Page 249 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“But it is a gift,” I insist.

He brings his gaze to mine, apparently not really comprehending the idea of a gift.

I don’t know how old he is or how long he’s been in his role, but if he’s been taken from his family when he was a mere thousand years old and had his emotions suppressed, it makes sense that he would not know.

But emotion or not, he should still abide by polite etiquette. And that means he cannot refuse my gift.

“I see. Thank you,” he mentions after a moment’s thought. He doesn’t reach forward to grab it from me, merely using his telekinesis to move it to his side.

“You may go now.”

“Wait!” I call out again as he makes to leave.

By the Source, but this male cannot wait to get rid of me. And I cannot allow for that to happen if I need to fulfill my mission.

“You must tell me how you like it.”

Once more, he frowns, not comprehending my words.

“You are not from the House of Cryos, right?” I wager a guess. If he is in charge of our House, then with all the House of Moirai checks and balances, chances are he is not.

“I am not. I am from the House of Anemo,” he answers slowly, methodically.

“That explains it. In Cryos, it is extremely frowned upon to receive food and not sample it.”

He tilts his head to the side, glancing from me to the tray floating by his side. He ponders my words.

“I do not…eat this type of food.”

“This type?”

“Cooked food,” he mentions in a low voice, though his eyes are on the pie.

“What do you eat?”

“Nutrient powders to keep my energy levels at optimal levels.”

“Is it forbidden for you to eat it?”

“No. It is not.” He’s still looking at the pie, almost longingly—though if he has no emotion, I doubt he is capable of experiencing longing.

“Then you could try it? It’s the polite thing to do since I made it specifically for you.”

He still hesitates.

“You can have just a bite and if you do not like it, I will not take offense,” I add. “Though I am a rather good cook, so it should be delicious.” I wink playfully at him.

He barely pays me any attention, his eyes on the pie.

His throat bobs up and down. Hewantsto try it.

“I suppose I could take a bite,” he murmurs. Using his telekinesis—which on second thought might be him manipulating air since he’s from the House of Anemo—he slices a piece of the pie and without even touching it, he brings it to his mouth and takes a bite.

I watch him with bated breath, waiting to see his reaction.

“This is good. Thank you, Lady Minerva,” he mentions as he takes another bite, then another until the slice is finished.

He doesn’t reach for another one, but I’ll have to hope that the amount he ate will be enough.

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