Chapter 21

"Wait!" but she was already gone.
Lucian was still confused. How was he supposed to bath here? He went the box with the things she called scr.a.p.ers. Grabbing one he looked at it. How was he supposed to use this? And he had never used a pumping faucet before.
Lucian sighed with frustration when he heard the creaking sound of the door opening. An old man walked inside and began undress.
Lucian observed the man and tried to follow his steps. He filled a bucket with water, took a thing that looked like a stone from one of the boxes to wash himself and the scr.a.p.er to scrub the dirt off. It was really a strange way to bath Lucian thought as he rinsed off everything with the clean but cold water.
Lastly he dried himself then slid into the new clothes he got from the woman he still didn't know the name of. When he walked outside he was surprised to find Elle waiting for him. Once she laid eyes on him her mouth fell open and she stared at him wide eyed.
Lucian raised a brow questioningly. Why was she looking at him like that?
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
She shook her head slowly eyes still wide, mouth still open. Lucian decided to ignore her reaction.
"Shall we go back then?"
She nodded and without a word she led the way.
On their way back everyone they passed had the same reaction as Elle. They kept staring at him, following him with their gaze until he was out of sight. Lucian knew this time they were staring with fascination, not with disgust. People were literally ogling him especially the women. Some of them even smiled at him flirtatiously.
Lucian was used to attention, especially from women but he never got this much attention before. It was as if the people got hypnotized by him.
Ignoring everyones attention Lucian followed Elle quietly. When they arrived they entered the small house and found Elle's family gathered in a circle speaking of something.
"Mother we are back." Elle informed interrupting their conversation.
As everyone turned to look at them their mouths fell open as well.
"Oh good Lord!"
Eyes wide, mouth open they stared at him for a while. Lucian began to worry. Did his appearance change? He needed a mirror.
The man was the first to break the silence. "You are back. Please come and sit."
Everyone followed him with their gaze as he made his way to the circle and sat down. The man cleared his throat and gave them a look so that they would stop staring and eventually they did.
"So what's your name young man?" The man asked.
"Lucian."
"Lucian, I am John and this is my wife Layla." He introduced the middle-aged woman sitting next to him. Then he continued introducing everyone else. John and Layla had three daughters, the youngest was, of course, Elle and then there was Anna seventeen and Nora nineteen. The old woman was John's mother, Charlotte.
"We also have a son, Julian. He serves in the royal army."
"Royal army?" He wondered which one they spoke of because he didn't even know in which kingdom he was right now.
"Yes. He has been busy with all the war going on but now it has come to an end he believes. Soon the crown prince will be crowned king."
War. Crown prince. He was still in Decresh.
"By the way how did you fall inside the well?"
Oh, now came the question he had been dreading. They began asking him question after question and Lucian tried to answer all of them. Of course, none of his answers were true. He told them that he was traveling when some thieves attacked him and pushed him inside the well.
"Where were you traveling?"
"I...I was..." Lucian had never had to lie this much before. Coming up with all those lies was more difficult than he thought. "I don't remember."
"Oh dear. You must have hit your head." Charlotte said.
"Father why don't you let him stay here?...until he remembers," Nora suggested.
Charlotte nodded her head in agreement.
"Thank you for your generosity but I should go." Lucian said.
"But where? You don't know where to go and you have nothing to travel with." Nora said.
She was right. He had no money and he didn't know where to go...yet.
John seemed to think for a while. "I think you should stay here until you recover."
Lucian looked at each one of them, they all thought he should stay. Why were they being so nice to him?
"So...are you a witch?" John asked once everyone left and they were alone. Lucian was surprised by the question.
"What makes you think so?" He asked.
"Well...it impossible for a normal human to crawl out of a well that's so deep and secondly your wounds just healed so I am guessing you used your magic."
From the way John spoke Lucian guessed he was a witch himself.
"Are you a witch?"
John narrowed his gaze. "Yes. So it's fine you can tell me."
Lucian didn't know what to reply. If he said he was a witch, he would be lying and if he said he wasn't how was he supposed to explain his healing?
"I am not sure if I am one." He replied instead.
John nodded thoughtfully. "So you never tried to use magic?"
"No."
"Well, there is only one way to know if you are a witch, try using magic." John suggested.
Lucian nodded thoughtfully.
"Wait!" John stood up and left quickly but he was back shortly after with a book in his hand.
