Xander's POV:

I lead Doe through the halls, intentionally avoiding some of the large family portraits where I definitely didn't look my best.

She's bound to see them eventually, but I'll avoid it while I can.

So I took the long way towards the center of this floor to the dining room for some breakfast, despite it being noon.

We'd slept in...a lot.

We were both exhausted from yesterday's events and even then didn't go to bed until late.

Even on top of all that it's very hard to drag myself out of bed when I wake up with her in my arms.

But then they delivered her clothes and had to get out of the room anyway as they set it all up in the closet space I'd cleared for her.

And Mom and Dad had set up a formal re-introduction to the citizens here for Nico and me in a few hours, so I wanted her to know where the main areas of this floor are before I have to be gone for a couple hours.

And, well, that kind of made it so that I had to heal some of the dark hickeys that she'd planted on me the night before.

Only the ones that couldn't be hidden by the dress shirt I'd be wearing.

Regardless of whether or not I was first in line, I was still a prince, and any info on my family's life is something people want in on.

Such a sight could cause some unnecessary hassle, and I'd rather not start up any rumors within the first 24 hours of being here.

"So, have we figured out whether or not the cook here is from the family you had when you were younger?" She asked from my side.

I've talked that family up quite a bit in the stories I've given her.

"Not yet, though I can't imagine any reason why my parents would replace the family we've worked with for centuries."

Many have tried to replace them over the years and all have failed. Brutally.

I took a light hold of her wrist before taking a turn I almost forgot about.

"And they can make anything?" She questioned with hooded eyes as if challenging the word.

"Anything you could possibly think of, they'll be able to make," I assured her.

She straightened her stance as if she was getting ready to see it for herself.

And I just smiled, knowing that she'll be more than pleased with the result.

I pushed open the doors into the tavern-like dining room, the spacious area filled with different shapes and styles of tables for the staff.

Many of which were here, most likely for lunch.

All of the boys turned and looked, most of which shying away immediately after realizing who I was.

I knew working on this floor was considered a nice getaway for them since Nico and I didn't live here, but now that we do...

I turned my head to the left, finding the bar that jutted out in a half-hexagonal shape, giving the cook their own space, as well as protecting the doors that lead back into the actual kitchen.

Spotting a woman there, I didn't waste time to go over there and meet her.

Doe fell a bit behind as she took it all in.

The older lady's head turned, eyes lighting up at the sight of us approaching.

"Prince Alexander," She greeted as if finally seeing an old friend, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," she said with an incline of her head.

The greying brown hair tied back into a tight bun bobbed with her.

She moved to stand across from us as we approached the bar.

"Xander is fine, and believe me when I say the pleasure is all mine," I replied, inhaling the variety of blissful scents sprouting from the room behind her.

"Ah Xander," She sighed, "The stories I've heard about you."

I felt my lips press together at the knowing tone in her voice, knowing what stories she was most likely referring to.

The number of times Nico and I thought that we were master chefs and snuck into this kitchen in the middle of the night to prove it.

Just to spill half of everything on the floor and get ourselves covered in the process.

Maybe end up breaking a jar or two...

A small, nervous laugh escaped me.

"All being good ones I hope," I fibbed.

Her soft smile grew, catching on very quickly.

"Well of course." she replied, "They're fun stories when I'm not the one who had to clean up the mess you two would cause."

Oh, I think I'm going to like her.

Though, those kinds of stories were relatively well known amongst the castle, so it wasn't a total confirmation of what her lineage was.

I nodded in agreement, hearing a small snicker from Doe who had already hopped up onto one of the bar stools.

She audibly gasped in excitement ad Doe's presence, looking her up and down with a wide smile.

She didn't get to see many women, if any, on this floor, and the cooks here have always been quite motherly to whoever resided here.

Like she finally found herself a daughter in a room full of these boys.

An odd feeling crept over me as a thought about the rest of the people here, a subtle head turn showing me that most of them were staring.

"You must be Doe," she gushed.

"That would indeed be me," She said with a nod, crossing her arms on the granite.

She let out what sounded to be a relieved sigh at Doe's appearance, leaning a bit closer to her.

"It's so nice to finally meet you as well. You have no idea how exhausting it is working with only boys," She gave a gesture to me, earning a stifled laugh from Doe.

Meanwhile, I was just happy that they looked to already be getting along.

It'll be nice for her to finally be able to branch out to other people.

"I have a feeling that I'll be here quite often," Doe replied, lifting her nose towards the smells she was also picking up.

"I'll count on it. Oh! Remind me before you go to get a list of your favorite foods. I like to dabble with the meals given to me and see if there's something new I can create."

Doe's eyes went fully wide, though I could only catch pure excitement from her at the words that had just been spoken.

Yeah. I think she likes her too.

"Will do," Her voice mirrored it, "Any chance that you have some time to teach me how to make some things too?"

My brows rose at the sudden question, meanwhile, She looked like Doe had just handed her the best gift she'd ever received.

"I didn't know you were into that sort of thing," I commented.

Doe just shrugged, "What? I like food. I wanna know how to make some of it."

The thought must have just occurred to her. I doubted an opportunity existed back where we were.

