone, "The reason I wanted to get close to you is that, just as I said before, you remind me of someone I was very close with. I wished I had helped her out earlier, and maybe she would have smiled happily a lot earlier. Your face tells me that you do not have an easy life despite being the most powerful princess of all empires. It's not as if everything we do in our life needs a reason. Sometimes we do things just because our heart tells us to, and it is beyond any reason or logic.
"So, if you are asking me for a logical or sound reason, then to tell you the truth, I don't have any to give you. I just feel that I might regret it if I simply ignore you. If we hadn't crossed paths, this wouldn't have happened. But ever since I saw you, I just couldn't get you out of my heart."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Damien came closer towards Reva with his face only a few inches away from hers. Reva didn't even notice him coming closer as her mind was pondering on Damien's words.
Damien didn't answer her question the way she wanted, but his words sounded convincing and that he was telling the truth.
Reva suddenly noticed Damien getting closer and almost stumbled backward. However, Damien caught her arm and said sincerely, "Reva...I am not asking you to trust me nor tell me anything for now. But don't forget that I am always here for you whenever needed. You are not alone."
Reva slowly looked up at Damien and saw him staring intently at her eyes. She felt as if he meant those words and was coming from his heart.
Damien slowly extended his hand over her face to wipe away the leftover tears near her eyes.
Reva moved her face away as she saw his hand approaching her face. But Damien said, "It's fine. Those tears do not suit your lovely face. Let me wipe it for you."
Reva pressed her lips together as she slowly moved her gaze back towards Damien. Seeing the concern in his eyes, she slightly nodded.
Damien smiled as he touched her captivating face and wiped her eyes softly, "No one would ever have known or understand how someone as powerful as you with wealth and status might be carrying burdens in their heart. We all have our fair share of pain and burden, so it's okay to let out those feelings once in a while if we don't want to let those feelings weigh down our hearts. Crying is not a sign of weakness but a sign that we have been strong for too long. And not even I am an exception."
Reva parted her lips and thought that what he said must have been true as his background seems as if he had suffered a lot of hardships. Her heart felt lighter hearing his words, and a sense of trust towards him took root in her heart.
"Now that I see your eyes close, I don't think even the most beautiful oceans could compare to them. It's as if I can clearly see the reflection of my soul in your eyes. And that makes me wonder if you are really a fairy goddess." Damien said intensely.
Reva's gaze shied away from his eyes as she murmured, "You...are exaggerating." But her lips softly arched into a small smile.
Damien lifted her chin, "Really? What I said was an understatement because there are no words that can describe your beauty perfectly."
"Oh, please. If she falls for those words, then I will name you harem lord." Luna mentally scoffed, seeing Damien's attempts in making Reva fall for him.
Damien's eyes twitched slightly, hearing Luna's words, but he ignored her and focused on the beauty before him.
"Wow, you can smile, can't you. Show me more of that beautiful smile."
A faint red hue spread over her cheeks as Reva's lips quivered into a smile, hearing his tease. The more he teased her, the more her lips smiled on their own.
"Well, let's forget about all the sad things and focus on our cooking for now," Damien said as he slowly extended his arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer towards his side.
Damien continued to guide her as Reva keenly learned to cook while feeling that her heart seems a lot lighter than before. She felt that it had been a long time since she ever smiled heartily, and with a sideways gaze, she looked at Damien as he kept on guiding her.
She wondered if she would have ever smiled like that had she never met him. But she thought that it didn't matter as now she truly believed that she finally had a true friend who was ready to hold her hand when needed.