"Here." He said handing him the book. "There are some simple spells here. You can try them."
Lucian took the book from him. "Thank you."
"I should go to work now."
"I should come with you. I...can help with anything." Lucian suggested.
"Alright then, come on."
John owned a little shop in a big shopping market. He sold different kinds of fabrics and clothes, mostly women's. Lucian realized that Johns shop wasn't very popular as only one man entered the entire time they were there.
"No one is coming to buy anything" Lucian said.
"Yes. That's how it usually is." John seemed unbothered by the situation.
"If you are a witch, why don't you use some magic to attract some customers?" Lucian asked.
John stopped whatever he was doing and gazed at Lucian seriously. "Magic is not something to use easily. If you happen to be a witch remember this."
Lucian wanted to ask what he meant but before he could a Lady walked into the shop.
"Good day Mr...." She stopped halfway when she laid eyes on Lucian. "Oh..."
Lucian didn't know what she meant by that but the look in her eyes he knew very well. The admiring, astonished completely captivated by you look. Maybe he should take advantage of that he thought.
Walking up to the woman, "how can I help you?" He asked charmingly.
The woman just stared at him for a few seconds. "Uh...I was looking for some fabric to make a dress." She said fl.u.s.tered.
Lucian knew nothing about fabrics but John had shown him where he could find fabrics for dresses.
"This way." He gestured.
While he led the way he could hear her heart beating wildly inside her chest.
"Here." He said and began to show her a few different fabrics but she wasn't paying any attention at all. All of her attention was directed at him instead.
"I think this color would suit you very well." He said picking a light blue fabric and showing it to her.
"Really?" She smiled blushing.
"Yes."
"I will take it." She decided without even taking a closer look.
The woman paid at the desk then said her goodbye with a dreamy look on her face. After that one visit from her Johns shop became suddenly popular. Women came and went and Lucian knew he was the reason.
"Never had these much customers before," John said surprised. "You really are popular among women."
If he only knew. Popular was an understatement. Most women who came to the shop didn't even need any fabric. They just came to take a look at him, or speak to him, if lucky maybe even get a compliment and at the end of the day they would spend their money and buy that fabric they probably didn't even need.
"You have really brought luck to my shop." John said as they walked back home. "You can stay with us as long as you want... as a thank you, and I should give you a salary."
"That's very kind of you but I will be leaving soon."
"Did you remember where to go?"
Lucian wasn't sure. His memories were a mess and he had been having the worst nightmares lately but there was one thing he knew, one face that haunted his dreams. Pierre. Every night Pierre would come into his dreams and kill him over and over again and Lucian would relive the same agonizing pain. He would wake up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat, his heart beating painfully inside his chest. He would have difficulty breathing as if he was drowning or being choked. How could a dream feel so real that he would feel the pain even after he woke up?
But that wasn't the worst part. There was something else. Something he couldn't understand or remember, a part of his dream that was more painful than his death, so painful he would have tears in his eyes when he woke up. What was it? And why couldn't he remember?
"Yes. I need to go back home."
Lucian had always wanted a simple life and now he had the chance to live that, yet he was going back to the life he hated. For what? Revenge? What would he gain of it except that his nightmares would end? He could just stay here, start a new life and live freely the way he wanted, yet something drew him to go back. It was as if a part of him was still there, calling for him, waiting for him to come.
"Father." Elle shouted running and enveloped John in a hug. She would always welcome them both with hugs when they came back from work.
"My little princess." John smiled as he picked her up then went and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek.
Lucian would always get an odd feeling every time he saw John and Layla together. They seemed deeply in love, and it brought a sense of emptiness, a void in his heart. Why he felt that way he couldn't explain.
Shaking off the odd feeling once again. Lucian went to his room and closed the door behind him. He wanted to be alone but before he could do anything someone already knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened with a creaking sound and Nora stuck her head inside.
"Am I disturbing you?" She asked innocently.
"No, please come in."
She walked in, a shy smile on her face. Lucian knew she had a thing for him. The way she blushed or smiled shyly every time he spoke to her, or the way she would peak at him when he wasn't looking or the way her heart would speed at his closeness. He knew all of that, and even though she was pretty he wasn't the least interested in her.
"I just wanted to thank you. You have been a great help to my father's business." She said.
"No need to thank me. Your family saved my life and let me stay here, I am just repaying the favor." Lucian explained
She nodded. "My father told me you could be a witch. Have you tried a spell yet?"
