Chapter 97

Emilia glanced across the table and realized that both Edwin and Elias had barely touched their meals. Leaning forward a bit, she said,"You two haven't even started. Food's best when it's fresh off the stove, so go ahead and help yourselves."

That simple encouragement finally broke their deadlock. Edwin and Elias dropped their intense stares and began eating in silence.

Emilia looked them over. Something felt off,like there was unfinished business hanging in the air.

Letting her eyes settle on Edwin, she grew even more puzzled. She'd looked into his life and found nothing unusual-his background was plain as day. Everything matched the story he'd shared with her: a father bedridden with illness,a mother carrying the weight of losing a child and sometimes struggling to keep herself together.

There wasn't any sign Edwin's and Elias's lives should have crossed before, much less that they'd share this sort of cold rivalry.

"Emilia, are you staring at me because I missed something on my face?" Edwin asked, quickly brushing his fingers over his cheek in embarrassment.

Emilia offered a gentle shake of her head."Nothing's wrong. Just finish your meal."

"Sure." A shy smile crossed Edwin's face as he picked up his fork.

From his spot at the table, Elias watched the exchange, his eyes turning icy, and the space around him seemed to chill several degrees.

Whatever hunger he had left seemed to vanish in an instant. Elias pushed his plate away after only a few half-hearted bites. "I'm done here.Take your time with the rest."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned his wheelchair and rolled quietly into the living room.

Elias refused to sample anything that came from Edwin's side of the kitchen, while Edwin steered clear of every dish Elias had made.

Their silent avoidance went unnoticed by everyone else, but both men felt the tension simmering beneath the surface.

From her seat, Emilia watched Elias disappear into the living room, then studied his barely touched plate.

"Did he reallymean it when he said he was full?"She turned a questioning look on Wilbur, her thoughts drifting back to the last time they dined at the Gilded Fork.

Back then, Elias had eaten with enthusiasm. Was he just being picky tonight? That seemed unlikely-he'd cooked some of the dishes himself, and every dish was delicious. Their talent in the kitchen left her in awe, highlighting her own lack of skill.

"He probably isn't that hungry tonight. Most days, he eats more than this," Wilbur responded without raising his head.

Edwin leaned over, offering Emilia a soft word of encouragement. "You should have some more,Emilia."

She gave a gentle nod and replied, "You as well,Edwin."

A quick glance toward the living room was all Emilia needed before she rose from her seat and ladled some soup into a bowl.

Letting Elias leave her house with an empty stomach, especially after helping in the kitchen,simply didn't sit right with her.

"I'll go take this to him," she said, balancing the bowl in her hands as she stepped away from the table.

She found Elias by the window, gazing outside with his back turned.

"Even if you're not that hungry, you should at least try a little soup," Emilia suggested, her voice gentle as she approached.

A subtle wave of relief washed over Elias,the tightness in his chest loosening for the first time all evening.

Turning his wheelchair to face her, he caught sight of the bowl she held out, and the irritation on his face faded.

Emilia stopped beside him and held out the soup. "Here, have some while it's still warm."

She reminded herself to stay on good terms with him-her plans to get into the Dixon family estate and hunt for the missing half of the treasure map depended on it.

Elias kept his expression stoic, but a touch of gratitude warmed his heart as he accepted the bowl and took a careful sip.

Emilia watched him hopefully. "Do you like it?"

Meeting her hopeful eyes, Elias let the usual polite dismissal fall away and replied in a quiet voice, "It's really good."

"There's plenty more if you want seconds. Just ask and I'll bring you another bowl. I should get back to the table-I haven't had enough yet,"Emilia said with a small grin before turning to leave.

"Okay," replied Elias, watching her walk away.Though his face gave nothing away, a trace of warmth lingered in his eyes, his earlier frustration all but gone.

...

When they reached the front door, Wilbur paused and gave Emilia a friendly smile. "Thank you for inviting us over. It was a wonderful meal." "Take care on your way home," Emilia remarked,standing in the doorway to see them off.

Elias stood by silently, his lips pressed together,eyes drifting to Edwin, who lingered in the entryway as if he wished the evening could last just a little longer.