"Yes, absolutely," She sounded almost like she was trying to contain her elation at Doe's question, "I can make some time."

Her elbow nudged my arm.

"Maybe you can join us one of these days and learn how to use a kitchen properly," She jabbed.

Another sheepish laugh as I leaned forward, crossing my arms near hers.

"I'm pretty sure I'm still banned from that kitchen." I quietly disclosed.

The chefs here are basically mini Lords and Ladies of their domain here, and one of the last ones got fed up enough from our antics that they issued that rule.

"For another thirty years or so if my knowledge is correct," she spoke, hiding her giggle behind her hand, "Though, I'm sure I can make an exception if needed," She sent me a wink.

My embarrassment melted down a bit.

"I would love that then," I settled, nudging Doe's arm back.

The thrilled smile she gave me at my acceptance to her offer set butterflied loose in my stomach.

"Well, we can talk more about that later. I'm Lily by the way."

Lily... Yes!

The family we employed has always had a floral pattern with their names.

I relaxed a bit more with that knowledge secured.

Lily reached behind her to tighten her bright yellow apron, which with how much food she had to make, was impressively clean.

"And I'm sure you two didn't come here just to chat so what can I get started for you? I'm assuming breakfast-related since I didn't get a call for delivery to your room?"

She catches on quickly.

I simply nodded, "Suprise me."

A very common request given to these cooks, and they exceed expectations every single time.

Lily returned my nod and a grin that told me she already had an idea.

"And for you, dear?"

Doe eyed me questionably, I guess not being fully prepared to answer now that she'd met Lily.

"Uh... same?" she eventually settled with.

Good choice.

"And do you have any coffee?"

"I have cold brew steeping from last night, or I can make a fresh pot if you prefer it hot. What kind of flavor are you looking for?"

Doe just blinked at her for a few seconds, lips parting in a small gawk.

She wasn't used to all of these choices, and I could already tell that Lily wanted all the details of her preference that she could get.

"What are my options?" Doe eventually asked.

That odd feeling reappeared, their conversation fading out as I turned my head again to the group of boys that were here.

With the closer picture, I could now see that instead of staring at me, like I had first assumed, they were staring right at Doe.

Most of which ogling here like she was the first human woman they've ever gotten this close to.

It then dawned on me that that could possibly be very close to the truth.

With her and Khloe now here...

I quick tune into my senses gave me enough evidence to make out a few of these boy's immediate and absolutely disgusting thought processes.

She was beautiful, anyone with eyes could clearly come to that immediate conclusion.

But the way some of them looked at her wasn't the way someone simply appreciates beauty.

There was a line between respectfully admiring, and being a fucking creep.

And at least half of them were treading a very fine line between the two.

The other were very far off the line.

My eyes fixed into a glare, a fit of sudden anger sparking to life as I memorized their scents for good measure.

It made me remember why they made the bar top granite.

It's harder to scratch.

A few of them caught my gaze, freezing immediately before returning their attention elsewhere.

Some smacking the others to get their attention and tell them to look away.

Good.

I wasn't usually the type to rely on fear, but I was down for anything at this moment if it meant keeping her far from the rancid testosterone-fueled desires some of them obviously had.

That protective urge filled up my chest.

Anything to keep her away from those kinds of people, especially with how much of her upbringing I need to pull her away from.

I didn't at all expect her to just stay in our room while I was busy, and wanted to be able to guarantee that she wouldn't encounter any... unwanted advances.

And here I thought Vampires were animalistic.

There were some, though, that weren't paying either of us any mind, one of which being Marcus who sat in the back corner.

Or at least it was, the sudden quiet murmuring between the boys catching his attention and causing him to look up.

He turned his head rather quickly to the two of us, his eyes widening.

"Hey, Doe!" He called out, causing her, and half of the other people in the room to turn to him.

Her posture straightened with a smile once she spotted him waving.

She returned his wave, promptly hopping off of her seat.

I turned back to see Lily washing her hands in the sink against the wall, I guess having gotten what w she wanted from Doe.

...How long had I been glaring at them?

"Come on," Doe grabbed my attention, "Let's go sit with him."

A different yet vaguely familiar feeling swelled in my chest.

It was different from the anger I was just experiencing.

"You go ahead, I'll be there in a second."

She responded with a little Hum, and I kept a close eye on her as she made her way over to Marcus.

Taking note of the ones who tried to subtly take a glimpse as she passed.

I could only imagine the same could be said for Khloe... I'll have to send a word to Nico.

As soon as she was comfortably seated, I turned back. 

"Hey Lily?" I spoke just loud enough for her to hear.

She met my eye, "Yes?"

"How experienced are you in making a Lava cake?"

She scoffed at my uncertainty in the question.

"I never took you for a man to have doubts in his chef. It's one of my more favored desserts after all."

Of course.

That was enough to get me to smile again. For a minute at least.

"I assumed as much. Can you throw one in for her at dinner for me? She loves those things."

"I'll make a note of that, and consider it done." She concluded before stepping into her kitchen.

I sat there for a few silent seconds longer before pushing myself up.

I made sure to make very stern eye contact to the boys here I felt would cause the most trouble on my way over to the two.

Most of them weren't brave enough to meet it.