Her gaze shifted to the book on the table that her father gave him, to try and learn magic.
"No I haven't."
Lucian had been avoiding the book as if he was afraid to know the answer of what he was.
"I could help you...if you want." She shrugged.
"Thank you but I'll manage myself."
"Just be careful." She warned a little worried.
"Why?" He frowned.
"I can sense your power. You have too much of it."
I lay curled on the cold ground, hungry and scared. Pierre had only told me about the rats in the dungeon, but here I was, surrounded by c.o.c.kroaches and spiders as well. I didn't know how many days I spent in this dark place where I could barely know if it was day or night. I so longed to get out of here, to see the light again and breath in the scent of fresh air. To be able to walk under the sun and feel the taste of delicious food, but all that would come with a price. Pierre would not let me out of this place until I agreed to become his and I felt like I was getting sick staying here. Not only physically but mentally as well.
Could I atleast get a blanket for now? I was so cold my teeth were chattering.
The sound of footsteps nearing filled the quiet room and soon the door to the cellar opened. Two guards entered and without a word grabbed my arms and began to drag me out of there.
"Wait! Where are you taking me?" I asked.
"Be quiet!" One of them ordered.
Should I be relieved that I was leaving this place or afraid that they would take me somewhere else worse, I didn't know.
One of the guards yanked my arm then pushed me forward. "Faster!" He ordered.
As we existed the dungeon my eyes got suddenly hit by the sunlight and I quickly shut them tightly. I hadn't seen light for days so my eyes needed time to adjust. I tried to blink a few times and look again but I couldn't. It was painful so I just peekend now and then to see where I was going until the sun was out of sight and we were inside the castle.
As they led the way I realized they were taking me to Pierre. Oh no! What did he plan this time? He must be angry that I hadn't given up yet.
The guards opened the door to his room then pushed me inside. I stumbled then fell flat on my stomach before I heard the door closed behind me.
"Tsk, tsk. You look awful."
It has been a long time since I heard this annoying voice and I didn't miss it the least. I pushed myself up from the floor and adjusted my dirty dress before looking Pierre in the eyes. He was sitting in a chair with legs crossed.
"What do you want?"
He stood up from his seat then walked up to me. "I have been thinking..." He began thoughtfully, " If I want you to like me, I have to treat you well, right?"
Was he delusional?
I scoffed. "I will never like you. You killed my husband."
"Because he would kill me otherwise. It's nothing personal. That's just how war is and everyone does what they have to do to protect themselves. You should also do what's best to protect yourself and it's not being on my bad side."
"You speak of liking while threatening me." He was unbelievable.
"Look princess..."
"Hazel," I cut him off, "you made sure I wasn't a princess anymore."
He walked even closer then grabbed my chin before looking into my eyes. "You can be more than a princess, if you stand by my side. By a very powerful kings side. Think about it." He said in a low voice.
"There is nothing to think about."
Ignoring my remark "I'll give you some time to think." He said before leaving without further discussion.
I let out a sigh of before I carefully sat down to stop my shaking legs. I wasn't tough. All this was an act and I really didn't know where I got this much courage from. I was raised to be quiet, shy and afraid. I was raised to be obedient, to know my place which was always beneath everyone else's in my family. My worth was nothing until Lucian came into my life. He was the first one to actually treat me like a person and not like a property. He made me feel alive, important and cared for. He made me feel loved, but where was he right now?
"Where are you?" I said hoping he would appear out of nowhere like he always did when I thought of him instead I found Ylva standing at the door.
"My Lady." She said looking worried or angry, I wasn't sure. "Are you alright?" She asked approaching me slowly. She let her gaze sweep over me and her expression turned more angry than before.
She took a deep breath as if collecting herself before speaking. "I should bring you something to eat first then you need a bath and new clothes and...or maybe I should take you to your room first."
I had never seen her this emotional before.
"Ylva relax." I said standing up and putting my hands on her shoulders. "I am fine."
"How can you be fine? Look what they did to you." She said almost bursting into tears.
"Why don't you take me to my room." I said calmly.
She nodded and helped me to my room. More correctly our room, Lucian and I. I almost cried as I walked inside. This place held so many good memories.
"I'll bring some food, You must eat first then you can take a bath."
"Is Lydia alright?" I asked.
"Yes. She is fine My Lady. Do you want me to send her?"
