Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world-Chapter 98: In the dinner table [2]

Florence set her wine glass down before turning her eyes back to Brandon "Well then, I think you will allow me to resume doting on you, darling."

Brandon glanced sideways at Eira, who was chewing her duck and then turned back to Florence with an amused smile.

"Of course, anything for Lady Florence."

Florence’s eyelashes fluttered "Such manners. Such devotion. You’re far too precious for one girl to keep all to herself."

She leaned forward slightly as she speared a roasted mushroom stuffed with cheese and herbs. "Here... open wide."

Brandon made a show of hesitating, glancing once more at Eira like a guilty child about to accept forbidden candy.

Eira didn’t even look up and continued eating her food.

Florence laughed softly. "Don’t worry. She won’t bite... not until after dinner."

Brandon opened his mouth, and Florence delicately fed him the mushroom.

He chewed slowly, then gave a sigh of pleasure. "That’s amazing," he said, licking a bit of cheese from the corner of his lip.

Florence reached out and pinched his cheek softly "You are such a good boy."

He laughed, clearly enjoying himself, and reached for the bread basket.

He tore off a piece of soft bread, dipped it in herb butter, and offered it back to her.

"Here..."

Florence opened her mouth to accept the bread and just as her lips were about to close over it, she paused.

A tiny bead of melted butter begun to trail down his finger.

She reached up and grasped his wrist with her slender fingers, holding him in place.

Brandon blinked, watching her as she leaned in just a little further.

Then she stuck out her tongue and collected the melting butter with a slow lick.

Brandon froze for a half second, blinking in surprise.

Florence released his wrist with a pleased hum and finally took the bread into her mouth, chewing with casual elegance.

Brandon slowly glanced over at Eira, who was not watching them now.

He moved a little closer to Florence and whispered "I think I am making her angry..."

With a chuckle, Florence replied "Maybe..."

---

The Bleaufort estate sprawled like a dream along the coastline, its grand terraces flowing down in steps toward the cliffs where the sea greeted the sky.

Gilded lanterns swayed gently from iron posts, casting soft amber light over the cobbled pathways.

After lunch, Brandon and Eira decided to take a short walk along the pathway watching the sea at the distance.

Brandon glanced at Eira, who was hugging his arm and walking beside him "You are silent. Are you still mad that I acted close with your mother?"

Hearing this, Eira shook her head as the wind ruffled her hair "No, I think... maybe after a long while, my mom enjoyed a proper meal."

Hm? Brandon was quite confused "What do you mean? You are so rich.. why wouldn’t she have a proper meal everyday?"

With a soft sigh, Eira spoke "You remember the genesis mark on her tongue, right? When she awakened, she lost her sense of taste because of that..."

Huh? Brandon blinked in surprise "She.. can’t taste anything?"

With a shake of her head, she replied "No matter what she eats, it tastes bland to her."

"No flavors. Just... texture. Warm or cold. Soft or crispy. But no sweetness, no salt, no spice."

She looked up at him, her voice tinged with a quiet sadness "Imagine eating your favorite food and having it taste like nothing. Day after day. Year after year."

His eyes trembled slightly as he remembered her taking bites from his hand with a delightful face, as if she enjoyed every bite of her food.

"She never complains," Eira went on, gently tugging him forward so they could keep walking.

"...but I know it bothers her. It used to drive her mad when I was little."

"She would cook or have chefs prepare these elaborate meals, and she’d just smile and say it was good. But I know she is just lying."

They walked a little farther along the stone path, the wind gently pulling at Eira’s hair as it slipped over her ears.

Looking at the seas, Eira muttered "That’s why she chews gum all the time. Mint, fruit, whatever. Not for the taste. For the sensation. It keeps her distracted."

His gaze lowered "So... the lunch earlier."

Eira met his gaze with a smile "She was smiling the whole time. Laughing. Teasing. Feeding someone. Being fed. For once, the act of eating was... emotional again. Not just to feed her stomach."

Brandon’s chest tightened a little.

He remembered the gleam in Florence’s eyes and the softness of her smiles as she teased him.

"She’s a difficult woman," Eira said softly, almost as if admitting it to herself.

"Too charming for her own good. A little too bold. But under it all, she’s someone who’s been missing things she can’t even name. Things most people take for granted."

Brandon’s gaze softened gently "I am glad I could give her a good moment."

They stopped at a small alcove overlooking the sea with the stone bench framed by tall swaying grass and delicate wildflowers.

Eira sat down, pulling him gently beside her.

Leaning on his shoulder, she muttered "I love to come here and watch the scenery."

Brandon nodded his head "Hmm, it looks beautiful."

However, the peace didn’t last long as they heard a rhythmic clatter of small wheels against stone.

Brandon turned his head and around the curve of the garden path, Florence appeared.

She is now wearing a summer dress.

Behind her, a young maid dutifully pushed a silver-topped service trolley—an elaborate, multi-tiered affair with glass dishes.

The trolley gave off faint clinks and jingles as its contents shifted slightly with each turn of the wheels.

Reaching them, Florence smiled gently "Well, well, I had a feeling I’d find you two here."

She dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand "Thank you, Mila. That will be all."

The maid gave a polite bow and turned to leave, with the trolley now parked just a few feet away from the stone bench.

Florence placed a hand on her hip and looked at them "Don’t you look picturesque?"

"You two are sitting there like the closing scene of a romantic opera."

Brandon chuckled lightly. "We were just watching the sea."

"Yes, well, the sea is very romantic if you don’t mind the wind ruining your hair," she said before moving to open one of the serving dish covers.

Eira finally spoke, "What are you doing here with a trolley full of... whatever that is?"

Florence raised an eyebrow "Dessert, of course."

"I had the chef prepare a few favorites—almond tartlets, rose-petal pudding, caramel-sea salt shortbread..."

She trailed off, lifting a domed lid to reveal an excellent arrangement of colorful delicacies.

Florence turned her attention back to Brandon, "Care for a bite, darling? Or shall we resume our earlier arrangement? I did enjoy feeding you."

With a smile, he patted the space beside him "Can’t say no to a lady, right?"

Florence pushed the trolley in front of them and sat on the bench beside him as she took a tiny tartlet filled with golden custard and topped with glazed strawberries "Now open wide."

He leaned forward and accepted the tartlet from her delicate fingers.

It crumbled lightly in his mouth.

Florence let out a pleased hum. "Perfect. You even chew prettily."

She took a thin triangle of shortbread dipped in lavender icing and handed it to Brandon again, but this time, he reached out and gently took her hand instead, guiding it slightly closer to her lips.

"Florence, it would be rude if I didn’t return the favor."

With a giggle, she accepted it and chewed on it "Mhmm... it tastes so good."

Hearing this, Brandon’s eyes trembled for a second as he looked at the delight in her eyes.

He knew she is faking it but the enjoyment she shows didn’t seem fake, and so he continued feeding her.