Sophia hoped that Zai didn’t notice how she was picking between the slices of mushroom and flakes of fish. How as she ate only the radishes and fried blocks of tofu he wouldn’t be silently judging his wife for being a picky eater.

  Oh girl, they are talking in a language you do not understand. Her internal monologue panics as it tries to listen in on the conversation between Zai and his Guardswoman. They must be talking about you!

  Sophia just scowls at her food, at the rice and the cooking juices that she was bringing to her mouth through the chopsticks.

  Don’t acknowledge, just keep listening! One of the thought processes orders the council.

  Listen?! We can’t even understand what they’re talking about!!! Another screams back.

  One of the thought processes slams its fist onto the table, enough that it shutters the room to silence. SO WHAT ARE WE DOING?! WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?!

  Almost all of these dishes were corrupted by the touch of fish or mushrooms, with whatever she was salvaging barely enough to satiate her cavernous appetite.

  Still, the girl was taking solace in the spiciness of the stir fried tofu skins. Something only rarely ever brought to her table at home, now at her beck and call in its utter deliciousness.

  Even now she could hear her mother complaining, coughing as the red peppers would attack her mouth and throat. “It’s so spicy, how could you two eat something as assaultive as this?”

  “It’s an acquired taste.” Her father replied that time, ignoring the similar complaints from the rest of his children. “Look, even Sophia enjoys it.”

  Natan, who was sitting in his usual spot across from the younger sister, narrowed his eyes towards the inhuman gremlin who shoveled the red-hot stuffed chilies into her mouth. “She’ll need to marry a Tianci Prince then, this is ridiculous.”

  Oh this was Sophia’s paradise all right.

  I’m eating the food of my husband’s own cooking. Sophia suppresses her social panic with the soothing balm of a taken relationship status. How much better can it get?

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  It could be a lot better if you weren’t such a picky lil’ bitch. Her internal monologue snaps.

  One more word out of you and I will erase my entire consciousness. She crushes them all, the actual soul descending from its lofty place like an angel to tired worshippers and slamming the rebellious thought processes into the pavement. And that’s a final threat.

  There’s silence in her mind for a while.

  And so Sophia enjoys the food (whatever portions she could eat of course), a smile not appearing as her expression keeps up her usual cold scowl to the filled bowl before her. Even missing donuts, her usual night readings of romance novels, and a comfortable bed she could at least take solace in eating whatever came forth from her husband’s deft hands.

  Tomorrow was tomorrow’s problem.

  Today’s problem is today’s problem.

  Tonight, she eats.

  “This is nice.” Sophia voices aloud, much to the shock of the entire table. “I like it.”

  Nothing, silence.

  Oh why did we speak up. The thought processes decry. Why must we humiliate ourselves like this?!

  The Guardswoman smiles, giving a side eye to Zai. “Well, he is trained in this. And very, very well practiced. Though, this is very much not his grandest work in the kitchen, wouldn’t you say Sire?”

  “I used what I had on hand.” The Prince replies as he swallows his mouthful of rice. “But I’m… thankful it’s acceptable to you, Sophia Elise.”

  “Oh he’s too humble for his own good.” The Guardswoman jokes, leaning in towards the Fourth Princess. “With all respect, take care Ma’am. He’s gonna fatten you up before the end of your ‘honeymoon’ and you’re not even gonna realize it.”

  Sophia tries not to sweat as she navigates this half-insult, half-compliment measured at her partner. “Really?”

  “Believe me, every Guardsman that ends up assigned to him gains at least a kilo or two the first week. It’s not easy being the victim of such a wonderful soul~”

  “Mori.” Zai silences firmly.

  And she completely ignores him. “Hey, I put on the kilos too. Only one to blame was you, Sire.” She whispers again towards the Fourth Princess. “Watch out for his almond cookies. People have literally tried to kill him over the recipe… and I had to kill'em for trying.”

  “Mori.” The Crown Prince of Tianci orders her this time.

  The Guardsman nods with a sly smile. “As you will, Sire~”

  Sophia’s thought process sighs. But despite all the things you refuse to eat, this is pretty nice. We should enjoy it to the fullest.

  So for tonight, Sophia Elise the Eighth simply empties her mind, and slowly and very carefully picks through her portion of deliciously spicy food.