"No. Let's keep her out of this." Endangering Ylva was enough. I didn't want them both to be in danger.
Ylva left to bring me something to eat meanwhile I decided to take a bath myself. Once I came out of the bathroom the food was already served and the delicious smell made my stomach growl. I sat at the table and devoured everything quickly then I felt sleepy and before I knew I was already asleep.
When I woke up I groaned with frustration. I didn't want to wake up, I wanted to sleep forever so I shut my eyes tightly and tried to go back to sleep. Unfortunately I couldn't. I had to wake up and endure the pain of living. When did living become painful?
I swung my legs down and looked out the window. It was still night and the stars shone brighter than ever, or maybe it was just because I hadn't seen the sky for along time. Sliding into my night robe I went out to the garden. My favorite place, the place where I and Lucian spent our last happy time together. Now it just felt empty looking at it. My whole life felt empty.
I tear fell down my cheek and I wiped it away quickly. Lucian would come back. He had too otherwise...otherwise...
"Hazel." A familiar voice came from behind me.
I froze in place. What was he doing here?
I turned around slowly and looked into the cold dark eyes that belonged to no one else than the devil himself.
Lothaire.
He stood there melting perfectly with the darkness as if he was shadow himself.
"Lothaire? How...what are you doing here?"
"I came to take you with me." His voice was as cold as I remembered.
The devil. Lucians father. Right, he came to take me to Lucian.
"Where is Lucian?"
He narrowed his gaze. "You know where he is."
"No, I don't." I said confused.
"Yes, you do. You just don't want to admit it." He said calmly.
How could he be so calm?
"Lucian is not dead." I said slowly.
He just looked at me, his face void of any emotion.
"If he is dead then why are you not doing anything?"
"Why would I do anything?" He asked raising a brow.
"Because you are his father."
His face hardened, making him look more frightening than he already did.
"Listen! Lucian is dead. You can either come with me or stay here."
I couldn't believe him. How could he say that his son was dead with a straight face? What kind of father was he?
"Lucian is not dead." I repeated shaking my head.
He sighed then adopted a softer voice. "Hazel. Why don't you come with me and think about that later."
I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. "There is nothing to think about. Lucian is not dead!"
Lothaires shoulders fell and he looked at me with what seemed like defeat. "Let me take you from here. You will only be tortured here."
"Are you not listening to what I am saying?" I yelled as tears fell down my cheek. "Lucian is not dead! He is not, right? Tell me he is not dead! Tell me you did something to save him. Tell me!" I demanded crossing the distance between us and grabbing his arms. I tried to shake him but he didn't move a bit. Instead he grabbed my arms and pulled me closer.
"I don't have to tell you anything." He said with a lethal voice."But I will tell you this. Lucian is dead and you can either come with me or stay here to get tortured. Your choice."
It took a moment for his words to sink in and when they did I was fuming with anger. I pushed him away.
"You really must be the devil. How can you not care for your own son? He suffered so much because of you and what did you do for him? Nothing!" I cried yelling.
"You are right. I did nothing when I should have killed him myself. All this would not have happened then."
Killed? He would have killed his own son?
"Go away!" I yelled. "Just go away! I don't want to see your face!"
"My Lady!" I looked to my left where the voice came from. Lydia looked at me with confusion. "Who are you talking to?"
What? I turned back to Lothaire but he wasn't there. He was gone.
Lucian woke up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat and out of breath. His heart was beating wildly inside his chest and his eyes were filled with tears. He had the same nightmare he had every night, where his brother killed him over and over again. It never ended, the pain and the suffering, even after he woke up.
Lucian would feel as if his whole body was burning and slowly he would be unable to breathe because of the pain. Falling from his bed he would crawl on the floor struggling to get some air but he his throat would tighten as if he was being choked. Half the night he would spend in an unbearable pain and pray for the morning to come soon.
When the morning came he would wake up and find himself still laying on the cold floor. His whole body would ache and he would feel drained of energy. It would take him a while to get up and prepare to go to work.
Today as he lay on the floor waiting for his body to recover he remembered Nora's words. She had said that he had to much power, which he did notice the last few days. Something about him was different since he came out of that well. He was capable of doing things he couldn't before. That he realized one night when he woke up from his nightmare feeling as if he was being choked. He had wished to go outside to get some air and suddenly by some unknown force he found himself outside. How that was possible he still couldn't comprehend, but he did enjoy his new power. Or should he say powers? Because there were other things he discovered he could do, such as disguising himself as someone else or making himself invisible. He could even manipulate people, only by looking into their eyes.
