Page 81 of The Wishing Game

"I see..."

I spare a glance at him, my lips trembling with mirth. He ruminates over that information, a deep frown on his face as he tries to steal peeks at my food.

"Do you want to try it?" I finally ask, knowing his dignified self wouldneverask for it.

He whips his gaze to mine, blinking slowly. He opens his mouth, and I already know he will utter some—clearly—fake outrage. So instead of waiting for his tongue-lashing, I cut half of my second steak and place it on a plate in front of him.

He stares at me, then at the steak, then back at me. He narrows his eyes at the meat for a few seconds.

"Fine. I will try this cow of yours," he says in the most serious tone ever.

I burst out laughing, and he shoots me an annoyed look. He straightens his spine and, picking up the utensils, he cuts gracefully into the steak. His movements are slow, precise. Grabbing a piece with his fork, he brings it to his mouth, his lips closing over the succulent meat.

My eyes are glued to him as I await his reaction. I'm not the only one as Thea and Cer have stopped their little tête-à-tête to gawk at Ze too.

He chews slowly, his expression pensive.

I watch his throat as he swallows, waiting for the verdict.

"So?" Thea is the first to inquire. "Tell us. How is it?"

"It is..." he trails off as he licks his lips.

We all lean forward, our ears perked. After all, what could be more important than what the mighty Ze has to say about the best cut of meat in this world?

"Passable," he eventually says.

I blink at him.

"Passable?" I repeat, my tone incredulous.

"It does not compare with apraga.And it is far below adoradora," he adds. Yet despite the meat being passable, he continues to eat. Bite after bite until the plate is cleared. Grabbing a napkin from the table, he presses it against his lips in slow, deliberate movements, wiping his mouth as if he were the King of England himself.

"Passable..." I mutter under my breath as I stab my fork into my steak, bringing the entire piece to my mouth and taking a huge bite out of it. I forgo cutting it into small bites altogether, simply eating the big chunk from the fork.

His eyes widen at me, his expression horrified.

I munch on it with gusto. He might think it'sjustpassable for hissuperiorpalate, but it's perfectly fine for mine. And as I finish, I clean the plate with the remaining potatoes, not leaving a single drop of sauce on it.

"You humans have deplorable table manners." He tips his chin up, the corners of his mouth turning down.

That's it! I've had it with Mr. Superiority.

Taking the napkin off my lap, I dump it over my plate and get up.

"Luce?" Thea asks, her lashes fluttering in confusion.

"I'm going to the restroom to pick at my teeth since I don't want to offend His Majesty's sensibilities with mydeplorable table manners," I grit out. Glancing at Ze before I leave, I give him a death glare that should convey my current feelings for him. For God's sake, it's always one step forward and a hundred back with this...whatever he may be.

And of course, since Ze cannotnothave the last word, he raises his forefinger to make one last note.

"I am not a king—yet. You may call memy liege." His piercing gaze meets my incensed one. "But for you,sirwill suffice." The corners of his mouth tip up.

My nostrils flare at him.

"Fine. Sir Sparkles, as you wish," I say, bending forward in a mock bow.

His mouth drops open in shock, his eyes wide. He peers down at his black outfit, which is still covered in glitter, and for the first time, he's speechless.

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