“Charlotte! Could you grab us another hot plate?”
“Yeah! Give me a moment sir!”
Aside from the occasional shouts from restaurant patrons, the place wasn’t busy. A few locals came over to our place for my mom’s cooking, but otherwise most of the tables were empty.
I spent a lot of time muddling over my own thoughts. I didn’t know why, but my mind pulled towards Aria. I thought of her trying my bow, her casual mannerisms, her beautiful white eyes. No, it wasn’t that. I had seen nice nobles before, and some beautiful nobles before. Maybe it was her magic? No, it couldn’t be. She didn’t use it. Instead she put in the effort of trying archery even if she didn’t need to. She was like a friend wanting to make me smile—a noble wanting to make me smile. I rested against the warm kitchen countert