Maybe he was the Devil's son after all.
As he lay on the floor thinking he heard angry sounds coming from outside his room. Soon load footsteps followed and the door to his room flew open and hit the wall with a crushing sound. There at the door stood an angry John.
"Who are you?" He asked accusingly.
Lucian was confused as he stood up and looked at John.
"Who are you?!" John repeated angrily. "And don't lie to me this time."
Lucians gaze went to the paper in Johns hand and he immediately realized that John had found one of the sketches that were made of him when his brother was trying to find him.
"This..." John said holding the paper up. "This is you. Why was the crown prince looking for you?"
Lucian didn't need to answer that. He knew that John had already figured it out.
"I should have known...with your long hair and the way you carry yourself. You are a royalty. The youngest prince of Decresh. I knew that I had heard your name somewhere, my son must have told me once or twice." John continued his eyes wide with realization.
His family had gathered behind him and they stared at Lucian with a look of betrayal.
"Just leave!" Lucian could hear the disappointment in Johns voice.
He could understand that they were hurt and feeling betrayed since they had welcomed him and treated him like a family. Maybe now was the time to leave anyway.
"Father he has nowhere to go." Anna spoked as he took a step to leave.
"That's none of our business." John said coldly.
"But he is a witch and you always say to help fellow witches." Anna argued.
"We don't know for sure that he is a witch. Nora?"
"Yes father he is." Nora spoke. "But..." she hesitated.
"But what?"
"He is the one rumored to be the devil's son."
Lucian sighed. Those rumors never left him alone. "I'll just leave." He said. "Thank you for your hospitality."
But suddenly Elle ran to him and hugged his leg. "Please don't leave. Father, please don't let him leave." She had tears in her eyes.
Lucian crouched down to her level and wiped away a few tears that fell down her cheek. "I have to. But I will be back some day and visit you." He said clapping her head, then he stood up and looked at the rest of them.
"I am very thankful for your help and I had no intention of hurting you. I apologize if I caused you any harm. I'll take my leave."
Johns expression didn't change but the rest looked regretful as he made his way out. Strangely he was regretful himself. He had really enjoyed staying here, living a simple normal life with John and his family, but nothing good or bad lasted forever.
Just as he was about the exit the front door a man appeared in front of him. The man who was almost as tall as him was wearing a military attire, the type that only the royal army of Decresh wear. This must be Johns son Julian, Lucian thought.
Julian froze in place, his eyes widening in shock as he noticed Lucian. In his frozen state he dropped his helmet on the floor and opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
Great! Now Lucian had to deal with him as well. Maybe he should just snap his head off. A perfect way to repay his family's kindness, he thought sarcastically.
"Yo...your Highness. You...you are alive." Julian stuttered in disbelief.
Before Lucian could think of anything to say, Julians family came rushing.
"Julian! My son, you are back!" Layla hugged him tightly while John waited for his turn to hug his son.
Julian stood like a statue, his gaze still fixated on Lucian while his family hugged in turn. Lucian just wanted to leave quickly but the whole family had crowded the exit while being excited about Julians return.
"Father?" Julian said finally while nodding toward Lucian questioningly.
"Oh yes. He is leaving." John said.
"Leaving? Father do you know who he is?" Julian asked.
"Yes, that's why he is leaving."
"No!"
John raised his eyebrows in surprise. Julian walked past his father and up to Lucian. "Your highness...is it really you?" He scanned Lucian carefully "I thought you died."
Lucian detected sadness and relief in his voice. It confused him, but he didn't think much about it. He was leaving anyway.
"Goodbye." He said and aimed for the front door but Julian blocked his way.
"Your Highness? Where are you going? It's not safe outside. Please come in and stay."
"Just let him leave." John spoke.
Julian ignored his father. "Please Your Highness."
"Yes. Why don't we eat then you can decide who will leave and stay." Charlotte suggested." I think Julian is tired and hungry."
Julian nodded. "Thank you grandma. Your highness please." Julian gestured toward the living room. Elle looked at him with hopeful eyes.
Lucian followed Julian inside while wondering why he agreed to this. He should have just left. Maybe deep down he still wanted to stay here. While Julian looked happy that Lucian had agreed to stay for lunch, John was still unhappy and sat with his arms crossed over his chest.
Julian was curious about how Lucian had come to live and ended up here and Anna was happy to explain the whole situation. Julian listened carefully then turned to his father.
"Father? Where you about to throw him out because he didn't tell you the truth? What was he supposed to say? I am a prince? Would you have believed him?"
John sighed. "It's not only that. It's dangerous for our family to keep him here. If this goes out we are all dead."
Lucian understood that John was only trying to protect his family.
"No one will know." Julian said.
"Someone might already know."
Lucian didn't like that this family were fighting because of him. "I'll just leave." He said standing up.
"Prince Pierre is soon getting crowned. You know he doesn't care about the wellbeing of this kingdom. He is already planning war. He wants to overthrow the king of Gatrish and take over his kingdom. Probably because he helped you. You know Gatrish is a powerful kingdom. It won't be easy winning over them. Many people will die for nothing."
"Why are you telling me this?" Lucian asked.
"Pierre wants to raise the taxes for the poor people and expand the slave trade." Julian continued.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Don't you want the crown?" He asked.
"What makes you think I would be any different than Pierre?"
"Because you are a witch and witches don't damage, they restore." Julain explained.
Lucian was getting annoyed. "Look, I am not a witch and I have no desire to become king."
Now it was Julians turn to get annoyed. "What about all the people who died for you. Died to protect you, all your men. Did they die in vain?"
"What is going on here?" Layla asked when she came into the room.
"Many people will suffer if you don't take the crown. Don't tell me you don't care. Father say something!" Julian required.
John seemed to think deeply. "Why don't you think about it before saying no?" John suggested.
What was he supposed to think about. Going back to the prison he grew up in. That place would bring nothing but bad memories. Still a part of him wanted to listen to Julian, to go back home and take the throne. He felt obligated to do so for the people who died protecting him. For those who stood by his side no matter what, like Lincoln.
Lucian thought about the fact that he would never see Lincoln again, never hear his scoldings or his advice. He would never see the rest of his men again, while those who betrayed him, those who betrayed their own comrades were probably still alive. Thinking about it made his blood boil. Yes, he needed to go back and forget about having a normal peaceful life, because he wouldn't get peace until he destroyed those who destroyed him.
It was time to go back home, back to the hell was born in. Hell is where he was supposed to be anyway.
I spent the whole night crying, angry and confused. I couldn't understand a thing. Why didn't Lothaire help Lucian, why was Lucian not coming home yet and where was Irene? Did Lothaire do something to her? If he could kill his son then he was capable of doing anything. What confused me the most was the reason Lothaire came here. If he didn't care for Lucian then why did he come here to take me with him?
The morning came quickly with me not getting any sleep or any answers. The head maid Edith walked into my room without knocking and placed some clothes on my bed.
"Change into these. His Highness has requested your presence." She informed then left without waiting for a reply.
I took the clothes and looked at them. It was a beautiful yellow dress with its white gloves decorated with lace. Clearly, he wanted me to look good so I did my best to look the opposite. I just slid into the dress without taking a bath or getting cleaned up and walked out the room without brushing my hair. I needed to look awful in case he wanted to take advantage of me.
The maid who was supposed to lead the way stared at me in surprise but then quickly averted her gaze.
"This way, My Lady." She gestured.
I followed her to the dining room where Pierre was already waiting. He sat at a large table where several extravagant dishes were served. When he took notice of me he stood up and dismissed the maid, then he just stood there and observed me for a while before he burst into laughter.
"You...you..." He tried to speak but he kept laughing in between. "If you were trying to make an impression you certainly did."
"I am not trying anything." I said coldly.
"You know..." he began crossing the distance between us, " I have never been so patient with anyone before. I don't know why I am so patient with you." He seemed thoughtful, but then he shook his head as if dismissing his thoughts.
"Come and sit." He said and went to hold the chair out for me. I sat down slowly and looked at the food on the table. My mouth already began to salivate, but as soon as Pierre sat down next to me my appetite went out the window.
"All this is for you." He gestured toward the food. "You can eat however much you want."
"I am not hungry." I said.
The smile on his face disappeared and got replaced by a displeased look.
"You know...," he began, "there was once this girl I saw when I passed by a small village. She was so beautiful so I brought her here with me. I gave her everything and I treated her well, but she was never satisfied. She wanted to go back home, to her childhood sweetheart, a shepherd." He said the last word with disgust.